Pros:
Blyth Park is the newest disc golf course in the state of Washington, located northeast of Seattle in the city of Bothell. This course is just minutes off of Highway 405, and easy to locate. Just make sure you print off directions. Blyth is a multi-use park, which incorporates walking trails, a small playground, restrooms, and picnic shelter. Also, there is ample parking considering the size of the park.
The design layout at Blyth was very well thought out, allowing for easy navigation and plenty of challenge. Elevation comes in to play on seven of the nine holes, with tight tree lined fairways, heavily guarded pin placements, and multiple approaches off the tees. Much of the time the tee, pin, or both are elevated, having players throw across fields, ravines, and over a lot of ground foliage. Most holes have clearly developed fairways, with the exception of holes #3 and #7, and even those are starting to clear out. Baskets are all new and in great shape, and each tee pad has a wooden frame which is flush with the ground with loose gravel on top for extra traction. As the Valkyrie Kid mentioned earlier, when finished with hole nine locals usually play back toward hole four as a "tenth" hole, as long as no one else is playing.
The "signature hole", or the hole that stood out to me the most was hole five. With an elevated tee pad, players throw through a tight window lined by trees, across a field, and back up a hill to a highly guarded pin about 250 feet. It is both challenging and aesthetically pleasing for all skill levels, and allows for multiple approaches. However, with the course being designed as well as it was, people could argue that there are a few "signature holes" including holes one and eight.
Cons:
Blyth Park seemed to have few improvements needed that I could think of considering its target audience, amateur players. I am sure that over time and after a few fund raisers, tee signs, arrows to next hole, and tee pads will be updated. Tape on the basket directing players to the next tee would help for the time being to help with navigation.
Slowly, benches are being installed, trails developed, and stairs over time will become more defined. Fairways will continue to clear naturally, and lines will continue to improve off the tee pads.For the time being, I can make do.
Water can come in to play if not careful as well, so make sure to not go long on holes one and eight or you will find yourself in the river. Although it would be difficult, a bad skip could result in a lost disc so just be aware!
Last, pedestrians on the first few holes could be an issue since the holes play over and around the hiking trails. Although you won't have to wait long, make sure you are aware and give them the right away so there aren't any injuries.
Other Thoughts:
I was very delighted to play this course as a lot of work went in to getting this nine hole layout in the ground. The design and overall fun factor were all taken in to account by the designer, and the fact that it can be challenging for most disc golfers is a major plus too! Although Blyth is a fairly small course with shots ranging anywhere from 150-250 feet long, every hole has its own personality and is a challenge unto its own. This is one of the better nine hole courses in the state, and a true pleasure to play!