Pros:
- unique experience to play disc golf on an island
- incredible views of Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto skyline
- long, respectable length well incorporated around other park activities
- water hazards along lakefront incorporated on several holes
- amenities in various places on island: seating, restrooms, garbage cans
- asphalt tees are unusual but serviceable
- dual tees and dual baskets on every hole
- high quality baskets (Prodigy and DGA) catch well
- high quality tee signs with full color maps
- beautifully maintained park with various other activities for the whole family
Cons:
- entirely flat
- tons of safety hazards in a fairly crowded park
- some holes have fairly limited obstacles/challenges
- fairly long walks from ferry to course
- time consuming process if you want to play (ferry + walking)
- some areas of rough can cause time-consuming searches for discs
Other Thoughts:
Toronto Island is a cool and unique experience if you are visiting Toronto. There aren't many places you can play disc golf on a small island, and the views of the Toronto skyline are incredible here, especially as the sun starts to set. At present, Toronto Island is the #1 rated course in Canada amongst courses with enough reviews to be in the "top rated" section...
This is NOT the top course in Canada. It is not even the top course amongst the 7 I have played in Southern Ontario. This is a neat course, but is rather overrated by other reviewers. The course is entirely flat, moderately wooded at best, and is open enough to appeal to inexperienced players and families - although the lengths certainly cater to more experienced players.
The equipment is very nice, and the course is enjoyable enough, but I can't imagine rating a course as a 4-5 with so many safety hazards. There are people everywhere on walking paths and even on the fairways, and many of them are fairly clueless about the hazards of disc golf. The course is amongst all kinds of other park activities. This was the 2nd time on my Canadian trip that someone picked up my disc on the ground as I was calling to them to leave it in place. In this case, a well-intentioned guy I was trying to get to clear the fairway so I could throw said to me "oh, sorry, I thought you were throwing it to me." What? No. You're in the middle of a disc golf course, what did you think those funny chain sculptures were, abstract art?
If you want to play the course, you will have to take the ferry to Centre Island or Ward's Island (well, or you can take a water taxi or kayak, though I don't really recommend the latter). Ward's Island is a bit closer, but the ferries sometimes run to Centre Island more, so that was the route I took. Taking the ferry and walking to the course does take some time - ferry probably about 15 minutes + wait time, and then another 10-15 minutes of walking each way. The ferry is around $9-10 CAD round trip now. The park is in great shape and I wish I had more time to explore more of it - there are fountains, green spaces, food, etc. If you come from Centre Island, you can save some time by starting at hole 11 and playing the course on a loop from there rather than hiking to hole 1.
Holes 4, 5, and 9 have the coolest water hazards/views of Toronto Harbor. Otherwise most holes don't play too close to the water. You will want a variety of discs here, including your drivers as some of the holes are quite long - just maintain your control or you might whack some kind little old lady innocently feeding pigeons in the side of the head.
I played the short tees to the short baskets, as I had already played 3 courses and visited the Hockey Hall of Fame before coming to Toronto Island. This still was a decent length, and all the challenge I needed at that point in the day. Most of the long tees just add a bit of distance, but the 2nd set of baskets makes for some varied shot requirements.
Overall, despite being wiped out I had a fun round here. The terrain is easy even if the course is a bit longer, and it's a neat course - just not a 4.0 course. The only major con here is the number of safety hazards. I always have a bit of trouble feeling comfortable with this many people at risk around me. Some of the holes are more shelted and this isn't an issue, but a good half of them probably play along walking paths.
This is one of the more unique disc golf experiences I've had, so despite the safety issues I still encourage anyone to come out to play the course and ideally, make an afternoon of it and enjoy all the island has to offer.