Pros:
Set in a quiet section of a large, beautiful state rec area; well secluded from other park activities.
• Nice balance of L/R/straight fairways - pretty good hole design.
• WELL wooded and challenging - favors accuracy over distance. Makes you find a line and challenges you to execute it. Features some well-guarded and tucked pin locations.
• Mostly plays flat, but mild terrain elevation changes come into play on a few holes.
• Lots of shade for hot summer days.
• Large textured concrete tees and tee markers w/distance and direction help aid navigation. Flows pretty well from hole to hole.
• New 24 chain Chainstars.
• Plenty of paved parking with pavilions and restrooms nearby.
• Nice views of lake, fishing permitted.
• Camping available in the park (both rustic/no bath and modern/fairly nice showers) about 1.5 miles from the course.
Cons:
DON'T WEAR SHORTS... you have been warned.
• Rough: thick, nasty, thorny. I'd say it's brutal in spots, but it's more accurate to say there are a few spots where it's not brutal. I'm not sensationalizing this; 2-3 feet off the fairway can really hurt scores (and skin). Wear long pants and sturdy hikers.
• A couple of holes feel pretty "poke and pray."
• Several baskets not visible from tee - you may want to walk up the fairway to get an idea of how the hole you're on plays.
• Bugs: bring repellent with DEET.
• Course map linked here isn't 100% correct, but it should be useful if you haven't been here before.
Other Thoughts:
Perhaps the tightest, toughest set of fairways in the area.
•STAY ON THE FAIRWAY - I'm not kidding - thorny hazards ABOUND.
• 9 legit, very well-wooded holes suitable for intermediate/advanced players, with plans for 15 more coming. This is why holes are numbered 1-4, + 20-24. Plan is for holes 5-19 to be on the other side of the pond, closer to Chilson Rd - not sure when they're going in, but my rating will improve as the course does.
• 6 shorter, open holes (visible from the parking lot) were specifically installed to be ADA compliant (handicap accessible), but are also quite suitable for young children, complete novices or even an Ace Race... makes for a superb warm-up putting green.
•About 6 miles from downtown Brighton; lots of great eateries and places to drink.
** UPDATE 1/28/13 ** Concrete tees provide good footing and tee markers with distance and line make navigation much easier, but present a tripping hazard. This is a demanding 9 holer, with 6 bonus putter holes.
** UPDATE 3/29/13 ** Several trees cut down and debris has been cleared. These are tough (but doable) par 3's.