Pros:
Columbia State is a community college sitting in the middle of Columbia . It is located on Hampshire Pike , and you can see baskets 1 & 2 from the road . Yes , nestled near their athletic facilities is a 9 hole disc golf course .There are plenty of parking spaces near the tennis courts . I didn't see any bathrooms , and I doubt the college wants you using theirs .
-- THE EQUIPMENT -- The tee pads are turf , large at maybe 9 or 10' X 6' and in okay condition . They have a white line on the edges , not sure if its a foul line . There are NO signs or a kiosk on the course or at the tees . Print a map , It will get confusing after hole 3 . The baskets are Instep , veru shaky quality .
-- THE LANDSCAPE -- The grass was mowed and branches of trees cut back . The campus grounds looked great and trash free . I think there was 1 can near the tennis courts . The course rolls up and down with some elevation on every hole . The course follows the front and the west side of campus in almost a lasso design , going 2 holes out , then a thin circle for the other 7 holes . Bring water , because the large trees on the course are few and far between . It's open air drives on this course .
-- THE HIGHLIGHTS -- No highlights here . Just grip and rip . The course is really long for a campus course , causing you to put some oomph in your drive . You can show off your arm on several holes , notably 2 , 6 and 8 . 2 and 8 are uphill and feel more like 500' than 450+ . #2 is a notable hole , throwing up a large embankment at the end , to the basket under large trees .
-- DISC RISK -- Almost zero . Unless one gets hung up in a tree , which will be unlikely you will go home with as many discs as you came with .
-- THE TIME -- It took me about 35 minutes to play . A group that doesn't have to look down at a map will do these 9 holes in an hour .
Remember that you will finish up near where the #2 basket is , so conserve some energy for the walk back , or to the #1 tee if you are intent on playing 18 holes .
The Fun Factor is missing here , but the solitude of this place will let you throw multiple drivers at baskets , or allow you to work at about anything , except maybe putting .
Cons:
#1 Equipment - I am okay with the turf tees . They all were level and held your footing on drives . No signs at the tees , or kiosk ? Even putting something in the ground , like identifying bricks with info would help . The non numbered baskets could really use an upgrade . I threw a rubber putter because I thought my hard one might fold up and collapse in falling chains . Next tee signs under the buckets of the baskets , or even electrical tape in the bottom rungs pointing to where you go might help.
#2 Navigation - If you stood in the middle of the grounds where the course is , the turf could be devoured by longer uncut grass . Even with the map , a hole like #6 can confuse . You see a basket far down a long hill , but you really need to be shooting way farther left , where a white stick hangs from the top of the basket . Walk left a little off the tee until you see the basket to throw at . Also , #9 leaves you in the middle of nowhere , right near the end of the #2 fairway . It makes you think that you might be skipping a hole .
#3 Open Air- Not a lot of obstacles to shot shape around . Even though I hit the only telephone pole on the course , it's almost hard to hit anything . If you are a technical type of player , you aren't going to fall in love with this course .
#4 Challenge - see above . You are going to curse yourself for blowing birdie chance because of the wind and not your drives .
Other Thoughts:
I don't know how much of the back property that the school owns . Maybe this course is landlocked , being sequestered off to the corner end of the campus athletic section . At least it's a start , and it introduces the locals and travelers to the Columbia State Campus . There was actually an Alum playing the course when I was . I would have liked to talk to someone in the athletic department to get their take on the course . My hats off to them for giving it a try . Most colleges don't even give disc golf a chance , much less know anything about the game .
MY RECOMMENDATION -- The course has some pluses to it . Even though it is open , it's a good tool for developing distance from the tee . Intro and newbie players should start to play here . No discs lost , and after you have learned to control drives and approaches , you can graduate to better and more established Woodland Park , just 6-10 minutes away . Families can have a nice after dinner round and walk off their dessert . Locals can sharpen their game , and jump right on the course , taking their time to empty their bag on each hole , instead of waiting to play Woodlands Holes . Intermediates and up will just practice aspects of their game here . This is still a good course to try out that new midrange or driver . Travelers straying from the I-840 belt will get a good leg stretch without scratching up their bodies digging in the rough for discs . Course Baggers will get 2 for one by playing this course to warm up first , then taking on Nearby Woodland second . Students also have a nice alternative for blowing off some steam after classes . I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to play this course , but if you want to bust out the discs you never throw to see how they still fly ,,,, It's At Least Practice !