Pros:
Hillcrest is a 9 hole disc golf course located in what is the back yard of Hillcrest School , which is a rectangle about the size of a very small park . The course kind of runs clockwise around the perimeter . Plenty of parking in the back . I played this round with Hogarth , an avid out of town player . The grass was cut adequately .when we were here
The Equipment . The course has a kiosk next to hole #1 with a map of the course . The signage was here , old school look , but a few were missing . The tee pads were 2 bricks in the ground with hole # that you are supposed to throw from . The baskets are basic DGA models , but seem to catch fine .
The Landscape : The is no elevation to speak of ( flat ) . There are a few holes , 3-5 that best utilize the bushes/trees in the back of the school grounds . A few trees dot the grounds and force a couple of shots around them . The school grounds are far enough away or are pointed enough away from any car traffic or back yards to keep the kids from hitting a car or someone grilling out/playing .
No Highlights here . The tee off areas of the middle holes are the only thing worth a mention . #3 tee off makes you throw under a bent tree from inside some brush . #4 is a window shot , very tight since the tree branches have been growing and sealing it up . #5 is a door shot that is also closing up because of not being cut back . It added a little challenge to us , but I have doubts most of the school kids can negotiate them .
Disc Risk : It may be a hassle pulling your disc out of the brush on the back holes , but unless someone chucks their disc high into the trees , I think your discs are safe on this short open course .
Time . The 2 of us were done in about a half hour . 4 would be done in an less than an hour .
The course is a fast flat play , and a great intro course for the school kids to learn about the game and get some exercise . I think that even though the course is packed into a small area , it has no safety issues .
Cons:
#1 The equipment : Of what signs there were on the course , I counted at least 2 that were overgrown with bushes , where you had to look to find them . I understand the idea of the bricks , so the maintenance doesn't bend a blade on the mower , but how about toe boards or something stretching across to make it look classier and be easier to find .
#2 Navigation . Even with a kiosk map , some of the tees here are ridiculous to find . Hogarth had a Udisc app on his phone and it helped , but we still scrambled on the first 5 holes . The bricks were not easy to spot because of the grass enveloping the edges .
#3 overgrowth . The only interesting holes ( 3-5 ) on the course , and all of the door and window shots are being closed up by growth . These have to be trimmed at least a few times a year . That and the growth around a couple of signs make it look like the school sort of gave up on the course .
#4 Challenge . For anyone that has thrown 25 rounds in their life , this course is going to be easy and boring . This is an Ace Run/Birdie fest for most .
Other Thoughts:
Please don't take this as a sign that I dislike this course . It is completely functional and a nice addition to the neighborhood.
I mean , this little school and it's course has a Kiosk !!
I just wish the course received better care . An idea . There are schools all around the area . Have a friendly competition between rivals . It will give them some common ground and a chance to socialize with different students while getting the kids outdoors and away from their electronics .
My Recommendation : A good course for newbies to introduce them to the game . Also good for the neighborhood families for some after dinner or weekend bonding . Great for dates . Decent for locals to work on their short game . Anybody intermediate and above around here are either out here to practice putts or driving to Parkside . This is an okay course for the traveler since it is not too far off I-94 and good for the Course Collector , since it is a fast easy play for both .
Otherwise , I wouldn't mention stopping here unless you have something else pressing in the area .