Fun while muddy
4 Helpful / 1 Not
Pros: Nice flow of holes. Few holes are can be unforgiving due to swampy conditions, but overall forgiving course for beginners.
Good for beginners to pick a line once "teeing off".
Cons: Holes need new signs.
Most of course is wet/muddy after rain or snow melt.
Other Thoughts: Bring a change of shoes/boots if wet.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Valley with a View
15 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros:
+ Concrete Teepads, they are a bit on the old side and a little shorter than average but they get the job done.
+ Bright Yellow Mach 5's I believe. This is a great upgrade from the older Mach baskets that used to be on the course. The yellow really makes the baskets stand out and not just become another bush.
+ This is a shorter course and is a lot of fun to just get out there and play a putter only round and not feel too restricted. I have played many round here with just a disc or two and shot some great rounds. If you are coming into this course and expecting a championship level course then you are going to have a bad time.
+ Hole 1 is a great starting/signature hole. Its a wide open down hill bomb that is the longest hole on the course. Its even more fun/nerve racking when the course is full and there are 20+ people waiting/watching you throw your first shot of the day.
+ There is a decent mix of left, right and straight holes. A forehand and backhand both aren't needed for this course but having both will help you out. Most of the course weaves thru the woods. Every hole has a fair line if not multiple lines. There are some tight fairways but the holes are short so it's not too big of a deal
+ Aces galore. Every hole has the chance to be aced by a good number of people. Every hole is short, like shorter than normal. It makes for a really fun round with your buddies. 18 under has been shot many times by many different people.
Cons:
- Teesigns. These need to be upgraded. They are old and worn out. They also go thru cycles where they are just full of ace graffiti, which is just dumb.
- Navigation will be a bit tricky if you are new and not playing with someone who knows the course. This is even worse when the winter course gets set up and the navigation gets a bit trickier. Next hole signs would be awesome.
- Wait times. Its hard for me to put this as a con because its only a problem because of how easy the course is and how much disc golf has exploded over the years. There will be times when you show up to this course and you see 20+ people waiting to tee off on hole 1. This leads to a$$hats thinking they are entitled to start now and they will just walk to hole 2 or 3 and just cut in and start playing.
- Mud. This course does get really muddy in the spring and after a hard rain.
Other Thoughts:
This course is one that I grew up playing and have payed it for the past 15 years. I have seen this course go thru many revisions and upgrades and where the course is today is miles better than what it was in the past imo. The course gets all of its love from the locals. I believe that the current baskets were donated to the course from the local league that plays there and came from part of their league dues. If this trend continues then the course will continue to get better and better.
This course is a great beginner/practice course. If you are expecting the same level of play that the other nearby courses offer than you will be let down. The Milwaukee area has a lot of great disc golf to offer from the challenging layout of Brown Deer to the beginner course that Valley View is. Go into this course with the expectation of just trying to have a good time and work on your short game and maybe get an ace.
Don't go out of your way to play this course especially only if you are going to play one course in the area. This course is a great compliment to the area but it's not a must play. It's a fun time, but nothing crazy.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Short and sweet
1 Helpful / 4 Not
Pros: Wooded but easy to navigate the course. Very peaceful environment that's fairly clean and well maintained.
Cons: Not a whole lot of diversity/variation in difficulty for each hole (again, all par 3s).
Other Thoughts: Very nice, relaxing par 3 course. Quiet and sparse forested areas make for a nice getaway not far from the city at all.
1 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Short, Fast , Fun
11 Helpful / 0 Not
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 .
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Grand Master Rec Course
11 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: (2.495 Rating) An easy going shorter course packed with ace potential.
- ACEABILITY - My gosh, I'd be willing to bet that if there's a decent sized league here, that the chains are likely run up at almost every gathering. Numerous sub 200 footers shouting "putter run me". I envisioned chains being smashed on 2 or 3 throws of mine during the round only to ping a tree late just adjacent to the basket. Tree Ace! I have a lot of those.... I'd think the average Joe is throwing in multiple aces a year here. 10 year skilled locals are probably approaching 50 aces.
- FUN FACTOR - This is a total free good course and it is probably producing disc golf addicts in droves. It very much reminds me of my first home course in Austin which is also a sub 4000 foot 18 holer. Short holes, moderate technique and lots players throwing sub 45 rounds. This is the ultimate easy going recreational course.
- RAW BEAUTY - This course is really charming in sections. Starting on hole (4) the course dives into a heavily wooded technical portion. The stretch from hole (8) to (10) was by far the best. (10) is just absolutely siren.
- CHAINS - I missed the upgrade to MachVs by a week. I knew something was up when I started noticing newly dug pin placements adjacent to current basket locations. Despite me playing on the older MachIIIs, I still gave the course credit for upgrading the baskets.
- QUICK PLAY - Just over 45 minutes in playing time for my break of dawn raid. I'd be willing to bet that this course gets quite busy during ideal times, so be cognizant of a few extra waits during those times.
Cons: Too easy for a segment of the disc golf community.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - This is a total feel good course. Anyone looking to test their skills or that enjoys an intense challenge won't be satisfied in their round here. There are far too many throw away holes where it's a 150 foot deuce or die play. I truly wish this course had more holes like hole (10) or (11). I think I played a touch better than normal on my round here, but I still think that throwing eleven down as Intermediate level player is an indication of not being tested.
- OVERGROWTH - There is some very thick overgrowth on a few holes. The worst stretches were between Holes (2) and (6) and then also (12) thru (15). I was able to avoid it for the most part, but I still had to do some moderate searches on the fringes a couple times. I could see newer players doing a lot of search and recovery.
- NAVIGATION - Pretty bad on my visit. Much of the tee signage was unreadable. The course map was drawn by hand and is far too diagrammatic. I noticed very few directional cues between holes. There was a tapped spoke on basket (7) if I recall correctly, but I don't remember another occurrence. Be sure and have a printed course map or one downloaded to a phone, this is not an easy follow. Perhaps this is also being updated.
- TEES - The tees are a touch sub-par. The tee surfaces are concrete being either 4 by 8 or 4 by 10. I felt cramped on several holes.
- UNIQUENESS - The variety here is less than to be desired. Far too many holes are open lines or simple movement holes. No par 4s and the longest holes are not much over 300 feet. Water is pretty much a non-factor and elevation only plays a significant role on a handful of holes. I enjoyed the slight twisting of a few holes in the middle but again, way too much simplicity for my preference.
- VANDELISM - I saw some tagging on garbage can and signs among other things. It doesn't seem like a bad area of town so I suppose this is the work of a few misinformed wannabes. I'm sure most locals are disgusted by the idiocy of a few.
Other Thoughts: Staring down hole (1) I knew this was going to be a fun round and it delivered. Had I been new to the game and living in the Milwaukee area, this would have been my course for the first couple of years. Perfect for players with less than two years' experience or for those who just want to have a good time with a group of friends. The course however, is not an exotic destination like a few other courses in the region. It's not for the player that can bomb-it 500 feet or the one who can shoot several under a Dretzka from the back tees. It's for the regular guy who can only play once or twice a week... and he'll love it.
- WINTER HOLES - After (12) I went to the right into the woods and found a couple temporary holes without baskets. I contacted DGCR legend Harror1012 and asked what this was for, and he told me that these are winter holes to avoid the kids sledding near a few holes. For real!?! Please add these permanently and sacrifice a couple of the bland featureless shots. Fully wooded tunnel shots with eye appeal and elevation movements... I'll take more of that!
- CHARACTER - Some good stuff, but also some lacking aspects. As has been noted about, the baskets are new, The tees are slightly sub-par and navigation has seen better days. In addition to these noted items, on the good side there are numerous alternate basket placements and there is a bunch of tee seating, garbage cans and tee shading. As for missing items, I didn't see a practice basket, multi-tees or a finishing shelter with picnic tables.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
What? Where?
6 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: - Very Nice and Scenic
- Great Use of Elevation
- Good Parking
- Close to Waukesha and Milwaukee
- Free to Play
- Holes are tough but fair
Cons: - Confusing Layout
- Lack of Next Tee signs
- Heavily Vandalized Tee Signs
- Some baskets sunk into the ground
- Easy to get lost in the forest
Other Thoughts: This course was fun to play and pretty short overall. The things that would make this course a decent 3/5 at least are "next tee this way" signs and fresh tee signs that either aren't completely vandalized or non existent.
Update 1: I realized after writing this that the holes in between 12 and 13 at the moment are replacements for 1, 2, and 15. These will be reverted back soon. I'm dumb. I have upgraded the score from its original 2.0 to 2.5 because of this.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Nice Course
3 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Nice mix of wide open and wooded holes
Winter pins are fun adding more wooded shots
Hole distance variety is nice
Hard to lose a disc except for hole #14 on the right side.
various elevations make for fun challenges.
Cons: Winter holes are hard to navigate unless you know where they are.
Hole #14 right side can be swampy at times and is very heavily wooded - easy to lose discs here
Tee boxes seem short
Other Thoughts: Overall this has always been a fun course to play. Nice mixture of challenges always make it interesting.
When I played on 12.30 I didn't notice hole #18 basket being broke anymore...I think they fixed it.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Decent course
8 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: This course is very beginner friendly and has a lot of fun, ace run type holes, when the course is clean it tends to be very fun to play.
Most people are nice and usually don't complain at the pace you're moving at, if they are in a rush usually they just nicely ask to play through.
Cons: The type of people that come here since it is a free course, they can range from extremely stoned to extremely slow. Just yesterday I was playing in a big group and offered for the people behind us to play threw, they said we were moving decently and they didnt want to, then about 5 minutes later a group of stoners came walking by and said "there is multiple groups behind you ladies" and proceeded to block me while I was on the tee and they walked on the fairway. This is something you could expect to see from a free course like this.
The trash: There are trashcans on almost every hole, but people just litter alot, trash can be found in the strangest of places when searching for your disc.
Other Thoughts: Usually in the mornings on the weekends this course isnt that busy, if you were to play earlier than 10:00 am would be more fun because less of a crowd.
Update 6/14/17: summer holes have been in place for a while, course is very over grown at the moment, watch where you throw.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
3 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Nice wooded course that was fairly easy. There was a decent variety of holes hooking left and right.
Cons: Pretty much all of the signs were full of graffiti and not able to be read. I did not know the pars for most holes so I guessed most were par 3 and a couple were par 4. Also it was a little difficult to find my way around without being able to tell which hole number I was on.
Other Thoughts: After hole 15 you will have to go up by the parking lot for 16. The course would be a lot better if the signs could be read. Otherwise it was a pretty enjoyable course to play.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Course Fills A Role Well
9 Helpful / 1 Not
Pros: 1) For as short of a course as this is, Valley View scores very well in the variety department - the course utilizes one large hill, and several smaller, rolling hills through the woods to create a diverse disc golf course. Valley View has uphill holes, downhill holes, and features many technical holes through the woods where you will need to be accurate hitting different lines. Accomplished players will have an easy time notching birdies, but you have to execute your shots, otherwise it's easy to wind up in trouble. Multiple pin locations on some (maybe all?) holes.
2)Tees - kind of a "accomplishes the basics" thing, but each hole has a concrete tee off spot (one hole tees off from a large section of pavement present for other park use). The tees could stand to be longer, but properly installed concrete tees beat dirt or rubber tees, every time.
3) A slight winter layout modification: the large hill I mentioned earlier is used for sledding during the winter, so the baskets using this hill are pulled, and reinstalled in the woods for three unique hole locations. It's a nice little tweak that adds to the replay value of the course during the winter months.
4) EDIT (9-16-19) Baskets: New, yellow powder coated baskets have been installed on every hole. The old Mach III's were in really poor condition, so much that this was a legit problem that was addressed. Thank you Mike Harrington!
Cons: 1) Being a fairly easy course to play, Valley View is often very crowded, and heavily by the "stoner high school kid" types. They're usually friendly and amiable enough, but you'll come across obnoxious, inconsiderate groups of people more often here than on other courses.
2) Going off this same theme, the course could be better cared for. VV put out trash cans at most, if not every tee, which I don't remember being the case 5-10 years ago, but you'll still see trash in some places left by inconsiderate groups, and plenty of "graffiti"-ish crap on the tee signs (more on this)
3) Tee signs. They suck. Only a few holes even have present/readable tee signs - many have been destroyed and/or defaced so badly that they might as well not be there. Fortunately, the hole to hole flow on this course is good, and there aren't really any blind holes, otherwise, this would be a bigger deal.
Other Thoughts: Overall, Valley View presents a decent disc golf experience that fills a "shorter, technical course" niche in the local disc golf scene. There are definite improvements that could happen here - the signage is awful, the baskets need a lot of work or replacement, and this course would improve dramatically if this was done. It's my understanding that there are willing parties in the local DG scene ready to do the work to fix the course up, and could probably do so in short order, but the city of New Berlin is notoriously difficult to work with, and has stonewalled numerous efforts over the years to improve this course.
All that considered, I don't think I'd recommend Valley View as a "must play" for folks having to make long trips, but Valley View is a solid enough course that fills a role in the local scene, and is a good place to stop and shoot a round if you're in the area.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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1 
3/25/2018 
3/25/2018
Review By: Flavored Snacks 
This review was updated on 4/12/2018
Hole #1 
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