+ Easy to find in a great location on awesome landscape
+ Two tees (blue and pink) each with a perfect sign
+ Two painted DGA baskets for each hole (blue and pink)
+ Four course layouts
+ Least confusing two pin/two tee course I've played
+ The entire course was put together without any component missing
+ Innova flag on the blue baskets for visibility
+ Very challenging blue tee - blue pin layout
+ Surprisingly diverse hole layouts for a ski hill
+ Directional arrows are plentiful and essential
+ The sheer size of the course, wow, *elevation*
+ Spectacular views
+ Bonus! CTP throw was as huge as possible
+ Practice basket
+ Well-defined OB
+ Each hole had a defined line to hit or was long enough to present a challenge
+ Ski hill course = wind and sun

- Carpet tee pads
- #10's blue tee could use some love or a cement tee

Three other intermediate level throwers and I threw blue-blue on this course on a 93+ degree July Saturday around 11:30-2:30pm. We were prepared for the size of the course, though, so none of us felt overwhelmed by the size or elevation. I think much of someone's experience here will depend on their preparation and expectations. Prepare for walking up and down a ski hill 3-4 times (possibly more depending on how you throw). Expect a great, fulfilling workout. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. Bring lots of water. You will deserve a good meal after playing this monster. If you like being outdoors, spectacular views, and AMAZING disc golf, you will love Carly's Playground.

The course's very thoughtful design warrants some more details. The front nine were moderately wooded, actually more so than I expected from a ski hill course. And now that I think of it, the back nine has a few holes that put trees in play in strategic ways that kept us from getting bored, too. We also never got lost. Even when we couldn't see the pins, we still knew where they were, so we didn't have to walk ahead too much (sometimes that's just necessary, even if it's uphill unfortunately). The fact that the navigation was easy is very important in my opinion because courses with two tees and two pins naturally have the potential to be confusing. But the blue and pink color coordination was great, the tee signs were accurate and detailed, and the directional signs were perfect and essential. Hole 10 is next to the parking lot, so you get a little break between the big hikes. The carpet tee pads weren't great, however, but I personally only remember them being annoying once (hole #10's tee pad was a little janky). It would be awesome if the tees that don't need to be moved during the off-season could be cement. That being said, even though they could be annoying, this is a seasonal course and I don't think this course could get any better.

We loved the course and the whole experience. It was a very fulfilling round to say the least. Rarely did I walk up to the tee pad and know exactly what to throw due to the elevation changes and wind. I hate using the word "epic", but the course is memorable enough to say it is exactly that. We all felt worked out and beaten down in the best way when we hiked back up to the car after finding our CTP discs. It was honestly one of the best disc golf experiences any of us had ever had.

We managed to fit in one other course the day we played Carly's (our original plan was for two more rounds), and that was Herman Park in Suttons Bay (3/5). We were skeptical, but that course was the perfect compliment to Carly's - a good mix of water and woods on flat ground when all the other nearby worthwhile courses are very hilly. We had already played Hickory Hills (4/5) the day before, and we ended up playing Myles Kimmerly (4.5/5) the day after. Check all four courses out for an amazing up north weekend!

Thanks for reading!

Aesthetic--beautiful property for disc golf. plays up and down two ski hills, through woods and down access trails. A truly wonderful experience.

Signage/Routing--Not only is the signage good, it's EXCELLENT. There are two tees and two pins (pink/blue) for each hole. on the blue signs it shows distance to both the blue and pink pins and the same on the pink. so between the two tees, all four lengths are very evident!! accurate distances, bright, colorful signs with accurate representations of the blind holes. "Next hole" signs are abundant and lead you to the next tee.

Physicality--this course will challenge your physical fitness. playing up two ski hills and down two ski hills will challenge everything. This is Hickory Hills x2-3 as far as physicality.

--Variety/Risk v Reward--Water, uphill, downhill, bombs, shorties through the woods, blind holes, tunnels, there's a little bit of everything here. You are encouraged to play safely here but it's nowhere near as fun!! Throw dammit!!

Special Mention--
--CTP hole--650 ft straight down a high speed ski run... Awesome way to air your arm out at the end of the round...Instructions tell you to pick your disc up after 17/18
--#18--500' down an access trail through a tree tunnel on both sides...Sources saying a Gold Tee/Pin will be added here to bring the total length to 700+feet...awesome finishing hole.
--multiple tees/pins--for west michigan, this is a foreign concept... for Carly's, this makes it four courses in one! different looks and different lines, shouldn't ever get bored!!

--Carpet pads--though they are relatively level, these would/could be bad if it's wet. locals have tended to marked where there is a stump in the middle of the teepad (#5 or 6 I believe)

--walk back to parking--it's a long uphill battle, but in the end, what can you do?


EDIT: in my initial review, I downgraded a half a disc for carpet pads, I now don't believe this is a major detractor at all. having played 3 of the 4 layouts now, I have no issue with the carpet pads.

A great great course for a great great cause. Remembering Carly and hearing about her on the news is/was heartbreaking This course is a great representation of her memory (as far as disc golf goes). each sign features pictures of Carly and her friends and family. Thank you city of Traverse City for this special gift!!

edit: just played for the first time in 2013, this course is easily in the top three courses that I've played and most definitely the best new course I played last year...I recently played in a two round tournament and got to play pink to pink. I believe that having four layouts here not only encourages new players to play disc golf, but challenges pro level players with the blue to blue layout. best of the best indeed.

New Innova Flags on all the blue Baskets. Beautiful land with many views! A Pro and Am course running side by side but with 2 Baskets and dual Tee's on each hole make this a 4 course combo. The custom Carly pink baskets jump out of the hills!

Designed by 3 Time world Champion Gregg Hosfeld with the help of many many local volunteers to offer something for everyone.

Some big climbs but worth the view. Many locals like the set up with hole 1 and 10 starting of either side of the lodge offers a halfway break. To escape a second hilly walk and still get 18 holes in a shorter amount of time some of the players will play both baskets from one of the Tee's. Speaking of Tee's, no concrete yet. However, all carpet is staked down and time went into providing a nice level surface. The carpet tee pads are not bad at all. Course is seasonal and will be pulled in mid November.

New signage, Each sign features a different full color graphics @ a picture of Carly Jean Lewis in her memory. A gift to her school, friends, and community. For more information about Carly's Playground go to cjlplayground.com or visit Carlys Playground @ Mt Holiday on Facebook.

It is our hope this course will evolve to become one of the best in Michigan over time as steady improvements and beautification continue. Similar courses that come to mind is Flip City and Hickory Hills.