Pros:
+ Heavily wooded, but with defined fairways
+ Every hole has multiple lines to choose from, some with very tempting risk vs. reward
+ Intimate and scenic setting off the beaten path
+ Constantly changing elevation keeps it interesting, even on relatively short holes
+ Old growth, tree canopy, and branch archways
+ Mowed walking path on the open holes
+ Decent tee signs with "Next Tee" directions (pay attention)
+ Good benches, even when they were stumps
+ The course just has astounding flow and rhythm
Cons:
- Hole #5 is short and super curved and just seemed out of place
- No directional signs, but not a big problem once you hit #6, but pay attention to the tee signs which tell you the direction
- A lot of bees in the park, but not once you get passed hole 3
Other Thoughts:
Out of all the up north courses I played with three other intermediate-level throwers in mid-July 90 degree weather, we had the most fun here. None of us knew what to expect as we drove from Traverse City through what seemed like the middle of nowhere. While we drove up and down big rolling hills passing farms, vineyards, and old forests we felt like we were intentionally getting lost. We had to follow our GPS to "Miles" Kimmerly, not Myles, so be forewarned. We descended on the huge field with soccer, baseball, etc. and realized we had the course to ourselves. Didn't see a soul. It was very intimate and extremely fun.
Once you play the first three hilly holes, each with dense woods to your right side, you start to crave going into the forest. Hole #4 was classic and satisfying - right through the woods, and then you walk out into a clearing. In the open for two more holes and then we again felt like we descended into the realm of undisturbed Michigan disc golf awesomeness with ten amazing wooded holes. It is really easy to get into your own disc golf rhythm here. I think some players will say that makes this course easy and rate it lower, but I think it really speaks to the course designers intentions and was deliberate. The fairways are denser with tougher lines to hit than Hickory. The hills are a lot less demanding than Hickory or Carly's, but since the elevation keeps constantly changing so does the variables you have to consider when choosing the line you want to hit. Risk vs reward shot choice keeps the course interesting. The course's rhythm just resonated with me. All four of us were always excited to get to the next tee to see what we were up against. In the end, I felt like Myles was celebrating our round in his forest with two open holes - #17's tough uphill shot and a huge par 4 on #18, both with the woods on your left side, contrasting nicely against the first three holes (with the woods on the right).
As part of "up north Michigan disc golf", like I said before, Myles was the funnest mix. Myles didn't push us to the extreme like Carly (5/5), but he didn't underwhelm me like Hickory (4/5). It is well-designed, balanced and exciting. Just straight up good disc golf. The blend of elevation, woods, and left/right pin placement reminded me of some of the great courses in Michigan (Bluegill, Flip, Red Hawk). This is one course I can't wait to play in the fall. It will be gorgeous. On its own, Myles might only be considered a 4.0 course, especially to advanced/pro players, but when I consider the location, how intimate and scenic the setting is, how it compares to the other courses in the area, the course rhythm, and how much fun we had, I confidently rate it 4.5/5, and the three others I played with agree.
Thanks for reading!