Pros:
+ All tee pads are solid concrete. They felt sturdy beneath my feet and showed no signs of damage.
+ All tee signs indicate the distances to the normal and alternative pins and a diagram of the hole but not the par. This is because every hole is par 3.
+ The course is nestled within a lively community park. There is a strong sense of recreation and positivity here.
+ Quite a few elevation challenges both abrupt and gradual.
+ Trash cans and benches are everywhere. Please do not litter.
+ The fairways are clean and distinct from rough areas.
Cons:
- Some of the tee pads felt slanted. Players might lose their balance.
- As a direct result of this course being within a park, roads, cars, and pedestrians are very common factors. Use caution when throwing, and try to have patience while explaining to someone why you didn't want your disc thrown back to you.
- Most of the holes are shorter than 350 feet, even to the usually longer alternative pins. This may cause some players to feel underwhelmed.
- The lack of particularly dense trees and technical shots may also cause some players to feel underwhelmed.
- I had no idea where to find hole 9. Luckily, a pair of local players offered me to play with them and guided me quite a ways across the park to it. Even though these holes are close together, a few 'next tee' signs couldn't hurt.
Other Thoughts:
I think my favorite hole here would have to be either hole 12 or 18. I've got a soft spot for downhill throws. What sets hole 12 apart from the rest is its rough area right next to the pin combined with that tantalizing sense that, "I can definitely ace this one!" So of course one has to try. And 18 is a nice mostly open throw that can sail for a while if released just right. Plus, it is the longest, which kind of feels like a reward to the player for sticking with it until the end.
As for the course as a whole, D. F. Buchmiller features a good disc golf course. The elevation challenges are fun to tackle without being overwhelming. It is a definitive park-style course with plenty of hybrid holes. That is, they are holes with trees in the way, yet the space between the trees is sufficiently wide to not feel like a typical 'wooded' hole. So, there are just enough obstacles for someone who prefers technical shots and just enough space for players who prefer open throws.
It is a double-edged sword, though, because that automatically means that the hole is less difficult if the spaces between trees are too wide. Add to that the fact that these holes aren't very long to begin with, as the absolute longest on offer is 426 feet, and you've got a course that should certainly present a fun experience for many players- especially beginners- but may seem dull or at least basic to more seasoned players.
Still, I warmly recommend Buchmiller because of how accessible it is. If you are just starting out, this course will knock you around while teaching you what you need to know about aiming and placement. If you are already pretty experienced, this course will reinforce that knowledge and reward you with some birdies. Go throw at Buchmiller.