Pros:
Good Practice course, proximity to local amenities, fills geographic gap = middle between West - Valmont; North - Loomiller/Clark Centennial; South - Interlocken for Boulder County area discers. When fields are mowed very nice not spending time beating the tall grass for your tee shot (as of Sept 2015) excellent after school or work rounds, does not take long to play the 9 holes. I generally just play 3-8 in a confined quad a couple of times. No. 1 offers length and only bomb flight at Wanaka with a fine BH RH approach with low hanging Oak branches to negotiate. No. 3 while easy, short offers a narrow approach with 'member's bounce' feature for a right side miss; no 4 plays longer than the actual length, gradual uphill with prevailing cross or headwind breeze with large tree obstacle protecting it from an easy 2. Nos 5 and 6 are longer but straight without obstacles, 6 features an elevated basket adding a touch of thought to your putt. No. 7, is shorter with a protected pin placement, nice highzr practice to fade/drop just past the bush. You can trek along the lower path onto No. 7 or take the high road along the lake, nice views of the front-range and take note of all other offerings at Wanaka Lake. Nos. 8 and 9 tend to be more challenging for accuracy but good flyers will handle with focus. No. 9 pin is elevated. No. 9 finishes at the west parking area, can park here and take short walk to No 1 as to finish at the main park area. Proper bathrooms in the lake house during summer. Catch some shade under large oaks and shelters. Excellent sunsets most nights after your twilight round.
Cons:
Not much to sniff at unless you are prone to bashing entry level sites. I learned to play here over the last couple of years and being local, live just blocks away, am partial, because I love the game and am grateful for the resource and the practice. However I've played a number of courses with high marks along the front range and will accept that this is not a destination course for the serious player, although I have seen a number of excellent flyers here doing their due diligence. Major con is: there are social and established walking paths that cross the fairways or are very closely adjacent to almost all fairways. The other park users of the open space are prone to be willingly oblivious of your presence on the tee pad. Caria Street runs along No. 6. I'm BH LH and have held my breath in horror as my errant bee flew over and under passing cars. The prevailing breeze pushes the flight toward the street. Just take a look before you toss. During the mid-summer months the grass gets VERY deep. Fairways are mowed but not in a manner that helps much. I've been having a ball in the off season while the grass is low. The distances shown on the markers are not true, figure 30 ft. shorter overall. Better use of space and planning at the outset would have prevented removal of original No 3. Missed opportunity for elevated tee shots by not including lake path for a tee pad.
Other Thoughts:
Planned construction of back 9 is in jeopardy due to public backlash against reckless flyers. Please tread lightly, we want this course to remain. Cheers