In an area with many of my favorite disc golf courses, it's rather surprising that I had never played Langes Ranch. Perhaps it's because it's labeled here as "pay to play", or perhaps the idea of playing a 9 hole when you have the option to play Pell, NAD, Fairgrounds, or Fredericksen instead is almost insulting. But I'm a course bagger and a course reviewer, so here we stand.

Equipment: Nearly all of the holes have concrete teepads now. And all of the baskets are in good shape and in permanent locations. They aren't my favorite models, but they're quality and I can't complain about them. I don't normally label underbrush as "equipment", but I've heard that this was a zoo once. It's pretty well trimmed back and beaten down now, and the felled trees have been removed. And the open areas will never be too overgrown because they're mowed by two llamas.

Navigation: When you pull up the drive you'll see the 9 basket on your left. I'm not sure what the parking situation is like up the hill, but if you park in the lot to the right you'll finish right by the car. Just walk up the hill following the fence by the 9 basket and walk until you run into another fence. The 1 pad is right there. After this, the course is easy to follow. There are white arrows throughout the course that lead you to the next tee, and each tee is visibly marked with a white sign and the hole number.

Design: For some reason the design surprised me. I expected this course to be garbage, and it was actually quite well designed. It's short, as most niners are. The longest hole is Hole 1, which is a straightforward shot across a field. Then you go into your standard mix. Slight uphill hyzer, slight uphill straight, short downhill tomahawk, level hyzer, level anhyzer, level anhyzer, straight boring hole (I hit the pin on a nonchalant flick), short hyzer. So you have what I always talk about: Uphill, downhill, left, right, short, long-ish... There's enough variety to keep you happy, and plenty of ace and birdie opportunities.

Equipment: I can't complain about the equipment really. The 9 pad was icy, but it's level enough there and short enough of a hole that you can just throw from beside it. And the 5 pad had llama poo on it. Both indicators of lack of winter use more than anything.

Navigation: The only trouble I had was finding hole 1. The property owner told me where to go though, and then mentioned the white arrows. He said he "thought" they were all still there. I'm guessing this is because nobody plays there in January, but it could tell us that he doesn't pay attention to the course either.

Design: I feel like the design uses the available property wisely. If there's more space up in the woods I'd like to see some longer and more technical holes, but as a beginner friendly yet technical course it holds up remarkably well.

Miscellaneous: It's been mentioned before and it can't be helped, but the amount of llama poop here is staggering. The only place it really bothered me was on the 5 pad where I had to plant on the front right corner of the pad for a shot that didn't require that. But it's disc golf. If you're out of your comfort zone, adjust or go focus on Guitar Hero or something.

The cost to play in the summer is kind of a con for a short course that's surrounded by so many great free ones. I think the idea is that people are paying to park for the pool, but pay to play on a course that's more of an afterthought on the property isn't a good idea.

This course isn't that difficult. The lines are evident and short, and the baskets (while guarded) are accessible. Most of you will be content throwing a putter here, and maybe a mid on 1. And the wooded areas are open enough that you still have a very real chance at par after an errant drive. But it's fun, and that's why we play. Or why I play at least... And it's a niner. I've said it in other reviews: Niners are important because they're better for beginners and introduction to the game. I'm not taking a brand new player to Fredericksen or NAD and expect them to enjoy themselves. But I'll bring them here to give them a more accessible idea of what the sport is all about.