- I'll be honest, I was shocked at how low Adler's DGCR rating after playing. This course is a blast to play, well maintained, and there are more kinds of shots required from this 9-holer than many other 18-hole courses. Is it super challenging? No, but I loved this course.

- Again, this course looks great. The woods are clear and free of brush, mulch surrounds all of the pins, and holes 1 and 9 are beautiful downhill shots that are picturesque. Baskets and tees are in good shape - I didn't know what to expect for a course originally installed in 1981, but there's been a lot of care put into this course.

- There's just a lot of little things that the course does right in terms of course design. Like hole 3 - you're throwing a RHBH hyzer down a tunnel before it opens up to the green. You don't want to be right, and if you're left, you'll have a look but with a dozen staggered trees guarding the pin. Hole 9 is a 280 ft downhill shot and excellent as well. If you're short, you'll find prairie grass, and if you're long, you're in the road.

- There isn't a lot of elevation, but it's used well on a number of holes to change your shot.

- The course wraps around a playground that my kids loved, and there are permanent bathrooms by hole 1. That being said, the course does a good job staying away from the other amenities, so you don't have to worry about other parkgoers.

- Look, this course doesn't really require you to bomb, but there are two 400 foot holes that provide you to air it out a bit. There are a couple forgettable holes in 6 and 8, but that's it.

- Really, the only other drawback is that I didn't see alternate tees for a second round for 18 holes. I'm sure there are local spots for a "back 9", but I missed them if they were there.

- This course reminds me of the best kind of course you'd see back in the late 90s. A good variety of shots for holes 275-375 feet, super fun to play, and you're done in a half hour or less. (That last part is quickly becoming a higher priority for me as modern courses keep extending their length.)

- Decent distances on some holes. Advanced level players won't be super thrilled but beginners/intermediate will definitely be challenged on most holes. That's not to say higher level players won't have a good time running aces and birdies as this course has it's few holes that require some shot shaping to hit lines.

- Big, grippy teepads that have somehow survived many harsh Chicagoland winters.

- Signage is decent and gives pretty basic information.

- Course layout is pretty easy to follow if you have been there multiple times or have a map.

- Decent parking for times when the course gets busy (league nights) or when the park itself gets busy.

- Chances of losing a disc is pretty low here unless you absolutely shank one to the right on hole 1. The creek on the left on hole 4 is literally like 6 inches deep and kind of funky smelling but at least you will be able to easily fish your disc out. It is possible to lose a disc on hole 9 if you over throw it into the river behind the basket if you didn't know it was there.

- Good for a quick warm up round on the way to Fairfield as it usually only takes about 45 minutes to play a round when the course is not busy which is not that often.

- Decent variety of shots and a few holes do have some slight elevation changes which is always nice for Illinois which is historically pretty darn flat.

- Lack of open bomber holes for the big armed crowd although, hole 7 does kind of give some chance to throw big towards a basket being guarded a gang of trees.

- Course can get extremely muddy after rain in the wooded holes and in a few of the non-wooded holes as well.

- As many have mentioned, there's a pretty grueling uphill walk back to the parking lot after the final hole which sometimes isn't the greatest thing when it's mid-summer and 95+ degrees out.

- I don't know if this is necessarily a con but the pars on like 90% of the holes are a little too forgiving given the lack of distance. I usually just play the course as all par 3 so two bad throws don't still net me a birdie.

- A few of the baskets could use a replacement or just TLC as they don't catch as well as some of the others do (looking at you hole 4) but to be fair, the course has been around for a long time so that being said, they are still holding up decently.

- The layout has a few hiccups and can be confusing to find the next tee (from hole 3 to hole 4 and from hole 7 to hole 8) but this can easily be remedied with a few signs letting players know which direction to head.

Adler Park DGC has been around for a long time, In fact, it's one of the few Chicagoland area courses that is still around today. Although no longer an 18er, it's still a good place to throw some plastic if you happen to be up in the area and like to bag courses that have history.

Perhaps someday it will get restored to its former 18 hole glory as DG starts growing in popularity.

- large concrete tee pads
- DISCatcher baskets in decent shape
- wooded course with good technical challenge
- good moderate distance will provide some challenge for intermediate players
- wood chips in some muddy areas
- good water hazard (creek) on 4
- restrooms at warming house
- some elevation change incorporated
- high risk water hazard (river) if you overthrow 9

- tee signs are rather dated and primitive
- could use next tee signs for holes 2, 5, 8
- big safety hazard on hole 9, throws over bike path
- navigation is a bit confusing
- course doesn't end very close to parking lot

I enjoyed Adler Park a lot. It was one of the only courses in the area where I saw a decent amount of activity besides myself. The course is set in a mixed use park; safety hazards and conflicts were generally minimal except for hole 9 which throws across the bike path and could easily be redesigned to avoid this hazard.

Most of the course essentials are good here - good concrete tees, primitive but decent tee signs, good baskets, etc. The water hazards they did incorporate are a nice touch. The creek on 4 is a good hazard to avoid. The Des Plaines River does come into play on 9, but as long as you don't bomb your shot well past the hole you're safe - if you do, well, you probably won't get it back. The elevation change available here was incorporated nicely, although in typical Chicago fashion, there isn't a ton of it.

The technical challenge here is fairly decent, with some more wooded holes and several more open. Even the more open holes have some decent tree obstacles, but this course is of intermediate challenge at best - some reasonable distance, but nothing that will tax you all that much. The park is generally well maintained and overall I think the X factor is that this course is pretty fun. The water hazards might be the only thing that really make it special, but I think the course designers did a nice job of making this a fun place to play a quick 9 holes.

I'd like to see a few next tee signs on this course. Navigation was definitely not the most straightforward and issues could be alleviated with some simple signage. To get to the tee for 2, to left from the basket for 1 and cross the road. To get to tee 5, cross the creek and turn left to cross the road intersection. After hole 7, go right bast the basket into the woods to find tee 8.

Overall, this is a good place to play a quick round and I'd return if I was in the area. If you aren't nearby, it's probably not worth a major trip unless you're set on bagging courses.

- Almost every hole presents a different challenge.
- Fun for intermediate players; challenging but not discouraging for beginners.
- Tee pads, baskets, and course in general are all in excellent shape.
- Historic and beautiful park with gentle slopes, some woods, and grand old trees.
- Don't be scared by the 2 "water" holes. #4 has a very small creek (with an outsized gravitational pull), and #9 has a river but it's way beyond the basket.

- The info posts at each hole are old and could use a refresh.
- Veteran players will find this course too easy.
- No par 5s, and hole #5 is loud and distracting (between a busy street and the park's public pool).

I love this course, and for good reason. You know when you go to a restaurant and they have an amazing menu, and you wish you could get a small taste of everything? Welcome to Adler Park, a buffet of nine modest, delicious portions presenting different flavor profiles.

There are tree-lined tunnels to negotiate as well as a wide open field to bomb. Some baskets are well guarded, some are blind, others are just sitting out there daring you to run that long putt. And while there's almost no way you'll lose a disc, there are plenty of opportunities to scramble.

If Adler Park had an equally fun back nine with a couple of par 5s, it would be darn near perfect.

Adler Park 9 hole disc golf sits in a multi use park that features running and biking trails , a pool , a playground and much more . There is a parking lot that everyone goes to that is very close to hole #1 . A bathroom was close by . I didn't check ,but I think it was open Covid has some of the park bathrooms on lock-down . The park itself was pretty crowded when I was here in June . This is one of the oldest course in Illinois ( 1981 ) . I played with course historian James during my round at Adler .
The Equipment : There is a large kiosk at the hole #1 tee . The tee pads a large for an old time course , 4' X 10' . Standard baskets that did their job The signage is still " old school " , and were in decent shape . The older signs that looked like they came with the course are nice to check out as long as they aren't white washed from the elements . They will still give you the Hole# , flight path , distance , and a very forgiving par .
The Landscape : Both the park and the course were mowed and it looks like the course gets pretty good care . There is a woods hole on #5 , but everything else is more park style. There is not much elevation-wise here . Other than throwing off a short ledge on hole #1 , most holes either stay flat or have slight inclines or declines . There is an open fairway that descends from the tee and goes slightly up on hole #7 . Trees become sparse after hole #6 . , . Some canopies or guarded baskets . The course is somewhat spread in the park for a 9 hole course. The rough is present here , but not awful . Try to enjoy the long walk from hole #9 to the parking lot .
The Highlights : Adler plays short , as expected , for a 40 year old course . But short can also mean fun . #1 is a tunnel shot from an elevated tee to an open fairway with rough on the right and the basket tucked into it 304' away . #4 is a tighter technical woods hole with rough on the right and some small amount of water with brush to the left and some trees in the fairway . The hole is short at 284' , so a flat low drive will keep you out of trouble . #9 is a nice descending drive , open most of the way but some rough near the end on the right and some water behind the basket . You would have to overshoot a lot to hit the Des Plaines River , though .
Signature Hole : #7 ( 382' ) The fairway declines slowly and a little more than halfway there , it starts to rise to a basket that has a couple of large trees near it , providing a large canopy to knock down high drives or approach shots with too much air under it .
The Time : I paired up so it is hard to say . Off peak , you could get through here in under 30 minutes if you know the layout . Don't come here for a quick 9 , otherwise . There were backups at several of the holes .
Disc Risk : Under Average . You won't lose a disc to water , but the rough may have you digging in it on #s 1 ( to the right)
#4 in the woods , and #8 to the left .
This course is the logical choice for the locals and newbies . Great to socialize and make fun of each others mistakes as well as applaud a good putt or drive . Players that have been around for a while will enjoy the historical significance of the course . The fun factor here is high . Short bursts of holes that give a variety of right , left and straight holes . If you ever wanted to see what disc golf was like in the early 80's , enjoy a round or 2 here .

Navigation : Without a map and groups to follow , you might have trouble finding the #4 tee pad , crossing the road to #5 , and going around the bushes to #8 , along with getting back to the parking lot . I Didn't have the experience of it because James has played this course off and on for 25 years .
Challenge : If you want to test yourself or progress to the next level , this course is NOT for you . Even though players can air out a drive , or use precision on a couple of technical holes , this will be a birdie fest for the more seasoned players .
The course is set up to not interfere with the other park inhabitants . If you encounter a stray walker , kid , or curious onlooker , please be courteous .
I wish the course was still 18 holes instead of 9 .
Anything else would be nitpicky . The course is a relic . It is what it is .

James filled me in on some of the course history here . He first learned to play on this course when he was a teenager , back in 1995 or 1996 . He said that it was an 18 hole course back then ,and 3 weeks into learning the game , the course was shortened to 9 because park patrons were complaining that disc golf was taking up too much room here .
Adler Park DGC is an icon . There are so few course that have stood the test of time I can appreciate these more than the average person because back where I live ( Cincinnati ) there is a 1979 , a 1980 and 1981 course within 20 miles from me and they are in their original placements . I play them every year . I hope the locals and travelers can keep this bit of nostalgia relevant by shooting a quick email or letter to the Adler Parks and Rec and telling them that they like the disc golf course .
The course is not fast at peak times , and is not overly scenic , but it is a enjoyable round or 2 of disc golf .
My Recommendation : A must play for the locals , the 1 discers and newbies that live anywhere close . It's short and clean enough for families to play . This course will seem too easy for intermediates and up , but I think they will still get a kick out of it . Adler is perfect for both the traveler coming off of I-94 , to stretch their legs without overtaxing , and the Course Collector , who can combine it with 6 other 9 hole courses within 6 miles . Nothing close to a destination course , but ENJOY AND PLAY !!!

Every hole is a unique experience, and there\'s a perfect mix or tighter technical holes and open distance shots. I was quite impressed by how much this 9 holer was able to offer.

Navigating this layout is mildly confusing in spots, as the holes are pretty spread out. Nothing a quick glance at the course map can\'t fix, though.

Super easy to play. #2 thru #4 require straight drives, and rest are fairly open holes. Park is well maintained and quiet.

Minor con, #4 fairway is tight.

1 of 2 favorite 9 hole course I play on the weekend! Not to easy nor technical, right in the middle!

The course has a decent layout and is one of the better 9-hole courses in the area.

I think it is a little bit overrated because there is nothing that makes this course very challenging and the scenery isn't the greatest.

It is in a park with a water park, and the course forces you to cross a street, which could be busy on hot summer days when there's a lot of traffic coming into the park for either the water park or various summer events that are held here. There are ALWAYS kids running around which can cause a potential hazard. Overall, cool course. Second best 9-holer behind Warren.

9 hole course in Adler Park, in Libertyville, IL. Full service park, with running/biking trails, children's areas, and a full pool.

Concrete tee pads, nice and long. These were in very nice shape and had everything you could need. One tee per hole.

Nice signs, with all the information you'd need. They help immensely with navigation. Large and in charge for a city park 9.

There's a great use of the available elevation here. Most of the holes have some form of drop or rise, even if none of it is too extreme. Just nice rolling hills everywhere. Hole 1 is a great start with a straightish, slightly downhill shot. Neat.

Tons of mature trees to contend with. Some of the holes are tunnel, tree lines type shots, and some are random trees and lines. Most are quite fun, and demand a decent shot.

The baskets are OLD Mach 2's. They are showing their age, feel small, and could use some remounting. Hole 7's basket has taken an erosion beating and is on the verge of falling over.

Navigation is a bit wonky in spots, but nothing too crazy. Finding hole 4 took me a second, as did hole 8. Taking a picture of the map on the nice kiosk at the beginning is a solid idea.

Be careful on hole 9, as there is a jogging/biking path right behind it, and it's a downhill shot. I had somebody come zooming out from the left, blind...I was just lucky that I threw a decent shot at the time.

This is really a nice little city 9 that could use a bit of updating. There also seemed to be enough space to put in a few more holes, which would be great. This seems like it could be a busy park, so early rounds might be the way to go.

If you're in the area, it's a great spot for a couple spins!

The course starts right next the parking lot. There is a kiosk with course sign and map. The course has nice sized concrete tee pads. The baskets are older Mach II with the red numbers on top. A few have taken some lickings from local midnight vandals. Tee signs give the normal information.

Hole # 1 starts by having you throw through a modest gap before it opens up into a large grassy fairway. It plays 304'. Hole # 2 has another narrow fairway and is 366'. # 3 is still another narrow fairway for the 276' hole.

My two favorite holes are # 6 and # 9. Both are really pretty. 6 is 300', slightly downhill with a little view from the top. And # 9 is another 280' throw down a slight hill but you have to thread your throw between large trees. These two holes are what made the course special in my opinion. I'll add 1/2 point to my rating because of them.

Baskets are a little beat, some are leaning. They've definitely been worked over but they've managed to survive the Mongol hordes.
Mosquitos are a problem during certain times of the year or so I hear.
Popularity problems with too many players.
Muddy issues, as well as I've been told.

This is not quite the typical Chicago 9'er. Accuracy is more important here than most of the surrounding courses. This course plays at a recreational level. Beginners can play here and enjoy it but it's in no way what I would call a beginner's course.

In the beginning, I started playing the basket course at West Park in 1979. I had always been taught that it was the oldest course in IL, still in the ground. The PDGA course directory lists THIS course as dating to 1981. There was another course on the North Side that was in the ground before West Park and this course, but sadly no longer exists (Wilmette). My Grandmaster aged brain seems to remember this course going from 9 holes to 18 and back to 9 again, and either this course or the other old North Side 9 holer originally had cone baskets. Doesn't change the fact that this is a fantastic 9 hole course.

A nice mix of open, wooded, and hilly holes, and a look at the river. Though not overly long, there is enough challenge to satisfy most.

The course is scenic and has a good vibe to it. Very fun to play.

Well maintained.

Well, they could put some new baskets in, I guess.

This historic course has stood the test of time, and came out very well! Play it!

Nice course layouts
Awesome use of trees placements and tree lines
Good beginner course
Great signage

Old baskets
Only one longer hole (7) which might be a put off for those that love to bomb
Mosquitos we're buying until we used bug spray

Upon first pulling onto the park I looked right and saw a the fifth hole. I noticed that the course seemed to follow around the park and I was immediately concerned. I've played a few parks like that and today was a busy day at the pool and rest of the park. However, this course was expertly put in. Hole one cuts through two trees right away. Two is across the road and is like throwing through a long tree tunnel. Three is part of the same tunnel and four was through another portion of the same set of trees with a very small 3 foot wide creek on the left side of the hole. Five, six, and seven then follow around the pool area but only on hole 5 did the road come into play. It was surprisingly open and a very spectacular layout. Eight is rather straight but the basket hugs the tree line. Nine is downhill and has a nice vegetation ridge to throw over. I started playing in Nevada so only 7 and 9 really had any elevation change to me. I can't stress how surprisingly nice the layout was for me. The only real issue is the baskets are pretty old and are not like modern baskets. The chains do not really "catch" the discs. I even had a light throw bounce through and put it the middle of the basket.

Very well maintained. Nice course layout with good tee pads and signs. A nice variety of elevation and open and wooded holes.

Some baskets are old and need to be repaired or replaced. Only one long hole, making the difficulty pretty low. If the baskets were fixed I would rate this 4.5

Really like this course. It's in a beautiful park where, everytime I play, is completely empty. It amazes me how nobody is ever here. Makes it nice for me though, I enjoy the quiet and being able to take my time. It's only 9 holes, but 9 ends where 1 begins so I usually play through a couple times. If you're in the area I definitely recommend playing here.

good tee pads
nice variety between wooded and open holes
good signs
no overly simple holes
thin rough, it is very easy to find discs
beautiful park

not enough distance variation
can get busy on weekends
they could have made better use of the space

This was a nice 9-holer that is better than most around the area, but there is nothing special about it.

- Nice Signs - for the normal 9 hole course there are super nice signs.

- Tee pads - Nice Teepads good space and size

- Baskets - a lot of the nine holers like this in my area don't have baskets. They are the old DGA baskets(I think) but still catch pretty good.

Navigation - It's pretty easy to find your way around the course. The only hiccup i saw was 7 to 8, as it cuts through the woods, however if you skip 8 and go to Nine, you will end up getting to 8 anyways.

- the course holds water- I went right when it got nice, but the course was pretty wet still, (It snowed a week ago but not much)

- Hole 4 - This one is kind of a pitch and pray hole. The gap is super tight, and still easy to get to but it seems like they could take a tree out and make it a little bit better.

After playing with a local at another course, I found out that there are 27 holes here, but I didn't really read into it. I think the people rating it higher are off that rating.

Overall for a nine hole course this is one of the better ones I've played. Nothing really makes you need a huge arm, but also is a little bit more challenging then your normal pitch and putt course.

My work's training office is about 15 minutes from the course, it was a bit hard to find on a GPS, but if you follow the directions on the front it's very easy to get to.

Also make sure you don't park by the pool and you park by the log cabin looking building, unless you want to get a little extra walking in.

It's well maintained and the layout is easy to follow

It's now a very short course, typical for the area.

This past June was the first time playing the course in about 11 years. I thought I was going crazy because I remembered the course differently -- much differently. I later found out that it's now a nine hole, rather than the 18 I grew up playing. The new layout takes a big hill out of play, leaving eight short holes and one that's around 350 ft. It's now just an OK worth only playing if you're in the area. It's very similar to a nearby course in Buffalo Grove.

-Holes like 1, 2, 7, & 9 were put together well and required shots that challenge you. You don't see holes as well thought out as #2 at a nine-hole course.
-Good challenge for all skill levels.
-Good mix of holes in the woods and out in the open.
-Signs and tees are in great shape.
-Locals were friendly, pointed us in the right direction when we got there.
-Short walks between holes, for the most part.

-Not all baskets were put together well.
-Some of the wooded holes (3 & 4) had that "throw at the trees and pray" feel to them, #4 in particular had no line to get you close to the basket.
-Standing water comes into play after rain
-Lots of land for this course, which leaves no excuse for mediocre hole designs.

Overall, I just didn't enjoy my experience from this course. The bad condition of the baskets didn't help, and the surplus of land in addition to the lack of design left me thinking "this course needs work".

+Very challenging 9 hole course.
+Course will test most advanced players.
+Birdies are extremely rewarding.
+Good mixture of tight wooded holes and semi-open bombers.
+Decent elevation change.
+Some possible ace runs.
+Nice baskets and big concrete tee pads.
+Good front signage.

-Multi-use park. In the summer there is often a camp occupying the the park which can make playing difficult.
-Lots of mosquitoes.
-Hole 4 is virtually an impossible tee shot.
-I feel like they could make a few holes in the woods. This course could be 18 if the land was used to its full potential.

Course is located in a fantastic park. Great design for a 9 hole course. The best 9 hole course in Illinois that i have played. My friends and I often travel half an hour out to this course.

Pretty city park that features mostly wide grassy fairways with about half bordered by trees on one or more sides, and the rest having spotted trees through some part of the fairway. This is over slight elevation changes on about half the holes as well.

Memorable holes: 2 & 3 run through a large hallway of trees (like a cathedral). Hole 2 doglegs right, and 3 doglegs left to exit the hallway.

The beginner and intermediate player will feel right at home here, though I ran into a few pro-level players who frequent the course. You won't spend much time looking for lost discs, and due to the open fairway nature - wont be banging into too many trees.

The hidden blue (alternate) tees, which are not of the regular course layout, are very interesting. If they were included as regular holes, my rating would jump a bit. Get yourself a course guide, or play on the Tuesday league night to have an easier time finding these tee locations.

The course had to be trimmed from 18 holes to 9, and though I never saw the old layout, I can only imagine what types of holes could comprise this present layout to make it better..... Now, there lacks a wow factor on many holes. There is not much punishment on most holes for poor execution. Most times, an error in driving still made par very doable.

Slight design criticisms:
Hole 4 - the woodiest hole, is a bit poke & hope.
Hole 7 - crush a drive across an open grassy field. If you have about 350' distance, all you have to do is hit the canopy of trees protecting the pin, drop down, and have your birdie putt.

League night seems well attended and a great way to meet the locals. They also had an ace pot with many very realistic ace runs - they had alternate blue tees in place and soo many aceble runs that you felt like your ace pot money was going into somebody's hands (it didn't that night). Thanks to the league night director! One tip though.....maybe best not to pair the out of town guy with the meanest guy in the Chicago area. Just sayin'.

Great variety of shots here with decent elevation change and both wooded and open shots. Excellent signage and picnic benches offer a place to sit and rest when the course gets busy. Holes 2 and 3 feature a beautiful, tree lined fairway and test your ability to curve both left and right. Hole 5 is a challenging shot with good spacing between trees and a well guarded basket although it does border Milwaukee Ave offering little privacy. But this is, after all, a small park and Adler makes good use of the space. Hole 7 features a long open throw over a field with a nice shaded green. Overall, a lot to like. Garbage bins a plenty and the park is always well maintained. Tough to lose a disc unless you overshoot hole 9 into the Des Plaines but a fun finishing hole nonetheless with ample opportunity for an ace.

Hole 8 is a little uninspiring and hole 4 is so densely wooded, there is hardly a gap to aim for. Hole 1 used to be a fun, challenging shot but has recently been made less difficult with the removal of the tree hazard guarding the basket. Very disappointing (-0.5 rating). Park does tend to get crowded in the summer months but what did you expect in a park shared by a public pool in the north burbs?

Been playing this course on and off for nearly 10 years. Adler is about the best you can expect from a 9 hole course. Leagues on Tuesdays are fun and inviting and there are always good people out there to play with. Enjoy!