Pros:
+ Easy to navigate with the exception of hole 7/18's tee placement
+ Because the course wraps counterclockwise, it is a good place for RHBH and straight shots
+ Surprisingly the teepads are all intact
+ New course sign and tee markers
+ 18 full holes to play between Sanford and Freeland, so a good course to add in when playing either of those courses
+ Deliberate fairway designs with minimally rough OBs
+ Good parking and there's usually a portajohn on site
+ Open year round
Cons:
- Repetitive and unimaginative layout, not much variety
- Vandalism
- Flat, but not much you can do about that
- Buggy
- When it's muddy, it stays muddy for a long time
Other Thoughts:
Midland stepped up a little bit and revitalized this course with a new course sign and tee markers over the past year. It's a bit nicer now. This summer (2013) they did a good job with the addition of wood chips around the pins, though the grass hasn't been mowed since the spring (and it's August now). Disc golf can't be priority #1 for every parks department, though, and the important thing is that this is a decent 18-hole course in a good location. Overall, it's pretty typical. It slightly favors RHBH (like most others around) with longer hole lengths than Freeland, but it's more repetitive and I easily get bored here after hole 6. There are longer courses nearby, nicer ones, and all the nearby courses have better layout/design.
After a year of playing this course, I can easily say it's my least favorite course around. It's just a bit boring. It's also quite often trashed, unfortunately. The best part about Chippewa Banks, though, is that it's easy to navigate and a good place for RHBH beginners. The layout combined with the fact that the OB/rough areas are pretty forgiving make Midland a good stepping stone for new throwers from the easier but bigger course, Memorial Park in Frankenmuth to more challenging courses in the area (Sanford and Wickes Woods). Intermediate level throwers will appreciate a few of the better designed holes, but won't find much of a challenge and will likely get bored.
Thanks for reading!