Pros:
- Air Zoo DGC offers 18 holes of mostly pitch and putt style golf. Most holes are suitable for beginners, with fairly short lengths and broadly defined, open lines. The course plays through a couple of moderately wooded areas and a few open grassy spots.
- Not much elevation to speak of, but the little bit available was used well. Several of the holes have little dips and rises, but nothing particularly memorable. #5 has a little downhill ace run, while #9's basket is nestled on the far edge of a small depression.
- Decent enough variety throughout the wooded sections. A nice mix of shots keeps things from seeming repetitive or boring. The course plays easy (even for casual rec players like myself), but still provides some exciting ace runs and many birdie opportunities. Beginners will find some challenges in the line-shaping required through the trees. The wooded areas are clear enough of undergrowth that all but the worst shots can still be recovered from for par.
- A detailed map is posted at hole #1 that makes navigation a snap. Some baskets have one rung painted black to indicate the direction to the next tee.
Cons:
- Other than the map posted at the beginning (and for some reason by #3's tee), there is no signage of which to speak. Not too much of a drawback as the flow is pretty obvious and the distances are all short enough to eye-ball.
- The rubber tee pads are pretty beat. Uneven and heavily used, but still serviceable on most holes.
- The design packs several of the wooded holes uncomfortably close to one another.
Other Thoughts:
- Air Zoo is a large aviation history museum with many antique planes, flight simulators, rides, etc. Adjacent to the property is Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. A huge red rotating radar tower is in plain view for several of the holes. Planes take off periodically near #'s 16 and 17.
- The wooded section feels really well worn, in a good sort of way. I would compare this course favorably to the style of courses Steady Ed Headrick installed in the early 80's (say, Honey Bear or Bertrand).
- As a beginner-friendly course, Air Zoo succeeds in flying colors (pun intended). It's fun, accessible, and provides enough variety and challenge for less experienced players while not being completely mindless or repetitive for more experienced discers.