Pros:
Aesthetic-- plays through hiking/fitness trails in a large(ish) multi-use park. Guessing by the size of the village it's in, the hiking trails aren't overly used so I doubt running into people is a huge issue. Besides, this is pretty backwoodsy, blaze orange is standard issue.
Teepads-- mixed. some cement, some woodchips, some dirt. all in good shape, no ruts or unevenness...
Teesignage-- very basic with the hole # and length. Some of the lengths seemed to be either grossly exaggerated or underestimated.
Challenge-- This wood is thick. There is a LOT of water in play and the lines are tight. I felt that the risk v reward here was OUTSTANDING.
Use of natural features-- hole 2, 4, and 5 were amazing. 2 plays through a small meadow and up to the top of a small bluff. Hole 4 plays what you think is a short run, but 50 feet off the pad is a river, completely not visible from the tee. Hole 5 plays down a stretch of the same river and over a ridge. freaking sweet.
Baskets-- Orange powdercoated DGA's. Awesomely visible in the thick woods.
Routing and navigation-- easy, next hole arrows make this course a snap to follow.
Upkeep-- We pulled up at the same time as a "caretaker" and she let us know that there were major plans to add another 9 to round out the 18. plans to bring in a ton of woodchips and dirt to help with the swampy areas. She was actively raking (and kinda following us) as we played the first few holes.
Cons:
Uncontrollables-- for now, the course is on very low land and therefore swampy. This is not a major cause for concern. Of more concern is the mosquitoes... which also wear blaze orange and all have CCW's.
Amenities-- also something I'm sure will come. Benches and garbage cans would be nice.
Other Thoughts:
Really minor complaints on this course. Overall, very very impressed with the work done so far.