Pros:
- concrete tees, some with nicely finished "retaining walls"
- 2 basket positions on each hole
- deep baskets
- nice touch on circular, brick-lined base under baskets
- beautifully finished, new grass, benches by many tees
- fine signage
- good flow between holes, after playing 1 time through it is easy to navigate without map
- tree obstacles
- faster play than previous course due to short holes
- safer for non-disc-golfer patrons
- awesome stream crossings with large rectangular rocks
- good layout for beginners
Cons:
- crowded, as always
- most holes are very short (many well under 200 feet)
- danger of being hit by discs due to cramped quarters
- water hazards mostly gone
- layout not as challenging for more advanced players
- must be careful not to trip over tee "retaining walls"
Other Thoughts:
I was really looking forward to playing the "new Johnny" after the course closure of just about a year or so, and now after playing it I have somewhat mixed feelings about the new course. The old course was relatively long, and water was a true hazard. I remember many people hunting for their discs in the not-so-clean stream water. I was genuinely scared of some holes, and obviously really liked that about the old course. Now, from that old course, the only survivors are current holes 6, 7, and maybe 9 and 12 (in shortened fashion).
With this new course, only 2 holes (2 and 5) can be said to have any kind of water hazard any more (of course if you throw REALLY wild, you could get in trouble on other holes as well), but for anybody above beginner level, they are really not hazards at all. Be that as it may, the 2 holes mentioned above are very well done nonetheless, not too long, but just blind enough to require a good touch.
While the goal of making the park safer for non-disc-golfers has likely been achieved, what troubles me is that making it so cramped (especially on 9-12 and 14-18), it has been made more dangerous for disc golfers themselves, as I recall many a disc landing very close by, that with playing the course only twice. While most of the above holes are not very memorable, 12 and 15 are definitely kind of cool.
The play is much faster than before, even with a lot of golfers ahead, since the holes are so short. In a way, this is probably the best improvement to the course, as the waiting was getting out of hand on the old Johnny.
Also, regarding the shortness of the holes - I think this pretty much had to be done in this park, has been done well, and is effective. I think this course should be a blast for beginners, and like others stated, more advanced players can still work on trying to get the birds and aces.
While part of me wishes the old Johnny was still around, I understand now that it had to be changed, and in the end, we get another beautiful course back in Denver, and that's all that matters...