Pros:
This is a great course to practice your mid and short game. Most shots are fairly open, although I noticed a bunch of trees have been planted near holes 3, 4 and 8 to add some challenge in the future. I particularly enjoy the hilltop shots on holes 5 and 6. There are several ace run opportunities; however, clever placement on a few baskets requires pinpoint accuracy. Very little chance to lose plastic here.
Cons:
It's a shame that the Old Smokey hill was removed a few years back- it made for an excellent elevated first shot on Hole 1. Several mature trees were also removed near the basket, presumably to make the approach less crowded, but I don't find either of these changes to be an improvement. The course would benefit from some quality of life updates, including adding practice baskets, seating, more accurate signage, concrete tees, "next tee" signs and garbage cans.
Other Thoughts:
This is a beginner friendly course that still has some challenge to shoot below par. Only Hole 7 is longer than 300 feet (400 to be exact) so experienced players won't be cranking drivers much here.
*This is one of three local courses that are within 20 minutes of each other. Rivals Lookout Park is a scenic course with some technical shots that sits along the Kankakee River. Archer Park DGC is set amongst rolling hills and has some steep, elevated holes. All three are low traffic and a decent leg to hone your skills. I'm a guide for these courses, so don't hesitate to contact me for information or possibly play a round together.