(2.447 Rating) A tweener MA3/MA4 level church course with some playful character.
- SIGNS - Shadow Lake is a simple fun lightly wooded course with moderate elevation change. MA4 level players coming here are going to average around par with a bunch of birdie chances. Although the challenge was a little too bland for my taste, I was really digging the little touches the caretakers have added to the course. There is a lot of fun signage adding to the pleasing environment. For example, one sign read "Don't hit the happy little trees" and it featured a picture of Bob Ross. Another sign noted "may the course be with you" and another quoted "The tree givith, and the tree takith away". I saw at least 10 fun signs and probably missed a few others. It was a great little touch and it put a smile on my face. I bumped up the course .030 rating points for the added flavor.
- LOANER DISCS - Adjacent to tee (1) was a crate filled with older discs. What a wonderful way to help introduce players to the game. This set-up wouldn't work at several courses I know, but I think it'll work for a church course like this one. Two thumbs up to Grace Life Church for the welcoming gesture.
- BASIC AMENITIES - Concrete tees of various and adequate size. Baskets are Veterans and are all in good shape. Artistic tee signage is present adjacent to each tee and there is a practice basket. No alt placements or extra tees.
- NAVIGATION - I didn't see a course map posted in my haste, but the course seemed to be mostly easy to follow. No next tee direction on the tee signs, but most next tees can be seen after finishing a hole. The few tricky spots have next tee signs posted directing traffic.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I scored this aspect a hair above average. There's a big pond on the property. It only comes into play in fringe situations via grip locks, but it's in view numerous times. The grounds were very well tended to, and I saw very little trash. The general openness holds the course back from achieving a better beauty rating on my ledger.
- QUICK PLAY - I logged 49 minutes solo while photographing every hole and spending a few minutes conversing with a local player. There are a couple opportunities to throw it into some overgrowth, but its manageable. Rounds will fly here.

Simple
- LACK OF BITE - The course is perfect for beginners, MA4s and MA3s. Myself, as an MA2, I just wasn't digging the open nature and subdued challenges. I personally threw a lot of mids and putters off the tee. Only a couple holes are over 300 feet long. I only felt challenged a few times, like on holes (2), (3) and (17). An MA1 coming here should be able to post 10 down or better on a blind first attempt. Skilled players won't be getting adrenaline rushes throwing these lines.
- HOLE (11) - A birdie on (11) can only be achieved by making a crazy right hooking uphill roller thru a pair of mandos. I was not a fan.
- HOLE VARIETY - Among the 18 holers I've thrown, the variety here is definitely below average. There are some nice ups and nice downs. There are also a couple short wooded holes and a pair of hook shots. What's lacking is basket defense and length. 13 holes are listed between 200 and 300 feet long. Players with 350-foot arms will not need to bring a driver. As for basket guarding, it's generally weak. A few holes don't even have a tree in play. I wish the woods would have been used more thoroughly like at the other church course across town, Humble Tree.

The Shadow Lake course is a home run for beginning players wanting to try out the sport. New players will be able to work on form and gain confidence here. To higher skilled players that live beyond a 20-minute drive, this is likely going to be a one and done. Just not enough intrigue to warrant a replay in my opinion. Personally, if I lived within 10 minutes, I'd play it on occasion to practice or to hunt for aces, but I'd be heading into town often to throw Inverness, Clay and George Ward. Anyways, a weak to mid 2.5 level course to me. Regionally, the gameplay reminded me of Joe Tucker, Pinson and Argo. Other courses I've played with similar gameplay include, Scout & Hope in Central Tennessee, Rosendale High School in Wisconsin, Porter Park in DFW and Coker Elementary in North Georgia.

This one is the epitome of what a fun, beginner friendly church course should be. Mainly a shorter red level course, but with a. Few longer and harder shots that will test players of a wider variety of skill levels.

The water of the lake comes into play on two holes(really just one unless you shank) but the views of the lake and from the hills make it a great place to unwind and enjoy a round.

There is some very cool elevation here too including hole 17 that will well uphill.

Baskets are white Veterans and though it's not my favorite basket they were fine and the white was easy to see.

The mix of shorter ace runs, water to contend with, elevation and these fun hand made signs that dot the course make it a charming if not top level play.

It's a beginner course on a multi use property. Walkers will probably cross your path and they don't necessarily know what you're doing there.

The longest hole is about 350 but most are in the low to mid 200ft range. Hit lines, and don't worry that you don't get to show off the cannon.

The only two major problems I had is there is one double mando hole where the basket is so far right after the mando the only way to reach it would be a righty forehand roller. No beginner will ever birdie that unless they get super lucky.

The other minor issue is hole 17. It's really close to their three crosses at the top of the hill and I feel bad throwing at Jesus.

It's a fun little beginner to intermediate course and I think it's an ideal place to begin your disc golf journey.