Top disc golf courses in the US

Disc golf has grown exponentially in popularity across the United States, thanks to its accessibility and the beautiful landscapes it often traverses. From coastal views to dense forests and rugged mountains, the US is home to some of the world’s most scenic and challenging disc golf courses. Here’s an in-depth look at the top disc golf courses in the US, showcasing their unique features and why they stand out among the rest.

Table of Contents

1. Maple Hill Disc Golf Course – Leicester, Massachusetts

Maple Hill Disc Golf Course is a legendary destination in the disc golf community, known for its challenging layout and picturesque New England scenery. Nestled in Leicester, Massachusetts, this course has been a staple in the disc golf world, often hosting prestigious tournaments such as the MVP Open.

Course Features:

Varied Terrain: Maple Hill features a mix of open fields, dense woods, and water hazards, providing a diverse range of challenges for players of all skill levels. The course winds through beautiful landscapes, with each hole offering a unique challenge. Players can expect to navigate through wooded fairways, cross ponds, and throw over elevation changes.
Signature Holes: One of the most iconic holes is the picturesque Hole 8, which requires a throw over a pond to a well-guarded basket. The fall foliage adds a breathtaking backdrop to your game, making this hole a favorite for photographers and players alike.
Multiple Layouts: The course offers multiple layouts to cater to different skill levels, including the Red, White, Blue, and Gold layouts, each progressively more challenging. This allows beginners and professionals to enjoy the course at their level of play.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Maple Hill is praised for its meticulously maintained grounds and the variety of its holes, which test every aspect of a player’s game. The course’s beauty, combined with its technical challenges, makes it a must-visit for any serious disc golfer. The friendly community and well-organized events further enhance the experience, making Maple Hill a beloved destination in the disc golf world.

2. Flip City Disc Golf Park – Shelby, Michigan

Flip City Disc Golf Park, located in Shelby, Michigan, is a beloved course known for its unique design and stunning natural features. Created by Bill McKenzie, the course has a grassroots feel and has been a favorite among disc golfers for decades.

Course Features:

Unique Layout: The course features rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and creative use of the natural landscape to create challenging and memorable holes. Each hole is designed to test different aspects of a player’s skills, from precision to power.
Rock Gardens: Several holes incorporate rock gardens that add both aesthetic appeal and difficulty. These features not only enhance the visual appeal of the course but also require strategic shot-making to navigate successfully.
Secluded Setting: The course is set on private land, offering a peaceful and secluded environment for players to enjoy. The tranquility of Flip City provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Flip City’s blend of natural beauty and challenging holes makes it a standout. The course’s design encourages creative shot-making, and its tranquil setting provides a perfect escape for disc golfers looking to connect with nature. Regulars at Flip City often speak of the course’s welcoming atmosphere and the sense of community among players.

3. Milo McIver State Park – Estacada, Oregon

Milo McIver State Park is home to one of the most renowned disc golf courses in the Pacific Northwest. Located in Estacada, Oregon, this course is famous for its scenic beauty and technical difficulty.

Course Features:

Riverside Holes: Several holes play along the Clackamas River, providing stunning views and challenging water hazards. These holes require precision and control, as the river can quickly turn a good round into a challenging one.
Dense Forests: The course winds through dense forests, requiring precise throws and careful navigation. Players must manage tight fairways and avoid thick underbrush, adding to the course’s difficulty.
Seasonal Layouts: Milo McIver features multiple layouts that change with the seasons, keeping the course fresh and exciting year-round. This variety ensures that even regular visitors find new challenges and experiences.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
The natural beauty of Milo McIver, combined with its challenging design, makes it a favorite among disc golfers. The course offers a perfect mix of technical forest holes and open field shots, ensuring a well-rounded disc golf experience. The park’s amenities, including picnic areas and hiking trails, make it an excellent destination for a full day of outdoor activities.

4. DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course – Santa Cruz, California

DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course, located in Santa Cruz, California, is one of the most iconic courses in the world. Known for its challenging terrain and breathtaking views, DeLaveaga has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including the Masters Cup.

Course Features:

Elevation Changes: The course features significant elevation changes, with several holes playing up and down steep hillsides. These elevation changes add complexity to each shot, requiring players to adjust their throws accordingly.
Signature Hole – Top of the World: Hole 27, known as “Top of the World,” offers a stunning panoramic view of Santa Cruz and a thrilling downhill throw. This hole is both a visual and technical highlight of the course, providing a memorable end to a round.
Technical Fairways: Many holes at DeLaveaga require precise, technical shots through dense trees and narrow fairways. The challenging layout tests players’ accuracy and control, making it a favorite for advanced players.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
DeLaveaga’s combination of stunning scenery and challenging holes makes it a bucket-list destination for disc golfers. The course’s elevation changes and technical demands test even the most skilled players, while its natural beauty provides a serene backdrop for a round of disc golf. The community at DeLaveaga is also known for its friendliness and support, enhancing the overall experience.

5. Idlewild Disc Golf Course – Burlington, Kentucky

Idlewild Disc Golf Course in Burlington, Kentucky, is known for its demanding layout and well-maintained grounds. Consistently ranked among the top courses in the country, Idlewild offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for disc golfers.

Course Features:

Long and Technical: Idlewild features long, technical holes that require both distance and precision. The course’s par 72 layout includes numerous par 4s and par 5s, providing a rigorous test of players’ skills.
Water Hazards: Several holes incorporate water hazards, adding an extra layer of difficulty and risk-reward decisions. These hazards require careful planning and execution to avoid penalty strokes.
Wooded Fairways: The course winds through dense woods, with tight fairways that require accurate throws. Players must navigate through trees and avoid thick underbrush, making each shot a challenge.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Idlewild is praised for its challenging design and immaculate upkeep. The course’s combination of long, technical holes and beautiful scenery makes it a favorite among competitive players. Each hole offers a unique challenge, ensuring that no two rounds at Idlewild are the same. The course’s design encourages strategic play, rewarding thoughtful shot selection and execution.

6. Blue Ribbon Pines – East Bethel, Minnesota

Blue Ribbon Pines, located in East Bethel, Minnesota, is a premier disc golf destination known for its picturesque setting and well-designed layout. The course offers a mix of wooded and open holes, providing a balanced challenge for players.

Course Features:

Signature Pine Trees: The course is named for its towering pine trees, which line many of the fairways and create beautiful, challenging landscapes. These trees add both visual appeal and strategic difficulty to the course.
Unique Hole 4: One of the most famous holes in disc golf, Hole 4 is a 730-foot tunnel shot through a dense forest of pine trees. This hole requires precision and control, making it a highlight of any round at Blue Ribbon Pines.
Well-Maintained Grounds: Blue Ribbon Pines is known for its well-maintained fairways and greens, providing a high-quality playing experience. The course’s pristine condition enhances the enjoyment of each round.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Blue Ribbon Pines combines challenging holes with stunning natural beauty. The course’s signature Hole 4 and its overall pristine condition make it a must-visit for disc golfers. The variety of holes ensures that players face a range of challenges, from tight wooded fairways to open field shots. The welcoming community and excellent facilities add to the course’s appeal.

7. Selah Ranch – Talco, Texas

Selah Ranch, located in Talco, Texas, offers two championship-level courses: Lakeside and Creekside. Both courses are known for their meticulous design and breathtaking scenery, making Selah Ranch a premier disc golf destination.

Course Features:

Lakeside Course: This course features numerous water hazards and long, open fairways. The presence of several lakes adds a significant challenge, requiring careful shot placement and strategy. The scenic beauty of the lakes enhances the overall experience, making each round memorable.
Creekside Course: Known for its technical wooded holes, the Creekside Course demands precision and accuracy. The course winds through dense forests and along creek beds, offering a different set of challenges from Lakeside. The natural beauty of the wooded areas adds to the course’s charm.
Private Resort Setting: Selah Ranch provides a unique disc golf experience with its private resort setting, offering amenities such as lodging and dining. This allows players to enjoy a full weekend of disc golf and relaxation.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Selah Ranch

’s combination of two world-class courses and luxurious amenities sets it apart from other disc golf destinations. The contrasting challenges of the Lakeside and Creekside courses ensure that players of all skill levels will find something to enjoy. The scenic beauty and high level of course maintenance make Selah Ranch a top choice for disc golf enthusiasts. The resort’s amenities, including comfortable lodging and delicious dining options, make it an ideal destination for a disc golf getaway.

8. Harmony Bends – Columbia, Missouri

Harmony Bends, located in Columbia, Missouri, is a relatively new course that has quickly gained recognition as one of the best in the country. Designed by renowned course designer John Houck, Harmony Bends offers a challenging and scenic disc golf experience.

Course Features:

Technical Layout: The course features a mix of technical wooded holes and open fairways. The design incorporates natural features such as creeks and elevation changes to create a challenging layout. Players must navigate through tight fairways and avoid natural obstacles, making each shot a test of skill.
Long Holes: Harmony Bends includes several long holes, with some par 4s and par 5s that require both distance and accuracy. These holes challenge players to combine power with precision, testing their overall disc golf abilities.
Beautiful Scenery: The course is set in a picturesque park with mature trees and rolling hills, providing a beautiful backdrop for a round of disc golf. The natural beauty of Harmony Bends enhances the overall experience, making each round enjoyable and memorable.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Harmony Bends is praised for its challenging design and scenic beauty. The course’s technical layout tests every aspect of a player’s game, while its natural setting offers a serene and enjoyable experience. Harmony Bends is a must-visit for any disc golfer looking for a top-tier course. The community’s commitment to maintaining the course ensures that it remains in excellent condition, providing a high-quality experience for all visitors.

9. Hornets Nest Park – Charlotte, North Carolina

Hornets Nest Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a well-known disc golf destination that offers a challenging and varied layout. The course has hosted numerous professional tournaments, including the PDGA World Championships.

Course Features:

Varied Terrain: The course features a mix of open fields, wooded areas, and water hazards. This variety ensures that players face a wide range of challenges, from long drives to technical approaches. The diverse landscape requires players to adapt their strategies and shot selection throughout the round.
Signature Holes: One of the most famous holes is Hole 12, known as “The Web,” which requires precise navigation through a narrow, wooded fairway. This hole tests players’ accuracy and control, making it a highlight of the course.
Multiple Layouts: Hornets Nest offers multiple layouts, including a championship layout that challenges even the most skilled players. These layouts provide options for players of all skill levels, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a round at Hornets Nest.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Hornets Nest is renowned for its challenging design and well-maintained grounds. The course’s combination of varied terrain and technical holes makes it a favorite among competitive players. The multiple layouts allow for a customized experience, catering to both beginners and advanced players. The course’s reputation for hosting high-level tournaments adds to its prestige, making it a must-visit destination for disc golfers.

10. Bucksnort DGC – Pine, Colorado

Bucksnort Disc Golf Course, located in Pine, Colorado, offers a unique and scenic disc golf experience in the Rocky Mountains. This private course is known for its rugged terrain and breathtaking views.

Course Features:

Mountain Terrain: The course is set in the Rocky Mountains, featuring dramatic elevation changes and rocky landscapes. The mountainous terrain requires players to adjust their throws for uphill and downhill shots, adding a layer of complexity to the game.
Stunning Views: Each hole offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making the course a visual treat. The natural beauty of Bucksnort enhances the overall experience, providing a picturesque backdrop for a round of disc golf.
Unique Hole Designs: The course features unique hole designs that incorporate the natural landscape, creating memorable and challenging shots. Players must navigate through rocky outcrops, avoid steep drop-offs, and manage tight fairways, making each hole a test of skill and strategy.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Bucksnort DGC is praised for its unique setting and challenging design. The course’s mountain terrain and stunning views provide a disc golf experience like no other. The combination of natural beauty and technical difficulty makes Bucksnort a must-visit for disc golfers seeking a one-of-a-kind adventure. The private nature of the course ensures a peaceful and exclusive experience, making it a perfect getaway for disc golf enthusiasts.

11. Idlewild DGC – Burlington, Kentucky

Course Features:

Long and Technical: Idlewild features long, technical holes that require both distance and precision. The course’s par 72 layout includes numerous par 4s and par 5s, providing a rigorous test of players’ skills. Each hole is designed to challenge players’ shot-making abilities, requiring careful planning and execution.
Water Hazards: Several holes incorporate water hazards, adding an extra layer of difficulty and risk-reward decisions. These hazards require strategic shot placement and the ability to manage risk, making each round a test of mental and physical skills.
Wooded Fairways: The course winds through dense woods, with tight fairways that require accurate throws. Players must navigate through trees and avoid thick underbrush, making each shot a challenge. The wooded areas add to the course’s technical difficulty, requiring precise control and accuracy.

12. The Beast – Waco, Texas

The Beast, located in Waco, Texas, is a challenging and renowned disc golf course that has gained fame for hosting the Waco Annual Charity Open. This course is known for its combination of open fairways and technical wooded holes.

Course Features:

Mixed Terrain: The course features a mix of open fields and dense woods, providing a variety of challenges. Players must navigate long drives in the open and precise shots in the woods, making each round dynamic and exciting.
Water Hazards: Several holes incorporate water hazards, adding an extra layer of difficulty and risk-reward decisions. These hazards require careful shot placement and the ability to manage risk, making each round a test of mental and physical skills.
Signature Hole: Hole 18, known as “The Beast,” is a challenging finishing hole that requires a precise drive through a wooded fairway and a well-placed approach shot to avoid the water hazard. This hole is both a technical and mental challenge, providing a memorable end to a round.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
The Beast is praised for its challenging layout and well-maintained grounds. The course’s combination of open and wooded holes ensures that players face a variety of challenges, testing their overall disc golf abilities. The course’s reputation for hosting high-level tournaments adds to its prestige, making it a must-visit destination for disc golfers. The friendly community and excellent facilities further enhance the experience, making The Beast a favorite among players.

13. Jonesboro Disc Golf Complex – Jonesboro, Arkansas

Jonesboro Disc Golf Complex in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is known for its challenging layout and beautiful scenery. The course has gained recognition for hosting the Jonesboro Open, a prominent event on the disc golf tour.

Course Features:

Elevation Changes: The course features significant elevation changes, with several holes playing up and down steep hillsides. These elevation changes add complexity to each shot, requiring players to adjust their throws accordingly.
Mixed Terrain: The course includes a mix of open fields and wooded areas, providing a variety of challenges. Players must navigate long drives in the open and precise shots in the woods, making each round dynamic and exciting.
Well-Maintained Grounds: The course is known for its well-maintained fairways and greens, providing a high-quality playing experience. The pristine condition of the course enhances the enjoyment of each round.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Jonesboro Disc Golf Complex is praised for its challenging design and beautiful scenery. The course’s combination of elevation changes and mixed terrain ensures that players face a variety of challenges, testing their overall disc golf abilities. The course’s reputation for hosting high-level tournaments adds to its prestige, making it a must-visit destination for disc golfers. The friendly community and excellent facilities further enhance the experience, making Jonesboro a favorite among players.

14. Moraine State Park – Portersville, Pennsylvania

Moraine State Park in Portersville, Pennsylvania, offers a scenic and challenging disc golf experience. The course is known for its beautiful setting and well-designed layout, providing a rewarding experience for players of all skill levels.

Course Features:

Varied Terrain: The course features a mix of open fields, wooded areas, and water hazards. This variety ensures that players face a wide range of challenges, from long drives to technical approaches. The diverse landscape requires players to adapt their strategies and shot selection throughout the round.
Signature Holes: Several holes offer stunning views of Lake Arthur, providing a picturesque backdrop for a round of disc golf. The lakeside holes require precision and control, as the water can quickly turn a good round into a challenging one.
Well-Maintained Grounds: The course is known for its well-maintained fairways and greens, providing a high-quality playing experience. The pristine condition of the course enhances the enjoyment of each round.

Why It’s Top-Rated:
Moraine State Park is praised for its beautiful setting and challenging design. The course’s combination of varied terrain and technical holes ensures that players face a variety of challenges, testing their overall disc golf abilities. The course’s reputation for hosting high-level tournaments adds to its prestige, making it a must-visit destination for disc golfers. The friendly community and excellent facilities further enhance the experience, making Moraine State Park a favorite among players.

Conclusion

Disc golf enthusiasts are blessed with a wealth of fantastic courses across the United States, each offering unique challenges and stunning landscapes. Whether you prefer the technical demands of wooded courses or the thrill of wide-open fairways, there is a top-tier disc golf course waiting for you. From the iconic Maple Hill in Massachusetts to the scenic Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania, these courses provide unforgettable experiences for players of all skill levels. So grab your discs and explore these incredible destinations – happy disc golfing!