Pros:
George Ward Park, home to the nearly three decades old disc golf course, is a Birmingham classic. Named after the city's mayor from the early 1900's, Ward was a proponent of park land and oversaw the purchase of the 100 acres at Green Springs, which of course now bears his name. Fun fact, to encourage public use of the parks, he had signs warning people to "Keep Off the Grass" removed. That's something to ponder as we play along the grassy rolling hills of this beautiful course.
Look for rolling hills, green grass (freshly cut if you time it right), mature trees, manicured fairways, rock features, and a creek. It's all here in this excellent city park. And while not a natural feature, there's also a network of out-of-bounds sidewalks helping to define the fairways or shape the greens. Park roads do step in from time to time as well. These areas are aptly but sometimes disparagingly referred to as "concreeks," depending on how well you avoid them. There are a few holes that tip toe into the wooded hole description but overall this is a fairly open course with again, mostly large mature trees that are as much about the aesthetics as obstacles. Look for several mando's that will tighten a few of the holes as well.
The holes, given their open nature, surprisingly give a good variety of shots. Besides the diversity in hole lengths, there is a certain amount of shot shaping and placement necessary to score well. And of course, the rolling hills bring in some elevation shots that make the course interesting and fun. Overall, despite a similar landscape across the course, the layout does a great job keeping you from getting a sense of repetitiveness. What's more, you'll find two permanent baskets on each hole. Besides providing a shorter and longer option, some creative combinations can always keep things fresh. For example, try winner of the hole picks the basket on next hole or play short on odd holes and longs on even. This obviously provides almost an endless combination. And keep in mind, there are three pin locations, so look for baskets to be moved for even more fine tweaking. It would be hard to predict or track the exact measurement of the course without some unnecessary accounting. But you could probably figure around 6300' for the main 18-hole course, add about 1660' for the six-hole spur.
Note, the additional six-hole bonus run in a more wooded area (holes A-F). I sort of got the impression they are like an unsung step child both in terms of design and maintenance. And while I did look at a few lines, a tourney round and sudden pouring rain kept me from playing them. Pictures on the site as of this review look much cleaner than what I saw in person. With that said, I love shorter wooded holes and they would offer a change of pace and quench the thirst of a more precise, shorter throwing player.
Besides the dual basket feature, the course and park have lots to offer as well. You'll find a generous parking area, situated perfectly at hole 1 and 10, tying in the two nine-hole loops. You'll discover all the info you need at a kiosk complete with a course map and such. Once you make your way to hole one and starting your round, you'll notice a nice paver path and mulched/landscaped area around a roomy concrete tee. It certainly welcomes you to the course. The nice and roomy concrete pad theme continues throughout the layout. Indeed, you'll also feel right at home with all the benches at the tee boxes as well. Tee signs lead the way with all the appropriate info needed to help you select the right plan of attack.
To score well, you simply must play clean. For the average player, on the longer pins, par golf is nothing to be ashamed of. You just need clean upshots and be putting well. Picking up birdies will go a long way to help erase mistakes or get an edge over the competition. For an advanced or open player, the door is open to shoot in the 40's. Playing the short baskets is a birdie fest, a fun layout, and perfect if you are in a hurry to run through the course.
Cons:
There really is not a lot to gripe about. You can expect non-disc golf playing park users to delay your round. It could use some longer technical holes to balance the course a little. Overall though, the course is solid, and I happened to enjoy it. Folks with their minor personal preferences will find things to like and dislike but again, nothing in the deal breaker category.
Other Thoughts:
I can see why the locals like this course. They seem to take ownership and it shows. I played with a local fellow at the tourney who has been playing the course for years and said he rarely hits any of the other local courses in town. While I can't imagine limiting myself to one course, I get it. If you are content with park style golf on a fairly open course, this one is for you. But even if you are not quite as restrictive on you course rotation and like to get around, you should still enjoy golf here from time to time. Again, with all the basket options, it's great for players of all skill levels & experience.
I really wish there was a 3.75 rating option. I think it's a little stronger than a 3.5 but the course itself is just missing that wow factor to push it to a 4 in my mind.