Pros:
To find the starting point of the Highland Park 18 holr disc golf course , you must drive through almost all of it . There is a small place to park close to hole 1 . This course is park style disc golf . There are bathrooms close by ,and there are a couple of shelters that can accommodate .
The Equipment : There is a nice kiosk near hole #1 with map . The tee pads are cement , only 4' X 8' but hold footing well . The baskets are numbered Mach 5's . The signage is pretty good . Probably updated .There are dual pin positions on almost all of the holes , which makes for a nice change .
The Landscape . This is a very clean ,nice looking park that was mowed and well taken care of when I was here . Highland Park plays very flat . A couple of small grades until you get to about 14 . There are some semi woods holes that have a little elevation , and you throw off a big hill on #15 . You want to wear old or waterproof shoes for holes 11-13 ( more in cons section ) . The course will hold water on 8-13 and 15 , 16 . Navigation will be tricky in spots , but the flatness of the course will be easy on your legs . There is a nice concrete bridge that you will cross over twice , maybe for 8 and after 16 . There is a narrow but neat reservor of water that separates this course .
The highlights . The water carry on 8 was fun . There was a nice top of the world shot on 15 through a tightening window . #16 was a long hole over 500' that eventually hugs a brush line on your left as the fairway turns this way ( nice basket placement ) .
Signature Hole : #10 . A water carry to a second section of a long fairway with the water from a reservoir on your left .
Disc risk . If you take the water out of play on a few of the holes ( notably 8 , 10 , and 11 ) you should be okay . There is some thick brush to the left of 16 , and a little on 14 , but nothing else should cause you to lose a disc .
Time : it took me a hour to play this course . A group of 4 should be able to play it in 2 hours .
Cons:
#1 Safety : Lots of walkers are present , some with their pooches . #4-7 wrap around a populated park with items to entice the family or kiddies . Skip a hole here if you have to .There is a cement walking path that might make you wait while throwing over the water on 8 until you cross back over after 15 . Be nice . Kokomo Disc Golf Club and Highland Park have updated this course and really trying .
#2 Navigation . The online map needs updating . The course breaks up , then reassembles in spots . Like , after playing 15 off the hill which you may have to look for , the have to go to your far left to see the tee for 16 .
#3 Standing water . The area had been fairly dry for a while before I came to play . I think that water and mud will be a staple for the fairways around 11-13 . I had waterproof boots on , but a nice pair of sneakers WILL SINK here . It must look like a bog on 8 thru 13 and 15-16 after a hard and sustained rain . You have been warned .
#4 Challenge : The course has a few filler holes , and some are just downright easy , which is sad because a few of the holes present a good fight for par . I think that the park had the local in mind when redesigning this course . .
With water like this , it will bring hungry insects . Spray Deet liberally on yourself before playing . The parking lot needs enlarging.
Other Thoughts:
The Kokomo locals must be thrilled that this course is here . It was packed and someone was waiting for my parking spot as I was leaving . Mission accomplished , Highland Park . Not a long course overall , but fun ( 15 , 17 come to mind ) . Don't let the lack of elevation here , or the standing water in the middle of the course cause you to ignore this course . The alternate pins mean that Kokomo Recreation is working to appease as many as possible . This course is a fun stop .
My Recommendation : Good enough for families and newbies ( play away from the water ) , great for the locals , and it shows , interesting enough holes to keep intermediates , am and some pros occupied . A great leg stretcher for travelers , just off of rt 31 and a prime area for Course Collectors to combine with The Preserve , Heartland and Sharp's Park ( don't go to Shady Pines . I was there and was told the course was pulled ) . More relaxing than challenge , consider giving this course a play .