Pros:
-Flat, grippy tee pads
-Practice basket near first tee
-It is legal to drink alcohol at this park
-Fairly DG exclusive
-Course flows easily with almost zero navigation issues
-Noticed multiple pin placements for each hole
-Heavily wooded course combined with hilly terrain keep things very interesting
-Benches
-Loops back to central area of the park after each 9
Cons:
-Terrain definitely rewards better throwers and severely punishes weaker arms, especially toward the end of the course
-Trash cans around course are minimal, but course is nonetheless kept clean
-Tee 'stumps' only had one distance on them, and are only about a foot off the ground. Could use real signs.
-Some holes play very close to each other, with 'dueling fairways.' Keep your eye out at all times for other players.
Other Thoughts:
Heilmann Park plays on a fairly significant slope in heavily wooded oak terrain. At least during our winter visit, long grass covers the majority of the terrain, coupled with the bare oak trees together set a very intimidating scene.
You know how sometimes, you screw up a throw but it somehow makes it through the trees through some impossible window? This does not happen at Heilmann Park. If you do not hit your mark, your disc will always hit a tree and fall down. Definitely added a challenge to the course.
Lots of love is put into this course. Even though weather was less than ideal, the place was PACKED. Additionally, Central Coast folk seem to play really really fast. We (3 of us) had to stop numerous times to let groups of four and more pass us. A very large group ahead there had some friendly people in it, who explained a bit about the course, its reputation, and its history. Bonus points for the locals.
Course signature hole #5 is a long downhill drive with a low ceiling, forcing a powerful 'laser beam' shot. This proved to be an extremely fun hole. Disc's over the fence may have to be left behind as it looked like the property back there belonged to some kind of prison like facility.
All holes incorporate some kind of elevation change, whether it be up, down, along the side of a hill, or over a canyon. The last 5 holes or so basically play back and forward over this canyon. The water at the bottom smelled like feces. As I mentioned before, stronger throwers who can get the disc across are handsomely rewarded with an easy par or birdie round. Should you hit anything on your way over, not only you lose the distance, but you lose up to 25 feet in elevation causing an almost imminent bogey or worse.
Long grass in the wintertime caused some disc finding issues. On the positive side, they kept many discs from rolling down the hill, which is nice. I would imagine that this long grass disappears after the high rain season.
Of the four courses that we checked out in the SLO area, this would be the one we would return to if we only had time for one. Easily the most challenging course in the area and a good disc vibe. People of all ages, groups, families, couples, and solo people were all very nice to talk to and while a very difficult course, this course seems to attract the most attention. A must see in SLO County.