+ Quality tee signs, bright baskets and next arrows.
+ Brief completion time encourages multiple playthroughs.
+ Good use of available elevation.
+ Short distances for the beginners and birdie hunters, but...

- ...Short distances mean less challenge.
- All wide open with scarcely anything in the way.
-/+ Tee pads are just rubber mats bolted to the ground. They're flat, grippy and long, though.

I still find it kind of weird to review 9-hole courses because there is literally half of a conventional course here. Does that mean that we should take them half seriously and award half the rating? Should 2.5 be the highest rating a 9-hole course can possibly earn? Or do we all still use the 0 to 5 scale with the subconscious agreement that 9-hole courses are a different beast and held up to a different standard than 18-hole courses? Am I rating it too high? Too low? Am I meant to draw comparisons to 18-hole courses or just other 9-holers? ...And so on... I'm pretty sure that I'm one of the outnumbered nerds who gets bogged down thinking about this kind of thing. And the funny thing is that I have no problem reviewing courses with more than 18 holes. 24holes? Let me have it. 27holes? No sweat. But reviewing 9holes just feels strange to me, and now this paragraph has gone on long enough.

So, the 9-hole disc golf course at Central Park is a calm and pretty place to play. I thought hole9 looked particularly nice because of its gentle valley shape, with leaves changing for autumn on the left and a stand of pines on the right. The circuit of fairways installed here reminds me of a tutorial level in a video game. All of the challenges are plainly spelled out, and it's up to the player to attempt at their own pace. Hole7 is a nice example because it has a wide open fairway, so it's approachable, but there is an OB walking path far to the left just to introduce players to the concept of what OB means. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it and reviewing the pictures I took, there are a lot of OB areas because of all the walking paths in the park. Please keep that in mind before you throw. However, a seasoned player will barely notice, and a newbie likely won't end up in those places.

Special mention for hole4, though! That one was a nice surprise not only because of its satisfying uphill throw but also because of the basket's location. A bad putt has serious rollaway potential. That hole was my favorite because it felt like a true disc golfing challenge. Unlike hole2, which is a simple point-and-click fairway. Honestly, most of the holes here can be described that way, but at least there are some elevation challenges and a few trees to dodge along the way.


As far as 9-hole courses go, Central Park is a good entry point. Beginner-appropriate distances and terrain challenges will jump start the newcomer's interest in the sport and delight any experienced players. Not only that, but this is a pleasant and low-stakes area where you can bring the kids or go on an outdoor date, and everyone will enjoy themselves. Plus, it's well put together with its signage, baskets and nicely mowed fairways. The tee pads could use an upgrade, but it doesn't subtract from the experience. Well done, Central Park.