The very informative webpage at http://www.essexdiscgolf.co.uk / and online map made the course relatively easy to navigate. Without both, you'd have some difficulties.

Wide varieties in distances, averaging 400', and ranging from woods-on-left-open-on-right hard-left turning 230' #13, to 772' #8 and its steady but mildly rising elevation change, with bits of bushes and trees in the midst of the very long fairway. Practically every hole will have some elevation change, and obstacles to avoid.

Basket-6 missing. Unnumbered baskets quite old, some a bit bent. Tees (some concrete, most natural) less than ideal. No signage.

When students are out, milling about and enjoying fine weather, and/or moving between buildings during class changes, a good portion of the course can become unplayable. Many baskets located near buildings or have fairways which have walking paths crossing them.

The rolling hills, upon which the University of Essex sits slightly southeast of Colchester city-centre, with its smattering of mature trees, flowering bushes, and large ponds, provides fine terrain for creating a challenging disc golf course. The first ten holes have you playing amidst the scattered trees located on the slopes leading down to the ponds, while the last seven holes are on the other side of campus, where most of the obstacles will be buildings or ob roads and paths. The only tight hole would be funneling #12, so this is not a course for technical aficionados.

Navigation tips: As you walk towards basket-10, look over your right should and find the multiple high-rises. Tee-11 is on the other side of the second high-rise from the left, past the bike-rack area. Basket-11? Well, if you could throw a laser beam through the modern art statue ~100' directly in front of the tee, then drop down the hill, you'd be right on target. Was unable to find the specific tee location of #6, #7, #10, and #14, but the map made it simple enough to approximate their locations.

Favourite hole: #15. Teeing from the top of a hill, your target, at about the same elevation, is located slightly in the woods in a tree stump. Between you and it is 650', of which the first half is a steep downhill, where you'll find a ob road, then as you attempt to regain the elevation, you'll find a large copse of trees and bushes in line with the most direct path to the basket.

Least favourite hole: #17. Starts between two buildings, throws across two walking paths, and the basket sits scant feet away from the glass-paneled sports building!

Sans students, this course offers plenty of variety and challenge, but since this a university first and a disc golf course second , try to time your visit for when school isn't in session, or the weather so miserable that the students won't be out. I wasn't able to complete #8, or even attempt #10 or #17, due to the continuous student activity on a fine Spring weekday afternoon..