amazing park
the best course i have played
elevation changes
mandos
alternate tees
beautiful scenic view of the city
soo much fun

it is addictive

my favorite course i have ever played
the best course i have ever played

This is the course where I learned to play, and base all other courses on. But every other course I play doesn't compare because I've been spoiled by the best course around. Either the elevation changes are not there, or there are worse pin placements, it all comes back to this being the best course in the state. Pins are great and multiple placements, the crowd is great, tee pads are great, lots of hyzer shots and anny shots. Perfect course.

People need to stop throwing their trash on the course. Tee signs have been vandalized and some not readable but I know the course already and don't need them.

Where to start... Multiple pin placements on every hole, massive elevation changes, benches on every hole, every hole is fair, beautiful views of the city, challenging greens, nice baskets, good tee signs. Everything you could ask for in a world class course

Trash on the course, that's the only thing I can think of. Other than that the only cons where with my play.

I wish I lived next door so I could play this course every day. It would make me a much better player. Don't get me wrong, it's tough as nails, but it's worth it. Deuces are out there but you have to work for them. I wouldn't go to this course to try and shoot a hot round, go if you want to get better. Great choice for a memorable 50th course to play.

-Good tee pads.
-Nice variety of holes.
-Pretty well marked holes.
-Multiple extra baskets for practicing.

-Very hilly/rough.
-Difficult course when windy due to lots of elevation change.
-Signs at holes are starting to fade.

This is a great course. One of the best, if not the best in Kansas City. Very hilly, which is a plus or minus depending on your physical abilities. There is a good mixture of holes, allowing different play styles. Good views of down town.

Fun fun fun! Lots of trees yet very open. Up and down makes for fun shots. Nicely maintained!

Even though there are trash cans at every hole there was trash all over the place. I picked up a handful of cans, bottles, porn mags, wrappers or a combo of such at every hole. I noticed trash all over this city.

Lots of elevation change.
Tons of Hyzer and Anhyzer lines.
Many wooded shots.
Good combination of long and short holes.
Benches on every hole.
Signs on every hole.
Very easy to follow.

Lots of elevation change.
Many wooded shots.

Overall, I liked this course. However, I don't think that I really loved it (maybe the hype was a bit too big for this course). It was fun because it had a ton of downhill and valley shots, and the scenery was beautiful throughout the course. It was, however, quite tough.

My thoughts are that this would be an amazing course for pro-level disc golfers that can really drive a 500 foot hole consistently, but the intermediate player might have a rough day.

I don't think I would recommend this course for intermediate players. If you don't live close to this course (and you're an intermediate player), you shouldn't go out to this course. I would recommend going to Swope or Rosedale. Those courses are just a bit easier to play than Water Works and would suit an intermediate player much better.

Let me make this perfectly clear: This is an amazing course; I'm the one that can't play it very well.

I love this course, it is where I learned to play. The elevation change makes this course very fun but also very demanding. A lot of open fairways with a good combination of tight tree lined fairways.

If you late/early release on a couple holes it is very easy to lose a disc and never see it again.

Excellent course. Super fun, very much a step above anything I could have expected. For me, the best thing about it was that it was challenging in a great way. Distance isn't huge on this course, so things feel attainable. Aside from a few exceptions, you aren't going to be losing a bunch of discs here either assuming you are willing to get off the beaten path if needed. Benches at each hole are very nice, considering both times I was there this weekend it was pretty packed, so waiting was a must, and having something to sit on was AWESOME.

As far as the layout goes, its very direct, easy to follow, and just simply right for alot of levels. I'm not good by any means, but I didn't feel overpowered by the course. If i made good shots, 3's werent hard, if i made bad ones, they were. That simple. Distance wise I tee'd off with a Buzz ALOT and didnt regret it very often. Alot of shot variation and some creatively done things that made me really appreciate being there.

The difficulty comes in the hills of the course for sure. One shot of mine comes to mind. I was putting from like...30-40 ish and missed long and soft. It hit a treeroot past the hole and kind of popped up on its side, I thought nothing of it. Picked up my bag and started walking up only to realize my disc was rolling at me, somehow. I was warned about this and its no joke, your disc can roll for ever, so be warned .

The course is crowded from what I could tell, take that for what its worth. When you play at the best course in Missouri I'd expect it to be a little busy but maybe not everyone would .

there were a few holes that had trash GUSHING from the trash cans which really took away from the well manicured everything else, but word on the streets is thats not a common thing.

also, its way to far from hannibal, MO

Loved the course, cant wait til life moves me back to KCMO so I can play this weekly .

This is a world-class course, period.

It's got a challenging mix of hyzer and anhyzer lines, tons of elevation change, and periodic winds that keep you on your toes. This is not a course where you can shift your mind into neutral - you will need to think about placements, the risk of roll-aways, and the need to avoid certain rough patches that are just too horrible to contemplate (I'm thinking about what's on the left side of fairways 3 and 4 here).

You'll also be in for a workout, since a lot of the ground you'll be walking over is nowhere near level. Bring water, or at least an empty bottle you can refill from the spigot by tee #1, and wear good sturdy shoes.

The course itself is in excellent shape, with 3 or 4 pin positions for each hole and benches and bag-hangers at each tee. Many of the pin placements can't be seen from the tees, but markers for the unused positions make it easy to figure out where you're going without having to walk the course.

Excellent signage, including a course map at the kiosk, make getting lost between holes pretty difficult. Throw in a practice basket and great views as others have mentioned and you have a pretty good idea of what to expect here.

The only con I can think of is that the trash cans are almost all completely full and spilling out over the surrounding areas. With a course so obviously popular and well-used, whoever's responsible for maintaining these should step up and schedule more frequent service.

If you're a noodle arm (like me), this course will hand your @ss to you but in such a way that you'll say, "Thank you, sir" and come back the next day for another round. Water Works is a total destination course and people who live within 50 miles can rightly go around with a smug grin on their faces just because they have such a fabulous resource in their back yards.

This course is fairly hilly, so it provides a lot of elevation changes coupled with lines requiring all types of shots. This combines to make a fun but challenging round for players of any skill level. The course is very well maintained, and the locals were very friendly and willing to help with navigation. Locals were also very conscientious and considerate. The course was very busy, but we had to wait very little during out round. Despite being in the middle of the city, the large amount of foliage and trees made it feel like a rural setting.

Due to the amount of traffic this park receives, the trash cans were overflowing. Navigation between some of the holes was difficult at times, but a quick picture of the course map and locals made it easy to navigate. The only thing I can really see this course missing is water hazards, as I didn't see a single one during my round.

I was told that while in Kansas City if I was going to play any course it had to be this one, and I would have to agree. I definitely will be stopping at this course on any future trips to the area. The views of the downtown skyline are breath-taking. If playing this course for the first time, make sure to bring along a camera!

Lots of hills and trees but in just the right places to make some great technical shots. It also has a great variety of short and long holes with most holes having 4 possible chain spots. grass is always nice and mowed. Every hole has pictures on poles telling where the possible chain spots will be and how many feet to them. Most holes have benches.

Big hills make this both a Pro and a Con all depending on how physically fit you are. Signs on poles telling where chain spots are and how many feet they are are getting old and faded but still readable. Maybe a few more trash can spots throughout park.

I would definitely bring water or gatorade when playing this course. This is my favorite course around Kansas City.

Multiply Pins (3-4 per hole)
Signs at each tee box that list the possible pins (with maps and distances)
Markers on the posts to point you to the next tee box.
benches at every hole
posts to hang your bag at every hole
Beautiful course!!!

Bring water! It's a hike! (this isn't a con, but it might be a reason not to play.)
The course could use some new baskets. Something that's easy to see from the tees if you've never played there.
Maps at the tee signs are starting to fade from the sun, but at this point I'm just trying to think of things that would make this course even better.

I love this course. It is my favorite on all time. If I could only play one course the rest of my life, this would be it. It has distance and elevation. It is difficult. I play this course every time I come home to see the parents.

- Course is set in a large park that has lots of hills and a good amount of trees. There are a few spots near some other park equipment, but there shouldn't be any interference.
- Best feature of this course are the big hills around every corner. The first hole takes the cake with a big downhill shot to a sloping fairway, big punishment if the disc hyzers/flips left down the hill. #2 is a big uphill with a blind basket placement, it takes a big arm to get over the hump here. Numerous other holes have slopes to some degree, like the ups on #7, #13, and #18. A good downhill on #16, and some gentler ones on #14 and #3. Lots of slopes by baskets because of the terrain as well.
- Pretty good mix of open and wooded holes, or at least holes with a good amount of trees in the fairway. The more wooded areas are in the front, with some forgiving "tunnel" shots from #3 to #7, with #7 being pretty darn low, uphill no less. Other holes have numerous trees to contend with, like #9, #10, and #18. There are plenty of lines available, but plenty of ways to get caught up also.
- Some holes here have some interesting lines, like the tight uphill on #7, and a decent tunnel on #6. Other holes have some serious punishment for inaccurate shots; going too far left on #3 through #5 can be death, serious death. Two levels of hills to contend with, with nasty woods. Fairly warned be thee, says I. Some other spots are by the park road, for some OB challenge.
- Great teepads, signs, and baskets. Navigation is pretty easy, shouldn't be an issue. Lots of various pin positions as well, which can change the course up in a big way, distance-wise.

- A lot of the holes here are pretty wide open, with only a few trees to worry about. That includes #1, #2, #14, probably #16, and #17. At worst, it's a pretty clear RHBH hyzer route on these. The elevation changes help to keep things interesting, but it really comes down to how far the pin is more than anything else.

- Well, that's it for the cons! Fun factor at this course is off the charts, thanks to the big sloping hills, and variety in woods and trees. As an older course, though, the difficulty factor isn't that high, distance will usually trump accuracy from start to finish. People who don't have big enough arms will be playing a lot of par 3 golf, and dealing with some wide open upshots. Others with enough distance might find a lot of routine shots without much challenge.
- Still, a fantastic course that is a blast to play. True beginners might want to watch out for some of the nasty punishment, and more advanced players will be able to tear the course up, but that's okay. Well worth it.

-Tee pads are very long
-Signs are full color, list distances and pin locations
-Very nice City Park course
-Tons of elevation changes
-Benches and trash cans at every hole
-Great scenic view of KC and River
-Not many disc eating spots
-Great Local club backing the course and maintaining it
-DG only park for the most part
-Front 9 varies greatly from back 9
-Paths are well worn in woods; makes for easy disc finding and retrieval
-Rocks put up on cliff sides to prevent rolling
-nice man made steps

-Some tees are somewhat in other hole's fairways
-Road traffic through course

Definitely not for the faint of knees. Plays on State Park caliber hills. Good but not World Class.

Well designed course with thoughtful use of elevation and natural elements to provide unique challenges throughout the course. Every hole is memorable. Great course for pros; tough on beginners. The views of the city are worth the visit by themselves.

Rains will make the lower portions of the course, and the bottom of every hill, a mess. Errant throws will get the "waterworks roll" and likely end up on another hole and cost you a 1 throw or more.

If youre in Kansas CIty, and only play one course, this should be it. If #1 is busy, start on #11 or #12 just across the parking lot. Water is at the pump on teepad #1.

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> Scenic, clean and well maintained.
> Fantastic place for a DG course and you couldn't ask for better topography.
> Clever and thoughtful hole layout and pin placements.
> Pretty decent tee signs with a good view of the fairway and all possible placements.
> Big, level, clean concrete tees.
> Navigation was made easier by a neat little yellow pointer at the base of each basket.
> Multiple pin positions obviously provide excellent shot variety.
> Many holes had the opportunity for multiple approach paths right from the tee.
> Good combination of distance shots and technicals.
> The course is not too long and not too short... ahh, just right!
> Good benches at all tees.
> Trash cans at every tee.
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> Plenty of opportunity for multiple tees to be implemented.
> The baskets could really use some paint as they are hard to see.
> Tee signs need something to tell you what position the basket is in as many are hidden or protected.
> Trash cans were bursting at the rims (but park was mostly clean)
> A couple of holes really should have had Mando trees or O.B. marked, because there were many tempting shots that took discs into play areas or onto roadways.
> The homeless disc golf coach... please get your own discs and leave us alone.
> Needs a little more parking for sure.
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I've rarely been so entirely satisfied by a disc golf course. Almost everything I'd ever want was here in some way and I'm pretty sure I pulled out every disc in my bag at some point (I carry 13). I don't know if it's a norm at Water Works Park, but it was windy and the wind was totally unpredictable - probably due to the wild topography. It made me wish I had a mulligan for every hole, because no matter what you thought the wind was doing, that's only what it was doing at the tee. After the disc travelled over the first hill/valley/treeline, a differnt current would make it do something unpredictable... and away goes your disc on an adventure through the rolling hills.

This is an athletic course to walk, so be prepared... which makes me think the course could use a few steps in places where the hill to the next tee was too steep to traverse, especially with the fall leaves on the ground.

I can't wait until my next visit here to see how it goes.

IMO This course has a good mix of everything you want in Disc Golf.. Huge elevation changes, tight woods, huge rips, and some holes you can get your accuracy on, with tough basket placements..
There are 2 practice baskets where you can warm up with friends, or get the jump on others while waiting for your crew to join up. Benches, trash cans, and concrete T pads at every hole.
The course is pretty easy to navigate with pointers towards the next T at the bottom of every basket.
I think most every Disc Golfer at any level will find things that challenge them, or feel doable at this course. Definitely check it out if your in the KC area

If your not in good shape you may feel it at this course, lots of uphill and downhill hiking.. Although this can be a good thing if your looking to get in shape or use it against your opponents.. Just thought I would mention it if you had a health issue..
Sometimes there is lots of traffic running up and down the road in their cars, not sure what their doing but some seem a little freakish. They seem to ignore you when you step out with your DG bag just so they know what team your playing for, if you get my drift...

I'm sorta new at DG, I have been playing Frisbee with my dogs for years. Took up DG to advance my distance skills, and throws for Disc Dog Competitions.. I consider this my home course and after 2 months of playing twice a week here they had new basket placements today which made for a great challenge for me today, I was getting comfortable with the last ones.. Course was mowed, limbs are getting picked up better after every mowing since the storms a couple of months ago... Go play have fun !!

really dont have much experience to compare courses. i love getting out there and traversing the hills and undulations. great work out here. easy to navigate. from the other reviews ive read i may have been spoiled eary in my dg hobby undertaking.

really wish there was some par 4s or 5s. seems to me that some par 3s are long enough to be par 4s. however this would make them easy in relation to par.

sure enough, i have played a couple of others since posting first review. changed my rating from a four and a half to a five.

- True world caliber course with the local players to back it up
-Close to KC with nice skyline views.
- fantastic signage, teepads, benches, garbage cans on many holes, and all of that stuff
- WIDE range of uphill and downhill shots. Most of the course, actually, utilizes elevation in one way or another. Steep uphill require a strong arm; steep downhill drives require accuracy and discipline.
- Can be very challenging depending on tee placements. Each hole has 4 possible pin locations, and many holes require
- Favorite holes: 6 (a very long and tight tunnel shot with a well guarded basket) and 14 (an open bomb that sits dangerously close to the OB road--a nice change of pace for the course's general wooded and elevated holes.

The course itself just kind of looks majestic--kind of what one might envision a disc golf heaven to look like. Lush green rolling hills, beautiful trees, and the tees, signs, and everything else helps, too. This heavenly feeling is intensified by a drive across a steep ravine with views of Kansas City in the background. While I really enjoyed myself, I realized after awhile that this definitely isn't disc golf heaven (i.e. a 5 disc course). See cons below:

- Since there are 4 possible pin placements, a first-timer like myself had to do some scouting for every hole to see where the basket was. Not really a big issue for me, and I'm sure the locals know where each basket is.
- Would have liked to see some more wooded and technical holes that require really precise shots. Hole 6 is the only real example in the course.
- No super-duper long holes. Some were in the 400s, but a 600-800 foot hole or two would have been nice.
- It's called Water Works Park but there are no water hazards?

It's easy to see why this was the premiere course of last year's PDGA World Championships. While it may not be the best course on DGCR, it certainly is worthy of the presence of Climo, Jenkins, Doss, etc., and seeing everyone play would have been entertaining during the tourney. I know this is a good course, because I was having a blast despite braving the 99 degree temperatures and brutal humidity during my round. Bring your a-game and a nice diverse bag, because you're going to need it! Kansas City local disc golfers are lucky: Water Works Park AND Arthur Bryant's BBQ? I'd be in heaven.

1) hills, even though very tiering, are used very well
2) great signage
3) great tee pads
4) benches at every hole
5) easy to navigate, arrows on the pins pointing to next basket
6) has a good mix of holes, left, right, and straight.
7) some well protected pins

1) doesn't give current pin placements
2) could not find pin 18
3) no really long holes, but it's not much a con due to the grueling hike up and down the hills

a very very nice course all around. played on my vist to KC to see my aunt and uncle. if im every in the area again i would surely play the course.