Pros:
One of the tightly wooded courses at Bowling Green, Hobson Grove wends its way around the historical mansion hill overlooking the Riverview Golf Course on the west side of town. The 18 holes encompass straight, left-and right- turning lanes, and are generally shorter than average, but with an S-shaped 500 footer to keep players humble. Three holes (9, 10 & 10) have recently been shifted and slightly upgraded in challenge, but mostly to pull miss- and over-throws away from the small parking lots and driveways up on the hill.
With DGA baskets throughout, there are actually more than 18 holes here, because the local club has three other layouts for hole 13. But with 13 being a beautiful, tight downhill shot to a landing zone, followed by a guarded lane to the pin, tournaments usually drop the short hole 12 and add 13A, a tight 280 foot lane just beyond. The use of elevation throughout the course is really well done, but not brutal: shorter uphills (mostly), and rises and ravines adding challenge and the occasional blind pin position.
Tee pads are all concrete and level (though of varying age and size), signage is informative (if getting a little old), and there are benches and trash buckets where needed. The flow of the design is pretty good, though first timers might want to bring a map for the transitions from 3 to 4, 4 to 5, and 9 to 10. After you've played here once, you appreciate how the walks between tees are not too lengthy, especially when you realize you just made an interesting looping run around the hill.
In all, Hobson Grove is a very enjoyable experience for the Recreational to Intermediate player, because almost everything is 'par-able'. Bigger arms won't have as much fun, as there isn't a whole lot there to 'distance' themselves from the rest of the pack. Advanced and Open players are typically able to apply their improved technical skills and variety of throws to stay out of trouble and grab a handful more deuces, though.
Cons:
Though the shorter tees remain on 9 & 10, and could be safely played by shorter arms, the old 18 tee pad should not be used (it's now in the fairway for hole ten). Personally, I don't mind, but there aren't any 'Big D' holes on this course, if that's an element you demand. Finally, some of the benches, tees, and signs are showing their age. They're not bad yet, but it might be an area the local club will have to tweak in the next decade, to keep this a 'must play' course for this area.
Other Thoughts:
Used annually for the spring "Woods of Bowling Green" tune-up tournament, I've now played here twice, but haven't seen it in full summer bloom. I would assume the shots get tougher and tighter, and the rough fills in quite a bit. This course plays on the upper half of the nice selection of 8-10 courses in the area, as it is used for the upper divisions for the BG Amateur Championships annually.