Pros:
Located in the back of this well maintained, multi-use park, ballfields, nice, new playground and soccer fields. Kind of an oasis of recreation, not in a town or city, but next to an Elementary school on a two lane country road.
Two types tees, large asphalt tees on several holes, I think this is the first time I have seen asphalt tees, concrete yes, but these tees were pretty good. Further in the course, there were rubber mats, more on those later.
Good descriptive tee signs on every hole, all the details plus hole layout and next tee locator.
The Chainstar baskets at the primary (original) baskets are in decent shape, showing a little age, but catch well. New, DD Veterans have been added on most holes, on most of those, they are longer and further in the woods.
While there is not much elevation change in this part of the park, there is a good variety of left and right holes. Nearly all holes are heavily wooded, but the fairways are adequate in size and width.
Cons:
The rubber mat tees need some attention, most were inside wooden frames, so most tee shots involved stepping up on those and having to be careful not to trip on the frame at the other end.
There weren't leaves on most trees when I played, but the Chainstars were a little difficult to spot on several holes. Poles have been added to several for visibility, but they could be very difficult to see in full summer.
The course description lists 2 open field shots, and they are that, just shots, not open holes. #5 has a few trees in the fairway, then the basket is in a cool position, down a slight draw and into the woods. #6 does have the most open fairway, then you have a tight right to left turn to the basket, at the edge of the woods. There is some space behind a couple of the ballfields, it would be nice to see that space used.
Other Thoughts:
Cross Farms was a pleasant surprise on our drive through CT. When I planned our last stop on the way to Maine, I was hoping to drive back to Hartford and play Wickham, the highest rated course in the state. But, when I saw the park doesn't open until 9:00, that didn't fit in our travel plans.
Conveniently located not too far off I-84, my route took me over several two lane country roads, then suddenly the school and park pop up. No town or highly populated area nearby. Equally surprising is the current 3.21 rating, HyooMac's review mentioned the course has improved lately, always nice to hear, but the main reason this isn't rated higher is there is an unbelievable rating of 0 discs several years ago!
Many of our course descriptions refer to the amount or lack of vegetation and elevation, but this course has another key characteristic, rocks. Not on every hole, but there are plenty of rocks, fairways, greens, just about everywhere. If you end up on, or next to these large rocks, it does affect your stance and footwork. One of the coolest rock formations was on #4, a left to right tee shot, then the basket is through a break in the rocks and trees.
Most of the early holes have one turn in the fairway, or are straight, then #7 is the first of the dual turning fairways that beg for a flex shot off the tee. This is the case on about 6 of the final 12 holes. Really challenges you to pick your spot and make the right shot to score well. #18 finishes this way with a tighter fairway then most, you should see some scoring separation coming in on this one.
Definitely a well laid out and cared for course, it looks like it gets plenty of rounds played and after playing here, I know why.