Pros:
Bailey DGC is one of multiple great courses in the area. It has some long and demanding throws spread over 20 holes of disc golf. There are three par 4's, bringing the total par to 63. I found many of holes to be tricky, and the wind can add another degree of difficulty. There are several birdie opportunities, but tough pin positions and a fair amount of forrest make sure nothing comes too easily.
The fairways are usually open enough to allow a strong drive, but the terrain requires maximum control shots to stay on the line from point A to B. Sometimes midrange discs were more reliable for me even on longer holes to maintain the middle line without a lot of fade or large flaring skips.
Tees are natural, and generally not too bad, but far from perfectly level. The baskets are mixed variety, all in good condition. Signs are found at all tees and also in between holes to guide transitions.
The first hole is long but the drive is assisted by a large amount of drop in elevation. It is a par 4 and I made an excellent second shot to have a 20' birdie putt that hit the metal and rolled even further away, leaving me with a bogey coming back. My only birdie was on hole 2, a good downhill putter shot through the gap in between the trees halfway down the fairway.
Hole 3 had an awesome rock outcropping to the left of the fairway, and I came up short off the tee to land right on top of it. Not where you want to be. The drive on 4 was kind of cool. It is on top of a hill and throws right over the top of a stand of trees in the low area on the way to the pin.
Hole 6 has a basket in the center of another pile of boulders that make the par putt tough if you approach from the wrong angle. 7 and 8 are not long holes, but I wasn't able to gain any shots on either one, being knocked down by trees on each the first time through.
I was beaten again with bad rolls off of missed putts on the sloped hole location on hole 9. The poor putting got me one more time at hole 12, as luck turned my putter on edge and rolled it down the sloping hill side twice for two more tough comeback putts.
By the time you step onto the 16th tee, you will almost certainly have taken some lumps. It all goes away, as you look at that sitting duck of a basket in the field far below. It is a long distance to cover, but the decrease in elevation gives enough assistance to reach with a Roc if you want to try it. You will likely want to throw more than once, and the low risk of losing a disc allows it.
17 takes you back up the mountain a good deal to get you nearer to the top once again. Another pin rocky pin placement nestled by a pile of boulders makes the par a little tougher. 18 is not as lengthy and relatively flat so it isn't as difficult if you can hit the line through the trees.
The final hole is one last bomb shot to an open basket. Tough to reach from the tee, but not unrealistic to hope for par with a nice second throw. Shorter than holes 1 and 16, but maybe less vertical drop or different wind vectors made it feel a bit longer than 16. It is still a very satisfying and fun finisher.
This course has some elements that differ from other fantastic courses in the neighborhood, like Beaver Ranch or Bucksnort. Added length and less trees open up the opportunity to use a big arm. Still wooded on a lot of the holes, but less on the longer holes. Great balance makes it pay to have a variety of throws at your disposal. I'm not sure if the thin mountain air took some of my snap, or the natural tee boxes threw off my foot work, but I didn't get the movement I wanted on a lot of my drives. You must commit and execute on every throw.
Cons:
The tee pads being paved with concrete would be really nice for me, but conditions were dry and not bad for the most part.
Paying the $5 daily use is a bargain for the quality of this course if you are serious about the game.
I missed the sign that points to the first tee initially. You have to make a climb uphill to the first tee. It is to the right as you walk onto the course.
Other Thoughts:
Bailey DCG is full of deceptively complex drives and has a few really great holes. The mountain setting is perfect for the game and the layout makes the most of it. Playing a par round is not easy, but I would love to have several more chances to achieve that goal. A few repetitions and learning what disc to throw at each hole, where to be conservative and where you can go for it would be advantageous.
If you get the chance, spend some time around Bailey and play each of the outstanding courses in the area. I have played Bucksnort, Beaver Ranch and Bailey, and they're all great, and have amazing views to go with fun holes that will have you wanting to play them again. I know the Foothill Flyers have done great work installing and maintaining these courses and deserve recognition for their work. As a tourist to the area, I salute them, and wish I had these terrific courses in my back yard.