Pros:
Baskets - The yellow rimmed baskets and great. They stand out really well and make shot choice reasonably easy. For someone like myself who has not played the course before this was a useful tool (however see Cons also)
Hole Maps - Every hole (except hole 2) has a map on a post to tell the player what to expect, where the Mando's and OB lines are. Most of these are really easy to follow and so made my playing experience better because it gave me a good idea of where i was going.
Cafe - After a long journey this was a welcome relief. So nice also that the staff were knowledgeable about the sport.
Cons:
Baskets - Not every hole has a yellow rim basket. On holes 3 & 12 the baskets have a metallic silver band, which for 2 holes where the player doesnt have a view of the basket from the tee seems a bit unfair. Could these baskets not be swapped round so that they are used on holes where the basket is obvious and not leave a player guessing where they have to go.
Tees - The rubber matting is not the best (ive seen worse) and doesnt provide the player a stable footing. Some tees, such as hole 10 seem reasonably new however others like hole 14 are definitely in need of repair
Uploaded photo's - Before my visit i studied the photo's on this site to try and give myself the best idea of where i was going. Unfortunately nothing had been uploaded since 2011 and so the holes have changed order since then.
I have taken photos of each hole so there is now a full set uploaded so it is up to date for players.
Other Thoughts:
As ever i will try now to give a hole by hole run down of what to expect.
Hole 1 - A difficult tunnel shot to start. From the tee the basket is visable and obvious but fail to make the hole in the trees and you will find thick trouble.
Hole 2 - A long par 4 with the Croydon tram way down the right hand side. 3 mando trees stop you sending a drive out over the tracks. This hole is deceptively long. It just seems like it will never finish!
Hole 3 - A straight hole to a basket, huddled on the edge of the trees ahead. 2 mando's left and one right force a low straight shot
Hole 4 - A blind tee shot over a ridge, through a gap in the trees. The hole then falls away to the right. careful not to go long on your second shot as there is a deep ravine 20ft left of the basket.
Hole 5 - A straight shot along the hedge line to a basket protected by 3 trees. A nice easy hole
From hole 5, walk through the gap in the hedge and along the top path (keeping the trees close to your left hand side). You will become aware of white boards in the hedge (at around 4ft up). Go between the 2nd and 3rd boards along a well defined path. This will lead to the 6th Tee
Hole 6 - A short uphill shot, with a double mando on the first set of trees. Difficult to judge the distance but then equally easy to over shoot on your second shot,
Hole 7 - A long hole, with a confusing tee sign. The hole map shows an OB line running down the grass infront of the tee, but i found no way of telling what was in or out of bounds, especially as off the tee there is a small tree directly in line with the basket forcing the player to play out to the let before cutting back right to the basket.
Hole 8 - A shorter hole, with a steep drop off to the basket. OB left and behind the basket means you will need to be accurate with your lay up's.
Hole 9 - A long par 4, with a funnel to the basket. This is a well designed hole which makes the player have to really think about shot choices. There is a mando on the start of the wood tunnel which ensures that you dont miss it out completely.
Hole 10 - Signature hole on the course. Play from off the top of the ridge, down into the valley. This hole is deceptively long.
Hole 11 - Play back up the other side of the valley to a basket which is tucked into a little wooded hollow. I really like this hole, although i feel it is tricky to get it right.
Hole 12 - A blind tee shot over a ridge (a bit like hole 4), however this time don't cut the corner too close as there is a massive fallen tree which will gobble your discs. However don't go too wide as the slope will make your disc roll for miles.
Hole 13 - This hole felt a bit like an after thought and had been forced into a space to link up all the other holes. It just doesn't fit in very well. An open shot down the hill to an unprotected basket. If you have the distance this should be an easy 2.
Hole 14 - Another long par 4. OB down the left and a Mando on the right to stop wide shots to the basket. Hit the gap ahead of the tee and the hole opens out to allow an easier 2nd shot to the basket. Be aware of the thick brambles behind the basket.
Hole 15 - I got really confused here as the hole map shows that the hole bends round to the right, however in reality the basket is actually tucked to the left of the large tree in the middle distance. Be aware of runners and cyclists using the path before you throw too.
Hole 16 - A long par 4 uphill. I got completely lost here and had to ask a couple of players who were luckily on hole 2 where i was going. From the tee use the tall tree which has had all its branches cut off as a reference. I think this is the one which is a Mando to the left of (although not certain). From this tree the hole turns right to a small copse.
Hole 17 - A long downhill shot to a basket protected by 3 tall poplars. I really like this hole. It is framed well with the woodland behind and is attractive to the eye.
Hole 18 - A difficult downhill hole to finish. With the angle that the tee is at, you are not directly aiming at the basket. With the wind blowing this can be a difficult hole to get right. The trees on the left of the basket are not OB, however the ones to right are, so be careful not to overthrow.
I really enjoyed this course, however in winter with no leaves on the trees im sure that it played slightly easier than it would have done at the height of summer.
I will return at some point, when the leaves are still on the trees to see the differences