Brand new baskets in a well maintained park. Several of the new holes provide for a welcomed challenge from the previous layout (see detailed hole description below).

While I totally understand the reasoning for changing the hole numbering for holes 7, 8 & 9 (course flow - so you can still start and end at the parking lot) it kind of leaves you with a feeling of despair. There are plenty of courses where the front 9 holes are more beginner friendly, then the back 9 are more challenging thus providing the option of either playing the 9 "easier" holes or the 9 "challenging" holes. This is not the case with the new Ellis Park layout. What they have done is given you 6 starting holes at a Rec. level (at best), then hit you with holes 7-15 that require a totally different skill set, then take you back on the Rec. course for holes 16-18 leaving you with the same feeling you had when playing the old layout. I feel that the quality of some of the new holes are tarnished by the lack-luster original 9 holes (holes 1-6 & 16-18). I think a complete redesign of the original 9 holes would have made a huge difference, but I understand that might not have been possible. The lack of tee pads becomes even more of a con with the additional holes. Some are very difficult to find. I never found the tee for hole #12 (I have since discovered it is to the right of the basket for #11 on the far side of the small covered picnic area).

The new holes will have the same style tee signs as the previous layout (hole #, distance & par). A new map is in the works and I will upload it as soon as it becomes available. It is still best to park in the lot closest to first tee - it is to the left and behind the park office. The park office allegedly has starter sets available for around $20. I raised my rating because of the addition of the new holes. Some are actually pretty good, however, those original 9 holes will forever keep me from rating this any higher. I enjoyed playing the course and will come back but I still don't know how to categorize this course since it has multiple personality disorder. Do I recommend it to beginners? They will find the new holes too challenging. Do I recommend it to experienced players? They will find the original 9 holes too easy.


Detailed Hole Description:
Hole #1: Remains the same as original layout. A 10-15 foot fence topped with razor wire lines the left side of the fairway, so beware. The same fence is also behind the basket to the left. Hole plays slightly downhill to the right.

Hole #2: Remains the same as original layout. A short dogleg left hole in the opening just after the tree line. No danger here.

Hole #3: Remains the same as original layout. Hard to find a "good" route for this short hole, that said just pitch one up and pray since it is only 140ish feet. No real danger here either.

Hole #4: Remains the same as original layout. Another very short slight dogleg left hole. Beware of the horseshoe pits.

Hole #5: Remains the same as original layout. Open hole next to the tennis courts.

Hole #6: This hole is hard to find without a map. After finishing #5 go left and walk toward the small building. The tee is behind the building. There are some sort of bocce ball "courts" or something directly in front of the basket but I have never seen them in use. Hole plays fairly straight ahead.

Hole #7: To find the tee - walk across the street (beware of traffic as the speed limit is 45 mph on this road and people tend to add 10 or so mph to that). Look for the "Nature Trail" sign and walk down the gravel path - the tee will be on your left. This is the first of the new holes and is a dramatic difference from the 6 you just played. Hole plays dogleg right and there are a few good-sized landing zones mid fairway. Basket is in a pretty big clearing.

Hole #8: After finishing #7 go right and walk down the gravel road a good 200-300 feet, the tee will be on your left. Hole starts dogleg right (very similar to the previous hole) then makes a slight left downward turn to a tree-protected basket. Watch out for rollaways behind the basket if you want to par this hole.

Hole #9: After finishing #8 walk across the covered bridge and go left. The tee is behind the kudzu. Hole plays dead ahead. Easy par.

Hole #10: Tee is currently behind and to the left of the basket for #9. Hole plays over the gravel road and uphill, slight dogleg left. The hill is a little more steep than it looks.

Hole #11: After finishing #10 walk left in to the clearing. Allegedly there will be a mando (or so I've heard) but not sure which tree you have to stay left/right of. Basket is straight and slightly left of the tee.

Hole #12: After finishing #11 walk right and go toward the small covered picnic area to find the tee. Aim between the two large trees and the basket is dead ahead. Hole plays slightly downhill, then back up.

Hole #13: After finishing #12 go left in to the small clearing in the woods. Hole plays dogleg right down a very steep hill. If you play this hole after or during a good rain just "Pete Rose" slide headfirst down the hill because you will not stay on your feet and you might as well go down with style.

Hole #14: After finishing #13 go left to find the tee. Hole plays fairly straight ahead up a very steep hill. If you are lucky enough to park this hole I advise that you walk around and to the right of the fairway up the gravel path to get to the basket as the hill is pretty steep. However, since avoiding the two small trees in front of the tee is no easy task prepare to brave the hill.

Hole #15: Currently you have to go back out to the gravel road and walk a good 400-500 feet to get to the tee on the left. A trail will be cut from #14 basket to #15 tee in the near future. Hole plays dogleg right then left with fair landing zones along the way.

Hole #16: After finishing #15 walk back across the street and go right to find the tee for #16. Hole plays straight ahead, right side of fairway lined with trees, left side lined with softball fields. This hole might not be playable during a softball game so beware. This used to be hole #7 in the old layout.

Hole #17: After finishing #16 go left. Hole plays straight ahead, right side of fairway lined with barbed wire fence. This used to be hole #8 in the old layout.

Hole #18: After finishing #17 walk left and toward the parking lot. Tee is a little past the covered picnic area. Hole plays fairly straight ahead. Most will choose the anhyzer route (right handers) along the left side.