Pros:
The $3.00 fee for a full day of play is a great value. There's an 850' elevated driving range just beyond the putting basket and to the right of the first hole. The concrete pads are ample in size and have a grippy surface. New DISCatcher 28s are in great shape. Despite some higher grasses & weeds off of the fairways, an errant disc is usually fairly easy to find.
Several multi-shot holes. A few offer scoring opportunities for smart course management.
Good use of topography. Some elevated tees that allow for long glide. The disc golf area is exclusive to disc golf and does not provide many opportunities to throw on to the golf course. The course was fairly well-signed and easy enough to find the next tee. Nice looking tee signs.
Cons:
There were no course maps available... going into a tournament. Limited disc selection available in the clubhouse. Maybe 40 total.
It is a 1200' walk from the clubhouse to the 1st tee, which is tucked away behind the maintenance area. Golf carts are NOT allowed in the disc golf area due to the high # of cactus on the course, which is probably best, given the high percentage of disc golfers that abuse the privilege of having a cart. Coolers are also frowned upon. Both would be a welcomed addition to the experience, given how hot this course can get mid-day.
As of May of 2014, it is said that Bowden dgc is the 2nd longest course in the country (perhaps world). Either way, this course CLEARLY sends one message... "Distance = Championship Golf".
A player incapable of a 450'-500' throw is at a distinct disadvantage on well over half of the holes, many of which can be reached by a massive hyzer bomb around the trees on the fairway, that the less gifted thrower must throw UNDER to have any chance at a birdie or par. Unfortunately, several of the fairways required LOW branch trimming in order to provide reasonable & equitable lines. The less power a thrower had, the more evident this oversight became. (In particular, holes #4A, 8 & 17A)
I believe there are only 5 holes with shorter tees. No water hazards.
The course is roughly two years old, but still has many of the issues that are usually associated with a brand NEW course, but are often forgiven because we understand that the designer/builder just hasn't gotten to them yet.
One of my biggest pet peeves with course maintenance is piling up the fairway trimmings directly behind the basket, just off the fairway...or even IN the fairway. ALL of which I noticed more than a few times. This was the site of the 2014 GA State Championships, but, in my opinion, the course was NOWHERE near properly prepared for tournament play, let alone a State Title event. No age divisional play was offered.
With a 500'+ par 3, many of the par ratings are skewed heavily to the power thrower, and all-but-impossible to birdie, making them 'tweeners' for 95% of the field. Many of the longer "A" positions are too long for par 3 or 4s and too short for par 4s & 5s.
Restrooms etc located at the club-house but nothing on or near the course.
I don't know if it's a bar or lounge or restaurant, but JT's Dawghouse didn't seem to have air conditioning. On a 90+ degree day, it was missed.
Oh, and once you get home, don't forget to get nekkid and check yourself for ticks. If you're in a relationship, perhaps this should be listed in the 'Pros' section.
Other Thoughts:
All in all, it's still a fun course to play, but not an equitable course for tournament play, especially when not offering age-protected divisions.