OK this is my first review. I wanted to start with Aquatic because it is so unique! Its definitely not 'bland'. I like to visit courses that have special qualities. I have played this course many times now and have figured out how to get the most out of it for myself. It's a legacy course that holds up as a fun round 40 years later! It's hard to know when there will be less traffic in the park so prepare to wait for walkers and bikers!
- once you've been there its easy access and usually easy to park (free)
- the new tee signs really help! They are screwed into angled rounds set next to each tee, easy to read look professional and official, makes it feel more legit and eliminates confusion
- The trees! I love the variety of mature trees here and how the branching patterns of different species force different shot shapes; ceilings, tunnels, skip shots... so satisfying when you hit your lines here!
- Mounds. Overall the course/park is a flat, out-n-back but the undulating mounds throughout really play into your shots in different ways. Some tees are really placed well and elevated over the fairway.
- Its quirky and a new course should never be put in a place like this but I really like the way its squeezed between the railroad tracks and the water. When your playing its like being in your own world. You don't really feel the industrial district vibe of Berkeley nearby and the I-80 freeway is close but doesn't really effect the mood.

- baskets (chains) rusted by the salt air off the Bay makes more friction and weight so more putts get pushed out. have to adjust putting technique
- Of course the ped path and safety issues are a problem but I'm not dinging the rating for it because this is a legacy course, part of history, cool local scene. Anything built after say 1990 I would probably ding because discs and skills have changed but its great that its still here and cared for.
- Water. Yes it sucks to lose discs! But after playing here a bunch you just have to use common sense. Ripping wind off the Bay in the afternoons can turnover the most stable discs into the water if you're not careful. There's usually a 'safe' route on the water holes or you can skip a hole in a casual round. But it feels awesome to nail a line over the water!
- You are likely to encounter some homeless folks that are down and out or yelling about something but I haven't been in any confrontations. Most park goers seem to be aware of the frisbee players and are usually respectful and sometimes like to cheer you on (you may not like that kind of interaction but it is what it is).

Best to come here with plenty of time and not expect a fast paced round. Take your time and be ready to people-watch while waiting to tee. Great place to meet locals and hook into rounds with them. They can show you some alternate layouts that are fun! Best to stay away when the ground is wet! Lots of 'hidden marshy areas' that can be pretty nasty. Course can really teach you to control your discs... Probably a 3.75 but I'll round up because of the new tee signs and I just love the shot shapes.

-Well laid out for what's there to work with
-Challenging holes with wide variety of shots
-Makes you throw shot maybe not comfortable with
-Maintained by city (well, sometimes)
-Nice sunsets over S.F.
Great local disc golf scene**Multiple former World Champs (and current) call this course home. Very storied history.
-Awesome playground for the family
-Multiple pin locations and tees which change regularly.
-Easy to get to, right off the freeway (I guess a pro).
-Practice basket with distance tiles.
-Cement tee pads
-The wind (could also be a con)
-Variety of bird and plant life

-Meandering path thru the course with walkers, families, and bicyclists.
-Long wait times for park users
-East side of course is very rough with stinky creek running along side. Very mucky
-No signs
-Chance to lose multiple discs especially on windy days.
-Flows pretty good from hole to hole but could see how someone can get lost.
-Couple blind holes.

People love to hate on this course.
It does need some upgrades but the course itself is awesome!!!
Multiple water shots, tunnels, ace runs, challenging par 3's, etc.
The downfalls are the park users and wait times.
This course is in much better shape than when I started playing it 15+years ago.
The south side has been completely clean up with new trees and foliage planted.
There was a time you didn't want to be at this park around dusk.
Now it's completely safe any time...due to golfer's and the surrounding community's efforts.
-Go play it. Lot's of fun.

- tests your golf game with a variety of hazards: wind, water, and plenty of trees/schule.
- easy to get to being right off I-80 near the bay bridge
- stellar views of the city and the bay
- not too crowded most of the time
- great locals/scene/awesome doubles tourney each year
- cheap eats are nearby
- an easy walk for those less mobile
- the city and disc golfers are cleaning up the park
- sweet playground for the kids
- restrooms and water available
- plenty of parking
- cheap discs available from "fishermen" in the lagoon

- too many pedestrians/cyclists who have no idea what disc golf is
- small linear park forces waiting during crowded play/tournaments.
- 27 year old gay pick up spot still has some life, though the clearing of bushes has helped make it more family friendly

This course is an absolute challenge for players of any level. The wind can be nasty, making the water shots even more butt clenching. I can understand why some may choose not to play here, but if you get here on a nice sunny morning, there may not be a better place to play. All players coming through the bay area should check it out as it provides a great contrast to any of the other courses around: Dela, Golden Gate Park, Stafford, Napa, La Raza are all great, but none have the wind and water combo that Berkeley has. This course is well loved and cared for, but unfortunately overlooked.