Pros:
- Wil-O-Way in Grant Park is a 3-basket practice area designed with handicap accessibility in mind. This is not a course, per se, but rather a well-executed attempt at providing access to a new sport for those that might not be able to fully enjoy a round on a course with less-forgiving terrain. The three baskets are tucked into a small, flat, grassy area surrounded by several patches of scrubby woods. A bike path runs along one side of the open expanse. A few mature trees dot the otherwise open field.
- The three baskets are pretty close together, forming a small triangle. The property is actually fairly well-suited to safari-style golf or ideal for putter and approach-shot workouts. I'd be thrilled to have this nearby as a practice area I could hit every day after work for some quick field sessions.
- There are enough open areas, including a few pathways and small openings into the woods, to allow several pretty reasonable safari holes. Our group took turns deciding where to throw from and to, and we were able to come up with interesting enough looks with the scattered trees and by using the pathways as sort of "out of the wood tunnel" shots.
Cons:
- No tee signs, tee pads, or really any of the amenities that come with a course. I understand that the intended design was not to install a course; however, this is dgcoursereview.com and I do not feel that Wil-O-Way quite qualifies as such. Without any sense of direction, this is purely a practice course or an introduction to the sport.
- The bike path, which didn't seem overly used, still puts a bit of a damper on a safe safari round. Some of the better safari setups will require caution or a spotter, as a few of the shots conflict with the path. Shouldn't be too much of an issue, but do be aware of potential hazard.
- A bit difficult to track down. Pay attention to the local directions on the course page. This is at the far north of Grant Park.
Other Thoughts:
- Overall, this is a pleasant enough little setup. I actually enjoyed myself here pretty well, all things considered. The grassy area is easy on the eyes, and the surrounding woods gives it a feeling of seclusion that belies the surrounding city. This peaceful part of the park was well-served with this practice area addition. Despite my rating, if I were in the immediate area I'd stop by here again; not quite a course, but an above-average setup for practice and safari, considering it contains only three baskets.