Pros:
- The Canyons, just down the road from Trinity, Highland, and West Park, offers yet another quality course for the Joliet area, and adds to arguably the best "destination" spot in all of greater Chicagoland (excepting Lemon Lake).
- Weaving through a nice patch of land utilized as a multi-use public park, the aptly named Canyons offers some of the best terrain in the area for disc golf. Lots of decent elevation exists due to what looks to be an old limestone mining operation. Several rocky cliff walls add a lot of character to this course, with #16 being the obvious example. Throw through or around two trees located right off the tee, with maybe 60-80' of elevation loss, down to a pin tucked on the edge of woods, a rocky cliff providing a backstop. Not too many holes like this one in the area, and it'll have everyone wanting to empty their bags going for the ace. Just super fun.
-Water is used really well here, with several of holes playing along a stream. #2 has a creek to the left of the fairway; #5 is a short RHBH anny, creek to the left, woods to the right; #4's pin is located on a sort of peninsula, and is a fun downhill shot from the tee; #9 has a little waterfall cascading behind the sloped green, and a creek on the left of the fairway awaiting errant shots. #18 finishes on a high note, with a "under the bridge, through the woods, over the stream to grandmother's house we go" sorta shot. A unique hole to cap the round is always appreciated.
- Multiple tees allow white, red, and blue players different looks and challenges. Blue tees are marked with the typical Joliet-area round painted markers, which aren't always super visible; however, they shouldn't prove difficult to find due to the outstandingly detailed (and accurate) tee signage located on each hole. Other amenities are just fine...excellent tees, mulch in the right spots to prevent total muddiness, plenty of trashcans, a port-a-john at the parking lot, etc.
- This course isn't a world-beater in the challenge factor, at least for experienced (if not necessarily good) discers...most players will find this a really good deuce-or-die sort of course, with plenty of tricky little ace runs, some fair punishment in the form of water hazards and trees, and two or three longer holes thrown in for bigger arms to shine.
Cons:
- There are several spots where overlap with other park activities could come into play during busy times; #3's, 14, and 15 seem to be the main offenders here.
- Muddiness could become a problem here with time, similar to the worst spots at West Park. I hope a good layer of grass can get established here, and where that's not feasible, the local club keeps diligently mulching (their efforts were evident during my most recent round, and much appreciated).
Other Thoughts:
- I really love this course. It's just a blast to play for serious recreational players (say, Am-Int) because there are a lot of opportunities to score well, but plenty of really fair trouble to get into with missed/wayward shots. A great variety of holes, a good nature-y "vibe," and the fairly rare-to-this-area rock walls all give this course enough interesting features to stick out even days after playing. I played this course for two rounds several months ago, and had wanted to get back since. The designer(s) should be commended for really squeezing the best course out of the property.