Pros:
Ellis Park is a decent little 9-hole course, with a good mix of open and wooded holes. Not an overly challenging course, but will need to throw good shots to get your 2s.
- Course flows throughout the entire park, starting in the back left corner, before heading to the far right side of the park (#7), before making its way back. Perhaps a bit too much walking/space between some holes, but I give them credit for spreading things out to create 9 decent holes.
- Very beginner friendly. Longest hole is 334 feet, and its wide open. The only potential risk is the tall, barbed-wire fence that runs along #1. Any shot that goes high and sails over the fence will be difficult to get back.
- Every hole has a tee sign and markers. Neither is anything special, but not a lot is needed. Grass/dirt teepads work because ground is level.
- Nice little park with lots of other amenities: ball fields, playground, walking trail. Concession stand is open during games.
- Very nice map. With the course so spread out, it comes in handy.
Cons:
No major problems with the course. It's meant to be a simple course, and it accomplishes that nicely. That said, only a couple of issues with the course.
- While it's good that the course plays throughout the park, it actually interferes with other parts of the park. For example, the basket for #4 is in the middle of horseshoe pits, baskets for #3, 7 & 9 all play close to the ball fields, basket for #6 is along side parking lot, and #8 plays close to playground. #1 is the only hole that is completely isolated. If other parts of park are occupied, some holes may not be playable.
- Along those lines, be careful when throwing. Several holes are along walking paths, plus with others near playgrounds, ball fields, kids can suddenly appear. I had to deal with this when I played.
- As stated above, the fence along #1 could pose a lost disc threat. Fence is at least 10 feet tall, so any decent player should have no problem keeping a shot low. This may a hole you loan a junk disc to a newbie.
Other Thoughts:
I appreciate when even a below-average course is well maintained. Just because it's not the most difficult course, nor tries to be, doesn't mean it can't be in good shape.
- No truly great holes, nor any truly bad holes. What you see is what you get with this course.
- I actually like the feel of #1, with the fence running along the entire left side of fairway. It's a different look from anything I've seen, and it allows you to be creative, if you want to throw a rebound shot of the chains.
- It's pretty far out of the way, 15 minutes off I-85, on the far side of downtown Salisbury. So you either have to be really determined to play here, or wanting to add this to your courses played list.