Pros:
Lago Verona was a simplistic, yet surprisingly enjoyable layout. When all else fails, just add water.
- Water comes into play on five holes (#1, 2, 6, 7, & 8). For whoever thinks water comes into play on #9, yeah, it's time to go back to the practice field.
- #1 is a fun, simple throwing over the edge of the lake layout. It's maybe 180 feet to clear the water so it's more of a scenic throw than anything else.
- #2 and 7 are the two toughest water shots on the course. Both tee off along the edge of the lake. #2 is a right to left, uphill sloped shot. Hit the ground at the wrong angle and your disc is running back downhill straight to the lake. #7 has lake running the entire left side of this 281 foot hole and thick rough (and a steep drop-off) on the right side. Keep it straight and go long, and you're ok.
- #4 & 5 play in a section away from the lake. Both incorporate trees and multiple lanes to play your shots.
- Big risk/reward factors on the lake holes. Play safe and throw away from the lake, settling for par 3s, or go for your birdies? If you're a bagger, and you're not wanting to lose a disc, you'll probably be boring. If you actually have something to play for, and are willing to sacrifice a disc or two, then let them rip.
- Longest hole is 281 feet - #7 – so plenty of chances to be aggressive and/or throw multiple tee shots on holes.
- Great views. The tee shots on #1 & 2 are great. The approach on #6 is excellent. The walk down the fairway on #7, looking over the lake to your left is outstanding.
Cons:
Course isn't always available. It's said the course is available later afternoons and later while school's in session. I'd venture to guess even during those times, there's going to be a lot of foot traffic, especially on nice days, that will impede you from playing portions of the course. Playing a couple days before Christmas, it wasn't an issue for me.
- The water giveth and the water taketh. Casuals will enjoy the locale until they throw their only disc into the lake or deep down the embankment on the right of #7. When your choices are a 6 or 12 pack or a new disc, frolf is taking a back seat.
- Signage isn't great. Without UDisc, you're not navigating the course. Most holes have brick pavers for the tees. Some are getting almost completely buried by the grass or dirt. Some had leaves covering them (Fall/Winter issue only). And other holes didn't have them at all. A couple arrows, even simple ones on the baskets would help.
- No amenities on the course itself. For students, it's a non-issue. For someone playing a 30 minute round, that should also be a non-issue.
- Course ends on a whimper. #9 was the least fun hole on the course. Simply moving every hole by one (#1 becomes 9, #2 becomes 1, etc.) means you're now ending on a water shot. That's better than trying to throw around the volleyball net.
Other Thoughts:
All in all, Lago Verona shows how you can make a decent quality course without much effort. Find a decent piece of land. Use all aspects of nature to your benefit: in this case water, trees, and (minimal) elevation.
- #3 works because, despite being short, it's an uphill shot with some low branches in play. #6 is an open, straight shot. It works because it's slightly downhill and you've got water beyond the basket. And a slight roll away factor if you go right.
- Some of the lanes I had in winter wouldn't be accessible when leaves are on trees in Spring & Summer.
- A couple of these holes would be outstanding if they were longer. If you combined #7 & 8 into one hole, it'd be fantastic. Are big arms going to try and cut the corner, throwing over the lake? Are you better throwing shorter tee shot, so you have a straighter second shot? The same would be the case merging #2 & 3 and #8 & 9.
- #2 is the best hole here. Again, do you take the safe route and go far right immediately off the tee? Do you try to hit that narrow gap and play a big skip? Do you throw over the water, waiting for your disc to sweep back to the right? What about a rollaway factor back to the lake? It's a relatively easy par 3. But it takes a quality tee shot around the trees to get to the basket.
- Take away the student traffic, and I'd enjoy playing here a lot. Make this your local 9-hole course and most of us would be pleased.
- This is an above average 9-holer due in large part to the fun factor. It's getting rated as such.