THE LAKE!!! The unique facet of this course is that it plays on the hillside of a beautiful lake. Minnesota is the famed "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and very few courses are near lakes. Dower Lakes is one of my favorites for this very reason

DESIGN - Course is very, very , very short ranging from 150' to 260'. However, the use of the land and trees make this a technical frolfer's dream course. Lots of tight alleys force players to throw clean shots. A few holes have baskets tucked behind groupings of oak trees that require stunted hyzer and anhyzer shots.

SIGNAGE and TEES - Each hole has a post with the footage and par. Also, someone has printed and laminated the hole layout to show the way. Tees are gravle and make for a more "up north" feel. Each hole is sponsored by a business from the towns nearby. This shows that the community cares about the course as well.

RECREATION - Since the course is short (25 minute round time approx.) and has a high replay value, plan on spending a nice day at the lake. The park feautres camping and a nice beach, as well as softball fields and a playground for the kids. The diverse nature of the park makes it fun for the frolfers and non-froflers in the family.

THE BASKETS - Highly visible snow white baskets are a nice change from the metallic mach 3 baskets. However, the baskets at Dower Lakes are small and require a straight on putt to the pipe to stay in. The chains can hurt you more than help you as they tend to rebound discs. The baskets are deep but that decreases the area of chain to rattle, and the bowl shape can glide the disc out and onto the ground. Essentially, the baskets make it more challening (Pro) but equally frustrating (Con).

Course is on the westside of Staples. Keep your eyes peeled for the brown highway sign that indicates the road to the course. Note: During the winter the sign indicates the park is closed. Ice fisherman are still using the access and parking vehicles, so frolfers can still park and use the course.