There's a thrill when you feel like you've discovered an unknown course. Flat Rock Middle won't ever get many accolades, but there is a lot to like here.
- This was a relatively good nine hole course. It far exceeded my expectations with several solid layouts.
- Good overall layout. Two tee pads per each hole. Yes, a school course has two pads per holes, whether poured concrete or the road. That alone is better than a lot of nine-hole courses. And, there is a third, short layout for kids, beginners, anyone who would rather play a 1700-foot layout than a 3600-foot one.
- A very solid flow. Hole #1 gives you the obligatory rocks (as in Flat Rock) around the basket. #2 is a nice, open, slightly downhill bomber hole. Then you get cooking with #3 - 5. The best three holes on the course.
- #4 is a 429 foot relatively open layout, slightly sweeping right to left fairway. A series of larger trees block the basket. Go far left and the OB parking lot comes into play. Go right and the OB wetland area is in play. Pro tip #1: It's better to go OB on a hard surface than a wetland.
- #5 is a 345 foot slight downhill layout. Your shooting a somewhat generous gap between wetlands on the right (again) and a service road to the left (again). The picture on here captures the essence of this layout. An excellent, fun layout.
- Easy navigation. Good tee signs. A good course to play blind. Pro tip #2: Look for the giant green tee signs and tee pads. That's a good way to find where you should throw. Seriously, the only slightly difficult one to spot was #7 long.
- Multi tee pads make this course challenging for different skill levels.

The worst hole is the final one. Have your kids ever written you a card and they run out of room? Think seeing H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-Thday squeezed onto the front. Apparently that happened with hole #9. There weren't any more challenges, obstacles, or anything remotely interesting on the school property. So, you end up with an open layout that features a slight dip.
- There a long walk behind the school building from #9 back towards #1. Yay!
- The rough can be extremely thick in some areas. The entire right side on #7 is thick. Even in early March when a lot is dormant, it still took some work getting to a disc. During growing season, that rough is going to be extremely thick. That might be an issue for students, either getting cut up or discouraged from playing.
- There are a lack of amenities. It's a school course so that's standard protocol. As such, pack out your own trash.
- There's a drainage/leak issue on a section of #2's fairway. When all else was dry, this area was very muddy.

I was impressed by Flat Rock Middle. It's a very good introductory, school course.
- You're 10 minutes from Jackson Park. If you're coming here to play, you should especially be heading there to play. Pro tip #3: You're welcome.
- #7 is a nice, sweeping dogleg right, 372-foot layout. With the previously mentioned rough along the right side of the fairway and a wide open field everywhere else, it's up to you on how aggressive or safe you want to be off the tee.
- #8 is the other long bomber hole. At 609 feet, you can unleash a big drive.
- With multi tees, this course offers you chances to work on different parts of the game. Want to practice your approach game? Play the short tees. Want to throw lots of drivers? Play the longs. Want mid-range shots? Play the mid-range layout.
- This was a solid layout overall. Lots of quality even if there isn't anything spectacular. Good addition to this region, especially with Jackson Park so close by.