Pros:
The 18 hole Valley View Park has a nice parking lot , with a Port O Let right next to it . There is also a cement pad with a picnic table at the top of the hill where either someone can wait for a player to finish , or for players to congregate afterwards . Keep in mind that I played this course on a Friday morning at 6:30 with local phenom Tucker .
The Equipment : There is a nice kiosk with map at the top of the hill near the picnic table . The tee pads are cement , a little short at about 3 1/2 ' X 7' ? The signage was pretty decent where there were signs . Some were missing . Surprising since this course is in the center of a middle class area . The baskets are some nice yellow Mach IV , installed around a year ago . The course flows well in some spots , but not as well in others . There was some mulch in some of the fairways , which was a nice touch . Trash cans were present , too . I found out from Tucker that there are 3 pins in the woods that are " activated " when 3 pins are removed for winter sledding . Nice ( why don't you make it a 21 hole course until November , then shave it back to Winter 18 for the next 4 months ? ) . There are varying pin placements per hole here . They were mixed , some longer than others and some placed in tighter spots in the woods or against brush .
The Landscape : The first hole is thrown down off a hill , the the course stays flat or has small inclines until coming back until about hole 14 , which comes back up the hill that you threw off of on hole #1 . Steps were created to help you up the hill . #16 throws to what looks like a man made hill ( sledding ? ) Slight elevation changes for the last 2 holes . The park was mowed and was well taken care of when I was here . The overgrowth could be a problem on some holes , especially #2 or 3 . A misfire will cause a long search for your plastic . The mulch helps with overgrowth on the fairways .
The highlights : I don't know if a course that I shot a 5 down after driving 7 hours through the night would be considered challenging and surreal , but I admit many were a fun play . #1 was a downhill shot to an open basket to start off. #2 was a drive that you had to force right to left over a large amount of overgrowth to the tight fairway and green beyond . #11 was a left to right poke into the woods . #14 was a tight fairway shot into a green descended from the flat area tee . #16 was a fun midrange into a man made hill with the basket sitting atop . #17 was a basket placement in a crevice . Miss right and be up on a grade well above the basket , miss the the left and you are all the way down the embankment .
Signature Hole : #15 uphill drive to the basket tucked away to the right , with heavy foliage and a treeline to your right .
Time : This course is a fast play . Even playing with a partner , we were done in just over an hour . Foursome ? Maybe under 2 hours .
Cons:
#1 Navigation : Next tee signs and a more descriptive map could go a long way here . If not for playing with one of the local enthusiasts , I would be going in different directions starting at around hole 6 . The course breaks up after hole 15 and you have to walk over the parking lot to play 16-18 .
#2 Equipment . Enlarging the tee pads would be nice . We were okay because we were trowing putters or midrange disc from a walk-up on the pads , but kids or high schoolers would benefit from learning to step into their drives more . Signage could be fixed , but I understand if some punks keep breaking them down . NEXT TEE SIGNS , PLEASE .
#3 Elements . This course looks to become a quagmire after a good rain or 2 . Especially 3-6 and and other spots up to 15 . Wear waterproof boots . You Are Warned . Remember that the course changes during the winter .
#4 Challenge : Aces Abound here . This must be the feel good course of the Milwaukee area. Anyone above intermediate might avoid this course other than to get a quick round or 2 in .
Disc Risk : It is moderate in spots ( 2, 3 , 4 , 13 , 14 , 15) and almost nonexistent in others . The holes are short . Watch for a ricochet and listen for your disc to land .
Other Thoughts:
Valley View is a fast fun course to play and hang out , here in New Berlin . Because of this , it is one of the most popular courses south of Milwaukee . Be prepared to wait during peak hours on large groups . I am in no way knocking this course . This is perfect for someone to cut their teeth or be introduced to the game . An excellent stepping stone to Root River or Dretzka.
I read an earlier post that the city of Berlin is not very attentive to the disc golf scene . A shame , because courses give the young locals and families something to do outside , especially in the summer and introduces the city to out of towners . We actually spend money in the cities that keep our interest . I have now been to Wisconsin twice solely for disc golf excursions . Someone opened up the piggy bank for mulch in the fairways and nice baskets recently plus having alternating pins . Elect them mayor if you can .
My Recommendation : fairly technical but very short , great for families , dates , newbies , introducing the game , locals , high schools to compete , maybe a Trilogy Challenge , travelers , and especially the Course Collector ( 45-50 minutes and about 10 minutes from Root River Pkwy. ) . This may not be more than a putter ace folly for the more seasoned players .
I certainly don't want to appear that I am knocking this course . It has stood the test of time ( ca. 1996 ) and is coming up on it's 25th anniversary of existence . These types of courses are critical in bringing new blood into the game .
I had a lot of fun here and I know that Tucker did , too .
This is not a course to go out of your way for , but if you have an hour or so to spare , Try This Course .