Pros:
Parking for the course is at the mobile trailer looking building near the entrance to the grounds . The people that run this campground are friendly and helpful I paid my fee and took the map to where the course was with me . Once on the course , you won't ever need to look at a map . Except for a couple of dropped trees , the course was in good shape when I played . There were some older benches at some of the holes .and big trash cans all over . The course ( ca. 1978 ) plays very short through the woods for the original 18 , but has some elevation to it .
The equipment for this course consists of large cement tee pads ( some cracked ) , Some fun old school signage , and these orange baskets ( Mach II ? ) that are rusting out but work fine . I doubt that you could get lost on this course because of all of the people playing on it . The first hole is to your left after you enter the woods . It is a double mando to start you off . The next 2 holes are short but are risk/reward as the right side of the fairway drops was off , especially where the basket is located . The course winds kind of clockwise around this woods , which is nice , because the woods is very captivating looking . Some interesting basket placements on the course . One of the few Ed Headrick course left in the world , it plays tight and technical . Most experienced players will only need a couple of midranges and a putter for this course , but challenge is not what this course is all about . You are playing on the oldest course in Indiana .
The people that run the campground added an extra 6 holes just down the road and to the left of where you exit the woods . It is open and a couple of holes might be fun for you (B & C ? ) . One hole has a basket lower than the tee and guarded by some small trees and the other has a treeline running on the left , wide open on the right , and some trees near the basket . All the rest are open and easy .
Disc Risk : Very low . Unless you leave your putter in the basket or you throw a disc that's color matches the dirt or is camouflage , you aren't going to lose one .
If you do happen to lose one , or just want to look at some up to date discs , the trailer doubles as a pro shop that they say is well stocked . I can't really say that there is a signature hole here , but a lot of fun throws . Bet your friends on closest to the pin drives . There is a hole around 9 that drops down to a basket where the green is flanked by a creek that also sits behind the basket . Would be perfect for an island hole . The course ends with an uphill par 5 , 282' .drive . The pars will make you laugh , but remember that most were throwing Wham o Frisbees and coffee can lids at these baskets . Just think . You can brag to your friends that you aced a par 4 or 5 hole . This is an ace or at least birdie fest . Many people congregate at the parking lot after their rounds .
It took me a little over an hour to play the full 24 holes , only because of the human traffic jams at the tee pads . Figure a group of 4 about 2+ hours . especially during peak times .
Cons:
Safety : with many first time players , camping families and one disc wonders out there on a crowded course , I can see someone getting hit pretty easily . Remember where you are and be aware of your surroundings .
Some are griping about the equipment , mainly cracked tee pads and especially the rusty chained baskets . I personally think that it adds that much more character to the course .
If I had a problem with the course other than too many players on here at once , it is that it will get muddy after good long rains . On a mostly dirt course , this spells sliding and maybe falling . Wear boots if you have them while here .
Other Thoughts:
Any time you play the oldest course in the state , it is historic . The woman at the pro shop that took my money ( uh oh . I hope she wasn't just a camper ) was telling someone that even though they weren't around for the beginning of this course , it hasn't ever been altered . WOW ! If you like seeing almost exactly what players saw and threw to in the 70's , this course is a must play .Challenging ? Uh , No Accommodating ? Not that either . They should make a vine tunnel going into and exiting the woods to make you feel that you have been transported back in time to play a course that was designed by the man that invented the disc golf game just 2 years prior . Special thanks to Steady Ed Headrick and the people that run Honey Bear Hollow Camp Grounds for designing and preserving this disc golf relic .Make sure you stop by the pro shop if you have time to check out the disc line and talk disc golf with the owners .
My Recommendation . I won't even divide it up . This course shoul be played by every disc golfer living in Indiana , and many just camping or in the area from surrounding states . Play This Course And Enjoy The History Lesson