Fantastic in every regard. Every hole provides a different challenge, with drop-offs in various directions, various lines, and every elevation change imaginable. The trees are old, mature, and impossible to throw over, which forces even the most powerful arms to take the traditional routes.

This course has received some love recently - there are pretty new Mach X baskets and, finally, new tee signs. There are 2-4 pins on every hole, and also two extra-long baskets that you can play to for a longer hole (holes 1 and 12). Those pins give the course a ton of variety and make there virtually no need for alternate tees. Most of the time, some pins open up lines that would be otherwise impractical.

Most holes offer multiple lines, especially depending on pin placements. Hole 12 is a good RHBH roller hole, hole 9 has numerous possibilities, and even on a lot of upshots, there's danger because of rollaway potential or tricky stances. Some lines are shots that are difficult to find on other courses; on hole 7, you're squeezing your disc between the hill and a low ceiling, and a few pin placements force you to manage speed to not blow by the basket going downhill.

There's out of bounds in play on several holes and adds to difficulty and risk-reward potential. For beginner players, just play everything in bounds - this course is difficult enough already. For everyone else, the roads add death putts and potential for aggressive shots that will punish you if you miss your line. The pins can change up OB challenge a lot too, with the long pins on 8 and 9 bringing the path into play a little more, and long pins on 14 and 17 being a little closer to the roads.

Rollaways are common if the angle of your disc doesn't match the hillside, which can be punishing. This can be a con for new players, but it really keeps you honest on ~70-foot upshots, which would be routine on flat ground. Drives that would be commonplace for advanced players will be tricky due to discs speeding past baskets and tough putts that will be produced by hills or OB.

There's a bike trail that winds its way through some of the course. In my experience, there are not many people on it, but it does come into play on around four holes, depending on pin placements.

The only thing missing to make this a truly world-class course is more par 4's and 5's. A couple of long pins can be par 4, but in reality, it's a par 3 course.

Can get muddy after rain. There are also a few steep hills off the fairways (mainly, holes 3-5) where lost discs are possibilities. Watch any discs going that way. Fortunately, the first row of trees usually stops anything coming in.

This course is not for the faint of heart at all. The hills will get to you instantly, so bring plenty of water.

It's amazing this course has survived for so long and is still so amazing, despite trees and limbs that have fallen down in the last 10 years. The original designers did a fantastic job.

League night is Thursday evenings in the summer and is one of the most popular leagues in Kansas City. If you want a quick round, come sometime else.

Course has been reviewed so many times it shows how well loved and venerated it is. It deserves every kudo for grandiose shots (9/10), condition of grasslands (8/10), mix of risk and reward (7/10), and multitude of shot shapes (9/10).
Coming from Colorado this has as much elevation change as our big mountain courses (a LOT more oxygen available tho).
Good map at the start - take a picture of it for navigation (see Cons)
Excellent newish baskets.
Rewards the longer arms (350+) but us ordinary mortals can find a few birdies too.
Really requires delicate landings on side/up hills on half the holes.

I played on July 4th mid-afternoon and had the whole course to myself due to earlier rain shower. Was still very playable after rain due to good grass. Only four holes had dicey mud footing near the basket.

I don't remember a single tee box sign that was readable. They have nice big metal numbers, but the images and details were all roached out so yardage etc. unavailable.

Really worth the effort to get here. It was surreal to play on a stellar empty course on a summer holiday. Not a breath of wind and the sun was hidden behind clouds - sort of like the DG rapture happened. Guess that's a round to cherish.

I had the great luck of being in town the day after Water Works hosted the 2018 Master's Worlds. As one would expect based on that, the course was in absolutely amazing shape. But even if the fairways hadn't all been perfectly manicured, and even if the basket placements hadn't been in their most challenging placements, this still would be a 5* course in my book.
Water Works has great use of elevation changes, which require you to execute a wide variety of shots. The scenery is awesome, giving a unique mix of views of forestry, the Missouri River, and downtown KC. The holes are very memorable and no two are alike. There are some absolute bomber holes, some long and technical holes, and even a couple ace runs. Added bonus: the hilliness really makes a round here a decent cardio workout. It felt a lot like going on a hike, which is awesome. This is absolutely a destination course.

I honestly don't have any real negatives. We had no difficulty finding teepads, but due to some temporary baskets for Masters Worlds we did have a hard time identifying the correct basket a couple times. The locals were happy to help out though, and that was clearly just a temporary issue since the signage is great for identifying all the permanent basket locations. Pace of play is typically a big factor in my enjoyment level, but we were the first to tee off at around 6:45am so I really can't speak to how backed up the course may or may not get. Yeah, no real gripes. If you're reading this, just play it!

I can't imagine how a park style course could be better than Water Works. It's perfect. If you are in KC for a day or two this is a must-play.

Great terrain, signage, use of woods and elevation, and locals are friendly. Great mix of left and right shots. One of my favorite courses I've ever played. Coming from St. Louis, it was fun to play a course with more dramatic terrain, compared to the many rolling hill public park courses in the STL area.

Not many long holes

I'll be back 100%

Plenty of variety in holes. From tight/ technical, to wide open bombs. Great elevation change, one of the hilliest I've played in missouri. There is some risk on a lot of holes, but nowhere you can't find your disc.
Every hole has a bench and a trash can which is great for a relaxing round.
Tee signs are very descriptive and helpful.
Mach 2 baskets are in great condition. Great views of downtown KC. Every level of player can play this course and not fill overwhelmed.

It can get busy, its highly likely on a nice day, that almost every hole will have someone on it. The hills can get exhausting, epecially when your discs decide to roll down them(half the fun though). Roadways can come into play quite a bit. Nothing really negative, just adds more challenge.

STUNNING views and scenery! If you didn't know the midwest could be this hilly, you're in for a treat/surprise. The first hole, with its beautiful view of downtown, really sets the stage for the most visually appealing course I've ever played.

All concrete tee pads, benches, baskets, and flags are in excellent shape. Course was mowed well.

There is a huge range of variety on this course, in terms of elevation changes, wooded shots, and even a few open, longer baskets.

Brush and weeds seemed to be well manicured and taken care of when we played over Labor Day weekend.

Even as a beginner, this course didn't get frustrating or tiresome, regardless of how much we struggled with a couple of the holes. It was just gorgeous and I liked the big array of shots that were employed.

Navigation was generally pretty good, although sometimes you have to hunt for a bit. Watch for the big sign after 4 that directs you up the stairs to the next tee.

As always, lots of amenities here. Trust me, if you play on a hot day as we did, you will be using the many benches that are at every hole.

Flags on top of the baskets are essential with so much elevation change; they really help with the navigation and prevent you from throwing blind any more than you have to.

They lay of the land just seems to give itself to being a great DG course. All obstacles, flora and fauna, and elevation are used to their full potential.

If you can only play one course during your time in KC, make it this one. You won't regret it and will be treated to some gorgeous views of our beautiful city!

Seeing as this is the Taj Mahal of courses in town, it was very packed when we were there. Not at all a fault of the course, but be prepared to fight the crowds.

This probably shouldn't be a con, but as a heads up, this course is a workout; we played on a very hot day and were exhausted afterwards. And I'm also a runner. Moral of the story, stop at the QT nearby to get some water and snacks beforehand.

This course is a short drive from downtown KC, across Oak Trafficway from the Cerner campus. It's a bit of a trek if you live on the south end of town but definitely worth it.

I hold up this course as proof that even beginners can appreciate a well-designed, challenging course. We struggled on many holes, but were so blown away with the park's design that it didn't matter. I can't wait to play again once my game improves.

I have to give this course a 5 because, honestly, I can't think of anything that they could do to improve it, which is what the essence of a 5 should be. Make this your destination course and have fun!

There is a ton of elevation here and the holes have a great mix of slopes including sideslopes. Also, most holes have multiple elevation elements (not just straight downhill or uphill) 10/10

Plenty of trees for obstacles and they are huge. This helps make them more fair because you're mainly avoiding trunks and large branches instead of praying you get through leaves. The hills also make for obstacles that most courses don't have the luxury of adding. 10/10

There is a large variety of openness on shots, with several pretty wooded holes, the most of which is hole 6. There are also some pretty wide open holes, 14 comes to mind here, and everything in between. 10/10

Every hole has at least three possible pin positions and many of them have a large effect on the hole, significantly changing the angle, distance, or both. 10/10

Benches on every hole and lots of shade from the large trees. Bathrooms and a water fountain at the start of the course, and the 7th and 11th holes return back to near this area. This also allows you to cut the round short if you're short on time. 10/10 on comfort

Baskets are perfect and there are large concrete tees 10/10

The course requires players to throw every type of shot to score well. This also changes with the pin positions, but 4, 9, 11, 16, and 18 generally require right to left while 5, 12, and 15 generally require left to right. 10/10

Decisionmaking is required on many holes as the trees allow for many different ways to play most of the holes. 9/10

The holes have a great variety of distance, especially when counting in alternative pin positions. Hole 8 alone can be either 200 or 400ft. 9/10

Course is regularly mowed and benches, tee signs, trash cans are in good condition. Trashcans are sometimes full because of the amount of people that play this course. course maintenance 9/10

Navigation of the holes is generally a breeze thanks to the tee signs which show the hole more from the view the player sees. The only times there is a problem is when there are blind shots like on hole 2 or hole 8 where there are multiple positions that can't be seen from the tee, but most of these don't affect the drive. 9/10

Discs are pretty easy to find on most holes. 3-5 and 13 are the only places you could really lose one. 3-5 have a pretty steep dropoff on the left if you throw it over there and you could potentially roll deep into the trees. Overall 8/10

This course isn't great for people who have never played before, but it's not like you need to be an advanced player to enjoy this course. The first time I played it I had been playing for 3 months and threw around 230ft and it was immediately my favorite course (and still is). I've also brought friends that were fairly new to the game (this was the second course they played) and they enjoyed it as well. 7/10 on challenging all levels without being impossible

Navigation between holes is pretty good thanks to a map at the start and also markers at the base of the baskets. In addition, because this course is usually pretty busy you can just follow other players. There are a couple of tricky spots after holes 1, 9 and 14

Be prepared to take your time and enjoy the round as this course can be pretty busy. This is also a testament to how great this course is.

You can sometimes get frustrating rolls if you hit a basket and get up on an edge but at this point I'm digging for something negative to say.

This is a pretty challenging course, nothing like Blue Valley or the front nine at Kessler, but it's still 8/10

Great scenery and views of Kansas City.

I've played just about every course within 40 miles of Olathe, KS (a total of 28 currently) and this is by far my favorite.

Great course. This course offers beautiful lines and great changes in elevation. Ever hole has multiple tee pads. The signage is great too. This course was on my wish list for years. It was definitely worth the wait.

Truly amazing destination course. Great elevation changes, scenery, combination of long and short holes and layout in general.

If you don't live in Kansas City....you won't get to play it nearly as much as you would probably like to!
Nothing bad to say about this course at all.

Played here in the 2009 World's. Kansas City probably has the best collection of DG courses in the world and this is the crown jewel. One of the top 5 courses in the nation IMHO.

Overlooks downtown Kansas City
Wide variation of shot selection
Well manicured
Multiple pin placements
Diverse terrain
Looks great in every season

Crowded on nice days
Hills can be slippery on rainy days
Rollaways are inevitable
Not a lot of par 4s

This is the first course I played and is hands down my favorite course.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great workout. The terrain is both scenic and abundant. I travel a lot and everytime I get to KC, I HAVE to play WaterWorks.

Drink a Gatorade, not a High Life, it will drag you down.

Lost: Discraft: Avenger, ESP, Rainbow colored.

The first thing I heard as I approach the first tee at water works. Is a story of someone who fell playing and was bit by a snake. Needless to say, I was a bit worried starting. However, this course is now my favorite course I have ever played. The course has every conceivable type of shot. Left hand, right hand, uphill, downhill, short, long, tunnel shot, and open. The lengths are perfect and there was not one speck of litter when I was there. It is a very picturesque course.

The only real negative of this course was the mud. Being so close to the Missouri, it was muddy. It made driving tough on a couple of the pads that have accumulated mud, but this is likely a seasonal problem considering the rain the area has had. The biggest negative is that it had to end.

I encourage everyone to come here. There is some nasty woods that you can throw into, but it worked well into the course. Unlikely to lose discs, and very likely to be challenged. Wherever you are, go!

Excellent array of shots needed.
great use of elevation
Risk reward came into play on lengthy puts!
beautiful scenery

none

I am florida golfer 95% of the time so it was a real treat to play this course that I have read and heard about for the past 20 years.
I got a taste of the risk/reward aspect of putting that applies here right off the bat by hitting the chains on a thirty foot birdie put on hole 1. It didn't stay in and came out and down the hill for a 75 foot third shot.This type of risk reward putting came into play on many holes and added an ingredient to the game I usually do not see in Florida. If you have not played here before, a second round is a must, I shot 57 the first round and 51 the second round. Your score can really be affected by your puts rolling away so it is very important to weigh the risk of going for the risky put.

This a beautiful course with great elevation changes and views of downtown Kansas City.
There are not many hole that are teribly long or short and are all fairly challanging. Well maintained

Lack of bathrooms except for porta potty at 1st tee.