As a beginner, I appreciate a flat course with little risk of losing a disc.

Not well marked.

There is a notice on the signboard in the middle of the park that Arboretum/Spiker is being combined into a larger course. Construction icons, though we only saw earth-movers in one place on the white course.

This might explain why navigation was difficult. There are some signs pointing to the "next hole" but it's often not the case. We ended up in the middle of the more difficult (white) course, which quickly became a "maybe we shouldn't try the next hole because we don't want to run out of discs" situation.

The alphabet (green) course we played was basic and a good start. Flat holes, about 300 feet. Some introduction to getting around trees, but about half the holes were pretty much clear field. A creek on one side for several holes, but not close enough to be part of anything other than "try not to wing it too far to the left..."

When we returned from our diversion on the white course, we found we could not finish the course due to people in multiple areas with large off-leash dogs. Maybe this was a designated event, but it was a spring Saturday afternoon, and there was no sign indicating the course would be closed for a dog run. Hopefully, this is not the norm in our area.

~Beginner friendly, and still enjoyable for experienced throwers
~Concrete tees & post signs have been installed
~Compliments the main course
~Intermediate distances will appeal to most players

~The first three holes are too basic
~Choppy navigation within the last half of the course
~First hole is not near the main course starting area

Please note that this 9-hole course is meant to be beginner friendly, and it meets those expectations. It's a fun and very lightly technical layout on a primarily flat section of the park. The holes are lettered A through I to differentiate it from the main course. The first hole is located near a parking lot and pavilion accessed from 38th Street, but you can still park at the main area and walk across the park to get to it quickly.

All holes now have concrete tee pads and signs. Baskets are lettered so navigation is now vastly improved from the original installation. The only navigational issue is having to cross the road bridge from E to F then cross back from G to H. I would have preferred to have kept the land that now houses holes F & G as part of the main course much like it used to be.

All in all the layout is great for it's intended skill level, all holes are decent enough in length that beginners will still learn to drive and approach while more advanced players with 300' plus of controlled distance will see ample birdie opportunities.
The first three holes play in a counter-clockwise circle around a wide open field, this is the weak section of the course. Even for beginners it doesn't offer much in repeatable fun. The balance of the course is much better bringing mature trees into play along with a creek that runs alongside three of the holes.

The Green Course can be played separately or incorporated partly or wholly into the main course providing golfers options for different round layouts. I view it as a compliment to the main course allowing variety to be incorporated into your rounds. This course works well into the provided land, and offers a chance for new players to gain good experience.

I won't slight this 9 hole course for what it should be . Either a good open starter course for newbies or families , or a warmup for the White course . If you park your car at #1 White next to the bathrooms , you just have to look for the cement path to the left as you are facing the bathroom and walk down to a small cement one story building to your left . On the other side of that building is your first tee , A . You might want a map for this . The first 3 baskets are wide open birdie opportunities that go in sort of a triangle around a big field . There is little chance of losing a disc unless you griplock a throw on C and send it into a creek . You cross the cement path and head left ( the basket directly in front of you is G . You throw D from the open to a little grove of trees that should affect your drive . You throw E into the open to the end of the park . You will have an inclination to walk to H and throw back along the water toward where you came , but you will have to walk past the tee pad , go to the road and cross the water to a tee directly on the other side . Your drive will keep the water to your right and some trees will keep your drive lower , but lack of trees will let you throw directly at the pin . All of the tees and baskets to this point are flat except for G , which you have to climb the hill to your left and throw down and left to right with mature trees forcing your drive to stay low . If there was a signature hole worth mentioning on this course , it would be this one . After throwing G , you go back up to the road and around the water to H . Keeping the water to your immediate left on H & I , these are the finishing holes . Both are pretty open throws . The baskets are in good shape , but no trash cans , so carry in and out . Cement tee pads are roomy enough for this course length. Little chance of losing a disc unless it drifts into the canal

#1 . No assurance where you are going and where you are throwing to on this course . No tee signs , no markers , and no letters or number on the baskets . The flow from E to F and back to H is confusing at best . No map = backtracking or missing a hole or 2 , at least .#2 Being open and flat , wind will come into play . Be careful . That brand new driver may be eaten by the canal that could come into play if a gust turns your throw over. #3 very bland holes . nothing creative or interesting . #4 No benches , trash cans , arrows pointing you to where you need to be . #5 because it is so flat , this course holds a lot of water after a god rain . Holes B , and C were an ankle deep swamp when I played .

All in all , the overseers of this course did what they set out to , I guess , and made a course set just far enough away from the White course for newbies , families or a warmup round for the White course . Tee signs would really help this course . I saw several unused blank tee signs from the old Spiker course still standing around next to unused tee pads . Maybe that can pull some of those up and utilize them . Still , you can't put a course down too much that can combine to make 27 holes of disc golf on a nice weekend day .

Beginner friendly
Concrete tee pads
Great baskets
Birdie opportunity on every hole.
Can play a few different shots throughout the course. Hyzers, roller, anhyzer.

Shorter holes
Mostly open
Most holes have 1 to 2 obstacles to avoid. Tree or creek

This course is an easier course. You can park a lot of the baskets and birdie a lot of the holes. Most first shots are open and it doesn't matter what shot you choose. However, there is a downhill low ceiling gap, a creek in play, and a few trees on the sides of the baskets that make it relevant to choose a few different shot types. I enjoy these 9 holes because as an amateur player I enjoy birdies and birdie opportunities. I don't go out and park every basket every round, but normally shoot for a below par quick round before heading over to the White Course.

The Green side of Arboretum-Spiker is a quick 9-holer meant for less experienced players. There's a separate parking area, but you can park by the White course and walk down the hill across the bridge. Hole #1 is by the pavilion.

Green features mainly open and flat holes. This would be bland to just about everyone, but it's a good place to take the kids.

Concrete tees, and decent baskets that catch well. That's pretty much all I have. I guess it can be a good place to warm up before you hit the main course.

Just about every hole is flat, straight, and short. Really boring for anyone but the pure beginner.

There aren't any tee signs, or any form of navigation help. There's a map in the "Links and files" section. The Green course is the letter holes listed on the map.

Baskets are bland, and are not numbered. Could easily lead to confusion if you don't have the map.

Looks like the field can be busy with kids on occasion, so the first few holes may be unplayable if you come at the wrong time.

Both the White and Green courses are pretty mediocre at best. If you want to warm up, practice, or take the kids out, go over to the Green side. If you Park at the main lot, just walk down the hill towards the creek and cross the bridge. That's where you'll find the first hole.