Niles, MI

Madeline Bertrand Park

Permanent course
2.955(based on 31 reviews)
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11 0
pcoso
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good course for locals. For visitors... drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 4, 2022 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Very well distributed range of shot shapes, distances for beginner - I found myself using forehand hyzers/anhyzers, backhand hyzers, and even a tomahawk or two.
- Good baskets, teepads, and signaling - hard to get lost, as course is very linear
- Fun course to play as a starting player, as you don't have the need to put full power on every shot to get par (or even birdie), unlike George Wilson, for example

Cons:

- EXPENSIVE. I am a local and bought the parking/disc golf yearly pass for 65 bucks, and have already played two passes' worth of golf. With that being said, if you are not a local, be ready to pay 7 bucks for parking/disc golf. As some reviews said, that's pretty steep considering Rum Village (free, 24 holes, 20 mins away) or George Wilson (<5 bucks, 24 holes, 25 mins away).
- The alignment of some tee-pads with the previous holes are kinda dangerous (14/15, IIRC). If you miss your line on 14, you run the risk of hitting people teeing off on 15.
- Cross-Usage: This isn't really a course con, more of the park attendants/organization of the park. You seem to encounter people walking every once in a while (more often than you should, though) on the fairway, or across fairways, or using the course as a trail. That, to me, is a hazard to these people that do not seem aware that there is a fast spinning disc flying their way.

Other Thoughts:

I love this course. I've been playing for around one year and only live about 10mins for it, so it's fair to say this is my home course, which does not mean there aren't things that can be improved.
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4 0
TorboniousD
Experience: 16 years 23 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

She's My Chubby Girlfriend 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 18, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I absolutely love this course and as a beginner it has taught me the values of having more in my bag then a bunch of drivers. Yes, you can probably play the whole course with a putter, but practicing a heavy S-curve while threading the needle in a heavily wooded area with a fairway-driver has its value too. Great mid-range shots and putting are important in this game too, or so I've been told. I'm no Happy Gilmore, but the narrow fairways have done a good job of helping me to straighten out my drives as well, and I find even when I'm off the fairway, the underbrush is pretty well beat down so unless the throw is completely horrible, I can find my disc no problem. The staff is completely friendly unless you decide to break the local county laws. They also have three tournaments a year with multiple teirs from the novice to open for trophies and swag. Only $20 which includes all-day play, parking, lunch and drinks. I call this course "My Chubby Girlfriend" because she's clean, nice to my new friends, and after getting my feelings hurt somewhere else I can come to her and she makes me feel like a hero. Great pro shop, and at the end of the year they sell all their discs at HUGE discounts...

Cons:

For what they charge, if they kept the course up in the winter they would make bank. This sport has no "season', so I would give them much higher marks if they kept it open year-round. ANYWAY, yes, it's a short course. Play it twice and shoot for par, hero. YES, it is expensive. Park at the Indiana park south of it and walk over the border (most people do) or do like I do and buy an annual play and another annual parking pass (save $20 if you buy both at the same time for $60) which also gives you access to another county park that has a sweet beach on Lake Michigan. It pays for itself in a couple weeks if you play often enough. The signage also doesn't show the pin/tee location, but they have maps or join a couple locals playing.

Other Thoughts:

It also has a great putting basket and they also sometimes add extra holes for the tournaments. AND to this date I can't ever recall seeing ANYONE walking around with just a putter... DID YOU KNOW THE LATE, GREAT ED HEADRICK designed this course?!
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1 4
MDeezy
Experience: 20.9 years 132 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Pay it to play it 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 18, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Well maintained reasonable woods course. Great for beginners and intermediates alike. Great ace runs and birdie opportunities. Winds through secluded woods and plays with some rolling elevation. Nice cement pads and trash cans at most holes. Cool putting area by hole 1, and great pro shop plus facilities on site.

Cons:

Short holes and lack of variety might not appeal to all players. You are charged a fee for your car and individual player fees.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a solid 3.5. I enjoy playing this course on my way to or from South Bend or Chicago. It doesn't take too long to play and always provides a good round. Most shots don't require a big drive, but a controlled mid range. Very nice layout, course flows well.
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