Pros:
18 holes, Discatcher baskets, concrete tees, quality tee signage and NexT signs where needed, so that ticks all the "basics" boxes. Short/long tees on three holes, and multiple pins on thirteen.
Par 57-62, 6255-8094 feet.
There are no gimme birdies out here. The shortest holes are 260, 275 and 280 feet, and all three of those holes have unforgiving greens - a narrow ridgeline, an elevated pin, and water inside the circle, respectively. From there, the distances go much higher, running up to a 735 foot par 4 with water. Water is present on four holes, and only two lack OB altogether. Elevation is present on several holes, from a downhill tunnel to a 610 foot climb up roughly 50 feet. Additionally, for such a long course, the variety of wooded holes is pretty solid.
Overall, I would call this Huntsville's best offering -
the design tests a variety of lines off the tee, demands accurate placement shots over long distances, has some tricky greens, and does not at all feel repetitive: each of the 18 holes has its own distinctive character.
Cons:
The grass grows at an absolutely absurd pace in summer, and it isn't for want of mowing - the city does a commendable job of trying to keep it knocked back, but you'll still probably wander the great grass seas of the middle holes searching aimlessly for your drives at a few points.
Hole 15's green (or the approach to it, depending on pin position) happens to be a popular swimming hole.
The trees in the middle of 18's pond seem to get bigger and bigger every time I visit, as trees often do. Those could get to be a problem over the mid term.
Other Thoughts:
This is not really a beginner course, if that wasn't clear, nor would I particularly relish the experience if I wasn't able to tolerate heat - shade is scarce through the middle, and those are holes that could take a while.
I noticed some previous reviews indicated multiple baskets on many holes, not just multiple positions. At the moment, this does not appear to be the case, aside from hole 18.
If navigating by GPS, get directions to Creekwood Park, NOT Indian Creek Greenway, unless you want to enjoy the (admittedly quite pretty) two mile walk up to the course.