- I never really play 9 hole courses, but I was pleasantly surprised. After the first couple of holes, I thought it was going to be putter shots throughout, but it mixes in a couple 370-plus, low-ceiling holes that challenge your driver, and several holes require some shot shaping. I really enjoyed 10-12 (although there are definitely some cons, see below) that add variety. I threw several different discs off the tee, which I always consider to be a good indicator for a quality course score.

- Concrete tees, basic signs for the first nine holes that do the job. Baskets are older, but still catch well and are perfectly serviceable.

- Hole 12 is really great, using the baseball outfield fence as a way to protect the basket from RHBH throws. So either you're throwing a spike hyzer, or throwing a FH that carries around the fence, but can't go deep because of guardian trees. Hole 8 is also a great low-ceiling flex RHBH that's reachable, but you need to nail the line.

- Mower was finishing up when I got there and the course looked great. Seems like it stays in good condition and the park is used often for the 1,000 person community.

- A couple course design issues where the course might clash with other park-goers. Hole 6 plays across one of the park entrance roads, hole 9 plays across a sidewalk that goes to the baseball fields, and then hole 10-12 are tightly woven across the fields.

I played at 8:30 a.m., so I didn't have to worry about any of that, but 10-12 would be unplayable with a game going on, with 9 likely affected as well. Also, 10-12 have no signs and are difficult to find - 10 just uses the sidewalk as a tee (I believe?)

- Honestly, I had a ton of fun playing here. I hesitated stopping considering I was driving up to Peoria, and would a 12-hole course be worth the time. But it was a great start to the day!
I just can't give it a higher score considering holes 10-12, and that while this is a fun course, it's not necessarily one that's going to really challenge you.

-- Nice small city park with ample parking, permanent restrooms and a big covered pavilion. There are plenty of trash cans. Water is available from a spigot near the 9 basket across from the parking lot and a fountain near the 11 tee.
-- A reasonable number of mature trees and rolling hills (along with a small creek/ditch) that are well used.
-- Best holes: No. 2 (235 feet) is slightly downhill through moderate trees with the creek 25 feet behind the basket. No. 3 (325 feet) plays uphill through trees. No. 9 (300 feet) could play as an island, but it is not marked as such.

-- No map on site.
-- Tee pads are concrete but somewhat small (4x9?).
-- Tee signs (the ones present) are basic with par and distance but no map.
-- Some navigation issues, especially for a small city park. No. 5 tee is right of 4 basket, but it is hidden from view by a stage; the tee you see is No. 7. The 6 tee is right of the 5 basket by a wooden fence. On 6, two baskets are in view (not numbered); you are playing the basket on the right. The final three holes (10-12) are a hot mess and bring the course rating down. No. 10 tees from existing concrete beside the concession stand for the ball fields; it plays around giant fir trees and over bleacher seating for the ball fields. The tee is not marked in any way. The basket is surrounded by a circle of a dozen tall pine trees (almost a putting circle). No. 11 (tee pad with no sign) is about 45 degrees left from the 10 basket and has you throwing directly across a practice ball field from about 40-50 feet from the field. Once you clear the practice field, your path hugs the outfield fence (RHBH/LHFH) for a field, so there is danger of throwing over or getting hit by a ball. To get to 12, follow the walking path toward the concession stand. The pad is there (right beside the walking path), but it is getting overgrown, and there is no sign. The hole plays RHFH/LHBH tight around a ball field.

-- No. 1 tee is behind the pavilion, east of the restroom.
-- Par (44) is ridiculously generous; it should be 37 or 38 for the 12 holes. Only two holes are longer than 335 feet, and both are flat and either lightly wooded or open.
-- There are some small red markers in the ground pointing to the next tee to help with navigation, but most are covered by dirt/grass.
-- Baskets 10-12 are wasted; the holes are so bad and so dangerous that locals told me they don't play them and consider the course 9 holes. The ball fields were put in after the disc golf course, but that was a decade ago. There probably isn't room for 12 holes anymore, but a 9-hole course with three practice baskets would be nice.
-- DISCatcher baskets are showing some signs of age but still catch well.

Here are my pros:

1) Nice concrete pads that just have a clean feel. In fact, the entire park has a clean feel. It is kept up very well.

2) Its a great course for beginners. It reminds me of PJ Irvin Park in Bloomington a lot. Its not too challenging so its a good course to start playing disc golf.

3) Its very easy to navigate and very quick to play. If you come here its easy to play the course at least twice through because its only 12 holes.

4) There's not really any blind holes and the bright yellow Innova discatchers really stand out!

5) Most of the holes allow some variety in shot shaping. If you stand on the hole you are not forced to throw a specific shot. I love options!

6) For an easy course it was designed in a way that the greens are actually somewhat challenging. The greens are protected enough by some very large and mature trees that you need to miss in the correct spots to have an unobstructed view of the basket.

I don't have a lot of cons for this course but here they are:

1) The signs don't have a lot of detail but the course is pretty straight forward and easy so not a lot of detail is needed.

2) The course is pretty easy and pretty short. Its a typical par 3 course. Hole 11 has some distance but its pretty wide open. The rest of the course actually has some nice obstacles that get in the way.

3) Going along with point number 2, the course doesn't really punish bad shots. There is a neat tournament here every summer where some significant manmade OB comes into play but without that bad shots won't get punished out here.

There is nothing wrong with this course at all - its designed well with the land that was given. Its a nice, small hometown park that isn't ever going to be super busy. Its not too challenging and there is little elevation. Its a quick play but don't expect to come here to be blown away.

This is a nice course in a nice park. I recommend playing it because its an easy play. I normally don't play courses less than 18 holes but when I have been traveling back from Springfield, Illinois a few times I found myself deciding to get off the interstate to make a quick stop. That's the good thing about this course: its a quick stop. It's tough for me to rate a course that's not 18 holes above a 3.0. If a 9 or 12 hole course was really awesome I could probably give it a 3.0 and maybe a 3.5 if it was the best of the best. In this case, Hopedale is a fun little park and if it was 18 holes would probably be a nice 3.0. In any case, I think giving this course a Reasonable Rating is fair.

- Very nice park with large mature trees, that looks much more open at first impression than the course design actually plays. Kudos to the designer.
- Course map/sign/rules for the original 9 holes is on the east side of the shed by the pavilion.
- Nice Innova Discatchers, no issues. Easy to spot, and really no blind holes.
- Signs with par and distance on each hole. Pars are a bit generous, but I feel like that's normally the way to go in small, family-centered parks and courses.
- Nice concrete tees, probably 4' x 7'.
- As I mentioned above, the first 9 holes were placed well into the trees, to make the shots more difficult than you would expect at first glance. The intent of most of the holes is very clear from the tee pad, which is nice on course like this. Not often seen in city park 'rec' courses.
- A perfect example is #3. Shooting up a small hill with a row of large trees on either side. Really makes you go straight right through the middle with no options left or right.
- Really liked #8, which was similar to #3, only longer, and a little wider lane to shoot through.
- #10 basket location is pretty cool, in the middle of a stand of tall mature trees on the edge of the park.

- Unfortunately, the last three holes of this course kind of ruined the groove for me. With the wooded area in the park packed already, they expanded the course out into the area of the ball fields. I totally understand why they did it, but it just doesn't fit the rest of the course, and feel crammed into their space.
- I never did find the tee pad for #10 during my round. (Full disclosure: I only walked around looking for 10 minutes, and then gave up since I had other courses on my schedule for the day). However, looking in the media section on the site now, I see that the tee is actually on the pavilion concrete between the ball fields. This lane provides the most interesting and challenging line to the basket...however that's because it goes right down between the two ball fields. Obviously, only an issue during games and practices.
- #11 is just wide open, long hole with no obstacles. The length definitely is a stark difference compared with the rest of the course for some variety, but otherwise doesn't have much going for it. It does play across the outfield of one of the ball fields.
- #12's line is shaped by the outfield fence of a diamond. There is really no room to spare on the right, and the other obstacles on the hole include two light poles, a playground, and the batting cage.
- Navigation in general is ok, not too bad, until you get done with #8.

- The first hole is right behind the handicap parking.
- Unfortunately, the last three holes (and navigation to #10 tee) really did detract from the end of my round. Perhaps if I had started on those, and finished with the original wooded 9, I would have felt a little differently about it.
- In my travels to other Peoria area courses, I did see multiple flyers advertising a 5th annual tournament in Hopedale, where they play 3x through for 36 holes. That's awesome. I hope that means disc golf is thriving here, and has good community support.
- My initial feelings are that I should rate this course 2.75. Since the first 9 are designed so well and are fun to play...and in an attempt to keep the last three holes from affecting my feelings too much, I'll round up!

When you arrive at Hopedale you can tell it is a friendly town. As you approach the town you will probably have some people wave hello to you, even though they don't know you. The Casey's on the corner is redone and a hub of conversation, food & friendly faces. Once you get to the course you pull past the shelter into the big gravel parking lot on the right. Hold #1 is past the shelter to the east. There is a map showing the first 9 holes and it will hopefully be updated to show the other new 3 holes soon. The course is well maintained and has very mature trees. It takes advantage of the land and natural obstacles. If you come here for any tournaments you usually play the 12 holes 3 times to equal a regular 36 holes for a tournament. There are also some alternate tees and a long placement for basket #3 200 ft south of the current hole #3's basket. They set up a temporary basket for the summer tournament and I hope someday they will make it a permanent alternate pin placement. It is a great course, family friendly, but with enough challenge to make it a fun course for advanced players. There are some tough line, like hole #3 & #6 which have a good risk and reward, giving you a chance for a birdie if you hit that nice line. I have thrown birdies on every hole, except the new #11, but I have only throw from that new tee pad (back about 50 feet from the old one) once and had a 75 ft shot for the birdie from . For some added difficulty play the road, dirt(#7 & #8) and use an island green for #9 and all else OB, and OB baseball fields(#10 & #12)and fence lines. This increases the difficulty of the course quite a bit and will change your casual upshot or putt at #7 into a big risk and reward shot with OB 10 feet behind the basket. I have played this course since it was created in 2009 and I usually try to play it when I'm in town visiting family. After you play hole #9, the tee pad for ten in up by the baseball diamond. Throw off the right edge of the concrete at the concession stand past the pine trees and into the group of trees. #11's tee pad is tucked into the back, SE of 10's basket shooting through the open field. Holes 10, 11 and 12 are only available to play during the off season of Baseball. During baseball these baskets are pulled due to the high traffic area of the baseball diamonds. The restrooms are very nice and if you visit on a Wednesday in the summer they have a farmers market at the shelter. At each basket there are bricks in the ground pointing you to the next basket. Holes # 3, 6, 8, 9 & 10 are my favorite at this course.

The tee pads have great texture and I have played in snow and not slipped. I do wish they were a little bit longer and I wish the tee signs gave a small diagram of tee pad, basket & an arrow pointing to the next tee pad. When I first played it I was curious about the short walk between 6 & 7 and 8 & 9, but the way the course is laid out with a road right down the middle of it, then splitting at tee pad #7, it is designed to fit perfectly into the park.

I have played a lot of courses in small towns and this course gets a gold star for using the entire park. It has a wonderful layout which will not be too aggravating to new players, but still fun for advanced players. The trees and tee pad to basket lines make this feel like the park was designed to have a disc golf course in it. It reminds me of a smaller version of Grand View in Des Moines. The designer Chad, did a great job and has a lot of support from the Lions Club and the local community. The park is very clean, well maintained and peaceful to play in. If you are in Morton, Perkin, Lincoln or driving down 155, stop in and play this course! It is within a 30 minute drive from Peoria or Bloomington/Normal and worth the short trip. Also I heard a new course might be in the works in Miner so keep your eyes peeled. It is also a lot of fun to play with a large group and a variety of skill levels.

*Offers tough but rewarding lines to hit
*Well maintained park
*Big, nice baskets
*Holes 3,8, and 9 are comparable to holes on high caliber courses

*Only 9 holes
*Small teepads

If I was road tripping to high caliber courses in the central Illinois area, Hopedale would be a refreshing break that still offered moderate challenges on each hole. The lines presented make appropriate disc selection an important part of the course. However, the holes are not difficult enough to make it an "epic" course.

Hopedale, Illinois is a small town and the park seems to be a hub of activity. There are baseball diamonds, a school, and vending on site. Therefore, it is a very well maintained park and is sure to be enjoyable. Unfortunately, Hopedale is probably too far out of your way to justify a special trip to it.

Overall, I am giving Hopedale Park a high rating because if it had 9 more holes comparable to holes 3, 8, and 9, I would probably make it a favorite.

This is a very nice small park in the middle of a small town. There is a school right next to the park. The land is very flat with a bunch of large scattered trees. Almost all of the course plays in the shade. This is a very beginner friendly course and absolutely no where to lose discs.

When you pull in the park look for the pavillion and restooms. Park in the lot to the west of the restrooms. The 1st tee is located on the east of the pavillion.

Brand new Innova Discatcher baskets. Each has the hole # listed on them.

Next to each basket there is a stone in the ground pointing in the direction of the next tee.

The tee pads are nice and flat. They were installed properly and roughed up nicely.

The tee signs are very basic. The have the hole # and distance on them. They also have the school logo on them.

Several of the holes have multi route options.

There are a variety of lengths from 215ft to 380ft.

There are nice restoom facilities.

The course flows petty good until #7. Once you play #6 you have to walk back to play #7.

For more skilled players this course will get boring.

I played an alternate tee on #5. There is a covered stage that is elevated. It's a fun place to throw from to #5's basket.

This course is located just a few minutes off I155. There is a Casey's located right down the street from the course.

If you are local or driving thru it's not a bad option to play a quick round. If you have a family it's a great place to play. There are picnic tables and nice restrooms.

Very new and clean! I got here and I was very surprised by the quality of the tees, signs (only yardage and par), and the brand new baskets.
At the beginning of the course behind the first tee, there's a nice map and a box that contains free scorecards and a map on the other side of the scorecard sheet.
For being a new course, it's very impressive and absolutely takes advantage of the land that's given to the designer.

It's only nine holes.
I usually would complain about not being very challenging, but the course really takes advantage of every single object on the plot of land.

I went here because it was kind of on the way to Pekin, and I wanted to check out the new course. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the course in such a small town. I was half expecting a efffortlessly thrown together course.
Plus the community here is very nice from what I've seen and heard. Two kids basically followed me around the whole time offering to help for random things like finding my disc. I was content.

-nice concrete pads, bathrooms and drinking fountains
-course plays over slightly rolling terrain with many large mature trees that give you a variety of lines, there are some downhill shots, and some slightly uphill shots, but most holes roll slightly
-good variety of hole length, from 200' to 380', matched with the trees and terrain, some of the holes are genuinely challenging.
-decent variety of shots required, a few rhbh slight annies, some slight hyzers, but it lacks any hard hyzer or hard anhyzer shots.
-Nice use of OB especially on the last hole. The pin for hole nine is in the back of a peninsula surrounded by road, if you over power the shot, you'll be OB.
-A couple holes like 6 have smaller fairway trees that will only increase the technical nature of the hole as time passes

-tee signs are not informative, just hole number and length, no indication of where the next tee is, therefore I found myself wandering a bit, especially after 3, 7, 8.
-The walk on hole 8 (I was a bit off the fairway) was super muddy, I think it borders a dirt lot or road but I wasn't sure as leaves were covering the ground.

This is surprisingly a nice course for a small rural city park course, I was pleasantly surprised. Whoever the designer is did a great job utilizing the topographical features of the course. I just wish there were another nine holes like the ones put in. I'll definitely play here again.