Bobby Brown Park Disc Golf Course near Elberton, GA

Basic Information

Course Location: Bobby Brown Park

Geographic Location: east of Elberton, GA (33.97321, -82.57784)

Date Visited: January 2023

Number of Holes: 9

Course Length: 1773 feet, par 27

Cost to Play: $3 park entrance fee
Difficulty Level: recreational, low

Carts: would be fine except for 1 or 2 very steep holes

Potential to Lose Discs: low

Park Information: https://bobbybrownpark.com/index.html

DG Course Review Page: https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=12008

UDisc Page: https://udisc.com/courses/bobby-brown-state-park-YWVZ

Course Walkabout Video:

Driving Directions: From Elberton, take SR 72 east 14.2 miles to Bobby Brown Park Road.  Turn right on Bobby Brown Park Rd., which deadends at the park in 7 miles.  Pay the entrance fee, and angle left where the main park road forks.  Park in the upper parking area at the end of this road; #1 tee is near the entrance to this parking area.

Course Constructions:

Tees: natural surface, 1 per hole, marked by numbered wooden beams on the ground

Baskets: Innova Discatcher, 1 per hole, in good shape on my visit

Signage: hole length marked on wooden beam at each tee; a few holes have signs pointing to the next tee

Amenities: boat launch, picnic tables, hiking trail, other amenities elsewhere in the park

Summary Review: 1.5 Stars (out of 5)

The disc golf course at Bobby Brown Park (formerly Bobby Brown State Park before ownership transferred from the State of Georgia to Elbert County) has some potential but needs some upgrades.  For better or worse, these upgrades may not be coming: plans exist to build an 18 hole competition course at this park.  This review considers only the existing 9 hole recreational course.

The course plays over steeper terrain than you might expect for a lakeside location in eastern Georgia, especially on holes #1 and #9.  Indeed, the first and last holes are easily the most memorable holes on this course; I am rather indifferent to the other 7.  6 of the holes are fairly open, but the other 3 are heavily wooded.  The tee pads and signage are not up to present-day standards.  However, all of the holes measure less than 250 feet in length.  Thus, the natural surface tees might not present a problem unless it has rained recently, although the short length also limits the appeal of this course.  Also regarding course constructions, hole #9 is very steeply downhill.  There does not seem to be a good way to get from the tee down the hill to the basket, and some trail and/or stair construction is really needed here.  When I walked through this course, I ended up walking back up hole #8, walking the long way around to the parking area, and approaching #9 basket from behind.  The current course is not heavily used, and there seems to be plenty of space to build the intended new 18 holes.  Although one hole plays across the park road, I did not have any outside intrusions from pedestrians or cars during my time here.  I also had no trouble following the course route without the aid of a map.  Overall, while I enjoyed parts of my half-round here, many of the holes are quite boring, and it would be more enjoyable if some course constructions were upgraded.  In its current state, I would only recommend this course to people coming here for another activity (such as camping) or as an add-on to/from playing the very nice course at nearby Richard B. Russell State Park.

Hole-by-Hole Review 

Distances taken from hole signs.  Picture sequence for each hole is 1) tee, 2) approach, 3) basket to tee.

Hole #1: 147 feet, par 3

Comments: the opening hole is the shortest hole on this course, but it is also one of the best.  The hole plays across a deep, steep, heavily wooded ravine, and I doubt the direct flight distance is more than 120 feet.  Thus, an ace is possible with a good throw.  On the other hand, if you hit one of the many trees on either side of the tight line, you might be sliding your way down to the bottom of the ravine for your next throw.  Due to the wide variety of outcomes, this is my favorite hole in this course.  #2 tee is across the road to the left.

Hole #2: 192 feet, par 3

Comments: now the string of boring holes begins as the course enters a lightly wooded area for the next 6 holes.  This hole plays slightly uphill with only a pair of trees guarding the front of the basket.  #3 tee is to the right.

Hole #3: 246 feet, par 3

Comments: the longest hole on this course, this hole plays gradually uphill following a powerline corridor.  Some dense woods lie just to the right of the basket, but the corridor is plenty wide to contain a good throw.  This tee shot plays across the park entrance road, so you have to check for cars before you throw.  #4 tee is to the left across the road.

Hole #4: 222 feet, par 3

Comments: a boring, open hole with only a couple of trees around the basket.  #5 tee is to the left.

Hole #5: 201 feet, par 3

Comments: another boring open hole with no obstacles except a significant left to right cross slope.  The park road to the right will not come into play with a decent throw.  #6 tee is uphill to the left.

Hole #6: 171 feet, par 3

Comments: a downhill hole that plays through a smattering of pine trees, none of which stand directly between the tee and the basket.  A steep downslope behind the basket leads down to the park road, so take care not to overshoot.  #7 tee is to the left.

Hole #7: 174 feet, par 3

Comments: uphill and playing the opposite direction as hole #6.  Dense woods guard the inside of a slight dogleg right, so be careful biting off too much of the dogleg.  #8 tee is to the right.

Hole #8: 177 feet, par 3

Comments: there are no obstacles between the tee and basket on this slightly downhill hole, but dense woods guard either side.  While not a great hole by itself, this hole is a nice change of pace from the previous 6.  #9 tee is behind the basket.

Hole #9: 243 feet, par 3

Comments: now this is a finishing hole!  It plays sharply downhill and across a small drainage with the basket in a fairly open area.  The hill is steep enough that I was not comfortable walking down it, and some stairs would be very appreciated here.  A good first throw will set up a birdie opportunity to close your half-round.  The parking lot is located up the stairs behind the basket.