Pros:
Having a cart is just so freaking cool. I'm sure some of you play ball golf, and the cart is no big deal, but this was my first experience with one...and let me tell you, a brother could get used to this real fast! Hole to hole navigation becomes a complete non-issue. Longer distance from one hole to the next? Hey that's just more time you get to enjoy a welcome breeze in your face during the ride!
I really like what Dave Greenwell did with the pin placements on this course. They exemplify risk/reward play. Just about every hole starts out with a long and open drive. Sometimes you'll throw a second drive, as several holes are upwards of 1000 feet...but you will have some interesting decisions to make when it's time for that approach shot. Most baskets have danger close behind. You can play it safe and walk off with your par...or make a run at bird and maybe get burnt. I love it!
You tee from the regular golf teepads, and there are 4-5 different pads on each hole. Normally, I'd detract rating for teeing from grass...but these things are wide, flat, and the grass is about half an inch tall. They were better than many cement pads I've played!
The course plays around the clubhouse in such a way that you can easily swing by after hole 9 and/or hole 13 for a break/refreshment if you need.
Cons:
There's no map for the disc golf layout that I can find, only the ball golf layout. In some cases, the basket is fairly similar in distance as the pin, but in other cases the basket is significantly shorter, and I'd really like to know how much D we were looking at. A few times my estimates were apparently not so good.
I would guesstimate that if you can't throw at least 300' off the tee, that you might become frustrated with this course. I go about 400-425', and I shot -10 when I played. That extra 100' will often mean the difference between throwing an extra full-power drive versus throwing a more controlled approach shot.
A practice basket near the driving range would be welcomed.
Ah, and I would be remiss if I neglected to mention the rough. It's harsh. I don't know what it is about Indiana courses, but they have the thorniest roughs I've seen.
Other Thoughts:
I called the day before we played, and was told that as long as a scramble or similar event wasn't going on, you don't need to schedule a tee time. You can just roll in and play.
I'm sort of breaking my own rules of reviewing when I give this course a 5-disc rating, given the list of Cons above. However, this course is so different that I feel like it's difficult to even review it using the same scale. Here's what I do know: I've only ever given two courses a 5-disc rating, and those two courses are my very favorites. I enjoyed English every bit as much, and I can't wait to get back for my next round!
It's a rare thing when you come in with expectations high, and they are actually met or even exceeded, but in this case, mine were.