Streamwood, IL

Shady Oaks Park

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3.025(based on 47 reviews)
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11 1
jpoppe
Experience: 38.4 years 26 played 2 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Needs work

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

Quality tees & baskets. Decent length holes/course. A few nice holes. Nice playground by Hole 2. If you're a beginner, some wide open holes. If you're an expert, several high risk/reward holes.

Cons:

Major disc loss hazards (usually throw over or close to creek and/or super tall weeds). When not scary hazards, often boring (completely open). Need to plant some trees and/or small bushes. Hard to find start point and parking (started at Hole 2, since already reversed from ~14 and 1 wasn't obvious). Poorly marked. Majestic oaks around perimeter mostly - so not many shady holes. Septic smell on one end of the course.
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14 0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.3 years 316 played 298 reviews
3.00 star(s)

A Tale of Two Courses 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 18, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

- nice concrete tees
- good incorporation of creek on holes 2 and 4 for some added challenge
- good distance on most holes
- some good elevation change on about 1/3 of the holes
- great high quality tee signs with full color maps and alternate pin positions shown
- multiple pin positions on each hole (only one populated at a time)
- some garbage cans and benches
- most of the course is mowed fairly well
- nice quiet area to connect with nature - moving water, squirrels, trees, etc.
- larger oak trees are a nice change from all the maples everywhere

Cons:

- some mowing of high grasses could be better
- could use some next tee signs, will benefit from a map
- start of course is a bit hidden/odd by Streamwood city buildings
- some walking path hazards, but park is generally quite empty
- 8-10' tall marsh grasses on 7, 8, and 11 are pretty rough
- no practice basket, no restrooms
- no numbers on baskets doesn't help navigation

Other Thoughts:

The reviewer who called it Sunny Marsh is right - half this course is shaded by large oak trees, and the other half you're getting baked on your head and soaked on your feet in marshland. This is a pretty unique course and overall I'd say I enjoyed it, though with some caveats.

The skill level here seems intermediate, and hole distances are generally average, with the exception of hole 15 at over 700' which clearly exists just to join 2 disparate parts of the course together. I typically don't care for extra long wide open holes like this, but I get it. The rest of the holes had some reasonable technical challenge and some ok elevation change- in both cases nothing incredible. The entire course seemed to have a lot of downed branches, presumably from recent storms, but that may not be the case all the time.

The marsh part of this course is interesting, especially being pretty close to Black Bear Park which is the only other "marsh" course I've seen. In a way, I love this because it's something that 's uniquely Illinois and shows what we can bring to disc golf that not everyone can. That said, it's kind of brutal to play in. This was a new record for me in terms of plant height - if you throw your disc in the marsh plants, some of them are easily 8-10' tall to the point where you could honestly lose your sense of direction hunting through them. Miraculously, I somehow completed this round with all of my discs despite a few majorly errant throws. This is definitely a good challenge, but one of the most frustrating types of disc hunts I've seen. Your feet will also get soaked if you have to go into the marshes at all - and sometimes even if you don't, as there is some very tall unmowed grass areas that can be soaking wet, particularly in the morning.

Hole 11 was definitely my least favorite - this hole shares a tee with the walking path, which isn't really ideal but is certainly not unheard of. However, you throw over tall marsh grasses to a rather blind landing out in the open. There is a flag to mark the basket, but it's hard to judge how far you have to throw to clear the marsh grasses, and you can't see where your disc lands so finding it can be a bit challenging. If you aren't confident in your throwing ability, this would be the one to skip.

If you happen to be on the other side of the course, it's easy to enter the park from Oltendorf Rd. and play starting at hole 14 and end at hole 13.

Safety issues here were pretty minimal, but you do have to be aware of the walking path on some holes. Navigation wasn't too bad but was a bit unclear at times. To get to hole 9, as you are walking up the hole 8 green there is a bridge to your left through the marsh grasses. If you can see the hole 8 basket you've gone too far, so this isn't totally obvious. Similarly, on hole 11 after you tee off you can cut through the marsh on some old pallets to your right, though they're a bit broken down.

I would probably come back and play this course again if I was in the area, but you have to be mentally prepared to lose discs and/or get wet. It's a cool course with some reasonable challenge and distance but definitely not one I'd want to play weekly, I think it would just start to wear on me. Overall, it's worth giving it a shot.
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5 0
DiscGolfer80
Experience: 5.3 years 57 played 56 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Easy yet challenging 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 14, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nicely laid out course. Love the 2 basket per hole, even though 1 set was up,

Mix of nature obstacles to create a challenge when playing.

Signage for holes and tee pads were great.

Cons:

Hole #11 no designated tee box, have to use walking path as tee box.

Hole #13 tee sits close to a playground; could be a problem when weather is nice out.

A Baskets were down, which left the further set B Baskets. Made more of a challenge for a recreation/beginner player like myself.

Make shift boardwalks over creeks or through tall grassy areas, careful using could lead to muddy/wet shoes or injury.

Other Thoughts:

Hole #15, 744 ft, should be at least a par 5 or 6 depending on skill level instead of a par 4.
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8 1
SneakyJedi
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.4 years 152 played 84 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Shady Oaks or Sunny Marsh? 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 14, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Nice, colorful, descriptive tee signs. Good tee pads and baskets.
- A handful of fun shots with some interesting lines and putting greens, particularly early in the course.
- Good distance variety including plenty of longer fairways for those who really like to air it out.
- Pleasant park with an interesting and somewhat unique environment for disc golf in Illinois.

Cons:

- A large portion of the course consists of wide-open shots with limited line shaping.
- Easy to lose discs in the tall reeds and a few other locations.
- Fairways located in the marsh portion of the course frequently have standing water.
- Course layout results in many shots playing over or close to walking paths and near other fairways

Other Thoughts:

Shady Oaks had been on my to-play-list of Chicago Suburbs courses for a long time, but the Joliet/Lockport area has such an abundance of good courses that it took me a couple of years before my desire to bag new courses reached enough critical mass for me to make the drive north. While I'm sure this is a great course to have nearby, there is not enough here for me to want to make a repeat trip.

I was interested to see what disc golf in a marsh would be like, and while the fairways bordering and crossing the tall reeds make for a very cool environment, it turns out I much prefer the layout presented in the first 4 or 5 holes. I particularly liked hole 2, with the basket perched on a tiny green just across a small creek that runs through the course, and hole 4, a great 2-shot hole that plays across that same creek on the second shot. Much of the middle portion of this course consists of wide-open holes, where the wind and OB paths create the challenge. One of the biggest issues affecting my enjoyment of this course was the standing water present in many of the fairways. Halfway through the course my feet were soaked, solely from playing lies that had landed in the fairways. This isn't only a comfort issue but makes second shot run-ups and throws difficult on the longer holes such as 10 and 15. It had rained in the week preceding my round, but not for a couple days, leading me to think this is a typical course condition. Bring your waterproof shoes to this course if you have them.

There are multiple pin positions at Shady Oaks, which is always great especially for locals. However, the tee signs, which are otherwise fantastic, do not indicate which placement is currently in use. This is especially problematic on some of the blind holes. Two of these blind holes play from one side of the mass of tall cattails to the other, something that can certainly be problematic when playing without a spotter. Discs going into the reeds have a great chance of never being found again. The walk from hole 10's pad to basket is very cool as you are flanked on either side by the towering reeds, but it is one of the only locations on the course that is not particularly cart friendly as the old path is entirely underwater, and the makeshift trail consisting of wooden pallets is not very sturdy or level.

This is a tough course for me to rate. There are a few holes I really like, and the environment is cool. However, the high chance of leaving with soaking wet shoes and socks and fewer discs dissuade me from playing a course with a lot of holes I find fairly boring. If you are in the area and don't have the time to travel further out, this is definitely a course worth playing, just come prepared for wet feet and extra safe play or skipping holes if you don't want to lose plastic.
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1 1
46boomerang
Experience: 5.6 years 19 played 2 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Will you lose a disc? 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 29, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

* Design is good given the space and the marsh.
* Two holes are thrown over a marsh area with cat-tails.
* Three holes are thrown over a small creek (but not so small that you cannot lose a disc)
* One hole has an elevated tee
* One hole is over 700 ft !!
* There is a tuesday might blind draw with good attendance.
* Good amount of close parking.

Cons:

* This is on a marsh so it can be challenging for a beginner (like me)
* I love to hate the course. I have lost discs (and found some), but I keep coming back.
* Bring some bug spray during summer evenings for sure
* If you have to dig around the marsh and grass areas....its not easy. The brush is thick and has stuff that makes you itch and smell swampy.
* Some of the baskets are missing. In some instances the pro baskets are missing, on others, the normal baskets are missing and only pro baskets are there but all holes have at least one basket.

Other Thoughts:

I have lost discs here. I hate this course but keep coming back (prolly because I can walk to it from my house)
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2 0
Icky
Experience: 11.6 years 12 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A course to challenge you! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 1, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Alternate pins

Forehand & backhand friendly

Long bomber shots

Well manicured

Teepads are nice give you plenty of space to get a nice run up


Great signs/ OB markings

Cons:

Extremely rough off the fairways (12 foot tall cattails)

Disc eater

Typically windy

Standing water on some fairways



Other Thoughts:

This is a great course to test your skills. You need a combination of accuracy and distance in order to score here, but mostly accuracy to stay safe and save strokes and discs. I wouldn't recommend this course to beginners because if you go into the cattails you're going to have a hell of a time finding your disc. There is also an issue of standing water on some of the fairways.

You will have fun challenging yourself here and grow as a player the more you come here.
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1 0
WraithofDan
Experience: 14.4 years 16 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Demands Accuracy and Power 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 10, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Very clear signage throughout with hole layout with A and B pin placements and distances.
- Technical challenges with path OB's (3, 5, 9) and small greens (2, 10, 15 kinda) demand specific shots or approaches that create a little more strategy.
- Sloped greens on a few holes and two elevated baskets.

Cons:

- Marsh hazards on 8 and 11 are ones to avoid if you don't have someone to spot for you. 15 has enough visibility from the tee to not be a problem.
- Hole 15 par may be incorrect on the sign, read as Par 3 for 739ft to the A pin. Would think that should be a Par 4, at least.
- Parking lot was difficult to locate. Ended up on opposite side of park by hole 14, but worked out.

Other Thoughts:

Wind can have a big role in your round between holes 5-11, 15-18, so disc selection is key. Have options for tailwinds and headwinds.

Not a real beginner friendly course as it is largely par 3's at 300+ feet, but you can play smart golf to get a feel of the course and throw some big, open shots. Yet it is a fair challenge in accuracy for intermediate players.
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2 2
birdbrainDG
Experience: 102 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Where character & challenge meet 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 29, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Good mix of distance holes
-Elevated pins on 6 & 8 make things interesting
-Well-kept course
-Alternate pin locations
-Alternate tees
-Brand new tee signs in the process of going in (UPDATE - TEE SIGNS IN AND GORGEOUS)
-Really nice & secluded park

Cons:

-Not the best with standing water/flooding
-Some old sleeves damaged
-Parking lot is hard to locate

Other Thoughts:

Shady Oaks is a rare breed of course - it is well loved and taken care of by the locals that frequent the park.
Not beginner friendly in anyway, Shady Oaks demands accuracy & angle control if you want to leave that day with all the discs you brought with. Good mix of distance throughout. The cattails and swamp from holes 7 to 11 can be deadly. To score well on this track, aggressive play is needed in order to get the birdie. The alternate pin positions are instrumental in allowing the course to have a different flow as well as challenge. This is definitely a blue level course, ranging in par from 55-59 depending on layout. If you are in the Streamwood/Elgin area, Shady Oaks and Rolling Knolls make for a great day of disc golf!
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2 2
DiscGolfShopping
Experience: 20.5 years 9 played 7 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Decent course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 1, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Water hole
Heavily wooded hole
Very far Hole
Elevation hole

Cons:

They need to mow those weeds!
High potential to lose discs on multiple holes
Hole 1 & 2 seem extremely short

Other Thoughts:

I like the layout of this course a lot, however I hate how poorly maintained it is. Another issue I would place money on a beginner playing all 18 holes to lose at least one disc. There is extremely tall grass at multiple spots in this course.
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8 3
SublimeStyle
Experience: 13 played 6 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Disc golf in a marsh 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 19, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a challenging course. Not impossible, but challenging.

Weekly $8 dollar doubles tournaments 6 pm Tuesday's.

Under the bridge at hole 2 is a disc retriever to fish your discs out of the shallow water. Look inside the railings under the bridge.

My "Pros" section is small for a reason. There are not a lot.

Good holes:

4: Very nice par 4, whip out your most under stable driver. Very rewarding birides! Not a gimmie.

6: Nice placement shot with an elevated basket,

15: Nice par 5, 850 ish feet, very birdie-able.



Cons:

You are playing in a marsh. If you decide to play this course, I just want you to understand its a full blown marsh. I don't mean the ground is a little wet. This is a marsh. Cattails, standing water, algae, frogs, snakes, bugs, long saw grass.

This course loves to eat discs. I'm just going to say, with no exaggeration, if you throw in the cattails, your disc or shoes and socks are gone.

Horribly maintained.

Bring a towel, the water is absolutely foul. In every imaginable way. If you need to get a disc out. Be prepared.


Not a nice area, I hide everything under my seats when I park my car. Do not leave valuables in your car.

Parking lot is terrible and hard to find. Also once you get into the parking lot, you'll probably be very confused to where the disc golf is. Tee 1 is hidden behind giant park district service trucks.

Bad holes:

Hole 1, 2 and 3 are a little lack luster, not terrible, but they don't really get you engaged in the game.

Hole 7: Cattails right, you do not want to go it.

Hole 8: Very brutal OB if you play doubles. You have to have the right disc for this hole. If not, no big deal easy lay up and the hole is enjoyable.

Hole 9: I'm not going to type an essay describing this hole. But its a ticky tacky shot in which you throw a boring hyzer, from an open tee pad, through a mini tunnel for a lay up shot. It's impossible to drive the full 300 feet of the hole, because if you put that sort of speed on the disc you cant make the mini tunnel's turn. I tomahawk over.

Hole 10: Cattails = dead disc

Hole 11: You have to own a sidewinder or roadrunner for this hole, you have to play it with a spotter. Or you'll search forever! Even if you make it over. There is no vision whatsoever of the basket. You throw blind over 75 yards of cat tails in all directions.

Hole 12: Long grass on the left and you're searching for 20 minutes at least.

Hole 13: I hope you're a lefty, and the way the trees are discourage forehands.

Hole 14, if you throw a disc into the woods on the left. It's super gone. It's very dense brambles, thorn trees and thorn bushes.




Other Thoughts:

I don't mean to rip on the course too much. I just want people to know what they're getting into. The course does offer some nice holes, and even some elevated baskets. Just prepare to lose a disc.

The course also has a local disc hunter who spends all day everyday hunting discs and if your name and number is on it. He will call and sell it back to you for 5 dollars.

The people are not friendly
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2 2
Bd 37
Experience: 13.5 years 66 played 10 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good Course close to City 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Lots of different shots, lefty righty, backhand flicks.
No shots that are only possible for a pro.
Some longer holes, some short.
Water in play, but not punishing.
Easy to navigate, easy to get to.

Cons:

Reeds are crappy to search for discs, especially if you really shank one. Could use one or tow more holes with tight lines. The only really tight hole is very short.

Other Thoughts:

Fair layout that players of all play style can score on.
Every hole can be birdied. Only two holes alternate positions are nearly impossible to birdie. However, don't expect to birdie them all.
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2 2
Jagidlund
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great for intermediate players 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 15, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-18 long holes to play
- pretty open course with a few wooded holes
-most trees do not present a hazard when throwing
- a few water hazard holes
-great course to practice those long drives
-close to a couple other decent courses

Cons:

-not much cover to filter out wind
-cat tails make water hazards even more difficult to play around
-flat, depressed fairways on a few field holes flood easily
-hard to navigate in the middle of the course by the subdivision

Other Thoughts:

This is a great course in my opinion. You get a little of everything here. The holes are long enough to make a decent day out of one round and there are 2 or 3 other courses relatively close by that are worth checking out. One in particular is black bear-only a couple miles away.
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3 2
alexjensen
Experience: 16.2 years 42 played 11 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Cattails Beware! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 30, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Great 18 hole course with good length. Course has a wide variety of hole types, and requires many different shots. Primarily very open, however, hole 15 is a nice shot through ticker tree cover. All trees on the course are very well established and large. There are two small creeks that offer a nice water hazard throughout the course. Stay out of the cattails!!! You will loose a disc, but if you find mine please call.

This couse is one of my favorites this close to Chicago, and I definitely recommend a play. The course is very open, but still very challenging because of the length. The majority of holes are over 300ft however, there are still several that are nice shots under this length. Nice cement tee pads on just about every hole except for a few of the shorter ones.Course is failry well marked, and in general is not too crowded.

Though it's probably not legal we were able to drink throughout the course with no problems and there are plenty of trash cans.
Good course to take both beginners, because of the lack of trees, and experienced players, because of the distance, and everyone should have a good time.

Cons:

I still have yet to find the first hole tee pad and I have been there three times now. We consistently start on hole 2. Though the cattails are an excellent hazard, be aware that you WILL NOT FIND YOUR DISC if you throw into them. The course is almost too open with not enough trees, but luckily the length of most of these holes makes up for it, especially the 800 ft bomb you get to throw on 16. The course is also covered in goose droppings, but this is invedible because cook county does not allow duck hunting as far as I'm aware. Currently a low spot has filled with water and presents an extra pond to throw over for several of the holes, but you can wade in an find your disc quite easily.

In general this couse could certainly be a phenominal course if it had two things, elevation changes, and more trees. Imagine your favorite course without the trees and without the hills and you get this one. I really like it because I just get to bomb every drive with no thoughts of hitting a tree, but you literally do the big drive, lay-up, put combo every single time. Great practice for those courses where you really want your game at the top.

Other Thoughts:

This is a great course for those living in Chicagoland. It's open, but a little far away from the city. If you want a nice open couse that you can drink at with little risk of consequence this is your course. Similar courses in the area that are a little closer include Madison Meadows in Lombard, as well as Katherine Legge Memorial Park. I have had a blast playing this course every time, but just beware that the cattails eat your frisbies and don't spit them back. If anyone finds a new sidewinder with my name please call, my girlfriend is not happy I lost her disc, you will be rewarded. Happy discing.
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6 1
booradly
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.5 years 171 played 24 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Underrated 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 6, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-awesome signs( like the best i have ever seen)
-good cement pads
-nice park
-lots of options with alternate pads and a few alternate baskets.
-the first few holes are solid being under big oak trees(i am a big fan of this). and have a creek that comes in to play on 2,3,4
-hole 4 i like a lot with the basket on the other side of the creek
-i like the holes on the back side that go along the woods that are near the school(12,13,14)
all of these have woods that come in to play 12,13 on the right side and 14 on the left that make you keep your shots straight.

Cons:

- a lot of open shots,
-so much water on the course. me and a friend even spent a while looking for a disc that ended up being in a little creek that was like 2 feet across but like two feet of deep stagnant gross smelly water. and the thick groups of cattails seem like they would be brutal to look for a disc in with lots of water in them.

Other Thoughts:

I have been playing this course regularly for a few years now and it grows on you the more you play it. If you play it with the listed out of bounds and drop zones the course is a big challenge and a ton of fun
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1 3
Stankyjahnke
Experience: 19.6 years 16 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 23, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-love this course
-hole 2 is awesome you can make a choice to go for a ace birdie or play it safe and lay it up before the creek
-great course to work on it distance drives and accuary
-has some elevation changes alot of cat tails and hazards
-definitely a long one
-never had a problem with it being crowded or waiting on people

Cons:

-cat tails are rough and will steal ur disc but it's been super dry this year so at least you can look in there
-a couple holes play right up against people's backyards
-not a course for beginners there's some long holes and it gets windy there
-navigation is a little weird first time there

Other Thoughts:

Great course to make a day of. Takes about an hour and a half to play I'm sure a second round would just be exhausting. Bring bug spray in warmer months
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6 0
phish sticks
Experience: 24.4 years 12 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

get serious or have some fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 5, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I like this course a lot. it was the first course I started playing on and have been for almost 10 years. It has a lot of trees and obstacles to go around and tall grass and small creeks to avoid. Its a great change to some of the other courses around that are just plain open with no obstacles. the par's are what they should be for a course which makes it fun and competitive for all. The course has recently been redone with all cement tee pads and some new baskets and they moved some of the baskets around for a little change. If your a pro or a beginner you can have fun on this course!

Cons:

to me there never really is a con to a course because if it has something you dont like its good to work at it to try and be better so nothing on a course will phase you.

BUT the one thing I would complain about at this course is maintenance. Always a lot of garbage floating around. I try and pick it up when I see it and throw it away when a garbage can is around but they only have cans at holes 1,7,10,18

Also as mentioned the remodeled the course and added new signs and tee pads and baskets and a few of the signs have been damaged or knocked out of the ground. It seems the used about a shovel full of cement and about half a foot in the ground and thought they would stay in the ground. ~trees and creeks are not a con. thats part of disc golf learn to play around~

Other Thoughts:

FIRST TIMERS!!! READ HERE!!!

if its your first time coming to this course check out the map on here(http://www.dgcoursereview.com...f75d9764.jpg)it will help you A LOT. I cant tell you enough how many times I see people throwing hole 8 into the 9 basket.

ALSO the course is located on bartlett rd right across from Grace Lutheran Church. if you use GPS try searching 42.019211,-88.182185 Parking lot is located BEHIND the building and hole 1 starts where the bike path goes into the field you should see it once you park.

one more thing. keep an eye on your disc! I just lost an eagle the other day on hole #14 Its pretty easy sometimes to loose a disc on this course.

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8 0
harr0140
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.8 years 1512 played 480 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The Birds! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 11, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

1) Very nice mature Oak trees help to make this course special.
2) Nice concrete tees are always appreciated over turf or other natural tee surface.
3) Nice rolling hills and elevation changes on some of the holes out here. I always enjoy rolling terrain and moderate changes in slope to create some challenge.
4) There are many multiple shot holes out here which is always appreciated.
5) Distance variation is tremendous with lots of 200's, 300's and 400's and the non-standard 700' hole. I love being able to play some placement golf as well as being forced to throw a lot of different discs and shots. This course makes you bring it all for sure.
6) I will always remember this course because it is where I got to see a real life hawk attack a remote controlled airplane. It looked like they collided but both kept flying just the same.
7) You need to be able to work the disc both directions out here. There are left to right turning holes and right to left turning holes so be prepared. I even got to throw a couple rollers out here to try and get some extra distance.
8) Multiple pin placements and alternate tees are available to change this course up a bit.
9) Risk/reward on #2 going after the basket will end you in the river behind the basket. #4 can be a good risk/reward shot going for the green area depending on where your drive ended up.

Cons:

1) The walking path comes into play many times throughout the course. I always frown upon this, but I also understand disc golf needs to share space with other activities. I just wish all disc golfers were respectful of the others using the area, and I wish the others understood what it is we are doing.
2) There are a few boring holes set amongst some really good holes.
3) Lots of geese and goose poop on the course. I guess it goes hand in hand with a wide open field next to a wetland, but it sure would be nice if they would stay away or clean up their own poop.
4) Some tall grass annoyance here . .. although I avoided all of it, I am sure there is plenty of wasted time for people looking for errant shots.
5) I played during a 100 year drought but apparently this area will hold a lot of water. It is a lot of wetland surrounding the holes and is definitely in a river valley.
6) I parked and started on #13 because I could not find the course. I am not sure if that was my fault or the GPS, regardless I was able to play all of the holes, but it was an awkward start to the course.

Other Thoughts:

I met up with a disc golf facebrook friend Julie Tucknott which was a little strange since I was 100 miles from home. I caught up to them on #16 and she asked if I played there a lot. I responded with no I am from Milwaukee, and she said are you Mike. I was kindof shocked, but she recognized me from my facebook profile picture, and perhaps read that I was going to be in the Chicago area playing a bunch of courses. This was my final course of an 11 course day (108 holes only . . . typical Chicago experience). I enjoyed playing a few holes with Julie and her friend and was glad to meet someone who I already knew from facebook. Disc golf is an interesting sport bringing people from all over together and people who wouldn't normally be friends to be friendly with each other. I also got to see a hawk attack a remote controlled airplane so this course will go down in infamy for me.
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Jashwa
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.4 years 177 played 88 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Why should the South Suburbs have all the Fun? 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 4, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This is one of the better courses is the northern Chicago Suburbs. It is well worth playing regularly if you live in any of the neighboring towns.

*The best feature of this course is its distance challenge. While there are a few short holes, many of them let even experienced players to bring out the drivers and let it rip. The distances on many of them are long enough to potentially reach on the first throw, but only if the throw is on the money.

*Good variety. The area actually doesn't seem like it would be all that good for a course, but the designer seemed to make the best possible use of the land with most holes forcing different shots on each.

*A couple high risk/reward holes. Number 2 comes to mind... heavy tree-age lies between the teepad and the basket which is across a creek. a player can "go for it" by hitting a small gap with a forehand and risking going OB on the left, or they can lay up in front of the creek with an easy hyzer shot to the right.

*Multiple pin placements, good baskets, and GREAT SIGNS :)

*Good isolation factor... I enjoy that!

Cons:

Several of these...

*Overall kind of a nasty little piece of land. Swamps abound along with the massive tall plants/grasses that normally accompany swamps. These will EAT UP YOUR DISCS! KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON THEM! Though these plants create some shot-shaping opportunities, they are definitely not pleasant.

*Flow is BAD! Fairways cross and teepads seem to be randomly next to each other so that your first time here you will say "what the heck." i recommend printing out a course map.

*Some holes don't have concrete tee pads... this is lame.

*Though the tee signs indicate the direction of the alternate pads, I did not see any markers on the gorund that indicated where these pads actually are.

*No indication of which pin placement the basket is in which stinks for people who don't play the course regularly

Other Thoughts:

The parking lot is kind of weird and you may have a hard time finding it at first. It will feel like you are turning into the parking lot of a store (I can't remember for the life of me what that store is called) but the tee pad for hole one is actually located behind the store where the course's parking is actually located.
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1 2
Marcus0613
Experience: 12.5 years 9 played 2 reviews
2.00 star(s)

So So 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 9, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course starts off fun with hole # 2 going across a creek. Lots of long distance holes to let out some nice drives!

Cons:

Very Very difficult to find where the next hole is. ended up throwing hole 8 into the hole 11 basket and then had to backtrack to find hole nine. Lots and lots of wind so you have to watch where you throw your disc because can be lost in the swampy marsh areas.
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1 2
BuzzArmStrong
Experience: 15.6 years 50 played 16 reviews
3.50 star(s)

shady oaks 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 8, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Fair amount of obstacles
Some descent elevation change for the burbs
Couple baskets are on hills which make you think about how you're going to land as to not roll away
A few areas require good placement shots as well as a few good looks at aces
Good tee pads and signs, a few places were slightly confusing but not too bad.

Cons:

As folks have said this course retains water really well. It rained a bit the day before I went and was pretty wet in some areas and I had to skip a hole due to the water.

Some of the bridged areas to get across marshy areas could use some repair.

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