Pros:
- Good mix of open and wooded holes
- The namesake river and small rolling mounds add interest on a few holes
- Benches, trash "buckets", and other small amenities present at most holes
Cons:
- Short average hole length limits challenge, even on wooded holes
- Occasionally confusing navigation, not helped by apparent ongoing course updates
- Some fairways run too close together and could cause conflicts or routing issues
Other Thoughts:
River's edge Park is an interesting little course tucked between I-94 and the Little Calumet River. The course starts with several short, tightly wooded holes and ends with a handful of more open parks-style fairways. After Hole 2 there are a series of more recently added lettered holes, including at least 3 not currently listed on this site. There is a tee pad with no tee sign to the right of Hole D's basket, and you then backtrack to Holes E and F before heading to Hole 3. There is an unlabeled tee pad after 3 that aims towards 9's basket that acts as a 17th hole. This routing is less confusing than it sounds (if still not ideal), and it seems the intent is to eventually create a full 18 hole course.
The vibe is a bit different than any other course I have played. The drone from the expressway is ever-present as you navigate through the course, and there is some...interesting decor scattered throughout the wooded sections. A campsite of sorts including a practice basket and several lawn chairs is tucked between fairways, and there were a variety of Halloween decorations along the fairway of the "bonus" hole located behind D's basket. There are a number of homemade feeling additions to the course including cobbled together benches, bucket trash cans, and slightly crumbling brick stairs. A few boot scrubbers at tee pads and a mix of different basket types and simple tee signs add to the amenities. The result of all this is a course that feels like part of someone's backyard: clearly well loved but maintained on a shoestring budget.
The wooded holes require some shot shaping, and many fairways are quite tight, but the distances are almost all very short. The more open holes by the road are less interesting, if a bit longer on average. The creek neighbors a handful of fairways, but isn't close enough to really add much concern. Putters or midranges will be the best choice off the tee on most holes.
I had more fun playing this course than I expected going in. I'm interested in what this course will evolve into as improvements are clearly still ongoing; a lot of brush piles were piled throughout the woods. More experienced players will enjoy hunting for birdies on this course while the short average fairway length should prevent newer players from getting frustrated on the tight wooded holes. This course makes for a nice, quick round near the highway and, when combined with nearby Riverside Park, allows for an enjoyable morning or afternoon of disc golf. Stop by 3 Floyds Brewpub down the road for some great beers to complete the experience.