Pros:
This course creates 18 fun, challenging holes by utilizing the terrain very well. The holes play mostly through a rolling, open prairie before diving into a forest filled with large oaks, then returning to the prairie again. Approximately 12 of the holes play through an open field, where much of the challenge is derived from utilizing elevation and having control of your disc in what may be at many times windy conditions. Another challenge in the open holes is the rough, which is quite thick. This isn't to say it is unfair, because the fairways are very wide. You will only be punished if you have a "very bad" shot. Most "bad" shots will find themselves on the outer edges of the fairway. During the round I played wind speeds were moderate, but strong enough to make me to think carefully about disc selection and disc flight lines. Once the course enters the woods, disc control and shot shaping become important. The lines aren't overly tight, and the rough is more forgiving should you careen off a tree. Holes 9 and 18 are both fun downhill tosses combined with very wide fairways, allowing for a variety of ways to attack the basket. Hole 16 is an island green hole, where your drive must land inside a roughly 60 foot diameter landing area or else you must re-tee from a drop zone. It's a creative idea that was utilized at Vallarta-Ast as well, and is a welcome addition at Capital Springs, too.
Other Pros:
-There's a port-a-potty by the main kiosk
-Plenty of parking
-Beautiful scenery comprised of prairies, wetlands, and some nice views on top of the rolling hills
-Well-manicured, with large flared tee pads, nice tee signs, and garbage receptacles at all holes (think Vallarta-Ast if you have played it).
Cons:
The open holes can be repetitive, even with the elevation changes. There just aren't a lot of trees to force you to shape your shots. This means many of the open hole baskets can be attacked with a RHBH, RHFH, overhand, etc., with equal results as the challenge comes from distance and wind control more than anything. This isn't a bad feature of a course on a few holes, but it occurs here more often than not. Another con I noticed was the proximity of some holes to one another. There are a few times where an errant drive will drift onto another tee pad or fairway. I had to jump over a disc on the hole one tee pad that would have taken me out at the shins if the guy teeing off at 9 hadn't given a loud "fore".
Other Thoughts:
Overall, this is a fun course now that will only get better as it gets more "beat in", if you will. Right now, I can see the rough being an issue for those who don't have a great control of their game, and occasionally an issue for those who do. As the course gets played more, though, it won't be such a challenge to find an errant shot.
I can also see the wind factoring heavily on how difficult the course is on a given day, with the majority of the holes being open.
All in all, this course is another great addition to the Madison area. With at least 6 great courses within a half-hour drive, Madison is becoming a great destination for disc golf in the Midwest.