Pros:
Tomlinson Run is a State park with a disc golf course near the front ( Near swimming pool ) . The park and course are free . Bathrooms if the pool or putt putt course are open .
The Equipment - Starting off , the tee pads are turf and nice for the first 7-8 holes , then go natural once you enter the woods . The signage was interesting . The wood posts are numbered , and the small plastic covered signs are on the tops of them and are informative enough , plus have next tee arrow in them . The baskets were Chainstars , and in good shape .
The Landscape - The course was mowed , branches trimmed and in good shape when I was there . The holes are mostly flat . and it goes from park-style on the first 7 holes ,which circle around a pool area , to park-style + semi woods and woods holes the rest of the way . The course gets harder and more scenic once you enter the back 10 , with the woods , the rock formations , the creeks coming into play , the cliffs .
The Highlights - Hole #3 ( 420' ) is a level more open drive that will eventually force a left to right fade into a tight green with a huge bush guarding the front and right side . #5 is a slight downhill 375' , open until the end , with the basket in a core of trees . #11 is a great downhill putter run , teeing off a small cliff . and running between trees and rocks . #15 , 430' is a drive over a creek with a current , into a tight woods area . Squeeze through the small woods , and the fairway opens up wide . #18 is a good finishing hole . Tee box is in some woods , you throw out of it into a more open fairway . The basket is flanked by a couple of trees , and the creek directly behind it . Hit the creek and you will lose your disc .
Signature Hole - #13 400' . From an elevated tee , your drive has to break left to a narrowing fairway , then break right at the end to the basket .
The Time - it took me an hour and 15 minutes to play the course , but 10 minutes of it was walking back to the car from #18 .
If anything , Tomlinson Run is a nice long walk through a park that just keeps getting better looking every few minutes .
Pack water . you are going to need it . Bug spray during the summer might be a good idea , too .
Cons:
#1 Safety - not terrible , as most of the holes are spaced , but there is a real dangerous part where the #11 putter run off the cliff's basket and green are in the same general spot as the #14 tee . A real easy way to get hit . A couple of fairways are parallel , like #12 and 13 .
#2 Navigation - the first 7 holes are easy to follow . #8 is across the street and back a bit ( Print the map ) #9 tee pad is near the entrance , After completing #11 downhill , you have to go to your far left and over a bridge to play #12 and 13 before coming back over the bridge to play 14 . Don't skip these holes . They are among the best on the course . #15 is a very long walk along a cement path , which you are never sure if you are going the right way . Some Next Tee signs would work well for these holes .
#3 Long Walks - Some walks are brutal here . Getting downhill after teeing off at 11 , the walk to the hidden tee at 12 , A very long walk from 14-15 , and 600 meter + uphill walk from #18 to your car , depending where you parked .
#4 Disc Risk - Medium - High . Starting with #9 There is a small path for a fairway , with a slight uphill to your right , and a cliff to your left . It almost claimed my approach disc . If it goes over , you might have to write it off . Some overgrowth on parts of the course , but the heavy running creek can eat your discs on 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 and the putt/approach on 18 .
#5 Tee pads , It might be time to turf the rest of the pads . Natural pads can be awful to throw from .
Inclement weather . You may not want to play here after hard rains . The course looks like it might not drain well , and getting down to the #11 basket might be an adventure .
Other Thoughts:
I have mixed emotions about Tomlinson Run . Part park , part woods , it gives you some looks that force you to think . . #9 is a great risk/reward drive , but the cost for the average person playing it might be their prized midrange/driver , and you only have to skip a little of have your disc stand up on its side after hitting a rock or the embankment . IMO , I would pull that hole and transfer it somewhere down the hill between #14 and #15 . adding a nice par 4/5 maybe . People know that the course is here . I saw a couple sets of locals playing while I was on my round . Also , once you find Hole #1 on the course , there is a small parking semi circle right underneath it . If you can park there , you will save yourself a lot of steps in the beginning , and especially the end . Great Variety of holes here , and the Fun Factor is here ( as long as you don't plunk your disc ) . Opportunity for both left and right handed players .
My Recommendation - Good for families , newbies and intros , at least for playing the first 8 . Enough holes and length to keep the intermediates and up at least a little interested , as they can use the first 7 as a warmup . Locals will like this course . Travelers may not want to come off the beaten path , unless camping here or visiting nearby . There are a lot of options . Course Collectors may want to add this to Chester City park and Thompson , or Beatty and Bud Billiard if going south . Don't go too far out of your way , but YOU MAY WANT TO GIVE THIS ONE A TRY !!!