Pros:
The most challenging nine hole course in the Greater Cincinnati area, the Mason DGC is truly embedded in a very well maintained (and heavily invested in) Sports Park. Of course there are hiking paths, soccer/football fields, top-notch baseball fields, and all the amenities that go with them (plenty of parking, bathrooms, concession stand, etc). But I think the neatest feature is the expensive and sturdily built bridge leading walkers, and specifically disc golfers, over the picturesque creek to the further half of the course.
The location (Near Kings Island Amusement Park) means there are plenty of nearby restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and other attractions for the whole family to make this a travel destination, and this course is worthy of a visit.
Nine holes of challenging, Intermediate to Advanced level disc golf weave through the parts of the park that are not suitable for other sports. There is tremendous use of the elevation here, with 1, 3 & 6 being essentially uphill, 5, 7 & 9 being level, and 2, 4 & 8 being downhill. There is a fairly even distribution of left and right turning shots. There are a couple of 400 footers, one nearly 600', and only one hole under 310 feet.
Tees are in good shape, and very few holes have much chance of interaction with other park users...which is good because almost every hole is 'blind' from the tee, and generally pushes even the best players to par 3's (birdies are possible, but demand a great deal of skill). The lanes of foliage you must navigate are fair, but very challenging. As a first year player, this course demands I play a conservative round, if I want to have any chance at shooting par. What makes that hard is that the distances and accuracy require good shots every time for a Recreational, or even an Intermediate player to play bogie free.
The signature hole is the 360' #8, which requires a drive of over 280', avoiding the trees, to carry the creek, which is hidden from the tee, and 25 feet below your feet. If the creek is running low, it almost requires you go for it. If it's high, you may look like Tin Cup if you hit a gust of wind, or a branch, or...
Cons:
***Major update 7/1/20***: Well, that dropped my rating a full disc. When the park decided to pave a pedestrian and bike path straight through the fairway of the signature hole #8, it was bad, but now, to make the hole safer (it was, ...before the path), they dropped the tee down to the terrace by the smelly creek, shortening the hole by over 100' and eliminating the elevation. That, combined with the lack of keeping the hedges from encroaching on the fairways, and I decided the course is now just worth a three disc rating.
The most noticeable design feature that is worth mentioning is the fact that there is no parking near the #1 tee. Our league players generally start on #3, in order to finish at the #2 basket, which is right next to the lot.
While the tee signs are good, and accurately relate the necessary info for each hole, first timers might want to print a map or hook up with a guide, as there are long walks from the lot to #1 (or from #9 to #1), from #2 to #3, and from #4 to #5.
The Innova baskets here (yep, with the 'chastity belt' tops) have a little rust going on, but since I have trouble enough putting my disc in the chains like I should, I'm not gonna blame the baskets!
Other Thoughts:
I have played here five rounds, but have been so focused on the challenge, I didn't note whether or not there are trash cans. I did notice the lack of benches, because playing two rounds here (18 holes) can be as fatiguing as a round at Mt. Airy (and I score about the same for 18 holes at these two parks).