Pros:
- The Big 3: All boxes are checked here. Good Chainstar baskets, well executed metal signage, and new concrete pads on every hole. Based on previous reviews (and the look of the pads), I think the concrete pads are a new addition and very welcome to this course. It appears that the nice signage was a later addition as well.
- Amenities: I counted 6 benches total. A couple of these were very appreciated after long climbs uphill on the previous hole. A few more would be nice due to the elevation, but the current amount is definitely better than nothing. I counted 6 trash cans as well. Both benches and trash cans were fairly well distributed through the course.
- Alternate Pin Locations: I'd say there was an average of 3 pin locations for every hole on the course. I noticed a couple with 2 and a couple with 4. If these are rotated with any kind of frequency, this could make for very different rounds.
- Boulders: I wouldn't label this course as being very beautiful overall, but a few of the earlier holes (2,3,4) are stunning with large boulders. #3 features an elevated basket on top of a boulder. If you play Lemaster and only have time to get in a few holes here, I would certainly play 1-4 which can loop you back close to the car.
- Navigation: I remember this being fairly challenging the first time I played here. The addition of metal arrow next tee signs are a really great addition. Many courses could take note on how easy of an addition this is and how much it positively increases an experience.
Cons:
- Course Map: While there was a kiosk, there was no course map available. The new directional arrows help tremendously, but this would also be a nice feature
- Short: This course can be very short on certain holes. additional tee pads would help with this. Also, the farther back pin locations help with this tremendously.
- Basket Visibility: This course has you frequently walking ahead of the tee to find the basket for multiple reasons. The orange tape on the center pole has worn off and most and could use a replacing. The multiple pin locations leave you wondering which placement is active. Some flags atop the baskets would help out significantly I think.
- #17: This hole puts a damper on this course for a few reasons. It is one of the longer walks from the previous hole and can be hard to spot across a road and parking lot. It is currently throwing directly over a semi-busy road. The signage only shows one pin location even though I counted three. While you don't finish on this hole and #18 is fun; it can leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Other Thoughts:
Not pros or cons:
- Alternate Tee Pads: I noticed 3 total alternate pads on this course. While that is a pro, I think a few more alternate pads could make this course more interesting to a larger group of players.
- No Turn: While a halfway turn is always a nice pro, this course is short enough to take this detail out of the con category.
- Elevation: This course has a good bit of steep elevation. While I think elevation is just shy of crucial, this course has a level of elevation that might deter some players for various reason. However, if you like a good bit of elevation, you might really enjoy it.
- Pin Placements: I think this course would stand to gain a lot by doing one of two things: Have all pins set to one locations for the entire course (example: "All pins are at location B") posted at the kiosk. Or have current pin location indicators located at the tee signs.