Pros:
14 years later than planned, Black Hoof is finally here to destroy your scorecard and pride. All woods keep the course isolated from the rest of the park (which is worth a walk around in itself), but still right near the parking lot.
Big concrete tees, detailed signs at every tee pad (except 6, where the tees are only 72ft apart, so the sign is shared), and two shiny new Veteran baskets on each hole: white for short, blue for long (and red for the extra-long on 3 and 18).
Your options for playing Black Hoof are practically limitless. Four main layouts with two tees and baskets on almost every hole (8 and 11 only have one tee), but holes 3 and 12 also have a third pad and basket adding a crucial placement shot on the big par 5s, so a fifth layout nicknamed "The Tips" is the longest and most arduous challenge here. Another plus is that the short tees stay out of the way of the longs, so you won't have to worry about smashing into the short tee sign.
Wooded holes are the mainstay. Most holes are completely wooded, with only 6, 7, and 9-11 making use of a clearing, and 6 being the only truly open hole. You'd better be able to hit gaps and navigate hallways like Isaac Robinson cause that's practically all you'll be doing here. The tough par 3 is the thing that's broken my scorecard on both playthroughs, 1, 6, and 9 are the official 400+ft par 3s, but the upward elevation on 13 and 17 make them play like 400 as well.
But that's not to discount the par 4s. A successful drive is still going to leave you with a tough upshot to execute. Hole 5 is a perfect example: a par 4 that needs a right-finishing drive about 325ft off the tee, then enters a hallway of 25ft tall trees with about 20ft of space between them, with the pin tucked a little under 300ft down that hallway. Get in the rough and you'll be scrambling hard.
Big elevation in spots, control is needed for the downhills on 1, 3 (especially from the ultra long), 10, 11 and 15, and difficult uphills need power on 13 and 17. There's a lot of minor change all throughout the course, but those big ones are the most memorable. There's also a few greens on a tough slope: 2, 9, 10, and 11 long, 12 ultra-long, and 15 short are the only real tough ones coming to mind, but there's other more sneaky ones out there to make your comebackers tough.
Accessing greens is a challenge that isn't often done well, but this is a McCabe course, so of course the long greens of 5, 7 (both) 10, 11, 13 (both), and 17 are difficult to get into. 13 is my favorite, with three or four large tree trunks guarding the long pin (think 4 at WR Jackson). It's a puttable distance if you hit them, but not easily deuced. 17 long is in a small rock circle that could make an interesting OB line, especially if the two trees in front of it are used as a double mando to the pin. Some smaller things like this are the tree guarding the gap to the long pin of 9 and the trees creating a tight backhand or wide forehand on 13 long to short.
[This space reserved for thoughts about the short pads after I've played them]
Cons:
It was always gonna come up: there's a shooting range just to the north of the park. They shoot a lot. I've looked up their lanes and there's no danger to the course, but the constant noise is going to be a factor in your round. Even if you're not easily distracted (like me) it's still a negative factor. The range is closed Monday and Tuesday, but if Lenexa ever wants to host a pro tournament here they'll have to anger the gun owners for a weekend.
The long pin of 8 butts up against a fence (and by fence I mean two crossbeams and a post every few feet) of the shooting range. Large "NO TRESPASSING" signs are present, but a long bid could still sneak through the fence. Again, there's no risk to the course, but maybe a little more space between basket and fence would've been ideal.
Some of the second shots on the par 4s are very standard. 15 and 18 are basic rhbh hyzers with a putter, while 2 and 4 are short chip shots to the right (think righty forehand with a Zone). So long as you do the work off the tee, the rest should be standard stuff. A little disappointing for a course with otherwise world-class challenge.
The course is still roughing in, and therefore has some mud spots. Hopefully the grass seed they've been laying takes, but for now the rain will make it sloshy in a few places.
I'll say it, hole 1 long to long is not a par 3. Having to bend out to the left and get a long right fade after beating the left side trees is a shot I don't think I've ever seen done before. I'm sure it's been deuced, but it's not going to be a common occurrence at all.
Other Thoughts:
With so many options, this really is an accessible course for anyone. A 4,400ft par 54 for the newer players, or a 10,000+ft par 65 beast for those wanting a beatdown. The woods make it a nice, shady option for hot summer rounds or avoiding windy days. I've dogged on small flaws, but Black Hoof is a world-class stop for anyone coming to the KC area.