Pros:
The great courses in the Greater Dayton Area just added a new member . Hazy Shade , set in Snyder Park in Springfield Ohio , just northeast of Dayton was just created in 2018 . I do not try to review on a course's potential , but I think that this course will be the 2nd best in the area , just behind Handyman . The multi use park looks to be busy most of the time . When you drive across the green bridge , park in the first lot you see , immediately on the right . Practice basket is off to the side of the lot near #2's basket . It doesn't matter where you park , because you will be heading toward the bridge when you tee off for #1 and coming from the opposite end when finishing #18 . I did not see a kiosk , so you better print a map because the course flow can have you wandering aimlessly , but there are bathrooms close to the parking lot and I think in the back part of the park .The park has short wooden posts with a small sign on it telling you the hole number , distance and next tee . The course also also had dual tees 1 short and 1 pro , in the first few holes . Someone at the course said more are planned . . The baskets are new white rimmed Dynamic Veterans which catch well and are easy to spot . The tee pads for the first 15 holes are technically natural . When you get to some of the posts , a white spray painted arrow sometimes will tell you to walk sideways or backwards to where you are in order to tee off from the street . Be careful when doing so because this park sees a lot of traffic even though there is construction dividing the park . Also watch closely when crossing the street . The cars can be coming towards you faster than it looks ( mostly in the back part ) . The pro first tee is just past the bridge on the same side you parked , and is a long throw across a large creek ( I think Buck Creek's ) to a fairway landing and to a basket sitting on a side of a hill . The short tee is across the green bridge and to the right . Then you have to backtrack after the hole to the tees on the same side as the short tee but past the bridge . See what I mean about printing a map ? This is another throw across the creek . If you love water holes , this course will be your all time favorite . Ponds and the creek will come in to play throughout parts of your round . The course itself is one of the more scenic that you will encounter . Stone bridges , a creek , nice tree lines . The course design is what makes this course . It is a good mix of short and long holes , with canopies , tree and brush lines , great basket placements . Even though the park is pretty flat , there are still several holes that utilize grades , embankments and hills . Even the map becomes confusing after hole #7 , which is a nice short 250' throw across the water into the basket that is cut out of some small woods and sits a little higher than the tee . You cross this cool stone bridge to get to your 2nd shot . To go to the #8 tee , you must cross back over the bridge , turn right and head towards the underpass of the highway . Construction may make you walk over top , but I walked underneath during my play on the weekend . You will feel lost during this walk because it is by far the longest one on the course . The tee sign slightly right will come into view and you will stay on this side of the park for holes 8-15 . #8 will give you a semi open 515' drive with a couple of large trees in the middle of the fairway . You will encounter some fun holes after this starting with #9 , a right to left 295' uphill that plays more like 350' unless you risk throwing a hyzer right at it ( good luck ) . #'s 10 and 11 are 2 of my favorite holes on this course . #10 is a station to station drive across the water ( 388' ) and then around a tree lined brush to the right with canopied trees littering the fairway read to knock down any chances of a drive going over 10' . #11 is measured to be 350' but seems longer . You can either drive along the same canopied trees to an area where you can throw over the water to the basket that is nestled on the hill , or chance a drive along the water line and pray it flips or returns back on the same side you threw on . Great risk/reward. 12-15 start across the road and return you to just past the #8 tee pad , keeping holes 8-11 to your left . A couple play close to the creek line . You then go back underneath the highway and keep to your right where you see #16's pad . I don't know if the parks dept. is working backwards on this or it's random , but the last 3 tee pads are very nice , with turf enclosed with a garden rock . If all of the tees had this , it would easily be a 4 or maybe a 4.5 if other amenities were added . #16 is a tight 335' drive that ends next to foliage and water to the right .#17 is a risk/reward throw that dares you to run parallel to and across the water or the more sane hyzer over the short tee area and down a fairway to a tree and brush lined fairway which opens up to the basket . #18 is a good finishing hole . A tight tunnel shot ( or the safer hyzer to the far left of the tee ) 275' , which could give you a shot at a finishing birdie or maybe stick you with a finishing 4 . Even though the course boasts some short holes and some short tees , this is really not a course for the family or newbies . So much water is everywhere , that you would have to skip a lot of holes or throw safety drives in order to keep your prized driver . Even the seasoned players will risk their discs on some of these holes . I am not trying to scare you , just warn you to throw with control . All in all , you will be captivated by the beauty of Snyder park and the course design . There were a lot of choices , but my signature hole was probably #11 which had the creek on your right that you eventually threw over and a canopy in front of you , to a basket on the right on a hillside .
Cons:
With all of the good that is coming out of this course , there are still some cons . Keeping in mind that the course is barely a year old , #1 . Holes 1-15 are natural or on the road . Not ideal for a premier course in the making . #2 the population of the park . Since the course sees a lot of use , you will encounter curious kids , walkers, people wandering around from the shelters ,etc. I even saw some cosplayers in the back shelter of the park hammering away at each other with foam swords . #3 Navigation . Without a map or following locals , you can be lost in a hurry . Backtracking from #1 to #2 , crossing the creek , and mostly , trying to find tee #8 . Walking to #8 will either have you walking through a construction site , or going over top and carefully try to avoid cars going 45 mph + . #4 Cars . They come into play a little bit going from 1-2 , and a lot more crossing back and forth on 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 and 15 . Be aware , especially since some of these tee boxes are spray painted on the road . Finally , this is more of an observation than a critique , but some of the park goers seem a little rough around the edges . I would suggest finishing up your round before dusk unless playing in a group . It might be paranoia , but ,,,,,,,,,,, . I did see where a previous review mentioned that 2 of the baskets were damaged or stolen the first night the course was installed , and I did witness some bored youths chasing some geese with a pocket knife in the back part of the park ( I put an end to it , but luckily only because of my size ) .
Other Thoughts:
After playing a round here , I sat at one of the benches in the park and jotted some final notes . The parks dept. in Springfield looks committed to this disc golf course , and it shows . It has a little of everything here . It is NOT for the faint of heart . There is even a Hazy Shade Disc Golf & More just up the street on Park Rd between BP and Speedway in case you chuck a disc into the creek . Even though the course is barely a year old , people know and are talking about it . I am from Cincinnati and a good 60 miles from this course , and the first person I met on the course and played part of my round with was from Cincinnati , too ( Hi Austin ) . I can't wait until next year when I can play this course again and update my review . My recommendation : If you are anywhere close to Dayton or traveling through I-70 to from Columbus or Indianapolis , PLAY THIS COURSE FOR SURE !!!