If you're planning on writing a paper on the history of disc golf courses; this would be a fine place to begin the "classic designs of yesteryear" portion.
Elevation used on many holes. As expressed in other reviews; ravine is played up and down; in and around. This is just the main ravine. There are also two other hilly sections at the beginning and end of course.
The "Lake Monster"; hole #13; is a classic. 350 ft. with Lake Michigan running the right side of fairway, the entire length. Most of the time, it's possible to retrieve an errant throw here; but be extremely careful on the slippery, shore side rocks. Ankle breakers here.
I enjoy hole #14 a great deal, as well. Uphill, blind anny (rhbh).
Hole #15 a bit of a chucker; with road o.b. right.
Hole #16 very tucked in small pines, pin placement.
Hole #17 pin placed on the edge of large drop off.
#18, another decent chucker hole; so, last five holes, a good finish to this course.
Persons nearly always present to fulfill your plastic purchasing needs at "the shack"; near tee for hole one. Ask, and it's very possible someone is around to sell you as old and rare a disc as you may want for your collection.

While there is some form of difficulty on each and every hole at Vollrath; i.e. trees, blind hole, elevation, or all of the above; this is a short course; with no real possibility to add footage.
Course is very heavily played and has been for more than three decades and it shows in terms of course wear. On the plus side of this; I am actually fairly amazed that hills have not completely eroded to extremely dangerous levels; nor have I ever heard any talk from parks department; regarding issues in this regard.
Sheboygan/Vollrath vibe, has and, I imagine, always will; be for locals to conduct themselves a bit like they come from "the mean streets." This doesn't mean there will be anyone physically attacking you without provocation or anything. But, there are some foolish youngin's there to take advantage of your not paying attention to your plastic. And playing with Vollrath locals, you will find them saying things under their breath; just loud enough for you to hear; like...."oh, we don't have to worry about this guy," or, "wonder how long this guy's been playing?"; if you're kind of new to the game. They are known for using "gamesmenship."

This, though, fairly rural Wisconsin, "welcome to the hood" attitude, is just how they roll here. Many kids begin chucking plastic when they're less than 10 years old and play this course a zillion times before they're 15. They have a very pronounced "home boy/field bias." And, as a group, will attempt to use it on you for home field advantage.
This is backed up in their minds by two time world champ; Barry Schultz having honed his skills here as a young man. Aaron Wilde, who for a few years competed head to head with Barry; and finished top 30 in the World; also was making every putt from 50 foot in, when he was a teenager; and later developed a cannon arm to go with this. Long time pro; Steve Held, also grew up in the neighborhood.
In other words, they've got the pedigree as a spawning ground for disc excellence.
Part of the reason for this; relates back to the old school perfection of Vollrath. 1) Kids get out here young. 2) Kids were getting out here in the 1970s (an earlier review stated Vollrath is first course in Wisconsin; I maintain that Dr. George W. Hilliard Park, in Beloit, is older; but, I will ask anyone to prove me wrong on this; as I did in my review of that course.) 3) Due to the weekly leagues for players of all ages; for such a long period of time; all Vollrath players must learn to putt like madmen. You must score tons of birds here to compete with the likes of Barry and Steve and Aaron. Therefore, putting skills are at a premium. Drive for show and putt for dough; is the underlying motto at this course.
A fun feature of the annual state tourney stop; are a couple of holes; #2 and #15; which have artificial or road o.b. special rules; which force shots played from o.b. to be thrown with your opposite hand.
Though, from a toughness stand point, this course is probably only a 2.5 rated course; huge amounts of state players will make an annual pilgrimage to Vollrath, for the joy of ace runs; meeting up with long time local friends, and simply the overall ambiance and history of this old school layout. If you're in the area; I suggest you do the same.

Tons of different shots needed here, some good elevation changes. Most holes don't require long distance which is great for the novice player, but often times your disc must be put through a gap in trees making it a little difficult. #13 by Lake Michigan is fantastic. I really like #5 and #8. #5 is short but watch the crosswinds. #8 with the close pin placement can be a little tricky. #18 gives you a chance to see what your arm is made of. The tee marker says about 250', but it is much longer than that.

Can be very slippery if wet, a lot of the vegetation is worn away due to so much use of the course. Still, much better course than the other in Sheboygan, Quarryview.

Not many chances to grip and rip here. Because of that, tough to get low really low scores with family par with the lack of par 5's. As a pretty decent player, I think, I have reached -8 on pro par.

Very unique terrain and very well designed to make the most of these features, that is the most enduring quality of Vollrath. There is a large ravine disecting the course, and rather than play around it, you play across it, through it, along side of it, and up and down. Very excellent design that makes you make the shot. I do think Vollrath design is great. The variety and balance is excellent with water hazard, uphill, downhill, acrosshill, left, right, tight woods, open rippers, etc. The front nine plays up in the main park area (think mature city park with huge oaks and maples and a playground). It flirts with the ravine and plays back and forth across it, and along side of it. Then the back nine cross the other side of the ravine, plays along the lake, back up the huge shoreline dropoff, and starts into a nice open park area with a few pines and large trees (as well as street OB) to define the holes.
Very neat sharp elevation changes, but no huge elevation.

The holes up near the playground area are very tight and crowded, and because they are under a canopy of trees, an errant shank off a tree can put you in any of three different fairways on certain holes - definitely some crowding issues. The course is overall very short, but some of the back nine holes add a little more distance.

The city park can be hugely crowded and overrun. The age, condition, erosion of the course can really be seen and all the traffic, garbage, graffitti, etc really take away from the experience. The only thing missing from amazing variety would be a huge downhill ripper hole, a true water hazard that was in a landing zone where you'd have to be careful of your throw, and some really tightly wooded holes (liek tunnels). I like playing Vollrath a lot, I just don't like the experience, crowds, garbage, etc. Playing on a quiet morning is your best bet. Come up and play the Triple Double Trouble event in mid-September, it is a blast! My preference for peace and quiet often steers me away from Vollrath to LTC or Quarry, but Vollrath is always fun (on the right day). Only a 3 because I would choose to drive 50+ miles away to play any of the courses I rated a 4.

This is a very fun, but generally short, course. It's technical enough for advanced players, but short enough that beginners and young kids can come out and have fun. Last time I played it, I was with my 60-year-old father who was playing for the first time, and the group behind us was a man my age with his son who was about 10. We were all having a great time. Every hole has interest, whether it's from trees, the ravine, or Lake Michigan.

Crowded holes, with many tee pads close to baskets and / or throwing lanes. #17 tee basically makes you play over #16 basket back into the players behind you. The routing can be a little confusing for first-time visitors. The ravine holes are fun, but some may think it's a bit repetitive. There is not a lot of variety in hole-length until you get to #13 down by the lake.

Bring the whole family! If they don't disc golf, or only want to play a few holes, there are lots of other things to do.

A unique look with all the back and forth across the valley. Obviously you've heard about the elevation changes, and these comments are spot-on.
90% of the holes are short enough to ace, which makes this more of a technical course than anything.
The park is very nice, and has lots of cool playground equipment for the little ones. After my last round, my 4YO and I stayed to play on the many cool pieces of equipment found here.
The "shack" is closed on Mondays, and I'm not too sure when you can really find it open, but there's equipment and snacks for sale here, which is also unique.
I really enjoyed airing it out on #18 at the end. This hole most definitely is not 250' like the sign says however.

The layout forces you to walk across other fairways as you find the next tee pad, so watch out so you don't get freakin' nailed by some 12YO kid just learning what his new disc will do.
Hole #2 is kind of silly. If you cut the corner on the right side too much, you're going to due some mountain climbing. I can't imagine how me and my buddy both found our plastic in that mess.
The location for the course is cool, but you basically have to drive clear across Sheboygan from the interstate in order to find this place.
There only a few holes that really let you air it out. Only 2-3 that I can think of.

From what I understand, this was the first course in WI. That history, coupled with the many changes in elevation, as well as the views of Lake Michigan, make this a must-play in my book.
As also mentioned, aces are abundant here as well. Last time I played here, I saw a teenager nail #5, and that was pretty cool.

Although the holes are very short, There is some serious elevation changes. Hole 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 18 are all centered around a valley with a road running through it. The first 4 holes may seem to be boring, but you haven't even started until you get to 5. Hole 13 provides an excellent view of Lake Michigan. This hole also allows you to throw it pretty far, if you keep the throw straight. The valley has stairs and is easy to navigate down. Also this course is a great place to get your first ace! Any hole on the side of the valley with the shack is straight forward and a perfect scoring opportunity. One of my favorite holes is hole 8. The hole is hidden behind a small section of trees and brush. You can opt to layup and throw around the trees, or you could easily cut the corner, with a good throw. Keep it straight. Even if it winds up in the trees, you can still get a descent shot and end up with a two. Hole 14 I feel is the hardest hole. Starting at the base of a very steep incline, the tee shot is blind, and it's very likely that it'll take you a couple of shots to reach the top. Aim for the fence on the right or the trees, otherwise your disc may roll right back to hole 13. Hole 17 and 18 are good closing holes to this course. The tee shot on 17 is blind over a small tree and the hole is at the edge of the valley. It's much better to miss the basket short than long. Good luck! Hole 18 is the longest hole. The sign says 250 ft. Trust me, it's longer than that. The goal for your tee shot is to clear the valley. Trees guard the left side and are the worst place for your disc to end up. Your next shot, should you clear the valley should get you around the tree in front of the hole. This course provides some hiking and a great challenge for beginners and pros alike. Choose this course over the Quarry if your passing through Sheboygan.

The course can be very crowded. Some of the pin placements are just ridiculous. Hole 2 for example. I couldn't find the hole until I aimed for the wrong basket. The pin is on the right side of the fairway just a little ways down the hill. If you have a partner, have he/she stay at the base of the hill to stop your disc if it rolls. The course bunches a lot of tees and holes around the 3rd basket. You may shoot at the wrong basket, the sign for each hole, however, usually includes a second route if you choose the wrong one, so don't worry. The valley is deceiving and wind from the Lake can be frustrating. Watch for others on every hole or you'll be saying "FORE!"

When I got to this park, I thought instantly, ''How will they fit 18 holes in a park this size? Once the course was complete, I felt they could've added another 9 holes to this course. Although some holes are bunched together, the designer spreads things out enough to keep it safe. It may seem like a maze trying to find the next tee. It's not to challenging. Sometimes it just requires a little walking. Look at each sign at every hole. There should be something that points to the next tee on the map of the hole. I think this course is great. It's lots of fun and not so challenging, that you get frustrated all the time. The valley holes are the signature point that completes this course. Without it, this course would probably suck! Don't forget to stop at the shack. It provides a wide variety of discs and snacks. Enjoy this course!!

The environment: from the shack at the first tee to the overall community in the park. My experience here made me wish we had a community like this in my hometown. The course was a blast to play. Lots of elevation and right on the lake. This is one of those places where it seems like disc golf is accepted.

Course is worn. LOTS of people. Some of the holes feel a little cramped. Not a whole lot of challenge for experienced players.

Feels like home. I could seriously pull up a chair and just hang out here.

Nice challenge for everyone, this course has three of the four major disc golf food groups... it's got water, field, and trick shots. There is only one water shot but.... the waters the lake lol. Also there's an air current there with the water and the shore and that hill and those trees so, it's just fun lol. I have to mention that hole 18 is a blast too, just launching over a giant bowl, lots of fun.

It uh... it's a rat maze lol, up a hill down a hill up another hill then around the corner and your throwing to a upward right angle where theres a road.... Oh it's also missing one of the four basic disc golf food groups....throwing through heavy woods. And no matter where you are, and where other people are.... when you hear someone yell "Four!!!" you look around, there's so many criss cross shots that it's easy to get friendly fire. The criss cross is also a pro though because it's easy to skip around big groups or slow groups or replay a chunk of holes.

The shack rules!! Hours are late afternoon/evening and the selection is lots of innova discs, the people who run it are very cool too, I've had them order frisbees if they don't have it in stock.

Variety of different holes.Tests ur skills.Right by lake for nice view.Locals are cool and has shack to buy disc.
Cement tees.Change pin location from time to time.

Lot of walking up and down hills. Holes are kinda crowded.Summer its crawling with annoying little kids. No pro tees.

I live in sheboygan so this is one of my home courses, and i play it a lot.When its not packed with kids u can have a lot of fun here.

1. Variety. Some tight fairways, a few long holes (though most are short and reachable), elevation, Lake Michigan in play on the "Lake Monster," lots of trees.
2. Dedicated locals. The guys who run The Shack and a lot of the regulars out here are just great people. If you're out here alone, someone will usually ask if they can play along with you; a great place to meet some new friends with similar interests! Also, I don't think I've ever seen or heard of another city where the young kids are as into disc golf as in Sheboygan. When school gets out, and especially during the summer, this place is a ZOO. Some con associated with that; see below.
3. Maintenance. There are areas that probably don't need maintenance just because of the foot traffic alone wearing everything down, but there are plenty of trash cans and you'll typically see people packing their trash (even the guys who are so drunk they can barely stand will crush their cans and carry them with them). Well manicured.
4. Concrete tees.
5. BRAND NEW signs at each hole! The Sheboygan Jaycees bought new signs, and they look fantastic!

1. Cramped. Some fairways are just too close for comfort. While the real cramped areas are the shorter holes, and thus not as many high-speed drivers rippin' through the park, you still gotta watch where you're going on most of the Front 9 and some of the Back. Most people are at least courteous to yell "Fore!," but you gotta look out for Number One (that's you; watch your cranium and shins!).
2. Disc theives. I don't know how bad of a problem this still is, and I personally never had a disc blatantly snatched up from my lie, but many people told me to watch my discs carefully out here. Sometimes sticky-fingered local brats will hide in the tall shrubbery off a blind tee, knowing that errant shots tend to fall that way, and have been known to grab your shanked shot and run off with it. I've also heard of kids waiting for a group to tee off, and while the group ahead watches their teammates' shots, the kids quickly snatch a disc out of one of their bags (usually a driver so it's not immediately noticed, i.e. at the next tee). Damn snakes.
3. Not a year-round course, but plenty of others in the area are (LTC Cleveland).
4. Vandalism. As a course designer, it particularly irks me to see baskets marked with Aces (or even Deuces--Seriously?). Nobody cares if you aced a hole. I sure don't. Write it on your disc. Apparently it's not uncommon for a basket to go missing here or at Quarry. Simply despicable, and even more, disrespectful. People don't appreciate the thought and planning that goes into a course and the benefits a decent course can have on a community. Hopefully the new tee signs don't get all marked up, but with how many pre-teens are out here (the typical "vandal" demographic), it almost seems inevitable, and perhaps the course maintainers have come to terms with that. I'd like to see just a little more respect out of Sheboygan's players, though.

This course is pretty legendary, one of the oldest courses in the ground. Numerous improvements have been made over the years, and as of May 2010 this course is looking pristine, better than I've ever seen it. This is Barry Schultz's home course, dang it, so come play the course where one of the best in the game BECAME one of the best in the game. You'll probably see some future Barrys out here, too.

1) Awesome design of a course. It has some open holes, wooded holes, holes up some large slopes, some down the slopes, some with baskets perched right on the slopes, one running along a rumbling Lake Michigan against the bouldered shoreline. Great views on many holes.

2) Lots of mature trees that influence your shot types.

3) Incredible use of the property elevation changes.Some holes you have to throw really high and lose a lot of distance because of the height of the disc. The couple holes where you throw out across the valley change your throws dramatically, especially if you are concerned about your disc staying near the basket as opposed to rolling away.

4) Awesome setting for a disc golf course because it is right on Lake Michigan.

5) Nice concrete tee pads and decent signage although none of the alternate distances are written on the signs.

1) Not by any stretch of the imagination is this a beginner course. There are simply too many obstacles and too much elevation change. I do look at this as a positive but it has to be mentioned so if you are a beginner, practice up a bit before you hit this course up.

2) Turf areas are bare on the slopes and including the walked areas.

3) Course could really use some help of stairs to get up and down a few of the hills. Some are present but falling apart, slippery, or just poorly built.

4) Lots of garbage cans, but garbage is still present around the course.

5) Layout is a little goofy in a few spots. It is very tight on the first 9 holes, they are crammed into a very small area. They also loop around a couple times which is very confusing. I almost threw from #6 tee over #12 tee to the 14th basket, thinking that ws the hole, then I turned around and saw the basket. The first 4 are fairly open on top of the hill, 5 goes across the valley, 6 goes back across the valley, 7 is back by #1-4, 8 Goes across the valley again, walk back up the hill to #9, #10 comes back across the valley again, and #11 takes you back up the hill for the final time.

Not a positive or negative, but it has to be mentioned that the course is short overall (around a 200-220' average), but because of the trees and elevation changes it plays a lot longer than the overall distance.

Quite possibly this course factors some of the best design essentials into a golf course, but because of how old and beat up the course is the overall rating is probably a point lower than I would have given if it was a brand new course. #2 and #3 in my negatives are the biggest reason why this course isn't rated higher than 4. It is an excellent course in design and challenege and fun factor, but the overall maintenance is lacking significantly. I don;t even know if it would be possible to maintain turf or anything on some of these slopes, but have well designed and placed stairway would certainly save on the ground foliage (turf or other) in some of those areas. People are simply trying to climb some of the hills where they shouldnt be and that will kill the grass quickly. They will continue to slip and rip out the turf. ( I know, only a turfgrass management professional would notice this, but it is true. Stairs would improve so many areas on this course because people would climb the stairs instead of the other areas.

-there was a very large variety in the holes.
-some very large elevation changes
-concrete tees
-stairs for the hills

-the course was WAY to short, a lot of the holes were under 200 feet
-all you heard the whole time was "FORE", the holes were all cramped together
-there was nothing telling you where the pin is.

extremely over crowded. two or three groups on every hole

I nice short course full of Birdie possibilities, and Ace runs. Lots of elevation changes and unique holes. No two holes are alike. A MUST PLAY in my book.

Can be very busy. Vandalism has been a bit of a problem. Slightly confusing layout between a couple holes.

A classic old course, designed more for precision throws rather than power. Bring ALL your discs for the many different kinds of throws.

A very entertaining course. Lots of different shots are required to achieve a good score. The course is well kept and is absolutely beautiful in mid-summer and fall

Very easy to lose a disc once the trees and bushes fill in. May be too easy for experienced players.

Nice old course with lots of elevation changes. Very fun for amateurs but can be a challenge for better players. A msut paly course.

It can be really windy on the course as it is right on lake michigan.

Very conveniently has a place to buy discs on the first hole.

Good use of space & mix of shots, well kept up, mostly short but a few bombers and you can get penalized by the lake.

Can be very busy.

Oldest course in the State and a "must play" when in the area. Good way to spend a day.

Good variety of shots required, some elevation changes, right on the shore of Lake Michigan in a public park. Some trees, but not ridiculous. Holes are a bit on the short side which is fun for the amateur, and the trees keep the better disc golfers humble.

sometimes hard to navigate due to layout, vandalism on signs, etc.

Our threesome had a lot of fun on this course, and we'd definitely return if ever in the area again.