Smuggler's Notch – Fox Run Meadows is a championship-level 18-hole course that plays through rolling Vermont meadows while providing immaculate views of the surrounding green mountains the state is so well known for. You may be familiar with this course due to its annual presence on pro tour coverage for the Green Mountain Challenge, as well as being host to the final rounds of the 2018 and 2023 World Championships. This course has been among the top-rated courses in the world on UDisc, including being rated at #7 for two straight years now. That's high praise, and just as with Brewster Ridge across the road, it is easy to see why this course is so loved once you're there in person.

Location of Fox Run is just of route 108, up Edward's Road; you'll see a sign to the disc golf center at the turn off the highway. At the next intersection, you'll take a right, where you'll see the pro shop and parking on the right side of the road. Hole 1's tee and 18's fairway and green will be to your left, making for some fun spectating opportunities from the pro shop and seating/parking areas. Smuggler's Notch is a year-round resort, so on the way to the disc golf center, you may also run into camping areas, pools, and ski areas depending on which direction you come from. If you are looking to course bag, I have good news for you, because Smuggler's Notch is also home to Brewster Ridge, a wooded 18-hole course that is rated even higher than Fox Run. Outside of that, Smugg's is about 45 minutes from Burlington and 24 from the nearest disc golf course. That being said, these courses will keep you busy for the better part of a day, and they also use tee time reservations which you can do online. I recommend booking ahead, as my friends and I were surrounded by other groups during our 2:10pm reservation for Brewster on a Saturday in July, though Fox Run was empty for our round at 5.

Amenities at the Pro Shop area include port-o-potties in the parking lot, water in the shop (free refills for your own bottle), and snacks/beverages for sale, along with discs and other souvenirs. There isn't much around the area besides resort restaurants, so I would suggest getting food and gas before you drive out if you're coming from farther away. Other than that, everything you could ask for is present.

Course Equipment is great overall at Fox Run. The baskets are Chainstar Pros just like on Brewster and look brand new. The signage is great, with tee signs including par, distances, a graphic showing the hole layout and tee locations, and the next hole direction. The tee pads for the Gold tees are large turf tees that were very nice to throw from, with the white tees being shorter turf tees as well. Red tees were natural as of our round here, but many holes have white and red sharing tees, so this is somewhat limited. There's also plenty of next-tee signage as well to keep you from getting lost, especially on the walk to and from the back section of the course. There are also plenty of sitting opportunities as well as bridges where needed, really rounding out a nice equipment setup for the course.

Course Design at Fox Run Meadows is spoiled in the name, as the main features are fields, hills, and OB/wild grass areas, with some woods sprinkled in. The course is separated into two areas: the front (holes 1-3 and 13-18) which has a mix of woods and more open fairways, and the back (4-12) which plays around a freshwater reservoir. There's a nice mix of elevation throughout, and plenty of OB to keep things challenging. A perfect complement to Brewster Ridge, Fox Run is a long, open course that will provide you with plenty of fun shots as well as amazing views of the surrounding green mountains.

Shot-Shaping will be critical on just about every hole at Fox Run, though the openness of the course allows for some flexibility. Holes 3, 5, 13, and 17 have the clearest favoritism to righthand backhand throwing players, while holes 6, 8, and 15 are the most obvious forehand or lefty backhand holes. That being said, it's not like the other holes don't have particular shot requirements, as many are either par 4 or 5s, or have multiple line options that come with their own difficulties. Hole 1, for example, has a pretty straightforward straight-to-left ending opening shot from the Gold/Blue tee, but then the basket sits in the back-right corner of the fairway, requiring a forehand or touchy understable backhand to get a birdie chance. Hole 16 requires a dead straight shot to start, and then has a gap into the open second half of the hole that could require a turnover, hyzer, or S-shot depending on where you land in the tunnel. Some par 3s like 9 and 10 can be attacked with a couple of strategies, but have obstacles like tree lines, OB, or a cliff in the case of 10 to keep in mind when deciding on a straight shot or something more bendy. All in all, while there are options on many holes, your placement of shots and accuracy in landing zones is critical on every hole.

Openess/Woods heavily leans towards open, but a couple of holes do utilize those Vermont woods. Holes 3, 11, 13, and 14 have guarded greens as the fairways on each lead you into wood lines. Hole 15 is the sole completely wooded hole, with a tight fairway leading to a small green after a right bend. Hole 16 starts with a tight straight shot through the woods before giving you breathing room in the second half. Everything else is mainly open, with wood line and OB shaping being the main obstacles to navigate.

Distances vary greatly at Fox Run. From the gold tees, you will have holes that range from 250 feet on hole 2 to the mammoth 1,265-foot hole 7. The course is a long one, with the average hole distance being over 500 feet. This includes three par 4s that are over 700 feet long and multiple par 3s over 400 feet. Elevation plays a role in some of those situations, but the main takeaway is that this is a long course, and you'll be grabbing drivers a lot. The different tees really add to the potential variance in distances, especially from round to round, as the red tees play 4,630 feet in total and each level up increasing 1,000 to 1,500 feet in length. The distances are similar for each tee option, relatively speaking; hole 7 is the longest hole from all 4 options, for instance.

Elevation isn't as prominent on this course compared to Brewster Ridge, but still packs a punch in spots. There are plenty of downhill shots, with holes 5, 9, 13, 17, and 18 all having significant downward slopes on part of or all of their fairways. Uphill shots aren't as frequent, but holes 1, 3, and 16 either have gradual hills or upward elevation on part of the hole. Other holes like 10 and 14 have smaller changes in elevation like slight valleys or sloped greens that will make landing in a good spot without rolling trickier. The lack of upward elevation is probably the part that's most lacking, but as a fan of downhill shots, I personally don't mind.

Difficulty level at Fox Run runs the gamut thanks to four options for tees. The gold tees are going to give you championship-level golf, while the reds are accessible enough that new players aren't going to get discouraged. Just about everyone will be able to find a level that works for them here.

Course Highlights can be a decently long list, as many holes stand out. Hole 18 has to be one of the best holes anywhere in terms of enjoyment and backdrop, with a fun but tough downhill shot followed by a second drive around or under a large tree to a difficult green. Hole 1 is also a great start, with a wildgrass carry followed by an uphill approach with just enough trees to keep you honest. Hole 5 is a very fun downhill shot to a tight gap in the wood line, followed by a dangerous green with the reservoir right behind the basket. Hole 7 is a true test of your distance, with a long fairway that's been tightened up since 2018 worlds by the looks of it (likely due to private property on the other side of the wood line). The course lives up to its coverage on the pro tour – if it looks like a stand-out hole of disc golf on YouTube to you, chances are it lives up to that name in person.

Setting/Aesthetic also deserves a mention. I know I'm a midwestern boy and might get easily impressed, but this has to be the most beautiful backdrop for a round of disc golf I have seen so far after playing over 150 courses. The surrounding green mountains are a perfect setting, and you feel like you're on an island of meadows during your round. I'm sure other courses will eventually top Fox Run for me in this regard, but this one sets the bar high.

Artificial OB is a sticking point for many folks, and it is everywhere on this course. DGCR states that a lot of the OB areas are sensitive wetland spots, and other spots are clearly to separate fairway boundaries, though no fairways play close enough to create an issue. I get the argument that OB lines can create a sense of artificialness, and if used improperly they can feel unnecessarily limiting or gimmicky. Having said that, I feel like the OB here is purposeful enough that it doesn't call too much attention to itself and doesn't create unnecessary islands or other challenges for poops and giggles like other courses I have played (I didn't say Eagles Crossing, you're the one that bought that up).

Transitions from the front and back sections is very long, being probably between 800 to 900 feet of extra walking one way. These transitions are well-marked and include plenty of bridges (some even having chicken wire) to keep things from getting muddy. I thought the middle third of the course was great and well-designed, so I think the hike is worth it.

Course Length, to expand on the previous con, will have you getting plenty of steps. While the elevation isn't as intense as with Brewster Ridge, there are still a few floors worth of variance, and you're going to certainly meet any daily step goal you may have in place. Be sure to limber up a bit before your round, especially if you're playing both courses back to back. You also won't get much of an opportunity to hit the parking lot before the end of the round, so plan accordingly.

Teepads seem to have gotten improvements since previous reviews, but the red tees are still natural when not shared with the white option. Some of the shorter tees that have turf are on the shorter side, especially compared to the Golds. As one of my buddies said when someone else mentioned this, "Those tees aren't on TV". Brewster Ridge is in the middle of improving their red tees, so hopefully Fox Run is next up!

Pay To Play is an automatic turn-off for many players, so keep in mind Fox Run is private and costs money just like Brewster across the road. One round costs $10 on a weekday and $12 over the weekend when reserving a tee time online, something I recommend doing to avoid hiccups you may run into with just showing up. Some courses rub me the wrong way with how much they charge compared to the disc golf they provide, and Fox Run is absolutely not one of those courses. For the cost of one round at Eagles Crossing (why do you keep bringing that course up?), you can get a round on each of these courses and have money left over for a souvenir. Can't beat that considering the level of courses here, and how well they are maintained – I'm pretty sure Fox Run is consistently immaculate from what I'm reading online.

Crowds can lead to longer rounds, even with tee times. This can be hit and miss though. Our round on Brewster in a group of 3 took 2.5 hours due to being backed up a bit. Fox Run was empty by the time we hit our tee time, and with me and one other, we were done in under two hours easily.

2018 Worlds on Jomez/Central Coast was my introduction to professional disc golf, and to this day Fox Run Meadows stands out to me as one of the most picturesque and standout courses featured on the tour when viewing on YouTube. I was worried that I was putting this course, as well as Brewster Ridge, on a bit of a pedestal it may not be able to live up to. I'm happy to have been wrong about that, as this course is everything you see on YouTube and more.

Having this course and Brewster Ridge within 200 feet of each other is silly. Smuggler's Notch, Jeff Spring, and Steve Brinster really knocked it out of the park with this course, and to have two courses of this caliber in one complex is hard to believe even after seeing and experiencing both. Do other multi-course complexes exist that can compete with Smugg's? Maybe, but I can't think of any off the top of my head, especially with Selah Ranch having been closed down.

I get why Brewster Ridge is rated higher on DGCR as well as UDisc, as it does stand out more from a pure design perspective. That being said, Fox Run is more than deserving of being right up there on rating. It's a perfect complement to the tight fairways that reside across the road, with amazing views, open but tough fairways, and several holes that would be the highlight hole of most other courses. You even get a taste of the woods on this course too, with 15 and 16 keeping you on your toes after having enjoyed more open shots for much of the course to that point. Fox Run really has a bit of everything, and I have a hard time thinking of fairway shapes or challenges that are missing from this course when you look at the full package.

I encourage folks to not let the OB lines distract you too much from the round of disc golf Fox Run provides, as I really think they serve a purpose well. Hopefully, the red tees will get improvements soon, which will really complete the course from an equipment perspective. It's impressive how well-kept this course is, and I'm sure they keep it at that level all season as well. The Green Mountain Challenge isn't for a while, and yet I would have considered the course tournament-ready during my round.

My day at Smuggler's Notch is a disc golf core memory for me, and I recommend that all players add this place to their bucket list. The two courses combined are everything you can ask for in a day of chucking plastic and paying $24 for both courses felt like an absolute steal. If I lived nearby, I'd be budgeting for a season pass just to be able to play all of the different combinations these courses provide. They're accessible to all difficulties, and really excel in just about every way you can think of.

Fox Run Meadows is truly a special course, and while it may be talked about a lot in reference to being a compliment to Brewster Ridge, it really is an elite course on its own merit. The variety of lines required is exceptional. The individual holes make for plenty of memorable moments. And that green mountain backdrop is second to none.

I thought about this rating for a long time, but that feels silly in retrospect. Fox Run Meadows is an easy 5/5 for me and deserves the love it gets and more. If you want a perfect day of disc golf, Smuggler's Notch is the destination for you.

+Gorgeous. The views and landscape are some of the coolest I have seen in the country. Stop and look around between shots- you won\'t be disappointed. +Clean and organized. Tee times are required to prevent backups. Property operates on a ski hill/resort so all fairways and additional course maintenance are top notch. +Big time challenge. Distance and OB will be your main competition here, but it doesn\'t play like a golf course style course as may be expected. More wooded than you would expect, lots of elevation. All aspect of disc golf will be tested. +Great variety of shots. 300 feet all the way to 1200 foot holes. Landing zone par 4s and a couple potential ace runs. Many shots provide great risk and reward lines. You will have many ways to play each hole and results will depend on your execution of these lines. +Multiple tees. Players have options to play professional holes all the way down to recreational tees.

-No trash cans on the course. Would be nice to have some cans on the course itself but pack it in/pack it out is the policy. Never minded this, pretty basic common sense and courtesy.-Gold tees are turf and are great. Other tees are mostly natural or rubber pads.

When watching the pros play the courses at Smugglers Notch in Vermont, I always assumed I would greatly prefer and have much more fun playing the more wooded Brewster Ridge course. Love woods golf, too much OB on Fox Run, it\'s just made to host spectators. While the scale still slightly tips in Brewsters\' favor, the competition in my mind is much closer after playing both courses. While OB is the main consideration on many holes on Fox Run, it just seems to make sense in the design of each hole. While some may clamor for trees to line the fairways rather than white stakes, the design is so good I hardly noticed the difference between the open holes and the more wooded ones. Plus, you will not be at a loss for trees while playing this course. You are still in the Green Mountain State, the green part equals plenty of trees. Last thing on the subject- if you absolutely detest more open, longer disc golf, the other course that starts a mere 100 feet in the other direction from Fox hole 1 will quench your thirst for hitting tight gaps and even more trees. Take a step back from how open the course looks on television. Elevation, water, trees, distance, OB, epic landscape... this course has everything any disc golfer would want if they were to design a dream course. And it\'s only half the fun you\'ll have that day.... Doesn\'t get much better than Smuggs. A previous reviewer mentioned how this is not a destination property, especially when compared to Midwest golf. As a lifelong Midwesterner, I am already looking forward to getting back to Vermont and would definitely not miss out on another trip to Smugglers Notch if I find myself in the area.

-Pretty good gold tee boxes. I don't prefer Astroturf, but they are fine. The rest seem just okay. Short rubber pads and grass.

-Great individual hole designs. Great.

-A few fun and funky tee boxes.

-Even from the golds, this course may be a little long, but not treacherously hard.

-OB for the sake of having OB is ridiculous. It's not just this course, it's a lot of pro level courses.
Just let people play it as it lies from the short rough. Sheesh!

-A couple long walks

-A lot of THICK rough and a couple random steep cliffs that will steal your disc forever.

-Advertising that this as "one of the top disc golf destinations in the world" is pretty silly. If this complex were in Illinois or Wisconsin, it would barely be in the top five for each state.

-Of course it's really nice and I'm glad to have it within an hour of my home, but it's no mecca.
Pros and Midwesterners would absolutely smash this course.

+ All the iconic views from the Green Mountain Championship: the boardwalk from the first tee, alternate fairways leading up to the 4th basket with the rocks around it, the wall behind the 5th tee where the camera guys set up, the boulder behind the 9th basket, the amazing downhill view from the 18th tee


+ It's a resort, so the upkeep is immaculate (mowing, weed whacking, bridges, and all the disc golf equipment). On-site fully stocked pro shop, including snacks, craft beers and a patio overlooking the first tee and the entire 18th hole


+ Permanent signage on all four tees (Gold/Blue/White/Red), and they've kept the DGN tee signage from the Green Mountain Championship on the back tees


+ Some surprisingly short holes (#2, #6, #10) to balance off the big dogs like #4, #7, #8, #18


+ The differences among the tees allow you to match the course to your game. As an 800 rated older golfer, I played from the whites and felt like I had a well-earned +6. Even from the shorter tees there's plenty of challenge offered by the constant threat of OB and other hazards - and the blues would likely have been too much to handle (especially in the wind)

- Except for #13, the white tees are just ground level rubber mats. They're in good shape, and the white tees have their own permanent signage. This "con" isn't about how they affect play as much as they affect the experience ("We don't get the nice teepads…"). So it's only a note about appearances - even playing from rubber tees, I thought the golf was a 5.0

~ The Fox Run layout has two distinct areas, separated by a long walk out to #4 and back in to #13. The "front" half is much more wooded and has some elevation, especially on the two closing holes. The "back" half is the meadow that gives it the name. Open to the wind, with a lot of OB shaping your shots. By the time you come back in from #12, you may be surprised at how woodsy the course becomes


~ Expect long rounds. Even with the control of tee times, my round took 3+ hours. It's a long walk, and the tall grasses will slow things down hunting for discs


~ It's possible to play a shortened 9 hole loop using only the "front" section: 1-3, and 13 - 18. Plenty of great golf in those nine holes


~ Fun fact: you wouldn't know this from coverage, but the short dogleg #10 where you're throwing into a facing hillside has a huge cliff that begins about 15' behind the basket. If you penetrate the woodline behind the green, you might never see that disc again


~ Also on property: Brewster Ridge!

The main parking lot is plenty big enough , Port O Let next to it .The pro shop , stocked with discs , cold drinks and snacks , is one of the nicest that I have ever seen . There is a concourse next to it that overlooks Fox Run's hole #1 , that has picnic tables with umbrellas where you can rest between rounds .
The equipment - There are currently 3-4 tees on every hole . They go from pavers , to rubber to natural with stakes . The signage is very descriptive and give distance from each pad . The baskets were upgraded to Mach X and have flags at the tops .. There is a putting basket near the parking lot . a few nice bridges and walkways help connect the gaps and navigate any wet conditions . Benches at the golds . There are white stakes that mark out of bounds along the course . Plenty of Next Tee signs to keep you on the right path .
The Landscape - Fox Run's course and grounds are kept in pristine condition . No overgrowing tree branches , and the fairways are mowed short and defined , while the OB grass is longer. There is some higher grass , like off the fairway on 3 , and on the right on #14 , and the right on 18 , but not enough to lose a disc on . Much different from the Brewster Ridge woods course . Fox Run is more semi open to open . The OB will still force you to create your line , but tunnel shots only appear on holes 15 , 16 and maybe 4 . The course rolls here , but the most elevation are the tee box on top the hill at 9 , and sweeping downhill drives on 17& 18 . There is a lake that could come into play on hole 5 , but only if the wind or a shank drive drifts far left .
The Highlights - Fox Run has as good a starting and finishing hole for a course as I have seen . #1 ( 575' from blue/golds ) from the golds starts with a drive over some overgrowth . The fairway turns left and has trees about 400'+from the tee , with the basket in a clearing . #5 ( 445' , golds/blue , 370' white ) has a tee pad on an old foundation of a house . It throws to a row of bushes with some relief on the immediate right and a keyhole in the middle . The lake sits to the left of the hole . #7 is the only par 5 on either course ( 1225' golds 1085' blues,680' whites ) Fairly open , you still have to contend with an slight uphill first shot over low brush to a plateau , then a long slow downhill slope to the basket #16 starts out on a tunnel shot fairway ( 715' G, 600' B 535'W ). . You have to clear some rough while leaving the woods . The basket is slightly elevated on a wood base in the open . When I came to the #18 gold tee ( 775' ) it read par 3 . Granted , it's a downhill slope , but the fairway looks to be 25 to 30 yards wide with OB on both sides , and a wall of high brush guarding a direct throw about 100' or so from the basket . An epic last hole .
Signature Hole - Mine was #4 ( 620' golds ) it had a thin fairway starting out with brush and a dropoff on the left and brush and incline on the right . Eventually it breaks to the right to an elevated green on a ridge .
Time- 90 minutes + .. A group of 4 is going to take all of 3 hours or more .
Disc Risk . Surprisingly low . This course is so well maintained , that you have to really chuck it into some of the overgrowth , or have to wind take it into the lake on 5 .
Other than maybe going out to Texas and Selah Ranch , there is probably nowhere else that you can park your car and play 2 quality courses Brewster Ridge and Fox Run . Fox Run gives you a ton of variety and will force you to empty your bag during your round .
The views on this course are postcard-worthy . Great looks of mountains and Vermont landscapes .

#1 Tee Pads - if lesser players are paying the same amount to play as the better players , shouldn't they have the nice paver or turf tees , too ?
#2 Long confusing walk - Not that it can be helped , but the walk from 3-4 and back from 12-13 is crazy long . I caught myself walking toward 13 from 3 because it was visible . You sometimes think that you are off course .
#3 Pay to play - $10 per round , $15 day pass allows play on both courses . A bargain for me ( hey , it's world class disc golf ) , but worth mentioning for a dad bringing the family up for a round , or a newbie still learning the game that might want to invest he cost into another disc .
Bring something to drink . You won't return back to the start until you finish #18 .Use bug spray during summer .

If this destination isn't on your bucket list , you may want to pencil it in . I can't begin to tell you how first class this place is . Professionally maintained , this is what world class golf looks like . You have the technical tight Brewster Ridge , then come back with the more open Fox Run , dodging the OB , with its creative lines . Smugglers Notch looks like it puts a lot of the money it takes in back into the course . I'm sure they want to create a disc golf experience like no other , and they keep moving closer . 2 top tier courses within 50 yards of where you park your car . Scenic views with challenge that will even test the world's best . It is a good idea to call ahead for a tee time here , especially on the weekends Check the homepage , too , so you don't waste a trip because of the many gatherings and tournaments held here .

Fox Run Meadows is the younger, more open, OB laden brother of Brewster Ridge, the amazing course right across the street.

Fox Run is a course that, from the gold tees, will challenge every part of your game. Distance drives, Placement shots, hitting lines, among other things.

Fox Run has 3-4 tees on every hole, with the Gold tees obviously playing the most challenging, but with red, white, and blue tees suitable for all skill levels. The Gold Tees are extremely professional turf tees, and every hole has a bright Yellow Discatcher.

Fox Run is a more open course than some, but it has a solid mix of open, mostly open, and mostly wooded. The Out of Bounds that is on every hole on the course also forces you to throw different lines, to avoid the OB as well as be in the best landing zone.

There is a wide variety of elevation, with the final two holes playing extremely downhill. 17 is a downhill RHBH hyzer onto a sloping green, with hole 18 being an outstanding signature finish, an open downhill crush with OB on the left and right, less than 100 feet between them.

This course is fantastic, and there is no reason to not play this course, especially if you are in the area, but it has a few things that keep it from being a 5.

The walk from 3-4 and then 12-13 is abnormally long, as it takes you across the road to a completely different section of the property. I would take the walk to play those holes any day, but it wasn't the most practical.

The Red, White, and Blue tees are no where near the quality of the gold tees, either being gravel, rubber, or natural. They had less signage pointing to them, and they are not the greatest layout.

There are a few places where the out of bounds was a tiny bit unfair, a place where it juts out too far into the fairway, or is too close to a green. I understand it, because it makes the course more pro caliber, but it really stings when you go out of bounds by a foot, only to move backwards by 250 feet.

This course is a great compliment to Brewster Ridge, and this destination should be on everybody's bucket list. The views are enough to make you want to visit the Vermont Mountains, but the golf will make you want to stay here.

While the adjacent 18-hole Brewster Ridge course plays primarily in the woods, this is meadow golf. I'll come back to that in a second. First off, with the more open nature of the course, the views here are spectacular. The Green Mountains loom just across the street. Of the 180+ courses I've played, this is absolutely in the top 5 for scenery.

Back to meadows. You don't need heavily wooded holes to make for good design. Hole 1 may be is my favorite hole of any of the 36 holes on site. The blue and gold tees shoot across a grassy marshy area to the landing area on the other side. There maybe a dozen trees dot the fairway for the rest of the several hundred feet to the basket. There are landing zones, and your preferred throwing style will dictate where you want to land. It's a pretty, well manicured hole that has good design.

Hole 2 is a fun tunnel shot down a slight hill with a guardian rock and the Green Mountains in the background to distract you.
Among the middle holes, I like 10 and 11. Hole 10 is a downhill valley hole with the basket on the upslope and dangerous ridges beyond. Hole 11 is a straight shot finishing with a downhill rightward lean into the woods, forcing a great drive to set up the right line to the basket.

Hole 14 is another great hole, playing along the hilly electrical easement. The blue and gold tees shoot from a little ridge with a big bump in the middle of the fairway that you need to clear before the fairway descends on the other side and curves to the left. Fun shot.

Hole 18 is a great tournament finishing hole. Seriously, watch the 2016 and 2017 Green Mountain Championships. There is an opportunity to gain strokes here with phenomenal shots, and Nikko Locastro (2016) and Michael Johannsen (2017) put forth a valiant effort to do so.

Most of the tee pads are just grass. The gold tees were permanent, but the blues the rest were grass when I played.

So much of the course's challenge is defined by artificial OB (lined by stakes). Sometimes this follows some contours of the land, but othertimes not. I don't love this. Holes 4-14 all have this feature to varying degrees.

The middle holes are more "open with OB" than the meadow characteristics I really enjoy with the beginning and ending holes.

One last thing: the transition from hole 3 to 4 and from 13 to 14 is long. The original 9 holes (1-3 and 14-18) are not right next to the other holes.

I played the blue tees. The gold tees have rubber pads but the others are just stakes in the ground, so if you're a less than stellar player, the tee pads are underwhelming.

I'm excited that this property got the World Championships for 2018. It is worthy. I do hope that it enables the final touches to both Fox Run and Brewster Ridge to complete these courses. Top among those is putting in tees that aren't just stakes in the ground (other than the golds).

I said it in my review of Brewster Ridge, but it shouldn't be understated: this area is one of the best parts of the country. I've been to 48 states, and Vermont is among the best. If you like great disc golf, or excellent hiking, or challenging skiing, or exceptional beer, or just being around people who are very happy to be where they are, you should not overlook this corner of the country.

Well kept, beautiful course with huge, long wide open fairways.

Nice course, but my group of 4 novices all agreed that after playing the companion Smugglers Notch - Brewster Ridge course (which we all loved) this course was somewhat frustrating for all of us. We are all novice players. Even playing the red and white tees this is a long course that starts to wear on you. We are sure it's awesome if you can throw long shots, but beginners should stick to Brewster Ridge until they can handle the distances.

Some decent variety but the middle 10 holes start to feel repetitive.

Long walks, but honestly if you can't handle them go bowling or something ... so not actually a con. Plus it's gorgeous.

Amazing facility that was still dressed up for the Green Mountain Championships. Multiple tees on every hole, fair and fun design. Elevation, OB Challenges and Iconic Vermont Beauty.


I used bullet points if you don't want to read the entire review.

Smuggler's Notch is destination disc golf
Smuggler's Notch provides TWO top rated courses in one location. Brewster Ridge plays through the woods while Fox Run covers the meadows and lightly wooded hills. There is true balance here: Yin and Yang, Wooded and Open, Fun and Funner! Since both courses are amazing and both courses offer multiple tees, Smuggler's Notch is a destination for disc golfers of all abilities.


My Favorite?
This course is a picture postcard for why Vermont is so amazingly beautiful. Vermont beauty alone makes this course one of my all time favorites. The fact there are two courses on site, adds to the experience. I think Fox Run is my favorite course at Smuggler's. However, it is very difficult to choose. It is like having to choose between Apple Pie and Chocolate Cake. Apple pie is my favorite pie, and Chocolate is my favorite cake. I think I found the Fox Run course to be more enjoyable as a solo player as it is very easy to navigate and you can see where you are throwing. It could have been the timing as I played this on a late fall afternoon and the fall colors were just beginning to show. It really was the perfect end to a perfect day of disc golfing in Vermont.


Four Sets of Tee on Every Hole!
I love the fact there are four tees on each and every hole. The long Gold tees have been developed and have tee signs. The Gold tees are made of turf placed over a bed of crushed rock. The Blue Tees were generally rubber mats. The shorter White and Red tees are marked by stakes. The Red tees are the shortest and would be perfect for new players or young kids. I am a weenie arm and I played from the Gold Tees and was able to get pars on nearly every hole. The big arms have plenty of opportunities to be searching for birdies or getting in trouble.

Signs and Navigation
Big beautiful full color tee signs on every tee. The signs clearly show all four tees, all the OB and the directions to the Next Tee. As long as you pay attention, you will not have any trouble following the layout. They have Fox Run maps in the tee shop as well. I was going to add that map to files, but can't seem to find it.


Its a big one
While it is a beautiful walk in the country, it is a long walk. This course is over 9,000 feet from the Golf Tees. There are some big bomber holes where you discs can fly free and far. The 1150 foot Hole 7 is a wonderful wide open hole from an elevated tee to a green across a small creek. When I played Fox Run, it was still set up for the Green Mountain Championships, which created OB islands and narrowing fairways. The OB areas definitely add more challenge to these more open holes.

Adam's Rib
Apparently, this course was originally part of Brewster Ridge as an extra 9. Nine holes play up and around a gently wooded slope. While the lines are not as tight as Brewster, you still have to avoid the trees and hit the fairways. Holes 5 -13 are on an area of land that was apparently once an executive ball golf course. They are long and open with elevation changes and they are beautifully manicured. There is a small pond that provides some extra challenge on Holes 5 and 12. Hole 18 is one of the most beautiful finishing holes in disc golf. A wonderful sweeping 775 foot down hill hole with OB road on the left and rough on the right.


On Site Pro Shop
There was a great variety of discs at the Pro Shop. They also had drinks and snacks. Staff was super friendly. They were very helpful and knowledgeable about the merchandise.

All 18 in a row
Once you head out on Hole 1, you do not return to the parking area and pro shop until you play the signature Hole 18. Although, you could play Hole 4 and walk to Hole 14 instead of playing the 9 holes in the meadow. But, why would you skip the most beautiful holes on the course?


Kids Carts and Strollers
The terrain is gentle enough for strollers and carts. Since there are four sets of tees on every hole, even younger players and newer players can play a round. However, it is a very large course and spread out over a large area. You will not return to parking area until after Hole 18 so prepare accordingly.

Restrooms
There were facilities at the pro shop. I don't recall seeing any other portables or facilities on the course. This is a very open course, but there are a couple of opportunities for privacy if needed.

Stop and Smell the Roses
If you spend all your time focused on the disc golf, you might miss the beauty of the mountains around you. Be sure to take a minute, take a deep breath, look around and enjoy the scenery.


Lost Discs
Unless you get unlucky on the holes near the water and send a stray shot into the pond, there is little chance to lose discs on this course. I suppose you could lose a disc on the meadow holes if you send a disc into the bordering rough.

Lots of walking
This course covers a lot of ground. In addition to the sheer length of the course, there are also long walks from 4 to 5 and again from 13 to 14.

Open
If this course is too wide open or doesn't have enough variety for you, check out the heavily wooded Brewster Ridge on site.

Lodging
I did not stay at the Smuggler's Notch RESORT. I stayed at a small Bed and Breakfast in Jeffersonville called Smuggler's Notch INN. I felt like I had stepped back in time and onto the set of the Bob Newhart show. It really was just like that. An hisoric inn owned by a nice couple and everyone was friendly. All of Vermont seems quaint, cute, old fashioned and proud of it.

Immaculate
Course was in exceptional condition following the 2016 Green Mountain Championships. Everything was mowed and trimmed and shiny. Although I would imagine they keep these two resort courses looking nice all season. All the extra features and grooming were a great change of pace from the rustic backyard course at nearby Black Falls. While I love rugged, wilderness disc golf, it is nice to be pampered!


Review delay
I played this course as part of my trip playing 12 States in 12 Days. I promised myself before the trip that I would review every single course I played. I wanted to save the best (Fox Run) for last. I had hoped to finish my review sooner. I could have just slapped together a few lines, but I really wanted to convey how awesome it was to play here. It was literally a disc golf dream come true for me. My round at Fox Run is forever etched in my memory. I will savor these sweet disc golf memories for many, many years to come. I hope I can return again one day.


Rating
This course is a perfect match for the wooded Brewster Ridge on site. The entire Smuggler's Notch disc golf complex gets a 5. Fox Run gets 5 for being immaculately maintained. Fox Run gets a 5 for amazing Vermont Beauty. Fox Run gets a five for having four tees on every single hole. Fox Run gets a 5 for thoughtful use of elevation and natural challenges. Fox Run gets a 5 and is absolutely, hands down, the BEST course I played in Vermont!

The Fox Run course at Smuggler's Notch is stunning and does not disappoint! The views are breathtaking and the staff are very friendly! Out of bounds comes into play on every hole which​ keeps you thinking and on your toes for every shot. Every single hole is well thought out and fair. The gold layout had turf tee pads, which were awesome to play from! The tee signs were incredibly accurate and made for no confusion.

This really is not a con, but perhaps golf carts could be implemented here. The gold layout measures in at almost 2 miles of tee to basket distance, but the walk as a whole is easily 4 to 5 miles. Be prepared for a hike

This course is a must visit! The amenities at and around the course are top notch. I would recommend staying at Smuggler's Notch resort and playing multiple rounds at Fox Run and it's sister course Brewster Ridge.

- The fairways were freshly mowed. And for what I could see and feel from the place, much love is put in the maintenance of the course.

- This course is kind of open with thoughtful placement of the out of bound but also carefully thought placement of each basket.

- The amenities for the players are very welcome. Most holes (all?) have benches with even a hole with a swing! I have seen many trash can AND recycle bin.

- This course is VERY clean. In all the holes, I found absolutely NO garbage or littering whatsoever, even in the bushes or in the out of bound areas. The owner can be proud of himself!

- It's a very good course for beginner and advanced players alike since the placement of the different pins (gold, blue, white and red) is well thought. It's not just a matter of distance, it's also a matter of placement.

- Owner was very friendly and has a very nice pro shop with a very good selection of discs and other stuff (T-Shirts promoting Brewster Ridge, hat promoting Brewster Ridge, etc.)

- The fairways of some holes are a bit close from one another. In a very busy day, I can see a bad shot from one hole going in the fairway of the adjacent hole, which can cause confusion for some players. With that said, it was never a problem with our play during our presence.

- With both 18 holes course in shape like that, I can see this place going forward for a long time. Which is nice for us disc golfers.

Detailed hole map at each of the 4 tees available on every hole. Map clearly shows all OB lines and distances to the pin from each tee.

Terrific use of the natural terrain combined with thoughtful OB lines makes for a challenging but fun round. Risk/reward is abundant on every shot.

Rubber tee pads for all of the gold tees.

Benches or tables available on almost every hole.

Hole #18 finishes right next to the tee for #1, and right across the street from the Brewster Ridge course and pro shop. Pro shop is small but always very well stocked with discs, bags, shirts, hats, towels, snacks, and drinks.

Good hole variety for a predominantly "open" course. Uphill, downhill, water carry shots, ravines, elevated baskets, a few death putts, and a few tight wooded fairways... like I said, variety.

OB is challenging but fair. Played too aggressively my first round and went OB 7 times. Played smarter my second time around and only went OB once.

This course is long form the gold tees, over 9000ft! Hole 7 is 1150ft by itself.

There are multiple signature holes here. Hole #18 is a downhill bomber with OB on both sides. You can throw your personal best longest drive on this hole, but is it worth the probable OB stroke? Hole #5 plays downhill to a basket on a small ridge next to a pond. Big drives can reach the pin and the pond.

And the views are spectacular. 360 degree views of the VT mountains on almost every hole. The most scenic course I have ever played.

There is a dedicated crew from Smuggler's Notch resort that maintains the course. Everything is in pristine condition all the time.

The blue/white/red tees are mostly just colored stakes in the ground. And the fly pads used for most of the gold tees get very slippery when wet. Being a brand new course though, these are minor flaws that will probably be addressed as time goes on. Once these items are fixed, the course will be a 5 easy.

Expanding Fox Run to a full 18 holes now gives two top-notch courses at Smuggs. They balance each other perfectly and make this a disc golf destination. With all of the Smuggler's Notch resort amenities and activities in the area, this makes a phenomenal disc golf vacation.