Pros:
*Please see end of Other for 2021 update*
The DG course at the beautiful Paint Creek Park is a new addition to the Hillsboro/Chillicothe, Ohio region, and adds a relatively challenging 21 holes for the recreational to intermediate player's options in the area. Opening near the office/general store parking area with a half dozen predominantly 'open' holes shaped by the foliage, you work your way across the main drive for two holes that start teasing you with tight gaps and turns, before coming back through a pine forest with excellent use of lines and elevation to shape shots of all varieties and a range of distances.
Brand new, generously sized concrete tees are now in place for all 21 holes, most of which range from 220' to 374', with the exception of three under 200', and a couple over 400'. The design does have a tendency toward 'blind' basket positions, so pay attention to the (really nice) tee signs. If you're playing here for the first time, it doesn't take too much extra walking to take the occasional peek ahead (and sometimes, you'll need to do so to be sure the basket area is clear of the group in front of you).
If you're not a fan of the occasional blind hyzer (rhbh) shot, or a wooded anny, you will just have to look for all the other shots available here to make you grin. But if you've got a solid rhfh, and can keep your disc controlled in the woods, you might score quite well here.
As with any newer course, the fairways are decently maintained, while the rough can be a challenge, especially on the holes before the pines. In the woods however, the carpet of pine needles tends to control the undergrowth, so errant shots are not as likely to go missing as in other types of woods.
There are picnic benches and trash cans scattered occasionally throughout the course, and I saw a bathroom off the parking area by the 6th tee. As far as other amenities, this state park has camping, RV spaces, mini-golf, a nice fishing and boating lake, etc., etc.!
Cons:
The current course map is fairly rough, and includes only the original 18 holes, but there are 21 permanent baskets now, so a new map is needed. Only one spot in the course has a traffic challenge, and that is where you cross back from the 7th basket to the 8th tee across the 6th fairway (though you could just as easily walk around, and the sight lines are wide open).
Other Thoughts:
If you live anywhere in southwestern Ohio, or are venturing through the region, there is now a trio of fun courses out here (Paint Creek, Pike Lake, and Rocky Fork).
Since I always play multiple rounds on a course before submitting a review, I was excited to have made my second trip out here this weekend for the inaugural Redneck Open tournament, which probably had one of most generous player's pack and payouts of any C-tier I've experienced. Enthusiastic hosting (thanks, Don!) and fun extra events, including a CTP contest for cabin rentals at Paint Creek and Hocking Hills, made this a memorable inaugural!
*Update 4/2/21: The course at Paint Creek is just as nice as ever, and a totally enjoyable, worth the distance trip. However, since my 2012 review and the map I added in 2015, it's seen letter holes installed and abandoned (baskets pulled, sleeves available), so it's back to 21 really good holes. The locals have lengthened three holes since Sidearm Don moved out of the area: 2 is 50' left of the original, 5 is 60' further toward the park road (and has no trees remaining mid-fairway), and 21 has been moved 70' right and blind over the hill, where it becomes more of a hazard for overthrows to hit a moving car or park patron, but more challenging in terms of OB (I guess...). The old pin position atop the hill on 21 has lost its trees, as well...
The course is decently maintained, and all the equipment is holding up well. Hopefully for years to come!