Pros:
· Par 3 disc golf!
· Easy to navigate with many next tee signs plus map/scorecard available when paying (pipes at long tees have hole # and distance painted on them therefore the lack of formal 'tee signs' showing hole layout is not a con since this info is on back of the scorecard)
· Sense of balance in left/right/straight throws with some different looks/lanes off the tee allowing creativity in shot/disc selection
· The course is mostly wooded, flows exceptionally well and mixes in the breather holes with the more technical ones much to my liking
· Sensible use of elevation throughout with some 'out of the ordinary' basket placements (2 hanging baskets, one on a stump, another elevated on a rock - plus others with roll away potential) without being gimmicky.
· Three tees (longs/mids are gravel with shorts being natural). Baskets are mobile DISCatchers (orange flags would help seeing them better on some of the woods holes)
· Something I haven't seen previously - on a couple blind holes from the tee (#3 for example), there was a cow bell attached to the basket to ring after you holed out (most likely a remainder from the tournament a few days prior)
· In the marshy/swampy areas there are boards, logs, etc to aid in crossing.
· Disc loss probability seemed low except for some marshes that you wouldn't want to traverse in order to retrieve an errant throw.
Staff was extremely friendly, helpful & patiently answered my many questions
Apparently the course was re-designed and it appears they just about got it right (even though I've never played the previous incarnation)
Cons:
· A few possible conflicts: #2 and 18's fairways 'cross' (though it's not 'blind' thankfully). Additionally, #3 & 17's pins as well as 4's tee are all centralized in one general area where there's a potential for errant throws to interfere with play.
· Pay to play ($6 per person for the entire day - worth it actually, I'm just not a ptp fan)
· Some very swampy areas which in turn produce more annoying insects. The person working that day indicated the wetness at this time of year (early July) is not typical of the season.
Other Thoughts:
I love me some par 3 woods disc golf - it typically indicates a fun and enjoyable round & Base Camp Outfitters fits this description perfectly. Two-thirds of the holes on the course are between 190-299ft involving tricky components such as elevation changes & strategic basket placements - nevertheless the primary test here is accurately navigating the woods. No worries for those without a 'big arm' as only a third of the course contains holes over 300ft (2 holes over 400ft with 4 between 300-355ft). Add in the multiple tees and players of a variety of skill levels will find this place appealing - especially with the ample scoring opportunities (although they may not be so fond of the sufficient punishment for inaccurate throws).
Base Camp Outfitters contains characteristics reminiscent of older, more 'traditional' courses - a time before disc technology started constantly spewing out faster and faster high speed drivers prompting course designers to create longer and longer courses which can tend to neglect accuracy, finesse & the less experienced players in favor of power, distance & big arms.
We were on vacation, drove a little over an hour to experience this thoughtfully re-designed course & found it to be the most 'fun' of the four in Vermont I've played so far. If nearby, do yourself a favor and give it a try.