Joliet, IL

Highland Park

4.025(based on 63 reviews)
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19 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.9 years 970 played 542 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 27, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

Highland Park DGC is the original best in Joliet. It's now overshadowed a bit by the Canyons. But Highland is just a notch below and is equally as chock full of fun and interesting holes.

The baskets here are Chainstars. These are all mounted nice and level and catch fine. I'm not sure how many exactly, but numerous holes have 2 pins in play at all times it appears, which is awesome. They generally change the intended line pretty significantly as well. All of the long baskets have a next tee arrow hanging from the bottom of one of the rungs on the cage. Love it when courses have these, such an underutilized and underrated course amenity.

The tee pads here are nice and long concrete. All were poured nice and level and the grip was top notch.There's multiple tees on most of the holes it seems, though not all of them. Couldn't really ask for much better to be honest.

The course offers a nice mixture of mostly open to tightly wooded, leaning a bit in favor of the tightly wooded. The elevation is used nicely in spots. There's some fun up and downhill shots as well as a few awesome "valley" shots, where you're actually throwing over the park road. It's elevated enough that the road should never come into play. Just an all around excellent design here. The front and back nine both start and end near the parking lot which is always a bonus.

The tee signs are top notch. They have all the pertinent info on them. There's a nice, albeit pretty basic, hole layout on each, showing both pin positions if there's more than one. They also include the hole #, distances and pars for all pin locations and any applicable OB. They're mounted on beautiful 4'x4' posts that stick out nicely in the shade of the woods.

The course wasn't busy at all on a beautiful Monday afternoon. There was only one other vehicle there the whole time. I can't imagine that this is usually the case, but if it was and I was local I'd be here more than any other course in the area.

The course is permanent and free to play. Probably wouldn't play this one too much in the snow, if at all, but there's plenty of other good nearby options for that. This course is great in the summer to get you out of the sun. There were no bugs either in late June. Shocking but welcomed. The up and downhill holes pretty much all had stairs leading up and down them which is an awesome touch.


Cons:

Broken glass on the ground everywhere here. Not too much other trash really, but the broken glass is just ridiculous. It really kind of takes away from the visual appeal of the course. The neighborhood and surrounding area, after hole 3 I believe it was, is pretty trashy looking too, but that's it. Pretty woods and grassy fields after that.


It can be a bit confusing locating the pin locations on numerous holes without having to walk halfway or more up the fairway. Not a major deal, but worth noting as being off just a bit can spell trouble. Lots of roll away potential with a few drop offs behind the basket. When in doubt, walk ahead and scout.

Not the longest of courses. No par 5's or wide open grip it and rip it holes. If that's the kind of thing you like, this probably isn't the course for you.


Other Thoughts:

This is just a really solid all around course. I'd definitely recommend this one to anybody staying in or even travelling through the area. It's one of the top courses I've played in IL. I'd rank it third out of the ones I've played around Chicago, behind Dellwood and probably Fairfield. It's pretty close between those two imo. Multiple other solid options nearby as well. Joliet really has the best DG in the Chicago area in my opinion.
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14 0
Qikly
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.7 years 181 played 148 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 17, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

With little foreknowledge going in, Highland Park pleasantly surprised me with its well-designed and technical play. There's a great mix of terrain, tree cover, and hole lengths here: the course weaves in and out of the woods with lots of subtle (and some not-so-subtle) elevation changes throughout. The mostly-par 3 layout is punctuated by a few great par 4s, which are evenly distributed across the round to maximize their impact. Many shorter holes demand you hit a variety of windows or lines to earn your par/birdie, while others allow more flexibility in your approach without cheapening the challenge. There are also some opportunities to air it out, and three sets of tees help you find a level of difficulty that's right for you. Play can be challenging at times but it felt fair to my decent-but-nothing-to-write-home-about game: wooded lanes are well-established and don't inadvertently punish good shots.

Cons:

I would love to have a few more par 4s just to accentuate the course's technical leanings and enhance the variety present. Hole 4's gradual right turn moving into the woods with a well-guarded basket left me wanting more of this kind of bridging between the different kinds of tree cover present. It suggested a bit of untapped potential, even though the present layout is quite well-designed.

The course is a bit rough around the edges. Hardly to discouraging levels, but it doesn't seem to get the top-tier care that a few other nearby courses do.

Road OB factors in a bit too close for my comfort at a few points, and there's even a throw or two across the road. Traffic seems minimal but the potential safety hazard nevertheless surprised me.

Other Thoughts:

Highland Park's great and varied terrain and smart use thereof was a high point of my month-long stay in the Chicago area. The Canyons is more polished and Fairfield Park has more wow factor, but there are some great holes here and a sneaky high level round overall. Highly recommended, especially to those who like technical play, though the shorter tees are well-accommodating to less established players.
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3 1
KoRnyWayz
Experience: 6.7 years 14 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Not bad 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 4, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Decent course, with varying degrees of difficulties. Every tee shot is different, and can challenge your skills.

EDIT: Some good samaritans have signed the baskets to help guide you to the next hole, which is a big help. The more I play here and learn the course, the more I love it.

Cons:

Lots of debris, garbage and broken glass all over the place. Signage is subpar, even some electrical tape on the baskets would be helpful to guide you to the next hole.

Other Thoughts:

Avoid bringing pets here, good chance they could wind up cut thanks to all of the broken glass that is around.
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3 3
Chaz58
Experience: 8.7 years 16 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Needs a BIG Clean-up 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 2, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Still a well designed course with a variety of challenging shots for all skill levels.

Cons:

The garbage throughout the entire course.

Other Thoughts:

Just wanted to comment about the course condition after playing just this morning/early afternoon. Previous reviews pretty much state it all concerning the actual play and layout of the course. What was a real attention-getter today was the amount of trash throughout the course. Almost looks like people are dumping their household garbage out there. Trash bags laying in places holding garbage that you would see from someone's house. Discarded cardboard boxes laying in some places, litter strewn over a good portion of the course and broken pieces of glass of all sizes are everywhere. Looks like this place hasn't been cleaned in quite a while. Maybe there needs to be some type of an eye kept on this place for all the garbage dumpers going out there and the underage drinkers doing their drinking out there and then breaking their bottles all about the place. Was not like this several months ago. Piles of garbage around the 18th tee, especially, was really an eyesore. Takes away from what was a great course to play. Hopefully something can be done about whoever is dumping all the garbage out there along with the glass bottle breakers.
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3 1
Front Row
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 34 years 64 played 23 reviews
5.00 star(s)

One of Illinois' best 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 7, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A well designed course with many challenging shots to delight all. Many drives are picturesque with old growth trees providing obstacles in one section, while a ravine is another challenge. Up and down shots complete a well thought out course.The redesign of certain drives, most notably sixteen, has been a major improvement. Some baskets were moved further back from the tees which raises the difficulty of the course. The white and blue tees are often concrete while red may vary. Large posts have accurate descriptions of most holes. New information on redesigned baskets are forthcoming. Chainstar baskets are on most drives. The elevated tees will make you feel important. The course requires all your shots to get obtainable pars. Many 500 ft drives are paired with 250 ft wooded technical drives. The balance and variation of this course seems to make it feng shui. The return to the parking lot after nine is a nice touch.

Cons:

The cleanup of this course is impressive. Much of the trash is gone and it looked in better shape that a while ago. My complaints are mild. I did not see any washroom facilities or warm up basket. The first drive is a bit difficult to find for first timers. Also, the road that splits three does have an occasional car driving through. Lastly, a deteriorating and abandoned road does detract from the aesthetics of the course.

Other Thoughts:

A remarkable course that rivals West Park. It is not as crowded as The Oaks. The variety of drives that requires various skills raises this course above Sgt. Means and 50 Acre. The light redesign has improved a wonderful course. No wonder why the state championships are held here so often.
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13 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Excellent Course Combines Challenge With Workout And Scenery. 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 26, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

I thought it quite funny that the sign leading to the course proclaims "Frisbee Golf." When was that sign put up? 1980?

You can just tell that this course has received a lot of TLC over the years. The course is hosting the Illinois State Championship Tournament next week and dedicated volunteers were out working and sprucing the course up. Thanks for your hard work guys. Evidence of all these years of hard work is everywhere. Two holes ( 6 & 15) that throw over deep ravines have stairs built on both the down and up sides. Probably my favorite hole, # 12, has a set of stairs going down. The total amount of engineering that has been completed here is impressive.

The course is challenging but fair. I played from the Whites, the second most difficult tees. Some of the throws from the longest Blues would challenge any player.

The amenities are first class starting with the practice basket. The tees are long and concrete with a crushed rock border. The signs are great giving all the needed information. They show distance for the Red, White and Blue tees. The baskets are older but seemed to catch OK. But then I never hits chains on any putt longer than about six feet.

This is definetly one of the most diverse courses I've ever played. It really does feature every type throw needed. There are downhill touch ACE runs, up hills, tunnel and technical and long holes for bomber shots.



Cons:

Reviewers all seem to be complaining about the older baskets. It seems as though a course of this one's pedigree needs new baskets. Yeah, and Wrigley Field needs better sight lines.

I think the course plays at an Intermediate level. I could see some players wanting it to play longer.

Some baskets are placed in difficult placements. Rollaways will frustrate some players.

I didn't notice any broken glass but then again I spent most of my time looking for my discs in the rough.

Other Thoughts:

This course reminds me a great deal of Missouri's # 1 rated course, "Waterworks" in Kansas City. They both feature the same steep hills and treacherous valleys and ravines. Highland Park is a little less challenging and definetly more forgiving. Highland Park could be Waterwork's little brother. Just about a 1/2 point lower rating is all that separates these two epic courses.

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12 0
DrewbieDoobieDoo
Experience: 10.8 years 253 played 19 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Terrific course in SW suburbs- worth a good drive 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 15, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

equipment/amenities- new chainstar baskets. Long, level cement tee pads for whites and a few blues; markers in grass/dirt for other blues and reds. Maps on each hole with distance (hole 16 has recently been renovated but the sign has not changed accordingly. It says 220 or something, but is easily closer to 350). Many holes have benches and garbage cans.

design & playability- amazing use of land and elevation! Several holes have dramatic elevation changes up or down. Many baskets are precariously placed to entice risk reward shots. Play it safe and lay up or Go for the basket strong but risk climbing down a steep hill or ravine makes for many fun or aggravating shots. Great combination of open and heavily wooded, tight holes. Good mix of long "everything you've got" holes and shorter runs with putters/mids. Some holes have one designed line to hit, some have several options to consider. Many holes on this course could be considered signature holes (I've played here dozens of times and still stand at some tees and baskets and say "woah, now that's a cool hole"). Can't think of a hole that I wish wasn't included. Tough enough for better player to be challenged; playable enough for newcomers to not be discouraged.

Cons:

Upkeep/maintenance- a lot more garbage than I care to see to see on a course, or anywhere for that matter. With garbage cans all around it baffles me how people could be so careless.
Some places can get overgrown causing good shots to be punished.
Hole 16s tee is less than desirable footing on a (hopefully temporary) rubber tee pad
Two holes are over/next to an access road to baseball fields next to the course. Watch for cars on holes 3 and 9!!

Honesty pretty minor issues taking into account the great golf to be played here!

Other Thoughts:

I like that it is designed as two nine hole loops, allowing you to make a pit stop at the car if needed or easily start on the back nine for a change of pace.

Some reviewers have voiced concern about the neighborhood the park is in or certain shenanigans that might take place here but I have never encountered any problems and always feel perfectly safe.

With a little more attention and upkeep this course could easily be a 4.5 from me but for now it is a solid 4.0. Come out and enjoy this beautiful course in Chicagoland!
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10 0
davetherocketguy
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.7 years 114 played 105 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Discing in Bizarro Land...I loved it! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 27, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Well kept up Chainstairs on every hole which as expected catch very well.
- Huge level concrete pads in good condition. Now take that with a grain of salt because I only ever play the white tees here. I don't think all the Reds have pads and I am unsure of the condition of the blue pads.
- Fantastic use of the land. Up, down, left, right, etc. Every disc in your bag is needed here.
- I don't know what it is about this course but so many of the holes looked incredibly easy from the tee but by the time I holed out I thought to myself, "Jeez that hole was a bitch!" So many of these are deceptively simple.
- The tee signs were great with the nice little graphics - But more on that later...
- The setting in the back half of the park is just...bizarre. Really interesting to be sure but it's hard to imagine what this park was originally designed to be. There are washed out roads, random sidewalks and what appears to be a the abutments to either a brigde or piers to a dam, This really adds to the unique feel of the course.
- For the most part, there were benches and trash cans at most of the holes. My 44 year old knees really appreciated that after going up and down all those stairs and hills.

Cons:

- #14. What a POS hole. Sorry folks I cannot stand pure poke-n-hope holes. There needs to be a defined fairway and there is none here. I probably would not mind this so much had the punishment for going off line not been so punitive. Flying into the ravines on either side of the basket is just unnecessarily brutal.
- I think this park is in the process of renovation because there are additional baskets on some holes but I also noticed that the distances on some of these were just way off. For example, there is no way #16 is less than 300' from the white tee and it is listed in the low 200's as I recall. I wonder if these off distances are the result of some changes and the signs haven't been updated yet.
- It's clear that this park gets a huge amount foot traffic and it shows. There was a fair amount of trash throughout but not horribly so. I think whoever is maintaining it is keeping up but more work could be done. If you're a local get your butt out to the course and help out.
- Navigation was a little annoying but not terrible. A few of the holes we had to wander a bit to figure out where to go like from #4 basket to the #5 tee. Other than that most of the tees were close enough to the baskets for navigation to be fairly straightforward.

Other Thoughts:

This is a great disc golf experience. Well worth driving out of the way for. Bring your "A" game or expect to have your butt handed to you. It's a tough course but not unfairly so. I really enjoyed the challenges.

As I've alluded to already, this is a course with a high amount of traffic. If you live near here a way to pay it forward is to help out whatever league or club is performing maintenance here. As disc golf grows in popularity this place is only going to get busier.
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12 0
thejetmechanic
Experience: 17 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Highland Park Joliet 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 4, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Ahh, this place was my go to course during my college days, and I always try to make it back to play a few times a season.

I've always said I wish I could pick up this course and move it out of Joliet, but what can you do. Great course in a not so great area.

*Start in the woods, throw a few holes in the open, and back in the woods is the theme of this place
*Holes offer a challenge to even the most seasoned of players
*Baskets are old, but still in great shape
*Multiple tees for different skill levels which are clearly marked
*All cement tees except for the new hole 16
*Lots of benches, gazibo type overhangs, and garbage cans
*Signs are accurate. VERY accurate
*Course well groomed

Cons:

*My biggest con is the sketchy area. I always encounter something or someone on my trips to Highland that reminds me I'm in Joliet. It's a public park in a not so great area.
*Relatively busy (Great for the sport, I will not mark my course rating due to this) so plan accordingly.
*The old hole 16 which was a narrow shot down a path with the basket flirting with a huge drop off has been removed and replaced with a typical open field hole. I loved the challenge of the old hole 16
*trash and litter needs to be picked up
*Bathrooms would be nice
*Parking lot seems to have been an old mine field Very rough.

Other Thoughts:

This place holds a special place in my heart and I will continue playing it for years to come. The Joliet area as well as the Southwest suburbs are home to some amazing courses. I'd reccomend traveling to this course and others in the area. The only thing that doesn't make this place a solid 4.5 for me is the sketchy people and the litter.
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1 6
joelhartzell
Experience: 9.6 years 22 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 21, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Good variety of tight vs wide open throws, left vs right, etc.
- No huge bodies of water to lose a disc
- Really nice looking and interesting fairways

Cons:

There is one hole that has a hill that leads to a road, and if your disc rolls down and ends up in that road, you'll be climbing a tall stone fence to get back in the game.

Other Thoughts:

There are street remnants in the woods, and stairs like there used to be houses out here.
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2 10
TheGeneral
Experience: 17.8 years 18 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Awesome course great valley shots 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Course is awesome.Great tee pads, good signs at pads.low key area,fairly easy to navigate great course to play once then go and hit up another one near by like the canyons,trinity links or west park!

Cons:

Need a few more garbage cans at some holes.gravel parking lot is getting rough.baskets are out of date
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19 0
BogeyNoMore
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.8 years 479 played 183 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Take a hike through the Highlands 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 31, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Challenging and interesting course that plays all around the park.

• Disc Play: Wonderful variety encompasses a gamut of fairway types (open holes in grassy fields, lightly, moderately and densely wooded holes), shapes, distances and terrain with red, white, and blue layouts to accommodate a range of skill levels. A few holes start in the open, playing to well protected baskets nestled away amid the woods. Nice mix distances - allows for a full range of lengths without having to different color tees. Some have several routes you can take, some give you only one or two and challenge you to hit a specific line. Makes for a well-balanced and quite complete round.

+ Elevation: About half the holes feature substantial elevation, ranging from subtle to dramatic. Splendidly employed in all sorts of ways, features uphills, downhills, ravines and plenty of rollaway potential (not only on putts and approaches but a few fairways as well).

+ Does a great job making short holes challenging. Quite a few baskets are short enough for almost any player to reach from the tee, but all of them really make you earn birdies. Short holes playing over deep ravines can be a real difference maker. Get through the trees and across, and you could be parked... take a bad kick off a tree and the resulting rollaway can be crushing. Others feature well-guarded pins or drop offs behind them. Bottom line is Highland's shortest holes aren't necessarily the most birdie-able ones on the course, especially for those who can hit 300 +.

• Equipment: White and blue tees are all concrete (except for #16) and in decent shape. Red tees are "natural" on about half the holes with a different look from the whites, and share the white pads on the other half. Most of the blues are unique with some really providing very different looks and challenges, but a few blues are common with the white as well. Signage is pretty good and reasonably informative (although you'll have to scout ahead to spot the basket on some holes). Baskets are older DGA's and functional (but not much more).

• Routing/Nav: Pretty easy to follow for the most part, course gets a lot of traffic, so paths are pretty obvious, which is good...'cause there's no map. Two 9 hole loops play back to centrally located parking.

• Aesthetics - Highland's standout features are the spectacular shots across deep ravines... very scenic with the steps leading down and away from the tee, coming all the way back up the other side. The rest of the course is a fairly pleasant stroll from field to woods and back ambling across some varied terrain.

• Memorable holes: For me, the holes with major elevation really stand out as the most interesting: #'s 6, 12, 15, as did 17 and 18

• Extras: Some holes feature steps that make an otherwise treacherously steep descent/ascent (especially when wet) fairly easy, while adding a certain rustic charm.

Cons:

• One or two holes play near roads - hitting cars is a possibility (particularly on # 9).

• Baskets are old and pretty shallow, wouldn't surprise me if you get some bad bounce outs.

• Poison Ivy - easy to come by off the wooded fairways.

• # 13 (might have been 14): not saying you can't get to the pin, but there's no reasonably executable line from the tee - seems hopelessly poke and pray'ish.

• # 16: tee is a depression in the dirt/gravel - less than desirable footing.

Other Thoughts:

Great course, offering a fun, scenic and challenging round with a little of everything. While I haven't played extensively throughout the Chicagoland area, I've played several of the higher rated courses and Highland has to be one of the very best (if not the best) in the area.

There are a few spots on the course I really don't think are traversable using a stroller or cart (holes 6 and 15). The terrain's not so demanding that one needs to be in particularly good shape, but it does require you to be reasonably able bodied and wouldn't I recommend playing here if you're recovering from an ankle or knee injury as some of the slopes are both steep and fairly long. Check out the course pics for #6 and 15 to see what I'm talkin' 'bout... do you really wanna deal with a cart on those?
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7 0
SneakyJedi
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.8 years 143 played 83 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fun & Challenging 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 20, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Variety of shots needed
- Length and openness of holes balanced and varied
- Elevation creates several interesting drives off of the tee and putts at dangerous greens
- Large, good quality concrete teepads
- Two nine-hole loops
- Good navigation and signage
- Benches at many holes
- Stairs to navigate steep climbs and descents

Cons:

- Older baskets
- Trash frequently present around course
- Hole 16's gravel teepad

Other Thoughts:

Highland Park is the one course I make sure to play if it has been a while since my last trip to the Joliet area. The hole variety and elevation on this course make every round fun from beginning to end.

The course is paced incredibly well, if you start getting tired of shorter narrower fairways, a longer, more open hole or two is upcoming. The result of which is a course without a considerable weak link.

The only thing this course does not have is a real water carry, but if you really want to chuck your plastic over a larger body of water, Round Barn Farm is a short drive south.

Most of the baskets are not in great shape and can lead to some unfortunate spit-outs, while not a big deal in a casual round, this can be quite frustrating when it happens in a tournament.

Highland park may be a bit rough around the edges, with trash frequent at some locations throughout the park, but it is not enough to take away from what I have found to always be a great place for a fun round.
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6 0
JohtoVillage
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24 years 160 played 73 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 19, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Highland Park is one of the top courses in the Chicagoland area and worthy of a Very Good rating. Here are my pros:

1) Navigation was actually great on this course. There are signs throughout the park directing you to the long and short tees and to the next hole.

2) The concrete tee pads were awesome. Someone had commented that maybe they were too big but I would never complain about that!

3) The course has some very interesting features and very interesting holes. Hole 13 effectively uses 4 benches to create a neat little green while hole 12 uses a nice culvert to create a nice risk/reward shot from the short tee.

4) There is a good mix of wooded and open holes. It actually seemed to be fairly split between the two, with half of the holes open and half of the holes wooded. Great variety!

5) Some of the greens are very challenging and use elevation very effectively. Holes 5 and 14 have significant drop-offs after the basket and really add significant value to the hole.

6) I think the par 4's on this course are very good holes. Hole 4 is a tighter hole with a tough landing area that requires a finesse second shot to a guarded green. Hole 9 doesn't seem that hard but the out of bounds road to the right forces a lot of shots to end up to the left which brings some big oak trees into play. Hole 17 isn't a super challenging hole but still requires you to throw a very long hyzer drive and requires you to throw a good upshot to get your birdie three.

Cons:

I actually only have a couple cons for the course and then one con for the actual park. Here they are:

1) Some of the tees are just a little bit goofy, in my opinion. In particular, I just do not understand the short tee on hole 2. The long tee on hole 2 (350 foot option hole) is a fantastic hole. The short hole is shorter but the angle of the hole makes the hole much harder. It just seems like it would be better to eliminate this tee altogether because its not a fun hole to throw and its actually easier than the long tee. Also, I was not a fan of the long tee on hole 12. Having to throw a 150 foot putter shot and then go 90 degrees the other way to the green (albeit a neat green) is not my idea of a great disc golf hole. Its listed as a par 3 and really is basically a tweener hole.

2) A few of the holes felt a little bit like poke and hope holes. The lines on holes 5 and 6 are definitely there but just a little pokey. Same with holes 13, 15 and 18. The lines are there but they are definitely tight. They are fair lines but I just got the feeling that a few trees coming out would make the fairway more defined.

3) When I played the course recently hole 8 had some vines and branches that were literally hanging out right in the middle of the fairway. This may not seem like a huge deal but it really made the hole a bad hole when two good drives in a tournament hit an invisible vine (mine wasn't one of them) and the vine was right in the middle of the fairway. Great drives shouldn't be punished so I think the course just may need a little TLC in a few places.

4) Unfortunately the baskets are getting to be very worn. Its not a huge deal for a casual round but in a tournament these baskets are very frustrating. These baskets look to be very old and are very very worn. We had many bounceouts and spitouts at a recent tournament.

5) This is the one con that doesn't deal specifically with the course: this park is definitely a little more on the sketchy side. I constantly see videos and pictures posted about this course with some pretty crazy staff happening at the course (fights, drunk people going crazy, etc). I would just warn you that this course isn't in the best of neighborhoods and be prepared to see something crazy!

Other Thoughts:

Don't let the cons steer you away from playing. I have never felt unsafe here by any means. I would actually rate this course a 4.0 but because of the atmosphere of the park and the poor condition of the baskets I dropped it down to a 3.5. This is actually one of the best courses in the Chicagoland area so definitely give it a chance!
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6 0
Dwiggy444
Experience: 17 years 90 played 13 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Another Illinois Gem 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 27, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Excellent variety of holes, from short, technical wooded holes to long bombs with lurking OB and large trees scattered throughout the fairway. You'll play a shorter hole that requires a gentle left-to-right touch shot that must land on a small green guarded by a huge drop-off and then play a long bomber hole where you've got a throw a dead-straight 425-foot drive down a beautiful avenue of giant oaks. The course never got boring or felt redundant because every hole is different and has its own unique challenges. You have to be able to throw a huge variety of shots to score well here.
- Elevation changes come into play on the majority of holes, creating interesting and challenging shots and great aesthetics. A few of the holes have very nasty, fast greens with a punishing drop-off behind the basket, which force you to make decisions both off the tee and on your putt. Some holes give you the chance to drive straight up hill through narrow gaps and others ask you to float an approach shot downhill into a small protected green. The course photos just don't do it justice - these are some big hills!
- Many holes have three tees: long (blue), medium (white) and short (red) tees. These multiple tees allow you to choose what level of challenge you want and gives you the ability to play the course multiple times and experience new shots. The blue tees are extremely difficult (a score of 57 or 58 is Professional caliber) and require you to be able to throw long with accuracy. The white tees are a little more manageable, but they're still difficult (Pros will be pleased with a 53 or a 54). They trim some of the distance off to make the pin more accessible, but you still have to make a great shot to score well.
- The course has lots of amenities and all of the nice-to-haves that make the course inviting and playable. The tee signs are excellent, with detailed hole maps and distances. The tees are large, level and well-maintained, with concrete for both the whites and the blues. The baskets, although older and with less chains than modern baskets, are all in excellent condition and catch discs very well. And anywhere where you have to climb up or down a hill, there are well-made stairs carved right into the hillside to make the climb manageable. These stairs probably took hundreds of hours to construct, and are a testament to the dedication of the local disc golf club and the parks department.

Cons:

- Some of the lines on the shorter holes seemed very difficult to hit off the tee. Top-tier players will probably make those shots most of the time, but the average weekend golfer might be frustrated by the accuracy required, especially when a missed line causes your disc to roll down a hill into OB.
- There was a lot of broken glass throughout the course, which marred some the natural beauty of the park. But it's not really a safety issue as long as you wear sturdy shoes.
- The shared white and blue tee pad for hole 16 was not concrete and the footing is pretty sketchy.

Other Thoughts:

After just two plays, Highland Park has leaped into my top 10 favorite courses. It's just got everything you could ask from a disc golf course. It's challenging, but not punishing. It has a great variety of holes and the land is used extremely well. It's set in a beautiful park and the area is dedicated to disc golf. The course is well-designed and well-maintained. Bottom line - it's a course I would drive a few hours to play whenever possible and I would definitely recommend it to anyone travelling through the Chicagoland area.
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5 0
River_love
Experience: 20.8 years 34 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Gem of a course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 7, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

* Great signs, not always a big deal, but these are some of the best signs I have ever seen. They clearly mark obstacles, other tees, distances, and of course the basket. One plus is the signs also mark where the tee is for the next hole.

*Terrific use of elevation. Even the open holes seem to use slight hills to shape the hole. Several holes cross either an old road or a ravine. There are holes going uphill, and downhill also. Some baskets are precariously close to a steep dropoff, and it adds some tension to those risky long putts. This is the best use of elevation I have encountered in Chicagoland so far!

*Very well shaped fairways. There is some of everything here; doglegs left and right, tricky s-shaped fairways, the above mentioned ravine crossing shots, long open holes that still favor placement over raw distance, and some relatively tight tunnel shots.

*Most holes have three separate tees to add/decrease the difficulty to suit everyone's ability.

*Great variety in the distance of the holes. Most are on the shorter side (200-250) unfortunately, but there are several bombers (+500) to even it out.

*The stairs are so, so nice. Touches like that can separate an average course from a very nice course in my opinion. They are very much appreciated, to whoever built them.

Cons:

*Lots of trash. Trash everywhere. Also it seems like someone went through and smashed a glass bottle on every inch of ground they could. Seriously there is almost as much broken glass as dirt here.

*A little picky, but like I said there are a lot of holes in the 200-250ft range, and it would be nice if the average length was a little longer.

Other Thoughts:

I just really wish I lived closer than an hour away from this course so I could play it more often. I see they are having a tournament here in a few weeks, so maybe I'll sign up to play that. The environment here is really cool, there is an abandoned road running through the woods, and some random benches in the woods. Everyone in the general Chicago area owes it to themselves to check out this great course!
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7 0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 18.7 years 232 played 223 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A Hidden Gem Among the Flat Plains 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 24, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

-great use of elevation change
-very picturesque in the middle of the woods
-challenging course offers a variety of shots and situations you can't find everywhere
-very good signage for holes
-next tee indications help with navigation
-almost exclusively concrete tees
-stairs for steep climbs
-quality baskets in good shape

Cons:

-some pretty muddy spots
-definitely can lose some discs

Other Thoughts:

This course was fantastic and I honestly didn't expect to find something like this in Joliet. Most of the courses in the Chicago suburbs are VERY flat- it can't be helped for the most part and we live with it. This course has some very good elevation change for the area and they use it so well. There are several shots over ravines, uphill and downhill shots, narrow shots through the woods, just about all you could do on the plains. This course definitely will challenge and humble most players, but to me that is a lot of the fun of it. There are some muddy spots on slopes if you miss your shot, but nothing terrible. It wasn't my day and I lost 2 discs here but in general most of the woods are not super overgrown so I think most people would have better luck. I would definitely come play this course again and I highly recommend it if you're in the area. The course is very well maintained, and the stairs in key spots are a huge help. Great baskets and signage too. Bring some water and a snack, it can take awhile to play all 18 holes. There are definitely birdie opportunities but if you're not on your game some of those can easily turn to bogies. All in all, a great option that everyone should try out.
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3 2
Stankyjahnke
Experience: 19 years 16 played 7 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Awesome course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 28, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The design of this course is awesome. It goes in and out of the woods with bombs to nice techinal shorter holes. The elevation changes and the two valley holes are some of the coolest looking holes i've seen.

Concrete teepads are nice every course should put in concrete tees.

Hole signage was very professinal showed every tee length way to the next tee. very easy for us first timers.

People that were at the course were very nice and helpful.

Cons:

The one con i can say is the baskets. They have a very shallow bowl and don't catch the disc the best.

I guess i have 2. Hole 16 has no so but a piece of paper in the field. We played from the paper on the grass but i seen two groups behind us play for the gravel road that runs the fairway.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a workout on the legs up and down stairs and hills. We played it twice then two rounds at trinity down the street. and i can barely walk today but it was worth it.
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7 0
Jashwa
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.8 years 173 played 86 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 20, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

I was very impressed with Highland Park... it is definitely one of the best suburban courses I have played. Here are the pros:

*Unique holes! The holes here were well mixed and not your typical wooded vs. unwooded holes. They were special because of the crazy elevation at the course. Lots of uphill/downhill throws made the course super fun.

*Challenge: the challenge here was not overwhelming, but was definitely enough to whoop my butt. Plenty of longer holes and punishing roughs without being completely daunting.

*The overall upkeep of the course was great. The signs were the best I have ever seen and it really seemed like the course was someone's "baby"

*Very scenic park. overlooks a river and plays over an old abandoned road.

*Multiple concrete teepads on most holes!!! well marked.

*Disc golf is only one section of the park... it looked like there was even more to do on the other side of the park but I did not go check it out

Cons:

*Hole 16 is like the runt of the 18 hole litter that is Highland park. What the heck?! It is difficult to find and there are no signs directing golfers to it (though we found a random piece of paper on the ground with the words "hole 16" on it). The teepad for this hole is gravel and it pretty seems like someone forgot about it. I don't think I've seen such a neglected hole on an otherwise awesome course before.

*One of the beginning holes teed off from foul ball territory of a baseball field. The throw was essentially over the baseball diamond. This is dangerous for disc golfers AND ball players and can be pretty lame if a game is being played.

Other Thoughts:

For locals: My friend and I had a lengthy discussion over whether we liked this course or Eagle Ridge in Oswego more. I called it a tie. I also couldn't decide between Highland Park and Community Park in Channahon, but I gave it a slight edge over West Park.

For out of state-ers: If you are going through Illinois you should make every effort to play this awesome course!
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10 1
apdrvya
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 13.9 years 350 played 293 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 17, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Aesthetic--Plays through a multi-use park but the dg areas are pretty dg exclusvie. plays over a "ghost" road several times to bring a ravine into play.

Baskets-- old, but in good repair. visible enough in the thickly wooded holes.

Routing/nav--easy, has painted tines and next tee signs to help route you through the course.

Pads-- nice big (too big?) in great repair. multiple tees. some of the "short" tees are natural but are marked with red concrete tubes.

Challenge/variety-- Love it, there is such a big amount of goodness here. tight wooded holes, open field holes, into/out of woods. long short, great variety. Never felt unchallenged here by any means.

Risk v reward- the variety here drives the risk v reward. the ravine shots push the limits of disc golf. throwing across a ravine and UP a hill after is GREAT! Some of the long tees here are INSANE. I typically played the white tees and some of the blue tees were crazy!

Bridges and steps-- great! in great repair ( a little slippy when wet) and a great help for going up and down wet hillsides.

Signage- adequate. not the best signs but definitely adequate for routing.

Cons:

Wet- low areas are wet and muddy. understanding this is uncontrollable.

hole 16- no tee pad? or did I miss it? I found a sign on the ground for a hole 16 but didn't find it. I found 17 and 18 thereafter easy enough. I did see the basket for 16.

trash- a ton of trash here. the upkeep isn't as nice as channohan but it's well loved by it's locals/ regulars

Other Thoughts:

A great great course, I truly enjoyed it!

edit:
apparently the teepad for 16 is non-existant but in the works, instead of staying above the road, follow the road to find the tee and basket!
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