Pros:
The directions to the course were spot-on and the parking area is large with a Kiosk, garbage barrels, and a Port-A-John on the premises. Everything was very clean and well thought out.
The course layout and trail markings are exceptional, with NO chance at getting lost. All three 9s (Front, Back, and Deep) circle back to a common crossing point just off the parking lot giving players a chance to head back to the car between loops for eats, beverages, bug spray, or clothing changes. This also allows for playing a short 9er or the same 9 twice. Even though the course is built on a sand dune, there was never any issue with loose sand or bad footing on the pathways. Almost all holes had some type of bench or chairs, brooms, and trash receptacles, and the relaxation spot at hole #9 was especially nice!. The tee signage was nicely done with etched-in hole #, footage, and directional lines, although the monochromatic color scheme was a little difficult to decipher for those of us with aging eyes. The cement tee pads were level, roomy and in great shape.
Hole design was quite nice given the property they had to work with. There was an even mix of straight, uphill, downhill, fading right or left, sharp right or left, and even "S" shaped fairways, and every tiny bit of elevation change available was put to good use. Distances of 187 to 394 makes a quick round here a very good possibility and keeps it mostly family and beginner friendly. Given the heavily wooded nature of this course, it was surprising that getting off the fairway was never a total disaster although there's rarely a clear route out and even overhand shots frequently aren't an option due to a low canopy in most places. The nature of the woods and brush here mean that lost discs shouldn't ever be a problem here, even when playing solo.
Highlight holes here include the almost J-hook shaped left on #4 with some intruding trees along the right edge that steal working room from your disc; the deceptively straight and open looking #5 and #7 that both require more disc control than you'd expect; the long tight #9 that opens into a sandy field; the evil, evil #16 with its tight fairway, scattered trees, fading right, and low ceiling; the curvy uphill #17; and the long S shaped #18.
Cons:
The lack of any real elevation changes, truly interesting design elements, or any open holes where you could really let them fly keeps this course from ranking much higher on the ratings list. And, while each hole had at least one very obvious and well-defined fairway, all but a couple of holes just felt like "more of the same".
The scorecard shows that a short tee is available for all the holes, but beyond the orange dots spray painted on rocks on the first 2 holes, I never saw any type of alternate tee markers on the rest of the holes (not that distances under 400' really need alternate tees).
The trash receptacles were a very interesting design (the top ring of a 5 gallon bucket as a holder for a 100 lb feed bag), but many of the feed bags were disintegrating, leaving trash scattered around in several places.
Other Thoughts:
***Updated after a second round***
I went to play a send round here with the express intention of doing a fresh review, uncolored by playing Flip City first. Unfortunately, my original review (basically) and first impressions stand. While hubby loved this course, I felt that the lack of any truly stand-out design elements made much of this course feel like just more of the same. By hole 12, I was saying "oh gee, look, more trees!" While individual hole design and course layout were both excellent, this course had none of the "Wow!!" factor of most of its closest neighbors; Branstrom has stunning scenery and terrain changes; Ludington has incredible variety and multiple great courses; Northend Riverside has great design, plenty of variety, and multiple tee options; and Flip City has.....well, all of the previous and sooo much more! Given the other available options, I'd play this if I was already in the area, but certainly wouldn't drive down just to play <span class="italic">this</span> course.
As of 9/6/09, the Deep 9 are not yet fully playable. According to locals, 19-21 are ready to play, and the remaining baskets are in, but the fairways are not fully cut or mowed at all, and the pathways between holes are unmarked and difficult to find.
Sundays may be very busy due to a pretty active league and course work groups following immediately after.
I remembered my camera this time and have posted pics of all holes now.