Pros:
- 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.
Cons:
- 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).
Other Thoughts:
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.