The new course on Xavier University's campus is a fun putter / ace run 18 for all players at and above the Recreational level, and is now a contender for the area's crown jewel of par 2 courses. Beginning at the cross section of nice paved paths in the green space just east of the Cintas Center, there's enough parking available to bring a few thousand of your friends (off campus: stay on Montgomery Road & park behind Joseph VW at the back of that enormous lot). There are currently boxed mulch tees and new Discatcher baskets, each with a laminated next tee arrow under the cage.

In the summer, the challenge here is that the lines of flight are sometimes blind over the natural grasses, shrubs, and built-in Out of Bounds edges of sidewalks and pavement. But even playing strict OB, a 900 rated player should expect to shoot 40 or under for the full course (which can be fun…)

…providing you come in anticipation of a "deuce or die" type of course. If you prefer throwing over 150' to 220'… ever, then this is not going to be your cup of tea. It's intended for absolute beginners, students, couples, etc. Even then, the chance of someone newer to the sport losing a disc in the grasses may be a bit high, and without a map, the fact that you might see as many as six baskets at a time might lead to some real confusion (I drew up a map here).

Furthermore, there will be times when you may throw over the edges of parking lots (where the Norwood Police do seem to hang out keeping an eye on those strange guys going to the back of this massive parking area), sidewalks, and around said shrubs and rough. I suspect the winter will make the course even easier (who will be first to shoot under 36?).

I wasn't a huge fan of the mulch tees, as the mulch felt like it grabs your plant foot, impeding the heel spin out and follow through, meaning my other joints tended to take up the torque too much. If they look to make any improvements from here, I'd say try a gravel boxed tee where it's missing on hole 5, or step on up to concrete. Next: signage.

In all, this is not a bad course at all. There is a tiny bit of elevation to create some variety, and they grabbed all they could get. If you're just a beginner, and you come after the weeds die back (the cooler half of the year), this might be a lot of fun. But you veterans: I mean fun, like a day at a putt-putt is fun. Even though they have enough parking to host an A-Tier or a Major, it's NOT going to be on that circuit!