Pros:
1.) First course I ever played on, so I have to mark this as a bonus. Torch Lake DGC will always hold a special place in my heart.
2.) Navigation is relatively easy to figure out, especially when the course is mowed.
3.) One has the option of either playing 9 holes or the full 18. If you choose to only play 9, you can go straight from hole 7 to holes 17 and 18. This is a nice added feature. In addition, hole 18 takes you back to the parking lots, whereas when there were only 9 holes, it was quite a walk back.
4.) Course makes use of the limited amount of trees out there. If a hole doesn't have trees as an obstacle, the designers made it so distance can be a challenge. In addition, some holes have mandatory penalty shots, if your discs hit the path flowing through the course. This is another added challenge.
5.) A perfect course to work on your distance and empty your bag. The majority of the fairways are between 250-350 feet, with two being close to 450 feet.
6.) Buckets at most of the holes to put your trash in.
7.) The openness of the course is great for beginners who don't have the skills and/or experience to throw in such tight quarters.
Cons:
1.) For beginners, this can be a difficult course to start on, due to the distance of the holes. However when I played shorter courses after playing this one, I notice an improvement in my tee shot.
2.) The holes closer to the pond (holes 9, 12, and 13) tend to be muddy and have water holes, so be on the lookout for that. Hole 9 is always muddy, due to it being the fairway in confined trees, relatively close to the pond.
3.) Elevation and terrain doesn't change too much. It is pretty consistent throughout the entire course.
4.) Holes are all par 3, which is doable for non-beginners. This can be discouraging for beginners like me. Personally, some of the holes should be considered a par 4/5.
5.) Tee pads are dirt. When worn down, you can see roots and rocks. When it has rained, the dirt gets muddy, and you might slip. It is difficult to remain grounded before your tee shot.
6.) Many of the signs have been taken down recently or been ripped apart. I play Torch Lake DGC 1-3 times a week, so I know the course by heart; however, for newcomers, it might pose a challenge. I don't know if the signs are down to a recent thunderstorm we had in the area, or if people are tearing them down.
7.) Some of the signage states that there are pro tees; however, I have yet to see the tees out there.
Other Thoughts:
This is my favorite course in the Copper Country. Course is next to the Lake Linden Campground, and the "headquarters" of the campground (right across the street from hole 1) have discs you can borrow. Many locals walk the trail that the course runs through and bring their dogs. This course to great to bring your animals on. Poop bags are even next to the hole 1 tee pad. In addition, I would love to get in touch with the designers and find a way to help with the maintenance of the course, seeing as though I'm out there weekly.