Olin College Disc Golf Course Review

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Course review Introduction

Back in the day, in my first run at disc golf (before wife, kids and house took over), Olin College Disc Golf Course was one of the only courses nearby. Because of this, we went there quite a bit.

And one of those days while playing, we met the designer/builder of the course.

I can’t recall his name, but I remember that he worked and lived at Olin College. I also remember that he had a clear passion for disc golf as well as a vision for a course there.

Even today, many years later, I recall feeling his passion for the sport come through in our conversation with him. I still remember his eyes lighting up as he told of us of his plans for a back 9 as well!

It turns out, he was ahead of his time! Since his course creation, disc golf has taken off. And while the baskets/sign posts/maps are showing their age, this is still a nice course to take in. It has plenty of open shots for you to work on your game, but it also has a few challenges (with distance and tight lines) to help you hone your skills.

disc golf basket with college building in background

And sure, there is every possibility that, having met the designer, as well as feeling nostalgia for a course I remember from my first foray into disc golf factors in to how I view the course.

And yes, at times you have to skip hole 3 for a soccer game, or wait for a group of pedestrians to clear before you can shoot.

Still, in my humble opinion, this is a fun course to enjoy when you want to work on your game or you if you live in the area and just want to grab a quick round (there’s still not a lot of courses nearby).

Now, let’s take a closer look at the Olin College Disc Golf Course!

Basic Information

Address: East Dr. Needham, MA 02492

Price

Directions

Parking

Ease of Navigation

Busy?

Free

Easy with GPS

Plenty

Easy flow

Not usually

Course Level

Poison Ivy

Maintenance Level

Tee Pad

Scorecard?

Beginner

Low

Older but grounds are well maintained. Grass Tee pads.

On Udisc

Signature Holes

These are just 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…

Olin College Disc Golf Course has a few unique/interesting holes!

disc golf basket with pedestrian path — *Notice the walking path that crosses hole 5. There’s also a parking lot on the left side!*

As a PSA, just be sure that your path to the hole (as well as where you might miss) is clear of pedestrians/cars.

Hole 1 can be tricky with a walking path cutting between the tee box and the basket.

Hole 5 runs parallel to the parking lot so if you stall high and hyzer out (for RHBH) a car hit comes into play!

Here are some of the holes that might intrigue you!

Hole 2 – This is a short hole that is well guarded by trees and a moat (sans alligators) unless it hasn’t rained.

disc golf basket in front of water — *You have to be strategic on hole 2!*

Hole 4 – This hole is a low sweeping hyzer (for RHBH) under the pictured branches that has to climb a hill to get to a basket.

tee pad for hole 5 at Olin College disc golf course — *This hole 4 is open yet challenging!*

Hole 8 – Tight, short fairway with basket tucked on the right. It’s a good challenge!

narrow disc golf fairway of a dirt path with trees lining either side

disc golf basket in woods with yellow disc beside it — *Hole 8 basket. Parked my best shot ever on the hole that very day!*

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…

Olin College Disc Golf Course has been around long before disc golf had its burst in popularity. And I’m sure if you asked the course designer, he never had plans of this being a stop on the pro tour.

What he did plan for, however, was to make this course beginner friendly. Playing this course is a good reminder that not every hole has to be incredibly complex and unique. For people to grow into the game, there needs do be holes that are friendly for beginners as well.

Mixing in some beginner-friendly holes is always a good idea for any course design.

19th Hole

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…

two mugs of brown liquids — *Relax and have a pint after your round. Get a bite to eat as well and feel free to let disc golf be the topic du jour!*

Olin College is right next to Babson College. Within Babson College is a place called Roger’s Pub. It has good reviews and is really close. I haven’t been, but plan to go next time I’m there! It’s .6 miles and a 10-minute walk!

Nearby, a mere 6-minute drive away is a highly rated, inexpensive pub named The James. It looks great and I will definitely have to check that out as well!

Finally, if you are going West, a 10-minute drive away is Morse’s Tavern. It’s over the border of Wellesley and into Natick. This is a good pub with an interesting history as well. Note: I was one of the kids eating ice creaming and checking out the hot rod cars on Saturday nights at the old Nick’s (which changed to Nicholas’s and now Morse’s Tavern).

Olin College Disc Golf Course – In Summary

Olin College Disc Golf Course is a bit of a time stamp for an era before disc golf hit it’s boom. It’s baskets are older with lighter chains. And the course was clearly added to land that wasn’t designed with disc golf in mind.

Still, having met the designer myself, I know he was fueled by passion when he carefully laid out a course that was both inviting to newcomers and still engaging for players with more developed games.

If you are looking for a quick round in an area where there isn’t a lot of other options, Olin College Disc Golf Course is definitely worth a visit!

Thank you all for reading! If you’ve played this course and wanted to add anything, please feel free to post it below. And while you are there, don’t forget to subscribe (free and no spam) and follow as I build a course in my back yard and travel around the world playing the courses built by others! All subscribers are permanently entered in a raffle to win $50 gift cards to Infinite Discs.