Pros:
Layout, proximity to Iowa City, no waiting for tee boxes.
Cons:
Weeds, bugs, more bugs, and susceptibility to flooding.
Other Thoughts:
The Good:
1. As a previous reviewer pointed out, the layout of this course is excellent. The first hole is wide open, as are several holes on the back 9. About half of the holes are heavily wooded, but there are clear lanes for your drives. Multiple basket positions make for a great variety of left and right turning fairways, short, medium, and long holes. If not for the flooding, the weeds, and the bugs, this could easily be the best course in the area.
2. The course is the closest course to Iowa City. From downtown Iowa City, the drive to the park is less than 10 minutes.
3. Because the course is so buggy and weedy during the summer (see below for more details) there are very few people who play at this course. I have never had to wait for the people in front of me at this course.
The Bad:
1. Because of its proximity to the Iowa River, about half of the back 9 is sometimes flooded. Since the flood a few years ago, I have not played holes 11-16 with any real consistency.
2. The weeds can get really, really bad at times. Of course, lots of courses have weeds. Searching for a disc that you shanked into the weeds is commonplace at a lot of courses. The difference at Penisula Park is this: A lot of the weeds are poison ivy and/or stinging nettles. So, if you have to wade through the weeds for too long, your legs are going to burning and itching for a while. Wear pants to prevent the itching.
3. The mosquitos are BRUTAL after prolonged rains. Once you get into the woods (which start at hole 2) you will be completely assaulted by the bugs. Will bug spray work? Maybe. Best plan of action is too simply resolve yourself to being eaten alive out there.
The Ugly:
Ticks. Yes. Ticks. I have never had a problem with ticks at a disc golf course before, but the disc golf area of Peninsula Park simply seems too rugged to get special treatment in terms of city pest control. If you don't normally use bug spray, I recommend at least putting some on your shoes and ankles to keep the ticks at bay. And don't forget to check for ticks afterwards.
OVERALL: If you can deal with the weeds and bugs, this is a great course. I would give a 5 because the layout is terrific, but the weeds, bugs, ticks, and occasional flooding cause my rating to decrease.