Pros:
Basil Griffin is a fun little par 54 course located in a nice park. The course uses DISCatcher baskets that are in good shape, has appropriately sized concrete tee pads, and signs and markers to help in course navigation. There is also a large course map located near the first tee, a nice and common feature among Bowling Green courses.
The course is composed of 2 9-hole loops, each returning to the parking area. The course flows well from hole to hole and is fairly easy to navigate. Every time that I have played this course, it has been in really good shape. The course is very well maintained, there is no excessive underbrush, foliage, or things of that nature to speak of.
The front nine is amazing! A great layout that utilizes available natural resources (including moderate elevations, a winding creek, some large boulders, and a lake) which define some of the best golf holes in Bowling Green. Hole 2 has an elevated tee requiring a shot to clear a fence and a creek just beyond the fence and all down the right hand side of the fairway. When the creek is full of water, this is a beautiful, yet intimidating hole. There is plenty of room to bail to the left hand side, but the farther left you go, the more difficult the upshot is with the basket situated just a few paces from the edge of the creek. Holes 3, 5 and 6 are strategically placed around a scenic lake in the park, a bad shot here can cost you a disc! Hole 7 parallels Hole 2, in the opposite direction. Again, throwing from an elevated tee down toward another basket located just a few steps from the creek. Anything long here will find the water, but if don't make it far enough, you will be forced to lay up or be faced with a risk/reward putt toward the water.
The back nine is completely opposite of the front nine. These holes are relatively flat with some trees, many of which are still small and not a big factor. Most all of the holes on the back nine are straight away with very little strategy involved. Scoring is much easier on the back nine, and a good place to recover from the more challenging front nine. The main hazards on the back nine are the road on 10, which plays OB, and the softball fields on 17/18, which also play OB. The back nine is a little plain and boring compared to the front nine for sure, but the designers made good use of what was available. Some trees were present, and others planted which in time will make the back nine more scenic and challenging. I think some sand traps will really add to the visual appeal and challenge, it would be nice to see something like that added to the back nine.
Cons:
Not many cons to speak of. I have played the course when the amphitheater was in use. The fairway for Holes 2 and 7 are used during performances and events, so these holes are closed while the theater is in use.
Other Thoughts:
Basil Griffin isn't a long course, it is a true par 54, but the course as a whole is scenic and offers a fair challenge for most all skills levels. Bowling Green is a great place to play DG. There are many different lengths and styles of courses that will interest just about everyone, and all the courses are well maintained. Basil Griffin is no exception!