Pros:
- DGA baskets are in great shape
- full color tee signs with maps
- some excellent elevation change
- incorporation of notable water hazards
- significant length for a nine hole course
- one of the funner and more challenging courses around
- bathrooms in park (locked in winter)
- nice built in bridge between holes 8 and 9
- ample parking
- some good mature tree hazards
- picturesque and well maintained park
- shot shaping and technical skill required on many holes
Cons:
- visibility of baskets isn't great; can be hard to see from distance
- tiny rubber tees are pretty bad
- tee signs are mounted very high
- some pedestrian hazards from walking paths
- multi-use park does not separate disc golf from other activities enough
Other Thoughts:
It's never a good day when you lose 2 discs on one hole... but you have to respect the design of this course, even if it spanks you hard. The water hazards are the main highlight here, with a huge pond on hole 6 I managed to throw into TWICE :-( and a smaller water hazard on hole 8. Some of the course is a bit more open and less exciting, but there is a low shot under a tree on hole 7, and lots of good elevation change incorporated. I would call this course lightly to moderately wooded but trees do come into play. Note that if you play in fall (including into December like me), leaves on the ground will become a factor here. I looked for one disc that was partially in plain view for 20 minutes due to blending with leaves.
The equipment here is okay; tee signs are nice, but mounted weirdly high for some reason. The baskets would benefit from some color like a DISCatcher has to see them from a distance, but they catch well. The tiny rubber tees are pretty terrible. They are small, slippery, and allow for nothing but standing shots. Adding concrete tees here would be a great upgrade and would help push this course towards a 3.5. I think it is probably above a 3 in its present state, but the safety hazards are holding it back a bit.
This is one of those multi-use parks that smooshed disc golf in with the scenic walking areas too hard. While the course won't win any beauty awards, it is well maintained and in a nice, semi-wooded area. Unfortunately this means there are several hazards with the walking paths and you have to be careful. As is common, many of the walkers don't know a thing about disc golf and aren't paying a ton of attention.
This is probably one of the longest nine hole courses I've played at almost 3500 ft. I don't think it's too long, but it is probably pushing it for a lot of people. I'm not sure I'd bring a beginner here; I think intermediate skill level and up is best for this course. You will need your A game here more than most niners. Distance drivers will be required and shot placement will factor heavily into your scoring. It isn't quite to the technical level of tunnel shots in the woods, but the multiple water hazards and trees will force you to place your disc well or pay the price. The large pond on hole 6 is not something you'll save may discs from - it is large and not clear enough to see into easily, so unless you're near the bank you're in trouble.
Overall, I had a really fun time here despite losing the discs. This is a solid course, and one of the better nine hole courses in the Chicago suburbs. I think Campton Hills and Central Park in Oak Brook are probably better, but this one might be kind of a toss up with Central Park - and it is a bit different, too. This won't be a destination but it's well worth a stop if you are in this area. It beats 90% of the niners around and probably some of the 18s too.