+ Dynamic Veteran baskets. They're in great condition too.
+ Can see many baskets from the tees - advantageous for first-timers.
+ Several technical shots required.

- Some damaged and missing tee signs.
- No defined tee pad on most holes, as they're all natural.
- Awkward navigation, especially without a map.
- Some geese to watch out for.
- Many holes play quite close to roads and the river.
- Much of the walk is across roads where cars will be driving - watch for them.
- Allegedly the area it's in is not great, so play this one during the daytime if you can.
- Several water carries. Fortunately the longest ones on Holes 1, 2, and 17 are practically eliminated by the availability of short tees, which ensures more recreational players can conserve their discs.
-- Could possibly use extra short tees on Holes 5 and 7 as well, to ensure those holes are playable by those who don't throw the farthest.
- There is a bench installed in the middle of Hole 7's fairway. On particularly busy days I could see this hole almost being unplayable if people are using the bench unless you were to ask them to move off the fairway.
- Long walk from Hole 7 to 8.
- Disc loss potential on Hole 11. The bog on the right side of the fairway is known to swallow people up to their waist. Fortunately at least one local has been retrieving discs from there himself, and may be taking them to the nearby Hazy Shade shop.

Amenities:
- Parking: Plenty.
- Restrooms: There is one near the parking lot.
- Running water: None that I saw.
- Benches: None on the course itself, except maybe for the one on Hole 7's fairway.
- Trash cans: None that I saw.
- Bag holders: None.
- Tee signs: Just the distance and an arrow pointing to the next tee.
- Next tee/direction signs: Only on the tee signs. Have a map ready.
- Wheelchair/cart friendly: Somewhat - some holes have you walking up and down hills. Hole 9's hill is quite steep depending how you approach the basket.

~Interesting & fairly unique layout
~Good Park Style Golf
~Challenging, but not difficult
~Visually Appealing

~Some holes play dangerously close to roads and parking areas
~Natural tee pads
~Awkward navigation with some long stretches from basket to next tee

Threw this course during peak Autumn season, and the park was vibrant with the fall foliage and bustling with non-disc golf activity. Played with a friend who is familiar with the area so navigating the course was not an issue, however if I was to play it blind it would have been fairly difficult to find my way around at a few areas that require long walks and back tracking between holes.

The park is full of impressive structures, and lies within a beautiful setting of a meandering river with small ponds and mature trees. It's a beautiful space and the course layout takes advantage of the natural spaces provided. I love good park style golf and this is a very fun one to play. While there is water involved on many of the holes it's not a difficult obstacles for the intermediate and better level players.

Nice visible Veteran baskets, and each hole has small post sign with distance and help to the the next tee. The biggest amenity drawback is the lack of concrete tees. My friend indicated these have been in the works so hopefully this course gets this deserved upgrade. The natural tees are level and do provide good footing so it didn't detract too much from play.

While the park setting is very fun and inviting, it also creates areas on a handful of holes where you are teeing off too close to park roads and parking areas. Take your time to make sure the areas are clear, but having the need to avoid parked cars and park goers in the back of your head is detracting.

Overall this is one of the more unique park style layouts I've played, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. It's a good course, and one I'd not hesitate to play again and again.

Set in a large, multi-use city park in Springfield, Ohio, the Hazy Shade course spans a mile wide track where you will cross over or under bridges at least eight times, walk 1000' from hole 7 to 8, and climb down a century old stone staircase (to the 10th tee), surrounded by massive park trees and some pretty well-kept grounds, usually bordered by creeks / ponds in use by ducks, geese and other wildlife. Though the long tee on hole 4 is missing a sign, the picture here shows you even get to be on stage when you tee off from the amphitheater (the other three 'long' tees throw across the river on 1, 2 & 17).

Though most of the course would not be considered either too technical or too long, there are choices in flight lines on most holes, and by your second time through, you'll have a pretty good grasp of how close each fairway or basket actually IS to the water's edge(s). There's plenty of water in play, so where the region's more usual "woods golf" isn't as strict here (with the exception being the amazingly tight hole 18), you get to face the decision of whether or not to throw your "gamer" disc on THAT line, or you might choose to pull out your less well known 'water discs', ...you know ...just in case.

They installed good, basic, simple signage on 4' posts, and each included a general indication of next tee direction, so make sure you look before you move on (you'll need the hint, or a map, often). The white DD Veteran baskets catch very well, and the course does eventually loop back to within 1000 feet of where you parked over by hole 1. Overall, the course plays as a fair 'par 3' for the Intermediate skill level. Advanced and Open players likely shoot well 'under', but it's not too rough on casuals to Recreational level players. A solid addition to the area, and a clever use of water hazards for a disc golf store sponsorship

The tees are undefined on the natural turf, so most folks throw from 12, 20, 25, ?? feet in front (I call that "tee creep"), and concrete would be a wonderful addition. Even the turf tees they added on 16, 17 long, and 18 are a good improvement. The water did not generate any funky smells, but there were places where the pools had some significant scummy algae growth floating on top, and the ducks and geese, while minimal this day, may have their seasons. I played on a beautiful Saturday morning, so I can't say what kind of place this might be after dark, but I did notice many of the tee signs were broken in half...

As far as traffic is concerned, I didn't come across too many other players, but there were park patrons using the space for dog walking and other activities. I could see some hazard in this in a number of locations, such as the blind R to L fade line on hole 3. And then there was the vehicular traffic. You cross a somewhat busy set of roads a number of times, then back and forth under the busier road overpass from 7 to 8, then back from 15 to 16. You do throw over a 'Y' intersection for hole 9.

Finally, the thousand foot walk between holes 7 & 8 is ...awkward, and the course flows just slightly different from the map. First timers need to be aware of the need to backtrack after hole 1, 400' back after 11, all the way to the green bridge after 16, and into the little woods left of 17 (hole 18 is a 10' wide path running 250' through those woods and out to the approach and green). Could use a dozen or so 'next tee signs here and there, in addition to arrows on the baskets.

I actually enjoyed the Hazy Shade course, and felt it's a quality addition to the Springfield Disc Golf scene. If you're in the area, it might fall in place third behind the more rustic Buck Creek just to the north (and well behind the impressive Caesar Ford Championship course twenty minutes south). Those three would make a really fun weekend of disc golf!

Challenging

A couple of nice holes

Layout - you throw from Tee 1 to Basket 1, then walk back across from where Tee 1 was to get to Tee 2. Why not reverse tee 1 and basket 1? The walk from 7 to 8 is a very long walk. Overall, it is not intuitive where to go next. Pull up the map and good luck.

No tee pads.

The biggest problem I have with the course is all that's going on in the park. There are holes where cars come into play and you have to wait for them. My buddy had a throw skid onto a road and as he walked up to it, oblivious or purposefully, a car ran over the disc hitting it with both front and back tires. Not the driver's fault? Sure, ok. You still have to deal with that as a player. If it's not cars, then it's other park goers. Literally had to wait for other walkers or runners to get out of the way like 5 times. Then you got ducks and geese. Then there's water. Tons of water to consider. There's just a lot going on, vs say Buck Creek in the same area (which is a wonderful course).

This is *not* a review of Hazy Shade the store. They have an awesome store in Dayton, and I'm sure the Springfield location is the same. If this course didn't have Hazy Shade's name attached to it, the average rating would be lower. This course is a long way from me, and I won't be back. I will definitely drive to Buck Creek again and again though.

Fun, challenging basket positions

You need to watch out for people in the park, cars, water, et cetera.

Bring discs you don't mind losing and clothes you're ok with getting wet in!

Some creative shots featured, will have backhand and forehand opportunities.

New DD Veteran baskets.

Many trees throughout, catch breaks from the sun on a hot day.

Although a sprawling layout, you play in sections, cutting across one side of the park to the other.

Plenty of water hazards, but most are scum-laden traps you wouldn't want even think about reaching in to grab your discs from.

Heavy geese presence on #5 and #17 greens, tons of droppings all around.

Depending on park traffic/walkers, could have many moments where you'll have to wait them out.

Snyder Park is an old city park, that has some uniqueness to it, but overall was really a let-down to me after reading the previous reviews.

Multiple water hazards are just nasty in general, add no visual appeal to the course.

A guy was driving out of the parking lot with a practically empty fifth of brandy on top of his car, someone caught his attention, alerted him. He got out, drained what was left, and threw the empty bottle into the grass, a trashcan about 20 feet away.

It's been noted in another review that Snyder Park is probably best played before sundown, and that moment seemed to typify it.

The great courses in the Greater Dayton Area just added a new member . Hazy Shade , set in Snyder Park in Springfield Ohio , just northeast of Dayton was just created in 2018 . I do not try to review on a course's potential , but I think that this course will be the 2nd best in the area , just behind Handyman . The multi use park looks to be busy most of the time . When you drive across the green bridge , park in the first lot you see , immediately on the right . Practice basket is off to the side of the lot near #2's basket . It doesn't matter where you park , because you will be heading toward the bridge when you tee off for #1 and coming from the opposite end when finishing #18 . I did not see a kiosk , so you better print a map because the course flow can have you wandering aimlessly , but there are bathrooms close to the parking lot and I think in the back part of the park .The park has short wooden posts with a small sign on it telling you the hole number , distance and next tee . The course also also had dual tees 1 short and 1 pro , in the first few holes . Someone at the course said more are planned . . The baskets are new white rimmed Dynamic Veterans which catch well and are easy to spot . The tee pads for the first 15 holes are technically natural . When you get to some of the posts , a white spray painted arrow sometimes will tell you to walk sideways or backwards to where you are in order to tee off from the street . Be careful when doing so because this park sees a lot of traffic even though there is construction dividing the park . Also watch closely when crossing the street . The cars can be coming towards you faster than it looks ( mostly in the back part ) . The pro first tee is just past the bridge on the same side you parked , and is a long throw across a large creek ( I think Buck Creek's ) to a fairway landing and to a basket sitting on a side of a hill . The short tee is across the green bridge and to the right . Then you have to backtrack after the hole to the tees on the same side as the short tee but past the bridge . See what I mean about printing a map ? This is another throw across the creek . If you love water holes , this course will be your all time favorite . Ponds and the creek will come in to play throughout parts of your round . The course itself is one of the more scenic that you will encounter . Stone bridges , a creek , nice tree lines . The course design is what makes this course . It is a good mix of short and long holes , with canopies , tree and brush lines , great basket placements . Even though the park is pretty flat , there are still several holes that utilize grades , embankments and hills . Even the map becomes confusing after hole #7 , which is a nice short 250' throw across the water into the basket that is cut out of some small woods and sits a little higher than the tee . You cross this cool stone bridge to get to your 2nd shot . To go to the #8 tee , you must cross back over the bridge , turn right and head towards the underpass of the highway . Construction may make you walk over top , but I walked underneath during my play on the weekend . You will feel lost during this walk because it is by far the longest one on the course . The tee sign slightly right will come into view and you will stay on this side of the park for holes 8-15 . #8 will give you a semi open 515' drive with a couple of large trees in the middle of the fairway . You will encounter some fun holes after this starting with #9 , a right to left 295' uphill that plays more like 350' unless you risk throwing a hyzer right at it ( good luck ) . #'s 10 and 11 are 2 of my favorite holes on this course . #10 is a station to station drive across the water ( 388' ) and then around a tree lined brush to the right with canopied trees littering the fairway read to knock down any chances of a drive going over 10' . #11 is measured to be 350' but seems longer . You can either drive along the same canopied trees to an area where you can throw over the water to the basket that is nestled on the hill , or chance a drive along the water line and pray it flips or returns back on the same side you threw on . Great risk/reward. 12-15 start across the road and return you to just past the #8 tee pad , keeping holes 8-11 to your left . A couple play close to the creek line . You then go back underneath the highway and keep to your right where you see #16's pad . I don't know if the parks dept. is working backwards on this or it's random , but the last 3 tee pads are very nice , with turf enclosed with a garden rock . If all of the tees had this , it would easily be a 4 or maybe a 4.5 if other amenities were added . #16 is a tight 335' drive that ends next to foliage and water to the right .#17 is a risk/reward throw that dares you to run parallel to and across the water or the more sane hyzer over the short tee area and down a fairway to a tree and brush lined fairway which opens up to the basket . #18 is a good finishing hole . A tight tunnel shot ( or the safer hyzer to the far left of the tee ) 275' , which could give you a shot at a finishing birdie or maybe stick you with a finishing 4 . Even though the course boasts some short holes and some short tees , this is really not a course for the family or newbies . So much water is everywhere , that you would have to skip a lot of holes or throw safety drives in order to keep your prized driver . Even the seasoned players will risk their discs on some of these holes . I am not trying to scare you , just warn you to throw with control . All in all , you will be captivated by the beauty of Snyder park and the course design . There were a lot of choices , but my signature hole was probably #11 which had the creek on your right that you eventually threw over and a canopy in front of you , to a basket on the right on a hillside .

With all of the good that is coming out of this course , there are still some cons . Keeping in mind that the course is barely a year old , #1 . Holes 1-15 are natural or on the road . Not ideal for a premier course in the making . #2 the population of the park . Since the course sees a lot of use , you will encounter curious kids , walkers, people wandering around from the shelters ,etc. I even saw some cosplayers in the back shelter of the park hammering away at each other with foam swords . #3 Navigation . Without a map or following locals , you can be lost in a hurry . Backtracking from #1 to #2 , crossing the creek , and mostly , trying to find tee #8 . Walking to #8 will either have you walking through a construction site , or going over top and carefully try to avoid cars going 45 mph + . #4 Cars . They come into play a little bit going from 1-2 , and a lot more crossing back and forth on 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 and 15 . Be aware , especially since some of these tee boxes are spray painted on the road . Finally , this is more of an observation than a critique , but some of the park goers seem a little rough around the edges . I would suggest finishing up your round before dusk unless playing in a group . It might be paranoia , but ,,,,,,,,,,, . I did see where a previous review mentioned that 2 of the baskets were damaged or stolen the first night the course was installed , and I did witness some bored youths chasing some geese with a pocket knife in the back part of the park ( I put an end to it , but luckily only because of my size ) .

After playing a round here , I sat at one of the benches in the park and jotted some final notes . The parks dept. in Springfield looks committed to this disc golf course , and it shows . It has a little of everything here . It is NOT for the faint of heart . There is even a Hazy Shade Disc Golf & More just up the street on Park Rd between BP and Speedway in case you chuck a disc into the creek . Even though the course is barely a year old , people know and are talking about it . I am from Cincinnati and a good 60 miles from this course , and the first person I met on the course and played part of my round with was from Cincinnati , too ( Hi Austin ) . I can't wait until next year when I can play this course again and update my review . My recommendation : If you are anywhere close to Dayton or traveling through I-70 to from Columbus or Indianapolis , PLAY THIS COURSE FOR SURE !!!

Hazy Shade DGC at Snyder Park deftly balances a fun and challenging design for most skill levels in a manicured park setting. Golfers play through a large, well-maintained, well-established (inaugurated 1897!) city centerpiece park dotted with historic buildings, stone bridges & archways, and a king's ransom of other park activities. Holes wind through gently wooded green spaces with minimal undergrowth or brush to contend with, making Hazy one of the more scenic open courses in the area.

The course features more water hazards than any other area track, but the integration is elegant, thoughtful, and eminently fair for all but the newest players. All forced carries are manageable through layups or avoidable altogether courtesy of newbie-friendly short tees. Golfers with a bit more experience and skill will love heroic risk/reward water drives on 1, 3, 10, 11, and 17. It's possible to lose zero discs or toss your entire bag into the drink, depending on your personal strategy.

This gradient challenge means Snyder is truly fun for a wide swath of players across all skill levels. Although overall ideal for intermediate-level golfers, advanced will keep coming back to try and conquer these sneaky-good water holes. Rec players will enjoy navigating forgiving park lines and testing their mettle against the omnipresent lurking liquid if they so choose.

As the name implies, Hazy Shade Disc Golf & More's Springfield location is less than a half mile from the course. Do yourself a favor and stop in at one of the best disc golf specialty shops in the world before or after your round.

All holes feature simple tee signs and top-notch DD Veteran baskets.

As a popular bypass/cut-through on this side of town, Snyder Park is beset by a great deal of vehicular traffic. Disc golfers walk up and down Snyder Park Rd for nearly all of the round, so keep your head on a swivel.

A long walk between Hole 7 & Hole 8 has become an arduous misadventure due to long-term road construction at the park road and Bechtle, one of Springfield's primary north-south streets. Once the bridge work is finished, golfers will simply follow the road under the street to get to Hole 8 -- a long walk, but a relatively safe one. Unfortunately, with work ongoing you'll have to play a bit of Frogger to cross over the road, around the construction site, and in front of the often heavy construction-choked traffic. This process repeats once you've finished Hole 15, albeit with a shorter walk.

Navigation can be a challenge for first-timers, especially with the road construction. You'll definitely want to consult the map to stay on track.

All tees are natural (except 16, which is turf) for now, but that will likely be remedied in the near future. Since this is a new course, I didn't ding the rating for either the navigation or the tees.

I imagine navigation aids and concrete tees are coming down the pike, and once installed Hazy Shade DGC will be one of the better routings in the metro Dayton area.

Since the course is brand new and hasn't been in the ground for a summer season, other park users may infringe on the course at peak times. This may not end up being an issue, but is something to be mindful of in the future.

This is the first park-style course in the Springfield area. It's a welcome change-up to their existing woods course, Buck Creek DGC. But don't let that fool you. This course has some teeth.
It plays along Buck Creek and the ponds at Snyder Park, and there is water everywhere. 13 of the 18 holes have some water in play, and there are some low ceilings that can force you to get creative. There are a number of water carries to deal with. Best of all, there are short tees available that eliminate the 4 longest water carries, helping conserve discs for new players.

Baskets are new DD Veterans. There is a practice basket just past hole 2 (near the parking lot).

One of the best disc golf pro shops in the US, Hazy Shade Disc Golf & More, is about two blocks away. If you happen to toss one in the drink (I did), stop by and check them out. They've probably got a replacement.

While the water makes this course more challenging and fun than the typical park course, it also can be a little tiring having almost every hole like that. The ponds around holes 7-11 in particular attract tons of ducks and geese, and are nasty in the summer. You probably won't want to throw any discs you retrieve from there until you can wash them.

Most teepads are natural at this time, which means muddy ruts going forward. There is a plan to put in concrete tees in 2019.

Some of the ground is weirdly soft and spongy. I'm not sure if they have moles or what, but you can see little raised areas that give when you step on them. It can make for awkward putting sometimes.

The walk between holes 7 and 8 is almost a quarter mile.

While it's safe during the day, this park is notorious for crime after dark, so you'll want to make sure you finish up early. There were two brand new baskets damaged/stolen the first night it was in the ground.

The course is still very much a work in progress, but it definitely shows potential. Just make sure you bring some water discs.