One of the best designs in the country. Holes 3,5, and 9 are 3 of the coolest par 3s you'll see anywhere. The par 4s are all incredibly tough. Steve Kenton is a protege of John Houck and you can see that signature all over the course. The option of the flatter 9 or the *experts only* 9 is a plus. The flat 9 is no picnic. 5 holes in excess of 500ft with an incredible canopy of mature trees makes it beautiful. The expert 9 has some of the toughest/beautiful terrain you'll ever play on.

The caretakers do not do much to take care of this course and there are some unfinished spots including 3 creek crossings where you're likely going to get wet. The rough can be punishing and there are lots of places to lose discs.

If polished, this would be one of my favorite courses. Nobody has shot 54 or better yet, but it's there.

"Intense" is my favorite word to describe this course. A great disc golf experience with a nature hike and exercise coming secondary. This course utilizes the land and resources to its utmost advantage challenging BH, FH and OH shots and any caliber of player. Great use of elevation that make for fun tee shots. Next to the first tee are seasonal restrooms and a well pump for water. The upper 9 and the lower 9 are almost night and day. Like said before to really get the experience that this course has to offer one must play the entire 18. 1-2 and 12-18 make up the upper 9 mostly flat with multiple tees and 3-11 make up the lower 9. Hole 3 starts the lower 9 with a tee across a giant ravine, despite the intimidation factor this hole is my personal favorite. Hole 5's long tee plays over the pond from the opposite side as the pin. Hole 7 throws over moving water twice that rewards a good drive and good second shot. Hole 8 tees off a bluff over moving water to another bluff that becomes a long tunnel of a fairway. Hole 9 tees off the hillside and winds up the stream to the opposing side of a giant bluff (my second favorite hole). The water is great to test accuracy and control. Accurate shots are rewarded so bring your game when playing this course. Great way to spend some free time.

During summer plant-life can be unforgiving off of fairways including a plethora of thorn bushes. Play can take longer than expected most rounds because time spent looking for or retrieving discs. Like said before wait a few days after a rain before heading out because the course doesn't take rainfall well.

This course is a gem tucked away in a town and area where disc golf isn't dominate. Bring plenty of fluids and wear essential foot protection, for summer play sandal-style Keens are excellent shoes for the lower 9. This course is challenging, no 2 ways about it but is a great stop or destination if you consider yourself a true disc golf player. If you are in the Des Moines/Ames area come play this course.

The course is very outdoors oriented. It is as much like a hike as it is disc golfing once you're on holes 3 through 11 (the lower nine).
It is a very challenging course overall, but besides the lower nine they are akin to most other courses. The top nine can be played separately if you aren't looking to go for the hike, though I think this takes a lot away from the overall feel of the course.
The course makes great use of elevation.
There are tunnel shots, holes bending right and left, uphill and downhill, long bombs...essentially covering most types of throws.
The top nine have two tees. A second tee isn't needed for most of the lower nine, and the only one that does, has one.
Water come into play on several holes.
There is a small shelter about halfway through the course. (No water, restrooms, etc. but it did have a table to rest at)
There are bathrooms in the park.
The course has never been busy when I've been there.
Poor throws are punished.

It is VERY thick in the summer, so it's easy to loose discs if you aren't accurate.
If you have a bad hole, it might be enough to make you decide to play the rest extremely cautiously, taking away a great deal of fun from the course.
There are multiple water crossings required for this course, most of which don't have a bridge. They are across a creek, so it can be walked easily, but this is not a course for sandals. Waterproof boots are fine for most of it, but depending on rainfall it might still be over the top of most recreational hiking boots. We usually just do it barefoot since most of them are paved road crossings.

The course doesn't handle rain well, though it wouldn't be anywhere near the same experience if it did. Plan to come out when it hasn't rained for a few days.

If it has rained recently, you probably shouldn't play it.
If you don't like hiking, you probably shouldn't play it.
If you don't like a hard challenge, you probably shouldn't play the lower nine.
I think this course is a lot of fun, though it is very challenging. To par the course would be extraordinary, as there are only a few that offer relatively easy birdie chances. To truly experience what this course is like, the lower nine holes must be played. Be prepared though. I bring plenty of water and a few snacks as well. Power, accuracy, and shot selection are all needed to do well on this course, and missing one of them for only one hole can be devastating to your score.

Hole 3 is really an incredible hole. It isn't the most difficult throw, but throwing over the ravine is intimidating and makes it feel amazing when you drop it right next to the pin.

Check the link section for a map I found. It will make finding tees much easier, especially holes 3 through 11. The map came from iowadg.com, so give credit to whomever posted it there.

As a whole, this course is TOUGH. It will challenge you physically and mentally. A good mix of short and long holes(Par 3's, Par 4's & Par 5's). You will need every shot in the bag as you will encounter long doglegs left and right, tight tunnels, water, etc. In the summer, you might want to bring some extra plastic with as you could possibly lose some. The elevation is definitely a bit more difficult than the description suggests.

If you are playing the full 18, the flow can be tough to follow at times.

If you have ever heard of or played Ozark Mountain, this is kind of a miniature version of it.