Let's be honest, you're not playing Wintersun's 11-hole layout without first playing the full course. As such, you've already played most of the course before ever playing the Short course.
- Five of the 11 holes also appear on the original layout. (NOTE: I'm calling the 18-hole course the original for obvious reasons). An additional two holes share baskets with the long course.
- The course is in a more confined space than the original course. Five baskets are in one field (#12's field on the original) and another three are in another field (holes #8 - 10 on the original). Throw in #7 & 11 from the original, and another basket that plays in the same section, and viola, there are your 11 holes.
- This is an easier, more relaxing layout. Minimal elevation, mostly open fields, not a lot of trees. Granted, you still have original's wonderful #11 with its island green (#3 on the short course), OB road to the left and creek to the right.
- If you were staying at Wintersun and simply wanted to play disc golf while here, chances are you're playing the short course if you're not familiar with the game. Less physically demanding, a shorter game experience, and no long throws.
- This course is relatively easy to navigate. The little tee signs on the tee markers point you to the next tee pads. After #3, you have #4 - 8 in larger field. But, if you're playing here, you've either been afforded a map, or are playing with someone who knows the course. Even on the long layout, it was mostly a straight ahead flow from one hole to the next.
- Scenery. Portions of the field play next to the creek. The whole time you have rolling hills as your backdrop. And come here in Spring or Fall, the scenery has to be second to none.
- And you have the original layout. That's the best part of this course.

The hole layout is wonky. #1 & 11 are in the same field (holes #8 & 10 on the original course). If you're staying in the house right there, this makes complete sense. If not, you play two of three holes in this section, make a long walk to play the other 8 holes, then come back to play #11.
- Uneven natural or synthetic tee pads. They're not the greatest. It can be a nuisance. Just check the ground, do a practice run-up before throwing, and you should be ok.
- Lack of amenities. Essentially part of the natural vibe. Just realize any trash you make on the course, you're packing out.
- There's a lost disc factor on #3. It's a fast moving current in the creek. My disc landed in the water and I had to be intentional trying to retrieve it to keep it gliding a little further downstream.
- Lack of signage. If you are playing this course as a new player, I'll admit the small tee signs on the ground may not be the easiest to interpret.
- The biggest issue is simply the limited access to the course. You either paying several hundred dollars or more per night to stay here, you're playing the Winter tourney to get in a single round, or you're in the elite, inner circle of being an outsider to play here. Otherwise, you're out of luck. I asked multiple people who had played here before how to gain access. They said to play in the Winter tourney. Seeing them at the tourney, they hadn't played the course since the previous year's event.

Wintersun short is a nice, change of pace from the grueling original layout. It would be nice to have more variance in the holes, but that's a small issue.
- The closing three holes are far and away the best three on this course. You've got a stunning backdrop on #10 with a tall hill as a backdrop. You've got original #7 & 11 as the other two holes here. Honestly, I'd have more fun playing this three hole loop multiple times.
- As the course is constructed, it is essentially three different loops - #1,2 & 11; #3, 9 & 10; and #4 - 8. You can easily play each of these loops multiple times. You can make your own safari layout in the field that hosts #4 - 8. You can get creative with this layout.
- Did I mention this is a scenic course? Thought so.
- You're close to the Hot Dog King restaurant and Whistle Hop Brewery. Whistle Hop has its own unique six-hole layout plus a mini golf course. And beer. And the Hot Dog King is called the Hot Dog King. That has to count for something.
- If you do get a chance to play here, it's worth playing slower to enjoy the land. Make your visit count. Who knows when you'll get a chance to play.
- #3 is an outstanding hole. It's a tiny sliver of green to land on. Playing the hole twice, I threw three discs. One landed in the water after smacking a branch. The other two discs would have been great shots on a normal hole, landing OB by a combined six to eight feet. Alas, I bogeyed it twice and am still convinced I'll park my tee shot the next time I throw. In warmer weather, walking into the creek isn't a bad option. Alas, this is the type of hole that everyone remembers.
- It's a good compliment to the original course. It's the two veggies to the BBQ meat choice. Just don't play this course without playing the true Wintersun.