- pretty high level of challenge for a short 9 hole course
- surprising amount of variation on this small course, with mostly open shots but some obstacles
- huge elevation changes add challenge and intrigue
- disc golf area is virtually isolated from the rest of the park, so no real safety concerns
- concrete tees
- nice built-in stairs on some hill areas

- most basic of tee signs, with several missing
- tee signs only at one tee per hole despite most holes having multiple (sometimes poorly marked) tees
- could use some wood chips around some of the baskets - dirt placed around some gets fairly muddy
- some baskets are starting to rust
- basket for 9 is a little TOO close to the entrance, leading to it being used as the practice basket while players are trying to finish their round
- not much in the way of additional amenities

This is a pretty basic course in terms of amenities. It's situated in a nice park with a variety of activities and ample parking. The big highlight here is the significant elevation change, with some pretty difficult uphill shots. Otherwise, it's not a particularly difficult course.

For me, Staring Lake Park wasn't incredibly memorable, but I enjoyed my quick round here. The course might be a little tough for first timers, but it's a pretty low challenge level if you've played a bit. Most of the shots are pretty open, though some have a few more tree obstacles. It was moderately busy while I was there, but nothing too bad. I did enjoy that it was separate from other areas of the park, so concerns about hitting walkers, etc. weren't much of an issue.

The biggest cons here are just the general state of disrepair. The tee signs leave a lot to be desired and despite concrete tees, some built in stairs, and generally serviceable baskets, some new tee signs would be a huge upgrade here, as some are missing altogether and many are just a post in the ground with an obscure number.

If you're already in the area it's a fun enough round, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, personally. As mentioned above, I appreciate when a course circles around to the entrance, but having either a practice basket here or moving hole 9's basket a bit back from the entrance would be helpful - I couldn't finish my round because people kept taking putting practice on it without even looking up. To their credit, when I started the course I thought it was a practice basket too - it's just kind of unclear.

All in all, Staring Lake is a fun enough round, but doesn't rise to the level of many other courses in the Minneapolis area.

The course is small and is a very quick play. It is a great course to work on your short game and for beginners. The course has nice tee pads and the design/layout is very easy to follow. The city is trying to make some improvement with wood chips and some new tee pads, which is nice to see. Considering how small the course is, it has quite a bit of variety. There are a few holes that play downhill (1 & 3) and uphill (2 & 4), along with a couple holes that play to the right (3 & 6). Hole 3 and 7 and probably my favorite holes on the course. I love throwing a thumber over the top of the trees on hole 7 and hole 3 is a decently long, downhill hole that fades to the right at the bottom of the hill.

Unfortunately, this course is constantly packed with beginners and hipsters running around. The recent road construction also shortened a few of the holes on the back on an already short course. The city also wasted the little money they put into it last year following the road construction by doing some landscaping on hole 8, down below the hill. Nobody ever plays from that tee pad and I felt the money could've been used a lot more efficiently. Lastly, the areas around the tee pads are often littered with garbage. The few garbage cans that they have on the course are often full, so this could definitely improve.

There was talk that the course was going to expand to possibly a 12 hole course, which I would love to see in the future since I live in the area. It's a great course to warm-up on before going to play Bryant.

-Few challenging holes(3 and 4)
-concrete tee boxes
-well marked

-Usually really busy
-needs garbage cans; beer cans can pile up
-construction on Pioneer Trail (Co Rd 1) tore up some of the back holes
-pretty wide open, doesn't require many skill shots
-most of the holes are pretty short. You can get buy with a mid-range through most of the course.

This is a good course to learn on or if you are looking for a quick round. I'm about a mile from there so it is too convienent not to play. There have been rumors over the last few years that the city might be turning it into a full 18. Only place they could really add holes is into the woods; which could make this a interesting course.

This course has a variety of holes that will require a wide range of shots, alot of difficult anhyzers

some holes are very short, and don't offer much challenge, the last few holes seem like an after thought as they are just straight throws back and forth

I play here after school as i go to hennipen tech, its great to blow of steam after a final. When i have time i go to Bryant lake, this course has potential but it needs to be revamped, especially with this construction that took out a couple tee pads

Well designed layout, easy to find the next tees most of the time . There are both righty and lefty holes. Some of the holes are pretty short but there are a few longer ones.
The only obstacles are trees, there is no water anywhere. This being said, the trees are well placed on a lot of the holes.
A few holes play up and down some of the hills, which make for some interesting shots. One hole is short and flat, but right behind the hole is a large hill, so it forces you to be a lot more careful on the drive.

Construction was being done to the road while I was there. This made for some confusion as to how to get into the park.
Also, we couldn't find a teepad for hole 7 I think, which may have been back on the road they were constructing on.
The day I went, it was ridiculously busy even though it was during the lunch hour. This could be because there aren't many courses too near to this one.

If you're near, go ahead and play it. It has some nice suprises, though it looks like it could get boring after a few times.