Pros:
(NOTE: I played both courses on this property on the same day and some pros and cons overlap between them. The reviews are similar in parts where the same characteristics apply to both courses. Also note: I played the long (white) tees. There are two sets of tees, white and red.)
*One of the cool features of this and some other disc-on-ball-golf courses I have played is that our pin placements often offer better views (in this case of a lake and hills) than the ball golf greens, because a basket can be placed on a hillside higher up.
*Both courses here have meaningful elevation changes, but Course B welcomes you with an 837-foot precipitous drop on hole 1, followed by a 213-foot uphill shot on hole 2 that seems like it plays 300. Those opening holes set the tone and smaller but significant uphill and downhill shots follow throughout the course.
*This course has multiple green areas that are gorgeous little disc sanctuaries, sometimes enclosed by a rock wall (hole 1) or in a shady low spot under large oak trees (hole 5), or nestled in a close-in tree grouping (hole 7), or amid myriad oaks and vines near a creek (hole 8), or on a rock shelf on the hillside (hole 9). Almost all green areas have interesting topographical features, such as hills and/or trees, which add to the enjoyment, though they do not necessary add to the difficulty (more on that later).
*Nice piece of property with great trees and occasional wildlife sightings.
*Beautiful views of hills and the lake on many holes.
*Well-manicured grass and not-so-high-grass rough areas that are benefits of playing on a ball golf course.
*Informative signage and clearly-marked tee areas on each hole.
*Nice and apparently new DGA baskets on all 18 holes.
*The course is very easy to follow and flows well. The arrows painted onto the cart path that direct disc golfers to their next tee are very helpful and wisely placed.
There are several of these that appear at just the right time, when you might be thinking, "wait, did I pass it already?"
*Speaking of the cart path, I played using a golf cart and I definitely recommend it. I think it is a big part of what makes this course so enjoyable
*This is just a fun place to be and playing here was a nice experience. Making the long, open, downhill throws and watching each disc make its full flight under those circumstances will likely be pleasing to any disc aficionado.
Cons:
*The beautiful green areas I mentioned earlier are fun places to putt, but all are easily accessible for the drive or approach shot. Although many baskets are placed on a hillside, among trees, or near rocks or a rock wall, in most cases this placement makes the hole easier and not harder. Many drives or upshots are thrown into a "backstop," so to speak, of a hill, tree, or rocks, so speed and angle control are not needed. I consider this to be a con, because I prefer the challenge of difficult pin placements, though some players may feel differently about this.
*There were no ball golfers sharing the course at the time I played, but there are some basket areas that are mid-fairway for them, to the side, and blind from their tee. If both types of golf are being played, be sure the bolfers know where you are! (This is a challenge on this course much more than on the other.)
*The tees are a mix of asphalt, concrete, natural, and turf on various holes. A spot on the cart path is often marked as the tee area, so sometimes that is asphalt and sometimes it is concrete, depending upon what spot on the path fits into the course design. The concrete tees are solid, though one is slanted significantly left to right. The quality of the asphalt ones varies greatly. There are a few that make for very difficult footing. The natural tees are uneven and unpredictable. The turf tees (or "tee," there may have been just one on each course) were level and well-placed.
*The biggest drawback of the course, for me, is that there are many holes where the play is to throw my longest shot and then pitch up for a drop-in. Some of these are drop-in birdies, some are drop-in pars. (I have no plans to pursue a "what should be par on these holes" discussion in this review.) This creates a lot of what John Houck calls "NAGS," "Not a Golf Shot." There are also several tee shots that the strategy for me is to throw a straight drive into a backstop and then putt. It is nice to shoot what seems like a great score, but I had the nagging thought (or perhaps the "NAGS-ing" thought) that I should feel like there is danger of a bogey, at least occasionally.
Other Thoughts:
*The drive down the hill to the parking/check-in area takes you over one of the roughest stretches of road I have ever experienced. This did not influence my ratings for the course, but it needs to be mentioned, if for no other reason than that you WILL doubt if you are going the right way. (I spoke to two other golfers who mentioned this doubt to me and I experienced it myself.) Despite the signage and what you have read online, when you drive steeply downhill over a section of road this rough, you will wonder. To say it is full of potholes would be inaccurate. There are sections of this road that contain more potholes than pavement, so really you are driving in potholes and the large bumps you are hitting are the still-extant portions of road. (Note: You should chart your favored route through here carefully because you will be driving your golf cart up and down this hill later to get to and from the courses.)
*When you see a sign that reads, "Next Tee, Bring your discs and park your cart nearby" it means you must take a little hike to reach the next tee and are about to play one of my favorite holes on the course. Hole 13 is cut from the woods and it is a simple (looking) uphill 162' forehand or turnover shot. This shortest hole on the property offers more possibility for score separation than most holes here because hitting a gap and making the disc turn are necessary for birdie and there is potential for a bad kick into a spot where par could be in jeopardy.
*As I looked through my photos and notes again, I realized that something I often focus on when playing is almost a non-factor here: Getting a "clean drive" off the tee. I think hole 13 is the only hole on this course that requires any significant shot-shaping from the tee box. That is probably part of why that hole is one of my favorites and part of why this course, though beautiful and well-maintained, is not one of the best I have played.
*This place is definitely worth a visit if you would enjoy two full courses in a beautiful location, riding in a golf cart and watching discs take full, long flights! I think most of us would and I certainly did! The putting greens on this course stand out for their beauty and serenity. Enjoy them, if you get the opportunity.