This backyard course is certain to leave an impact. Sitting on one big slope with a chicken coop running across the yard in the middle, big drives and tricky putts are the main features of Bunyar's layout.

Playing down and back up the hill behind the house, using the elevation to your advantage will play a big part in scoring well. 1, 4, and 7 play big downhill, but the highlights are 9 and 11 playing almost all the way lengthwise down the yard. 9 has a lane of trees to stay right of, while 11 is more open. Conversely, 3, 10, and 14 are huge uphill hucks. Power is the big test out here.

Hole 10 is the only par 4, and it plays the risk/reward game more harshly than any other I've seen. The gap is very small off the tee, so you can play it safe and come down behind the chicken coop, or go for it, risk smashing into the trees, and get over the coop for a relatively easy upshot. A great hole.

Trees are used superbly. Mature trees on the south side of the yard require much more power on 1, 9, 14, and 15 than would be necessary on a straightaway. The trees are used to create a semi-protected green on 3/10, and one of those trees sets a very low ceiling off the tee of 7. And the tunnel of 5/12 plays both ways down with the basket positions being reachable, but never easy.

Teeing off of the top of the shed on 16 is a fun experience.

Despite using a few tee spots twice and only having 8 baskets, none of the holes feel the same. It's quite the thing to pull off 18 unique holes with such a small piece of land, and Andrew moves the baskets every few weeks.

Being a backyard course, the course has things that would normally be cons that aren't fair to count against it but should still be mentioned. Only being able to play at certain times (it's on a private residence), tons of fairway overlap (won't be a problem as the course only ever holds 3 groups max), a fair bit of walking between the holes, and homemade baskets (except one Gateway Titan) with tires as the rim. Extra bouncy if you miss low.

Having the basket of 4/15 stuck directly behind the shed feels a little artificial. Could be made a little more accessible with just 10 feet one way or the other.

The last few holes don't close the course off incredibly well. 17 tees way too close to the house for lefties to feel comfortable, and 18 is an open, straight, easy 300-footer in either pin.

Only having 8 pins in play at a time makes the approaches to those holes all similar as they always play from the same direction except 1/7. Just takes away that bit of variation.

To play, text Andrew Bunyar at 816-645-3039. He will tell you what night weekly league is running but he's sometimes able to make some time (especially in the summer). He's done a fantastic job making a fun time out of a very small piece of land. Get out and give this course a toss if you can. The group of regulars is all so friendly you may just keep going back.