1) Beautiful course in a very small and unassuming town in Cottonwood Falls, KS. Multi-use park with several sports fields, multiple covered pavilions, on site restrooms, and even a really fun and creative tiny 9 hole course. Ample parking and even a stones throw from a Dollar General store if you forgot to pack something.

2) Another course in Dynamic Discs backyard with all the right course amenities, large 5' x 12' textured concrete tee pads, Red White and Blue Veteran baskets set atop large actual chunks of limestone stones), large full color tee signs with hole map and OB. Large and informational course map board. Super unique tee signs set into large lime stone rocks.

3) Wonderful variety of shot shapes employed here. Solid mix of elevation change, backhand/forehand lines, change of distances, open, semi-open, lightly wooded, to heavily wooded.

4) This course will test a variety of your underused skills and probably most of the discs in your bag (including those unused only in case of water discs). Some very unique hole designs given the property constraints and none feel forced.

5) Several holes with iconic pin placements that will get your group talking (6 and 13 for sure)

6) Signature holes a plenty, take your pick honestly. Brief rundown of memorable holes.
Hole #6 - A daunting up hill tunnel shot par 3 that replaces a normal fairway with a deep and wide creek with woods on both sides. You must expertly navigate this tunnel to a steep hillside covered in guardian trees to access the green. Not only is it beautiful, but it will test your nerves for sure.
Hole #8 - A seemingly easy short Par 4 that is an S shaped tunnel shot. You must land your tee shot in a very specific location or you will be scrambling through the dense woods. Your second shot is to a giant mound probably 25 feet above where you are throwing from, protected on all sides by giant guardian trees. Precise accuracy and touch required to land and stick this green.
Hole #9 - A true Ace Run for those with nerves of steel (and a disc retriever) This short downhill left to right low ceiling tunnel shot through the woods entices you to run the basket with a soft putter turnover. However, a mere 5-7 feet behind this basket the green drops off into a deep and wide creek. There is actually very little green near the basket to land a disc safely and most will play to a collection area 25-30 feet short left of the basket.
Hole #12 - For its uniqueness. On paper it is just a short tunnel shot Par 4, in person it is probably the scariest full hole on the course. You tee blind into a large shale outcropping roughly 10 feet over your head that runs the length of the tight fairway. Left is a huge drop off (this is a neat site because you can see the old erosion prevention tactics utilized in the 50's and 60's of burying old cars in the bank of creeks to prevent erosion. There are multiple cars dating back to the 30's along this hole). The right side is a wall of trees and the fairway is probably only 20 feet wide the entire length. This gauntlet of fear and tree kick pain only ends about 45 from the basket and you are greeted with several thick evergreens forcing you to shape a shot into a very fast green even if you had played the hole perfectly up to that point.
Hole #14 - The iconic Pyramid hole. It can be explained, it can be viewed on coverage, but nothing can prepare you for the feeling of being at the base of this mammoth pyramid in Kansas wind trying to figure out how to putt at this monstrosity. Over 25 feet in height, this tiered pyramid green presents you with a real problem. If I run this putt and miss, I've got the same putt again from the same distance on the other side. If I try and lay up, there is a real chance this disc rolls back down to my feet. If it's windy, there's a chance I've got a longer putt than I do now if I choose to run it or lay it up. It's brilliant in its cruelty. A massive American Flag flying high above the basket just adds to this holes aura. *Chefs kiss
Hole #18 - A 270 foot flat Ace Run Par 3 with a few trees to navigate isn't normally an iconic hole. However, this one is a hanging basket mounted to a giant rock wall. Left to the mercy of Kansas wind, this basket can and will move on you. While it has a small rock wall protecting you, OB lurks just mere feet away long, and there is a very real chance you could wrap your tee shot around the wall and have no putt despite being inside the bullseye.

7) I mentioned Hole #14 above, but it's one of those must take pictures at the top of, must take videos of my friends while they try and putt at this type holes. While the course scenery isn't anything to write home about, this hole is definitely one of the best I've played from a sheer design perspective.

8) Course design overachieves and goes WAY harder than a park course has any business going. If it weren't for the space/land constraints I'm certain they could have made this a Pro Tour use course for the DDO (as is, I believe it's mostly used for MP40 and MA2 and MA3).

9) Course starts you off slow and flat with some lines to hit but nothing crazy, then turns it up to 11 for the wooded section, before mellowing out some down the stretch. A great bell curve to warm you up, demand perfection, then slowly ease you down on your way into the clubhouse.

10) Entire town seems to be knowledgeable and all-in on disc golf. Everyone we met either at the course, the camp grounds, out to dinner, or even shopping would see disc golf related gear we were wearing and approach us and talk disc golf and ask us about our experience in the area. It was a little awkward at first, but it became comfortable pretty quickly and just went to show how much Emporia and the surrounding townships have truly embraced disc golf and how much the community wants to make sure people enjoy themselves while they are visiting.

1) Course does play through a small low lying section that can make it unplayable after a heavy rain.

2) Some people will not like the large limestone rocks under the baskets because they can ding up your putters. I recommend working on your putting game instead of complaining about the rocks. lol

3) Potential for some lengthy backups if the course is in heavy use. There are a lot of unforgiving places to launch an errant throw that might require some time and effort to retrieve.

4) Not beginner/Novice friendly. I would recommend using the short 9 hole course on the property for them. This course has teeth and waits till after 5 holes in to show them. Don't let the flat nature and park setting of the first few holes fool you.

5) Not a super strong memorable finishing stretch following some very difficult iconic holes. More of a cramped for space result than anything. Not a huge knock, and the uniqueness of 18 makes up for it somewhat.

Must play when in the Emporia area. Located roughly dead center between downtown Emporia and Clover Cliff Ranch it is easily within driving distance and well worth the trip. This course uniquely requires shots you won't throw at most if not all of the other area courses. If you want something different, this course has it. While I wouldn't drive cross country just to play this single course, it would be in my top 5 must plays when visiting the Emporia area.

This course plays on the other side of the warmup 9 hole course. With 1 pin even on the other side of the rock wall from the little 9. This course offers a great variety of backhand/forehand and open wooded shots. Great mix of hole distances and will test your game in the best way possible. So many pros here from the pins with the red chase bands on them, to great tee signs and pads. Iconic pin placements inside of rocks and on hillsides. See hole 14 as it sits on a gigantic rock pyramid with a giant American flag in the pin! Hands down the greatest basket placement I've seen and most picture worthy. This was actually my favorite Kansas course I played and I can go on and on about how great these holes were designed and this place. Hole 5 is an epic downhill throw with a beautiful lame to pin

Hole 6 had a tree fall on the long pad and wasn't playable. Hole 6 is probably the worst hole on the course playing along a cliff and river bed. Newer players might wanna skip it. The wooded section is extremely muddy, be careful on hold 4 behind pin is huge drop off cliff

This is a must play in Kansas and is well marked out and defined. This combined with chase junior makes for great day of disc golf

-Great Baskets
-Restrooms
-Great use of the terrain
-Great tee boxes
-Very unique holes
-Portapotty on the backside

-Really my only complaint was the rocks under the baskets, however, they generally stopped my shots there so I kinda like them.

This course is a must play for me when I am in the area. This course will make you throw some shots that you aren't used to. Probably the best example of this is the pyramid hole. I mean, how often are you putting 15-20 feet up a stone pyramid?!

Wind is often a factor on holes 1-4, 10-18. The others are fairly wooded and don't really have too much wind, but it is KS so it does happen.

The rocks are awesome looking under the baskets, but yes, they will ding up your putters or any other base plastic disc. I didn't mind them too much as they were great backstops for my approaches.

The course winds around a creek with plenty of OB to raise that score. I was able to retrieve any of my errant throws, but I would imaging a disc that goes long on 9 would be rather hard to find from the bank.

All in all, this course is great and completely worth a play. If you need a warm up round, there is a junior/putter course in the middle that is a ton of fun to get that arm going.

Great baskets permanently and uniquely set into limestone anchors.
Tee pads upgraded from to long, concrete pads
Tee signs are a 5.0. Easy to read, understand. Very clear.

Design overachieves and creates a great course out of seemingly very little land. It does get a bit tight in a few areas, but even with a 90 person tournament it wasn't too much of a problem.

Could use some benches but I'm told they are coming.

Bonus items - starts flat, then goes 'nuclear' in the woods. Very significant water, elevation, tight lines.
Amazing pyramid green as mentioned elsewhere.
Improved hole 16 late spring 2017.
Limited RV connections. Restrooms, water available. City council / mayor are strong supporters of the course.

No cons regarding equipment.

Some foliage is still encroaching, but the course is still very green. It will get worked in with time.
No benches - yet.

Wooded holes are unplayable after significant rain.

Starts out fairly average, then goes nuts in the woods. Uses natural OBs (gravel, baseball fences) very well. Highly recommend going out of your way to play this one.

•Great mix of shots. You will want your full bag, because you never know what you're going to need.
•Awesome teepads, signs, and baskets.
• Well manicured
• Creative and fun layout

• Can be a bit messy, if not flooded, after a good rain
• Nearby Bathrooms are hit or miss

This course is flat out fun. Sure it's challenging, but in a way that demands respect for the course design.

Swopes Park didn't give me the first impression of an excellent course. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. By the time I was done playing the round, a healthy respect for the course had been instilled within me.

Initially upon entering the parking lot I saw the practice baskets and the first couple of holes, and it looked like it was jammed into a limited amount of room too near the park entry, playground, ball fields and streets.

This is the first course I have played with baskets from Dynamic, I liked them. There are concrete tee pads that are longer than I am used to, but maybe a little narrower too. The tee signs and directional signs are very good, and in the right spots. Navigation of the layout is not hard to follow. I thought the large rocks that anchor many of the baskets, display the tee signs, and make up the tiers of the pyramid on 14 were very cool.

There are multiple practice baskets with white rims, and a large tractor tire mounted in front of one, that mimics the old football throwing accuracy practice method. I thought that was cool and original. A few trash cans along the way, and bathrooms on site.

The first few holes are ok, but they all offer very similar looks, with flat terrain with a few trees, and the main challenge is to fight the wind and stay in bounds. Don't get me wrong, they can get you for some extra shots if you aren't on point (they got me for a penalty and some two putt bogeys). But once you make the turn into the woods at hole 5 it gets a lot better fast.

You will begin to see the elevation changes, tee shots over water, and heavy woods with limbs taking up a lot of airspace. 5 eases you into the chaos, then 6 slaps you in the face with a gnarly look off the tee. There is a short run to the edge of the stream, and then a good stretch over the water, with steep banks to the left and heavy trees on the right. Pin is left side surrounded by mature trees. A layup to the leading edge of the water would be a good strategy, as it is a very difficult flex shot to drive over the water. You have a better shot to make par with less chance of a knock down or roll into the water. I tested my luck and payed with a bogey 5, but I stayed dry at least, but was lucky to cling to the edge of the hill on my second shot.

Hole 8 is another tough par 4 that has lots of branches and a funky fairway requiring great precision to hit and get any distance.

9 is a fun shorter hole downhill off the tee, through the trees to a pin that is protected by trees in front, and backed by water. I thought I nailed the drive, but it brushed a tiny limb deflected just far enough left to leave a big tree between me and the target on a 25 foot putt.

10 and 11 are back into the open spaces, giving you a chance to catch your breath before the perilous hole 12. It has a narrow fairway running along the ridge of a ravine to the left. Heavy trees line most of the right side. The ravine sits 15 feet under the fairway, and it is very steep, with some water, lots of trees, and a couple of antique automobiles. My drive was knocked down and went towards the ditch, but somehow clung to the edge halfway down. I was slipping and sliding down, grabbing for tree roots, and pushing a small landslide of dirt and one large rock that appeared to be a good foothold. Be careful on that sucker.

Another short relief on hole 13, and then you come to the monumental 14th hole. OB road to the left, and baseball field to the right, with the basket on top of a pyramid of massive slabs of rock that has to be close to 15' above the ground. A flag pole flies Old Glory at the pinnacle, a thing of beauty.

15 is a long par 3, and I went OB twice, to put one more dagger through my scorecard. My only birdie was on 16, I called my shot to the dog, and made the putt to salve to wounds, and finished with pars on 17 and 18.

Some buildings, base ball fields, and roads near holes that could be crowded if other events are going on. There appeared to be a function that day, and the parking lot was filling up fast as I played 17, with cars parked close to the fairway.

Mud might be bad after rain near the water, there was a little when I visited, but it was not a major issue.

Swope Park has enough really fun holes to garner my respect. Even the less challenging holes have OB all around usually. With the wind, they can still be really tough also.

Played here on a New Years weekend trip to Emporia, and I was really glad I did. It turned out to be one of the favorites of the 5 courses played. If you decide to check out the scene, don't overlook this one.

This course will fool you. The first four pins look so easy. They'll give you extra strokes, though.

The trick is to stay inbounds. All roads and the grass on the other side of the roads are OB and there are lots of roads.

After you navigate the first four pins you get the option of throwing through a tunnel, up a creek to the fifth pin. The alternate tee (the only alternate tee on the course) eliminates the need to throw up the creek and gets you out of the tunnel shot.

Then you go into pins six through nine. Six is one of the course's two par fours. You'll need every one of those throws. The first shot is to a gravel bar about 100' from the tee; then about 100' straight up the creek to a nice flat landing area (if you make it). All that remains then is to throw through the forest and up the bank to the basket. I've parred this pin once (I'm a senior grand master, the par got me pretty excited).

Then you progress to pin seven. You get to drive from an elevated tee, out of a small opening onto a narrow fairway with OB on the right and trees and brush on the left. Lovely. This pin has not been good to me.

Pin eight is in the woods and is the course's second par four. My first shot is a hyzer down the hill. If I make the corner then I'm looking up the hill at the pin set on a green about the size of an F-150 pickup's bed and surrounded by brush and trees. There is a small opening. Good luck! I have parred this pin but it usually costs me a bogey and a double is not unusual.

Number nine is doable. A nice elevated tee shot down to the creek with, again, a narrow fairway through the woods to a pin set on the bank of the creek. Go long and you're OB and probably wet. I've birdied this pin. Had to say that. I've also double bogeyed it.

Six through nine will rattle you. I've had the misfortune to have played it when it was wet. Lots of mud. It was much nicer after it dried out. Six through nine are unplayable when the river is flooding.

Take some deep breaths and go back across the creek for pin 10, a nice open shot across an open fairway to a few mature trees. The pin is up the hill out of the creek bottom.

Pin 11 is back across the same area you just covered to pin 10. There are some mature trees in the fairway. There are good lines to the pin, though.

Pin 12 is a beast. There's a high, long pile of old asphalt with trees growing out of it with a ditch on the left. The fairway is very narrow. I have started throwing to the right of the asphalt and trees and going around the whole mess. I have yet to par the pin. I imagine my strategy would be eliminated in tournament play. However, according to the pin map, going to the right is not OB.

13 has a mando which keeps you right. There's also an OB road. The pin is very parable (parrable?)

14 is the signature pin on the course. The pin sets on top of a huge stone pyramid. The pin is on an anhyzer line for my RHBH throw. The ball field is OB as is the road.

15 has a lot of road OB.

16 has a ditch to the left, other than that it's very birdieable.

17 has the same ditch on the left and a barn on the right. Very playable.

18 plays back into the park. Beware of the OB road behind the basket.

This course will test you. My best effort to date is a plus-seven. I will do better, I hope.

The only down side to this course is the flood problem. Take some insect repellent.