- great variety
- multiple pads
- good signage
- elevation changes

This is a great course, but I just wanted to add that people have a tendency to steal discs here. I played there once and had two discs stolen down fairway on the same day!

-- holes where always a good length
-- lots of fun obstacles
-- never any long grass, so its easy to find discs
-- water comes into play but you only have to worry on hole 2
--all around fun course
-- people bring thair dogs!

-- to go at 2:30 to 6:30 its gona be crowded
-- i think theirs a league on mondays
-- everyonce n awhile i find some people smokeing the magic tobbacoo openly, people please smoke it before or after your game.
-- i wached as a dog ran up and stole some guys disc, the guy was kinda mad but got it back(most of it).

--people complane about fallin trees, but i did not notice them at first, they are just more obstacles.
-- seriously! do you have to smoke the magic tobbacoo while playing, a lot of time i bring family.

Great concrete tee pads
Baskets are quite solid
Great variety of long and short holes.
Excellent variety of tight wooded holes and wide open holes.
Signature hole three is and absolute stunner
Course plays more challenging than most courses
Layout design uses the overall size of the park well
Dual tees are a nice touch
Water comes into play on a few holes

Lots of navigation problems
1/3 of tee signs when I played were stolen.
Numerous downed trees in the forest
Vandalism issues, graffiti, trash
most of the second tees are relatively unimaginative, they don't really create a new shot or change the hole, they're just a bit shorter.

This course left an unfortunate bad taste in my mouth, playing the course for the first time without a guide was definitely a huge mistake. There is no indication of where the first tee is from the parking lot, having course maps would be a huge improvement. Some of the walkouts are completely unmarked and I needed the help of some kind park walkers several times. Part of this problem comes from the 6 or 7 tee signs that have been torn down. Honestly the course design warrants a 4 star review but my round felt more like a 3, I'll give the course a 3.5 because playing it again with others would've improved the experience greatly.

This is a excellent course with tons of shot variation, elevation changes, and gorgeous scenery. The designer of the course definetly used the land to its full potential. There are cement tee boxes on every hole, many with both pro and am tees and most of the holes have signs. Players of all skill levels will have a good time.

If it rains, some of the holes have a tendency to be very muddy. All together, the only reason this course is a 4-disc instead of 5 is due to the maintenance of the course. There are downed trees, grafitti, and some missing signs for the holes. As much as I would prefer not to pay for a course, this one could definetly use the money to keep up the course. Trust me, it would be worth it.

The bugs aren't that bad so the Cutter and OFF! aren't really necessary. Make a whole afternoon of the course and bring some lunch. Also, this course has a tendency to be very busy during the peak times on the weekend and during the afternoon times during the week so have some patience. Most people are pretty cool about letting you play through if you are fast though.

Offers great disc play and a fun, well balanced round. Quite the complete course with all types of holes offering exceptional shot variety: several wooded holes, a few long and open fairways where you can really let'em rip, a few ace runs, uphill shots, downhill shots, fairways that bend right, others to the left, some go straight. Several greens on or near slopes can make you pay with a nasty roll if your putt/approach goes too far or misses to the wrong side (#2, #14, #16, #17). Many holes offer a few different lines, and a couple are suitable for a tomahawk or thumber if that's in your bag. Hard to believe this much shot variety in only 18 holes.

Signature hole is a beauty: 700 ft + from atop a large hill (maybe 40ft?) where wind often comes into play. Wide fairway can be somewhat forgiving, but if your drive gets away from you to L or R, you could end up with a lousy lie behind some trees or in some brush, with another 400-500 ft between you and the basket. River runs about 20 ft or so behind pin, so long approaches can fly or roll in. One of my very favorite holes anywhere in terms of being "extremely inviting to play."

Wonderfully laid out, with #9's basket near tee #1. Easy to play 9 or 18, or even start out at # 13, and come back to play 1-12 if the front part of the course is filled up when you arrive. Dual concrete tee pads on many holes.

Course is aging like a drug addicted rock star that used to be a headline act, but now screams silently for help. Vandalism, erosion, ashborer, storms and lack of maintenance have combined to create a situation where this course can never be any better than in fair condition. This once phenomenal course can only be considered very good at best today.

Nasty storms and ash borer have claimed numerous trees, several of which still block 9's fairway (not accessible with a cart at all) and hamper the return on 4.

Erosion is a problem on 5's short tee, as well as the pins on 14 and 17, and has all but claimed hole 2... I can't even describe how the basket is staying up, but it quite literally is no longer "in" the ground.

15's basket is only about 18 inches off the ground, and 2's is hanging on for dear life and about to tip over.

Cassholes have treated this course very, very badly, and it's hard to play a round without getting stuck behind a group of chuckers who couldn't care less if people are waiting behind them... and a lot worse. Even the fairly new tee markers have been grafilthied.

Once upon a time, each hole had great signage with each hole creatively and appropriately named, but vandals destroyed those long ago. Given the area's economy, I don't expect any government agency to step up cleaning efforts or refurbish a blessed thing.

Traffic can be heavy during peak hours, so you may need to be very patient on evenings and weekends. But during week days, it's not too bad.

If not for the ongoing efforts of wonderfully friendly non-playing local named Jerry, this place would be loaded with beverage containers.

When pristine, I'd have rated this course a 4.5, but sadly, it's simply too run down to merit such a rating in it's current state.

Updated 9/5/10: Even more trees have been lost to storms and what I'm guessing is ash borer. Several trees have been recently cut down to the right of the tee on on hole 12 (Swamp Monster) which make the tee shot quite a bit easier.

Updated 8/7/13: Erosion issues, broken baskets, and condition of some fairways. This once vibrant course is slowly sinking into an abyss from which it will likely never return.

Challenging course.
Excellent mix of long open holes and short technichal holes.
Course varies from thickly wooded to very open.
Overall one of the best designed courses in Michigan.

Almost always very, very crowded.
Seems to lack the disc golf etiquette found on most courses.

Pay to play would be a great addition here, but not sure if that is feasible in Hines Park. Overall an excellent course just be prepared to wait.

-dual cement tees
-good variation between long, open holes and shorter wooded holes
-fun elevation changes
-great use of space in the park
-there are ace run holes that you can just as easily take a 4 on if you don't hit your lines
-a few elevated tees on open holes for those that have big arms and like to crush
-just as many short, finesse holes for those that like to work their discs
-decently descriptive tee signs, but they are rather simplistic
-fencing used to protect trees that get hit often

-park is not as well kept as it could be (lots of trash and bottles just laying around on the wooded holes)
-if you play on a weekend expect to come across some backups on the longer holes because there are large groups of teens that play and don't generally think about the courtesy of letting faster groups play through
-some of the tee signs have been stolen or have graffiti on them
-after a hard rain many of the wooded holes will become VERY muddy due to the fact that there isn't any underbrush to soak the water out of the ground

overall this is a very nice course that's definitely worth visiting. the largest problem with it is the fact that while the park as a whole is kept up pretty well, the disc golf course gets forgotten about when cleaning time comes. but this course has a hole for everyone and i know that you'll enjoy yourself if you go out of your way to visit it

This course is amazing. It is the best of all I have been too. It is very challenging as there is a wide variety of terrain- from long wide open hole, to holes that are consumed with trees to holes that have streams or rivers that traverse them. The best part is that it is free. You dont have to pay an enterance fee or a fee to play. It is not like any of those soft courses where the hole may curve and bend while being surrounded by fields. This has rolling hills, tight passages, and many many trees. it is truely a test of accuracy and skill.

There is vanadalism on all of the course signs as well on every park bench. Also it gets very crowded on weekday afternoons and weekends. I recomend going in the morning or early afternoon.

Overall it is a great course to go to. There are some fallen down trees on holes 9 and 11 but it oonly makes it more interesting and challenging. I think it makes it better. Finally, there is a gr8 ice cream place just down the road off of 7 mile.

Free
Good for all levels of ability

Trash: some of the holes are littered with it
Signs missing

Try to hit this course in the morning to beat the crowds. For a free course, it isn't bad, just ignore the trash.

Great course with mixed short and long holes. Hole #3 is by far my favorite, with its high elevation, wind is a factor on this hole most of the time, with a water hazard near the basket, don't over throw or you might have to get wet to get your disc. Hole #10 "Knock On Wood" is a very challenging and rewarding hole, if you can get though the very tight tree's on this hole. Hole #15 is a very steep downhill hole that will always have you wanting to throw a second disc to try to ace this hole. The 18th hole called "The Final Insult" is a long dog leg right that is always fun to play. I have been playing this course for quite a while, and I always keep comming back.

Graffiti, and trash are getting a bit out of hand at this course, lots of bottle poachers dumping trash cans out and not picking up after themselves. Lots of tree's have fallen onto the fairways and have yet to be cleaned up, especially hole #6. Very high traffic at peak play times.

I really wish people wouldn't trash this course, if your up for it, bring a garbage bag and chip in on cleaning up this course. I recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds, 8am is preferred, park starts to get really active after 10am, from lots of casual players.

Cass Benton has a great variety of holes. 6 hole in the open and mostly wooded holes create a challenge. Lots of shade, and benches provided for those days which you are waiting in line to tee off. Signs on most hole to make navigation a bit easier. Cement tee pads, Pro and Am tees on most holes, and Chainstar baskets.

The crowds at peak hours can be unbearable. Lots of people around the course causing a ruckus can sometimes get frusurating. Lots of vanalisim on every sign and bench, even the big rocks around the course have some spray paint on them. Over flowing garbage cans all around the park Make it a bit trashy. Over the years many trees have come down throughout the woods due to natural and un-natural errosion. Path between 4 and 5 could use some trimming.

This course was an extremley awesome course when it was first built but has slowly gone down hill over the years. Tons of traffic, seems to be really taking its toll on the course.

Found some people sleeping in a tent with their dog, next to a smoldering fire the other morning on the tee pad for Hole 11 the other morning. Whats that all about.

If you see people breaking down trees or vandalizing the course don't be affraid to call them out on it. It is a very nice course to have in this area and if we keep abusing it they might take it away.

Great variation on every hole. Best hole is hole #3, beginning on a huge hill and ending with a tough approach against the river. I freaking love this course!! Every hole offers something different. Open fields, heavy woods, a creek, elevation changes (which is damn near impossible to find in the greater Detroit area). Concrete tees on every hole, pro and am tees for most, signs marked though vandalized. A MUST PLAY IN THE METRO AREA!!!!!

If it has rained in the past few days, don't wear shoes. Every hole is muddy. A few paths between holes have been blocked due to downed trees. A few blind holes. Course can be extremely busy during peak times/seasons, but well worth the wait.

****UPDATE****
I've had to drop this down a peg from my original 4 start rating. I've been a bit of a homer on this review, because this is where I fell in love with the game. But the more courses I play, the more I realize this ranking doesn't hold up. This course, while still challenging and unique, has simply lost its luster. It isn't kept up; every time I play there is another rash of fallen trees, the lines have further grown in, and there is more vandalism to the course. Each time I play I feel like there are more holes in which I walk up to the tee and think, "this hole is a pain in the ass." So I've adjusted my ranking accordingly.

***2013 UPDATE***
New wooded posts w/hole number have been dropped in but of course some already have graffiti on them. Looks like some of the baskets have been spray painted as well, improving their visibility. It's a start, but not enough to get this course back to its former glory. Still one of my favourites.

Variety- This course has very good elevation, good variation in hole length ranging from under 250 ft to over 700 ft, open and wooded shots, water, and great scenery.

Good Park- no entry fee, lots of parking (although it does fill up at later times on most days), dual cement tee pads, and somewhat clean.

Good location- only about a five minute drive from 275 depending on traffic.

Mud- beware of the mud... not a good place to go early in the spring or after a good rainstorm. Holes 3 and 5 can get especially muddy.

Overcrowded- the best times to go are early in the morning (like before 12 pm) or not at all. Seems like kids are either skipping school more often now or people don't have jobs because the casual players start filling the place up in the early afternoons now. There really can be groups of 10+ people that make things frustratingly slow.

Cass Benton is a great place if you think you are a professional or going for your first time. The long tees offer a challenge in both distance and accuracy. The shorts are less demanding but will teach the beginners to think twice about going for it on some holes, risking an errant first drive. Either way, the course is both physically and visually appeasing.

Very nice elevations. Nice Pro and Armature tees. Nice mix of woods and open holes. Garbage cans on some holes. Nice location. Good Park. The best in the area.

Many of the signs are broken or missing. Quite a bit of mud after the rain and during the wet season. Make sure to bring a change of shoes, you will get muddy. Even though there are garbage cans scattered through out the course people still manage to throw their trash on the ground. Hole 3 has a tendency to eat disc due to the river that runs on the left side.

I know you didn't put it there, however if you see some garbage laying on the ground pick it up and throw it away. Let's keep our parks clean and the environment safe. We all can play a role in preserving this sport

BearWolf

Very challenging, mostly wooded course. Does have some beautiful open holes thrown in as well. Parks nearby for the children, with pavilions and grills nearby for making a day of it.

Very popular course, which is not all-in-all bad it's just that the course can get backed up sometimes with too many people waiting to throw. Also - and I mean this - a few of the holes do not drain very well after the winter or a good rain, and they will get VERY muddy. Finally, there is really very little maintenance done on the course - other than mowing the grass - so some of the paths, and even a fairway or two, are crossed by fallen trees and tangled undergrowth.

I always feel at home on this course, and I think this course is directly responsible for vastly improving my game. Plus, it's free!!

Excellent mix of holes with good amount of elevation changes coming into play. Pro Tees provide a challenging but fun alternative for even lower skill levels.
Beautiful area!

Course is clean and well manicured with defined fairways on every hole. There a lot of short holes to lower your score, but also a number of wide fairways to rip long drives.

One of the top 10 in the Detroit area. A tradtional "metro park" type course without having to pay.

None to speak of as far as I'm concerned. Hole 14 "lizards folly" is a bit tough to score well on from the pro tees..

Two stores close to park sell large amount lof discs. Lots of Discraft plastic.

UPDATE - Course has had many trees cut down or struck down by lighting. It has become a little more rough around the edges. Trees are across the fairways in some cases as well as walkways. Still a great play.

very good holes, most holes have signs, wide range of challenges from trees (lots of trees) to blind holes, lots of people selling used discs in the summer

gets very muddy, may be difficult to navigate

hole 3 is super long even longer from pro so let her rip! hole 15 is a down hill rush to a super low to the ground pin lots of fun

This course has everything you could ever ask for shot wise. There are some outstanding elevation changes for se michigan. Hole three is an awesome shot to see where your arm is at with distance from the pro tee. Starting around hole six there are great tight wooded shots that not only put your accuracy to the test, but also offer a wide variety of options. There are several approaches to take which always makes it fun to switch up your strategy each time you play the course. The holes all have cool names which make them unique and easier to remember. Concrete teepads still are in decent condition and they did not remove any of the baskets this year for sledding.

When the weather is nice this is not always a great course to come to due to traffic. I have seen multiple groups of OVER 10 people in the same day. A lot of the time they don't even want to let you play through. Very frustrating since I always try to be friendly to others on the course. A lot of the cool signs for the holes are gone or vandalized with marker. Trash and glass seem to build up here fast. After the snow melted there was quite a few broken sleds littering the fairways on the elevated holes.

Free parking and free to play. You have to walk past hole 11 to get to nine. After nine and ten go back to the same path up the hill to 11's tees. Holes 13-18 are across the parking lot near the playground. Bring water and bugspray in the summer.....and a hackiesack to pass time waiting to tee off.

Hole Variety/Course Layout--
Most people will like this course, all types of shots from short technical to long and open! A couple of the technical holes will be overwellming to typical "Big arms". Cass Benton also has some of the best elevation in southeast, MI!

Course Navigation--
You can print out a map but its easy to follow. It has mostly good signs but a few are covered up.

Course Maintenance--
Alot of broken glass and overflowing trash cans, not much maintenance is done at this park.

Traffic--
To me, the course design itself is a 4.0 rating. But the traffic hold ups are so bad here that it makes it a 3.5. There are times where ive been held up at EVERY hole for about 10+ min.

--Very muddy on wet days

Hazards--
Pretty hard to lose a disc but its for sure possible, water in play on 1 or 2 holes. Rough can be thick but not that bad (only bad on a few holes).

Tee Pads--
Normal concrete tee pads, both am and pro tees.

Cement pads,most holes have pro & am tees some really change the hole,great variety of open & wooded holes some easy birdies and others long and wide open, lots of elevation changes,can start from several holes to avoid waiting,not uncommon to see very good players here like Geoff Bennett and other great discers willing to give tips, league play on mondays around 5 with Pro-Am matchups,bathrooms not too far away, water in play on hole #3 by basket, lots of fun and challenging,

Usually busy,lots of casual players,vandals have destroyed most of the signs,some pathways littered with broken glass,lack of available parking at times,fall 08 many trees down over paths/fairways not well maintained, for newcomers there is some fairways that are close to each other #17 & #14 and I see a lot of drives from #3 flying at hole # 4 & #5 tee pads so be aware...I saw someone get hit in the head on tee #5 and it was ugly, litter around garbage cans, not uncommon to see people walking across #3 fairway not knowing their on a DGC or not caring,

STOP BRINGING GLASS TO CASS!!!
Course is pretty long and usually busy bring water,as of 11/22/08 no baskets have been pulled for sledding