Pros:
(2.662 Rating) A lightly wooded to open layout with moderate elevation changes.
- CHARACTER - The equipment and extras are the best things going for this short city course. Very nice 5 foot by 12 foot concrete tees. Older Mach III baskets that are all still in good repair. There are benches at 6 holes and there's a practice basket. I loved the memorial to Phil Hullin, one of the founders and creators of the course. There are also bag hangers affixed to the nice tee signs. As for missing items, no alt basket placements and only one extra tee pad on (18). The course info says there's a short pad on (17), but I walked all over and couldn't find it.
- NAVIGATION - Observe the red painted chain. Players that pay attention to this subtle cue will have no issues navigating this course. There is only one painted chain at each basket and it's aligned in the direction of the next tee. In addition, there are adequate tee signs with topography indicated using a slight color palette shift. Great course map next to tees (1) and (10) and also numbered placards on top of the baskets.
- ELEVATION - Lots of rolling elevation makes up for the lightly wooded terrain. Several grade changes in the 25 to 30 feet range.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - The first time I came out here, I brought my whole family. Although there are a couple of occurrences where a newer player should not throw, hole (17) for example, a vast majority of the course is very forgiving to the poorest of throws.
- QUICK PLAY - For an 18 hole layout this one will move really quick on an empty course. I figure under 2 hours for foursomes.
- MAINTENANCE - In the two times I've played here, it was in excellent condition both times. The mowers were literally out while I was playing and the un-mowed grass was still at an acceptable length. Also clean though-out the course.
- NIGHT GOLF - I observed several baskets with solar powered lights affixed to the baskets. If I lived in town, I'd be throwing night golf in the fall and spring for sure.
Cons:
A few minor issues, but otherwise a pleasant experience.
- UNIQUENESS - Adelaide Park has an over abundance of open to lightly wooded shots. Perhaps there are 1 or 2 tee shot with a moderately wooded line. This is an all par 3 course to Intermediate level players and above. To Recreational players, the par suggestions listed on the tee signs are far too generous. Perhaps holes (10) and (17) are par 4s, but the rest should be par 3s. Last I'll mention water features which makes glancing appearances on many holes and it will surely terrify newer players on (17).
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - I scored the course as lower Recreational level using the par 54 set-up, so a touch below average. Being a mostly park style course. Players can expect a round with a lot of options off the tee. Holes (10) and (17) look like the only holes that are going to rattle higher skilled players. Recreational players will be able to go 6 down on the string of holes (11) thru (16) if they play this one enough. The biggest obstacle here will be the wind.
- PARKING BY TEE 1 - The course starts in an odd spot in the northeast corner the park, 400 feet from the parking area.
- SPACING - From what I've read, this was originally a 9 holer for several years and then it upgraded to 18 using the baskets from the short lived Buttermilk Creek 9 holer on the south side of town. It's very easy to put a disc into other fairways on this course. Not only is it a tight squeeze to begin with, but there's also lots of elevation and wind that will take discs well off their intended path. I'd keep my head on a swivel if several groups were on the course.
Other Thoughts:
I grew up in Fond du Lac, but Adelaide was built after I moved away. This is a no doubt fun local Recreational course that I'm sure has a big local following. Had I still lived in the area, I'm sure I would have played the course regularity as it had been the only game in town for the past 18 years. With the new course going up on the Northeast side of town, the scene here is likely going to evolve to be a bit more casual as the Advanced players will likely shift over there. Still however, definitely worth a spin if traveling through town. Just not interesting enough to travel more than a half hour out of the way to go see it unless you are a course bagger like me. I'd probably give the course a 2.75 rating if we could rate by quarters of a disc.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Average or perhaps slightly below that notion. The large pond with 6 foot tall cattails along all the shores are easily the most pleasing element that impacts several holes. The down side is the lack of tree coverage. The best looking hole IMO is the last hole with the tee shot slitting two bigger trees to form a low window. A nice way to end a rather bland layout.