Pros:
Beech Grove Middle School is situated just off of I-65 in south Indianapolis . There is a small parking lot in front of the school , which is also where the first tee is . No bathrooms are present for disc golfers . This is a 9 hole course .
The Equipment : The tee pads are natural , and marked by large wooden signs . It is easy to know where to tee off from .The signs are sturdy but blank . I am guessing that there were pictures of the holes with information and they either blew off or the rain washed them out . The basics are your basic lower level Mach but catch well .
The Landscape . The course was mowed and the course was surprisingly well cared for . There were young trees on the fairway of the first hole . The 2nd hole steeply declines through the woods . The 3-8 holes are in the flat back yard of the school , on a thin strip of land . #9 shoots straight up a hill into a fitted green next to the school building . Course designer Jim Trueblood did some creative work fitting 9 holes into the small front, side and back yard of the school .
Highlights : None really here , but for the kids , the 140' #2 putter run tunnel shot down the hill with the basket to the right is interesting . #6 throws to a basket under a low canopy that is flanked by a mature tree . #7 Throws to a basket just inside a woods and #9 is straight up a hill , breaking right to left to miss a short wall , to a small green . It is a fun play for the youngsters and can introduce future disc golfers to the game .
Time . You can get through this course in less than 20 minutes . It is a fast play on a short course .
Disc Risk . Very low . There is a little overgrowth on the back boundaries of this course , but the holes are so short , you would have to hang one up in a tree to lose one .
Cons:
#1 Navigation . Print the online map . No kiosk here , and you might have trouble with the start of the course . In the back , since the signs has nothing on them, you run into back and forth throws on 4-6 .not knowing for sure which basket is which .
#2 Safety : The school will not let you on the grounds when in session , and I don't imagine Beech Grove gets a lot of players during weekends or evenings . That leaves the kids . Turning them loose with discs might be a chore for the phys ed instructor .The back and forth of 4-6 holes and their fairways could get someone hit . The only crush that little Joey will have on Janie will be from his midrange on her forehead . Also , on #9 , you are throwing up and next to the school building , with its windows and blind basket .
#3 Challenge . After hole #1 ( 282' ) which has a lot of young trees and their low hanging branches blocking the fairway , the rest of the holes are Ace runs or deuce fests for the locals .All of the holes except for maybe #9 are stright shots . It could be possible to shoot a 18 on this course.
#4 Equipment/Elements . Putting even paper signs encase in plastic would enhance the course . Maybe even some worn carpet that was replaced in the school could be used for tee pads so the kids don't slip on the dirt . Slipping could be a problem if it rains . Coming off that hill on #2 , + the base of the course looking like it could hold water = a slip or fall .
Other Thoughts:
The course is short ( 1651' ) and confined in the small school grounds , but in my opinion , Beech Grove did it right . It is an introduction for their school and also giving a little back to the neighborhood and the community . I never saw a no trespassing sign , or the Tow Zone For Unauthorized Vehicles signs . I felt welcome here . Remember to horseshoe around the lot when leaving . It is a one way leading in .
My Recommendation : A great intro and newbie course . This is perfect for the kids to burn some energy at recess or PE .This would also be great to make a team and challenge other schools to a match . Locals might like to work on their game here , especially if they live close . Families and dates might like this course on the weekends or after dinner .Intermediates and above ? Not much here for you , but the course wasn't set up for you . Drive to Brookside , 10 minutes away . This is an easy leg stretch stop for the traveler and an easy course pickup to add with Calvary 2 miles down the road for the Course Collector . The course is very close to I-465 , I-65 and I-74 . Don't go out of your way to play here , but if you have 30 minutes of spare time and want to have a little fun , drop by .