Hummel Park is an amazing course if you're looking for a test. The fairways have some of the steepest slopes I have encountered anywhere. Way outside of ordinary for the Midwest region.
There are 18 holes, and all of the baskets are there, a bit worn, but in good enough shape to do the job. The tees are natural, and close to level. Signs on most holes, though some have been lost over the years. Equipment is functional, but the course would benefit from bit of TLC. However, the course makes up for shortcomings in the hardware department.
The elevation changes are massive, and play into the majority of holes. Climbing up and down more ridges than a bag of ruffles. Not only that, usually the trees are dense enough to restrict the flight path to a very precise line. You will understand the moment you step onto the first tee. Hitting those lines is not impossible, but it will require skill. I played in early November, and the leaves had fallen, making it somewhat easier I imagine.
On hole 1, you will have to stay under the branches, and fade to the left after descending a staircase that drops vertically a long way, feels like nearly 100 feet. I was able to reach the flat, and skipped close to the corner of the parking lot. Left with a 30' putt after a mediocre approach, I two putted for the par. An incredible starter.
Hole 2 plays up the next ridge, and 3 down the opposite side. Both have fairways that are pretty narrow, with trees that punish if you stray too far from the middle. The drop on 3 is nearly as big as 1, and is a little more difficult to steer between the trees, though not as long.
Cross the road, and follow it around the end of the ridge on the opposite side along John Pershing Drive to get to 4. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are the flat portion of the front nine, and the creek comes into play. I put my second shot into the water on 4, and took a triple bogey. I liked the flow on hole 5, and made a perfect drive, was parked close for an easy birdie two. I also got a shot back on hole 6, with another deuce. At hole 8 you start to climb again, and there was a huge tree down blocking the approach on the left side of the basket, when I was there. 9 is another big climb with just enough trees to make it interesting.
The back nine starts with another downhill run through the woods on 10, and there's a great tree in the center of the fairway a little more than halfway to the pin. 11 is also downhill, but not nearly as steep and reachable with a putter. I overshot it, and had to comeback out of the rough to make par. 12 goes big downhill again, my favorite kind of hole. A tricky drive, but feels great if you nail it.
Hole 13 plays near Hummel Road, and is uphill to nearly flat depending on the pin position. 14 is across the street, also somewhat flat comparative to most of the holes. 15 has more trees than the previous hole, and is slightly uphill, warming you up for the home stretch as you climb back toward the parking lot.
16 is uphill and not too long or crowded by trees, and gives a good shot at a birdie. Put one in the bank here if you can, you may need it. 17 is steeper and longer than 16, but is still gentle compared to the finale. 18 goes downhill off the tee, then back up. It is good to maximize distance on the first shot, and be in good position to get out of the woods with your second throw. Instead, I was knocked down to the fringe with my drive and hit another tree followed by a long roll downhill with the second shot. It was a 7 when I reached the final target.