Welcome! Disc Golf Around is a site dedicated to all things disc golf. Established in April, 2022 this site tracks a teacher’s journey from novice to “expert” (or at least a level way higher than I am now), and shares helpful information discovered all along the way. Whether it’s course reviews, helpful tips, access to the game’s best players/products, or anything else disc golf related, Disc Golf Around is made with you in mind. Today we have a look at Orchard Hill Disc Golf Course at UMass in Amherst, MA.
Course review Introduction
In general, I would say that I’m a fairly easy grader when it comes to course reviews. I happen to appreciate the sheer volume of work that goes into creating a course. Orchard Hill Disc Golf Course is no exception, yet I do have a few bones to pick on this one.
There was clearly a lot of work that went into designing the course and it has it’s benefits. My major bone to pick is with regards to upkeep. More specifically, once May hits and all the vegetation goes into overdrive, this course is a tough sell.
The reality is that it’s mowed quite infrequently once the students leave. Simultaneously, the invasive plants, which have consumed the property, burst out and make it, at times, almost unplayable.
I just recently played there after it was mowed, and it was definitely better. Nevertheless, it was a near miracle that I only lost one disc. Once your disc goes into that incredibly thick overgrowth that lines the fairways, it’s really tough to find.
We’re talking massive thorns, thick invasive plants and poison ivy scattered throughout.
My genuine advice, and what I plan to do, is to only play this course in the mid/late fall through late April, when the plants are at bay.
Having just started this past March, I was able to play there a fair amount and quite enjoyed it. It’s free and has some nice holes as well. It’s also easily the closest course to my house, and on my way home from work.
So, it’s definitely not to be avoided altogether, but it’s shaping up to be my winter course. Lets look at some of the other particulars…
Basic Information
Address: Orchard Hill Dr, Amherst, MA 01002
Price
Directions
Parking
Ease of Navigation
Busy?
Free
Easy with GPS
difficult with students
Lost from hole 3 to 4
No
Easy/intermediate
High
Poor
Dirt
No
Specific Notes for Orchard Park Disc Golf
Parking: During school season, the parking lot is full and there are signs threatening towing littered throughout. From what I understand, you are in the clear after 5pm. Personally, I end up parking on Olympia Drive. There are parking meters there that I don’t think are monitored too frequently. Hot Tip: The second one from the front (second closest to main street) is permanently stuck on yellow. I park there and haven’t gotten a ticket yet. (Remind me: Why haven’t you subscribed yet?) Then, I just cross the street and start my round at hole 6.
Hole 1 Location: At the very back left corner of the UMass parking lot (under the solar panels )Lot 49 off Orchard Hill Drive) there is a path leading up a hill. Follow that path up the hill and it will take you to hole 1.
Finding Hole 4: For holes 1 – 3, you can just go the way water flows and find them relatively easy (Hole 3 is across the cart path down to the right from the hole 2 basket). After hole 3, you need to walk towards the street and go around the pond to the right. There you will find the tee pad for hole 4 (an uphill par 5). From there you follow and find holes 5-8 pretty easily. Hole 9 can be a little tricky, but you just follow paths/signs downhill to the right through the woods. Hole 9 leads you back to the parking lot and you will have come full circle.
You can get to the interactive map and find more information on their website.
Signature Holes
These are just of the opinion of the writer. With each course I like to showcase a few holes and explain what stuck out to me on that particular day. Then, I let the photos do the talking…
Each hole is certainly unique so this one can be in the eyes of the beholder so to speak. Hole 2 has a massive “island” of brambles in the middle that you can go around to either side, or over. Hole 4 is a narrow par 5 that opens up at the end. At hole 5, you can “lay up” in the field and bend 90 degrees towards the basket, or just elect to bomb it over/through all the brush/brambles. Hole 7 is a steep uphill shot with trees blocking the drive early on (easily my most frustrating hole). This one is followed up by hole 8, which happens to be my favorite for reasons I can’t quite explain (mostly the visual aesthetic from the tee pad).
For my money, however, I will select holes 1 and 6 for the signature holes of this 9-hole course.
Hole 1 – What can I say? I’m a sucker for views. And from hole 1, you are perched way up on a hill with a great view of the mountains in the distance.
Hole 6 – This one is just a fun ace run hole. It’s between 160 – 175 feet to the hole. I haven’t aced it, but a guy did as I was walking past. Big celebration!
Ideas to Borrow for Future Course
Some day I would like to construct my own disc golf course. Come along for the ride and see if I do (Subscribe)! With each course, I play, I want to find some element that I appreciate and can use for a course I help create some day…
Obviously, as I’ve already stated, I appreciate the elevated, downhill tee shots. I especially like hole 1 with it’s glorious views of the hills/mountains way off in the distance.
One other takeaway I have from this course is their hole signs. These things are street sign sturdy with clear pictures and useful information (including elevation of shot).
19th Hole (10th for Orchard Hill)
After a round there is nothing better than going to a local establishment, having a beer (or whatever you want), some food, and talking about your round (or just disc golf in general). This section is always open to suggestions on where the best place to go after your round is…
Downtown Amherst has quite a few options for you to choose from in terms of a 19th (10th in this case) hole.
Personally, I’m partial to The Hangar. It’s got great wings, old school arcade games, pool tables, and more. It’s also got its own brewery on site (Amherst Brewing Company), plenty of seating and affordable pricing.
The other place I would have recommended has closed. I’m open to suggestions if you have any though!
Course In Summary
Orchard Hill Disc Golf Course at UMass in Amherst, has gone a bit feral. Unless you are supremely accurate (I am not), you are going to lose your discs in the thick overgrowth that lines many of the fairways. You’ll have to be very mindful of the bountiful poison ivy as well.
My recommendation is to play between late fall and May. That’s when all this vegetation is held somewhat at bay.
When you do play, you can still enjoy some nice views and play some unique holes. And while I wish the upkeep was more of a priority, it’s the only game going within 15 minutes of my house so I plan to be there a fair amount. Maybe I’ll see you there as well? Until that time, keep disc golf’n around your local courses!
Thank you all for reading! If you’ve played this course and wanted to add anything, please feel free to post it below in the comments. You can also reach out and contact me any time. And while you are there, don’t forget to subscribe so you can get all the content from pro tips, course reviews, best products, or anything else related to disc golf delivered right to your inbox! In the meantime, have fun disc golf’n around your local courses and come back any time!
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