Pros:
This was my first time experiencing DG on a bolf course. I wasn't expecting much based on what I've read about DG on bolf courses, but I must admit that Irish Waters exceeded my expectations.
1. Layout. The design was definitely done from a DG perspective (as opposed to playing the same tees as bolfers on other courses I've read about), as you don't follow the "regular" course at all. Obviously this layout wouldn't work in the on-season. There are scattered trees, and each hole has at least a few to deal with. This is enough to get you to think through your tee shot, but there are usually multiple routes available with minimum risk. It's almost always obvious where you're throwing to when you step up to the tee (i.e. there aren't multiple baskets visible or a bunch of blind holes), which is a good thing since there are no tee signs.
2. Baskets. The portable Mach V targets catch just fine and are in great condition. Depending on the course conditions, occasionally drifts will pile up around the baskets, creating the illusion that the basket is sitting really low (this was noticeable during my round on #2 in particular). The course owns 9 of the baskets and plans to rent them out while the course is pulled...great idea, and a good way for them to make SOMETHING off of DG since it's free to play (more about this later, though).
3. Amenities. Being on a golf course, you have access to a nice warm clubhouse with restrooms, food, beverages, etc. You can also find course maps (crude Google Maps dark copies, but sufficient) The staff was very friendly and helpful (however, I will note that another DGCR member was playing this course the weekend prior, and there were no maps and the staff only said, "It's over there" when asked about where to begin, so your experience may vary from mine). After playing a round with my 10-year-old, we decided to see if we could get some hot chocolate in the clubhouse. Sure enough, as soon as we walked in the bartender asked, "How about some hot chocolate?" I think it was only a buck, and it hit the spot!
4. Standout Holes. The course starts out really fun with an ace run at a basket on a mound for #1. Holes #4 and #5 present back-to-back water hazards (this is an awesome feature in itself, as you rarely see this on permanent courses!), that on #4 being the more significant, with a large pond off to the right with plenty of bailout room to the left; #5 is an easy toss over the pond, a really cool short hole with another basket on a mound. Hole #7 incorporates a small shelter, as well as a bench and trashcan, as obstacles. Hole #14 offers the first real dogleg hole with a sharp 90-degree turn favoring a RHBH hyzer. Hole #15 is really fun, teeing off between some pines, and plays along the "spine" of a ridge (I would recommend playing the large sand traps immediately in front of and just behind the green as OB for added risk/reward here!). Hole #17 has another OB pond, which is slightly blind from the tee; this is another left dogleg favoring a RHBH hyzer, and the pond is just beyond and left of the tree line and short of the basket. Hole #18 looked pretty ho-hum from the tee, but wasn't a disappointing finisher.
Cons:
1. A few dull filler holes tend to take away from the experience, in my opinion #8 and #10 in particular. There are only 2 true dogleg holes, and these both favor a RHBH tee shot. I would love to see some more of the woods utilized (which would definitely necessitate removing some trees), especially around #4 and #5, as well as the #13-#15 area.
2. Tees. Most of the tees were buried or icy (my son and I cleared off what we could on the holes with rubber tees). I also noticed that the rubber tees had a large metal strip bolted down the middle; whether this was for anchoring to the ground or suturing two mats together I'm not sure, but the strip and bolts stick up visibly in the middle. The tee on #14 was especially icy.
3. Navigation. Fortunately, the clubhouse had maps (and harr0140 was kind enough to send me a copy of his just in case; thanks, bud!), which made getting around pretty easy. There had also been a group of 7 through just before us, so following footprints was pretty reliable without having to bust out the map after every hole. Without a map or a reliable trail to follow, navigating this course would be extremely difficult and frustrating. Also, a number of the orange flags designating the tees were buried, trampled, or missing, so following footprints helped in this regard.
4. There are (obviously) benches all around, but since the DG course doesn't flow with the bolf layout, none of the benches are really available for a quick rest. No biggie.
Other Thoughts:
This course is a lot of fun if you don't have expectations like you would from a year-round course. There is room for improvement, but this is a welcome addition to the Green Bay Area courses. It's cool to see our sport being accepted on golf courses, even though this style of course apparently falls short.
You can add a little more challenge to this course by playing with some more OB: The road to the left on #2, the private drive to the left on #3, obviously the hazards on #4, #5, and #17, and the sand traps short and long of the green on #15.
My only gripes are minor, but I think they're enough to warrant mentioning:
1. This course is long. Not crazy arm-busting long, but big tee shots are essential on many of the holes (only a few are under 300'). As a winter-only course that requires big drives out of the average player, suitable footing when teeing off is a priority, but I understand why the tees were buried when I played: This is a new thing the course owner is trying, and to encourage people to play it is free, and clearing tees would require an investment on his part. I would gladly pay a course fee if the tees were clear and deiced, and I would also probably give another 1/2-disc rating, but I'm sure enough people would have to be consistently coming out to play to make it worthwhile (or we'd have to have an extremely mild winter where shoveling/deicing wasn't necessary).
2. In looking at my course map, I almost wonder if #7-#9 could be done differently; if #7 went more northeast (it currently plays south-to-north), and #8 played west-to-east with the pin just beyond the sandtrap (OB), #9 could finish a lot closer to the clubhouse/#10 tee. Just a thought, but again that's based solely on looking at a Google Maps image.
Apparently there is some consideration for having some on-season (spring/summer) night golf events using this layout. That would be awesome!!!