Tucked next to Rend Lake, the North Sandusky DGC is quietly hidden in the southern Illinois region. Even in a park setting, the course provides ample variety that includes twisting fairways in the woods, an uphill ace run, a par-5, and the unique use of an old swing set.

Scenery abounds. Holes #1 and #4 offer pleasant views of the lake, several of the wooded holes are picturesque, and Hole #17 plays over the edge of a pond. Plus, a few deer intersected my walk down the fairway on Hole #12.

The course includes four par-4 holes that average nearly 475 feet in length and depend on some specific lines in the woods to make a birdie challenging. Lines in the woods are decently defined, and landing off the fairway does not equate to unplayable.

While mostly flat, elevation comes into play on a few holes. The most notable elevation is on the uphill par-4 (Hole #2) and the steep uphill ace run on Hole #5 that is only 113 feet but features a basket well-hidden behind a tree.

The holes in the woods offer a nice grassy carpet to play on, though rain could definitely impact the condition of several holes.

Hole #3 is a unique look, as the basket is suspended at a normal level from an old metal swing set.

The teepads are not perfect, because old picnic table pads are utilized in a few spots, which means those teepads are weirdly shaped and include some bumps. Thumbs up for the practicality, however.

The sign conditions need help; they are printouts that have been damaged by the weather. A course map at the parking lot plus more navigational aids would be useful. There were a few times when I was doing the head swivel trying to determine where the next teepad was.

There are no terrible holes at North Sandusky, though a few could qualify as filler holes. When I played on an early March afternoon, I had the course to myself, it seemed.

I really enjoyed my experience and considered giving it a 3.5, but that would be more justified if the course had new tee signs and normal teepads on all the holes. However, if you are passing by on Interstate 57, the short detour to visit this course is well worth it.

This is really a 3.25 course but not quite a 3.5. At first glance where you park for hole #1 you are thinking this is going to be fantastic because the lake makes for wonderful viewing pleasure. Hole #1 sets up great for a starting hole with rough to the right and road to the left. Hole #2 is an uphill hole that plays long for a 300 footer. Good use of OB to the left. Holes 3, 4 and 5 are by the water and the scenery is the star here. You then head into the woods for some shape shots and placement shots. You come out of the woods briefly on hole #10 which is one of my favorites. Hole 13 is a LONG tight shot with rough to the left and road to the right with trees dotting the middle of a 40 to 50 foot wide fairway that measures 860 in length according to the sign. Hole #17 is my other favorite hole on the course. Pond to the left all the way to the basket with a large tree right in the middle of this 370 foot par 3. The holes are fairly easy to find and the signs do point you to the next tee. There is a bathroom right as you start on #1 and where you finish on #18. You finish this course and you feel like you have accomplished something. Slight elevation changes make for some good golf and fairly easy traversing.

The signs are temporary I hope and many of them have wrong distances. Hole #2 is pretty close to a parking lot making the second shot dangerous. 3,4 and 5 have picnic tables placed in the fairway so on nice weekend days you might have to throw around people. Hole #5 says 210 where it plays 100 feet. Seems it was thrown in there for a filler hole. Holes #11 and #12 have pads poured way off line. #13 is dangerous because of the traffic on the road. I am sure cars have been hit by flying plastic. #14 and #15 are in an area frequented by children and there is a playground that comes into play. Hole #18 is a bit of a let down for the finishing hole. No benches and rough roughs bring the rating down for me and I hope this course gets the attention it deserves.

Potential Potential Potential. Get rid of the short dumb holes and move some of the holes that are too near where people congregate. They have so much great area for multiple 18 hole courses. Where I see 5 or 6 really great holes there can be 18 really great holes. Set up right this could be the best course in Illinois.