Pros:
-The parking area itself is worthy of mentioning in the pros. The parking lot is at a high degree of elevation above the reservoir. The view was astounding! The hill adjacent to the lake is very steep, so the lake is nearly invisible when you pull in but when you finish your round, you have a much better view of it on #18's green. The park itself is so large, in fact the property at Lake Stephens is over 2,000 acres. So, it's truly a vacation hotspot considering the fact there are RV rentals and cabins to rent from.
-Course is beautiful through the hardwood forest of tons of different plant species. Different shades of evergreen down some of the cleanest fairways I had seen in West Virginia. The atmosphere is pristine and the course conditions were top notch when I played.
-Two sets of pads on hole except for #13 and #15, and two sets of pins on a lot of them. I saw on a mapped U disc layout that Ryan is establishing some gold pads and some more C pin locations too. I wouldn't quite say Lake Stephens is for ALL players while the whites are undeniably easier. Then again, I don't think they are too hard for beginners but instead more of a big motivating challenge. Even on some of the whites to A pins, there are some tough par fours over 500'. The blue pads are somewhat difficult but even to the B pins, even par is probably just under 970 rated. The variety in challenge by layout isn't too wide; even is probably 900 rated from the whites to A pins but this is more of an optimum range. Pros will enjoy the blues for sure and rec players will be strongly challenged from the whites but will still find opportunities for birdies.
-Limited use of water, but the three holes with water are all well thought out. #14 has the inlet in play entirely on the left side and the basket is perched in a more roller susceptible spot. I know that for a fact because I missed my putt and rolled in the water. #15 is one of the most memorable holes over the teal lake. One of the prettiest holes as well that's short and open. Probably the easiest hole at least from the blues. 230', open, and straight. #17 is a daunting downhill gauntlet that plays a lot less than its listed 244' blue and 204' from the white. The basket is on a flat green near the bank. No height control could lead to an overshot past the basket and potentially in the lake, even though it isn't super close to the pin. Another fun ace run.
-Some excellently structured par fours with wide enough fairways. The last two par fours, #16 and #18 end up out in the open, even though the tee shots are not easy at all. #16 is a twisting left and back to the right fairway. 600' par four from the blue and about 550' from the white. It's nearly 400' to the open down a twisted path, so getting out of the woods would be rare. You'll probably have to throw a 300+ shot out of the woods on the approach to birdie this one, so placement is key here. Same with #18. Big uphill hyzer up the trail. Second shot is uphill out of the woods. Footing is difficult on the approach as you are probably going to need a run up from your lie while running uphill. #3 and #5 were of similar structure except they were a little more wooded.
#13 is probably the most attackable par four, as it was eagled in the most recent tournament. #2 in the long pin is another shorter par four alongside the road. #13 is down a steep sloping hillside that goes back uphill onto a basket on a slope with some roller potential. Only 436' and primarily downhill, but very risky to go for. A hole that can be birdied more easily could turn into a bogey. #2 is 460' along the road. This pin was not in play when I came here, but this one was also eagled in the most recent tournament. Another more attackable hole, as it is a shorter par four but going aggressive could cost you if you flex off to the right. #7 is the hardest hole on the course. A 620' "S shaped" par four that goes left and back right down a tight trail at the approach. The tee shot is blindly uphill, so it's hard to see where exactly you end up. The short pad is up the hill from where the blue is and is a little bit more attackable since you can see where exactly your disc lands and where exactly you want to land.
-The elevation is very well used. Some steep and some changes that are very light and gentle. The big ones usually stand out to me because they are always memorable. #4 was simply a blast to play throwing up a 40' hill. Hole is 230' but you'll likely be throwing a driver just because of how long this hole actually plays. #8 was my favorite and is arguably the signature hole. It's one of the more open holes, as the tee pad is on top of a hill on a wide and open strip of the land. The fairway is maybe 75' wide, so there's a lot more room to work with. Hole is severely downhill into a flat shaded green. One of the greatest holes that I had ever played in West Virginia! A 400+ footer that's reachable with a midrange by most advanced level players. Some big arms would maybe consider throwing a putter since it's a long way downhill.
#17 and #18 are steep downhill and steep uphill respectively with over 40' of elevation change from the blues. I also loved the valley on #12. Very tough par three that was in the B pin when I played. All the way on top of the hill that you tee off on the opposite side off. A very tough and very rewarding par three!
-The tee signs are dated with some of the future C pins on the hole diagrams. Hole info is listed and the fairway curves are accurate.
-Prodigy baskets, while they are not my favorite because of questionable spit outs, the blue prodigy pins here caught well enough and were in great shape. I didn't have any ruthless pop outs.
Cons:
-Road is very close on #2 and is probably a little more of a danger when the long pin is in play. From the long to long, this hole about 460', so you'll be mashing a driver along the entrance
-If I am not mistaken, #11 has an island green in the A pin, along with a mando gate. The required gap established by the mando gate isn't wide either. I was a few feet outside the painted circle and make the putt and it felt like a deserved birdie. It's a shorter hole at 240' but still not a gimme even if that circle isn't an island. I was a little triggered since I landed in the circle and rolled out. I don't mind island greens on shorter open holes, or really short holes with more welcoming lines. Maybe it isn't an island, maybe it's just a painted circle marking C1, but none of the other greens have it. So it's either an island or players will think it is. A little too "taxing". If the island wasn't there, it still wouldn't be the easiest hole.
-I'll have to repeat the previous review on how #8 can get swampy. While it is the most fun tee shot and well worth throwing regardless of weather, you better bring some old hiking shoes. Being in between two wood lines in an open strip, run off can be a perennial problem.
Other Thoughts:
A land like this one was in dire need of a disc golf course. Ryan did an outstanding job! It's like Glenwood in WV and Langley Pond in SC blended in. It's more wooded than Glenwood but has more elevation than Langley with many fairways reminding me of both courses. With all the ideas Ryan has put into place, we will soon be seeing some true multi shot par fives. I met Ryan at this event at this small C tier at Cavitt's Creek and he was talking about how he recently designed a course in 2022 (or was working on a course) and it's truly a destination course. I was blown away!
-On U disc, Lake Stephens is rated as at least the fourth greatest course in WV. I absolutely love West Virginia golf! I drove seven and a half hours to the Seth Burton Memorial and I really loved both courses. I loved Lake Stephens just a little bit more. The par fours are all excellent because a few are reachable for the biggest arm while most are a little longer and technical. #7 was the hardest of them all and the hardest hole on the course. It's longer than the rest and the fairway tightens at the approach. You are looking to go straight for over 300' and hoping to fade left before maybe 350'. I threw my sword about 350' and landed in the trees straight ahead because I didn't fade left in time. Even then, the approach down the split valley is quite difficult and even more so if you aren't in the optimal spot.
-As much as I love Lake Stephens, I will say I like Glenwood in Princeton, WV just a little bit better because of the better variety and the wider diversity in challenge. This is still worth a 4.5 rating, as the cons listed above are very minor to me or simply a matter of preference. Heck of a course Ryan! Designers like you are the reason why the game is growing so exponentially!