Pros:
Anderson U's 10-hole course is an enjoyable half (plus one) round of disc golf. It's very well done and makes me want eight more holes.
- Course has a solid flow and feel. Course weaves in and out of the woods giving you both tight layouts and wide-open bomber holes. The shortest holes on the course - #2 & #8 at 168 & 171 respectively (from the short tees) - are far from automatic deuces. #2 has a low ceiling on a downhill slope while #8 is a tight, dogleg fairway. More on #8 later.
- Several other strategic obstacles that work within the context of this course. #5 has its own version of Stonehenge in front of the basket in the form of large water pipes. #9's basket is on a raised dirt pile. #4's basket is tucked back close to a creek.
- Course offers dual tee pads for long and short plays. Course also lists duel baskets on #1 & 10....however, I did not see the short tees. Not sure if they're always there. For the most part, the long and short tees give you different looks.
- Solid tee signs. Very helpful on the blind tee shots. The kiosk next to the first tee is also informative.
- Course has an appeal to multiple skill levels. Beginners with one or two discs can hack their way through a round if they stay dry on #4. More skilled players still must make smart throws to score well.
- Course has a strong risk/reward factor, more than your typical nine (or 10) hole layout. The wooded holes have thick tree coverage along the fairways. A bad bounce is going to punish players. Even on relatively open holes, such as #1, if you cut the corner on the dogleg too soon, you're in thick stuff.
Cons:
The biggest negative is the horrible drainage issues on holes #3 & 8. It hadn't rained in more than a week since I played and #8 was unplayable due to water more than a foot deep in spots. I was able to skirt around the water on #3 but had to abandon #8 after my tee shot. For once, I was thankful I hit a tree and didn't have to fish out my disc. Based on the course update from six weeks earlier, this seems to be an ongoing issue. Perhaps #8 needs to be removed and either another hole added elsewhere, or just make this a nine-hole layout.
- Course had a weird flow as it seems to circle itself. #3 - 6 play around holes 7 and 8. Then you escape the circle and play #9, which runs parallel to 5. I did have to check the map to make sure I wasn't replaying #3 when I got to the tee on 8.
- There is a lot of space available to add more holes. Half of the field is unused. Granted it's wide open, so not conducive for disc golf holes. You could squeeze in a short par 3 between #3 & 4 or between #9 & 10. All told, the designers did an excellent job creating this much variety with the amount of open field on the course.
- A couple next tee signs would be helpful. With multiple baskets visible at times, signs would help direct players towards the correct tee pad.
Other Thoughts:
Anderson has a very enjoyable mid-level course. I enjoyed my round, even with having to abandon #8 midstream, literally.
- I think #10 is a solid closing hole. At either 491 or 707 feet (short & long tees), you must play a smart tee shot to put your second shot in position where you can make a run at the basket. There are two lines of trees mid-fairway that will force you to lay up if you're too close to them.
- I didn't understand the parking situation here. There are two entrances to the field. One was locked, the other wasn't. I drove through the field and parked near the kiosk. I may have committed a faux pas, but based on the tire tracks in the field, I wasn't the first to do so.
- No benches or trash cans. Also, was a little surprised there wasn't a nicer gas station close by. You must be closer to the main road in town and/or I-85 to find a better selection of places to stop.
- You're not far from Trails here. That's one of my favorite mid-length courses anywhere. If you play here, you must make time for that course too. As is, enjoy your round or two here.