Pros:
You know, it's been so long since I have done a review that I was gun shy to get this one out there. I mean, when someone wants to rate something as a great course, they really need to go into detail. The good news is, there are lots of details to highlight about this amazing course -
Tee Pads - Long and wide and present on every hole. These are all concrete pads. Every pad is nice and level and grippy. None of this gravel business. Concrete pads of get out, please.
Tee Signs - Are there. Not super detailed, but they are present and provide a good map of the current hole. though I would like to see better signs, the ones they currently have will do. Not a great pro, but it's not a con either. It has signs. Which, you know, is better than a swift kick in the face.
Course Design - Some of the most fun I have had experiencing a golf course. Great use of the elevation changes, water, woods, open spaces and other things. Shots range from long, sweeping hyzers, giant turn over shots, super technical dinkers and long tunnel shots. Indeed, there is something for everyone here.
Except for cotton candy. I wanted some and could find it nowhere on the course.
Foliage Maintenance - Perfect. There are so many trees and what not on this course and none of them feel out of place or in the way "just because". There are times, especially on the lettered holes, where getting off of the fairway is death via thorns. But you know what the answer to that is? Don't get off of the fairway.
Trash Cans - on pretty much most of the course. I don't recall there being one ounce of trash on the course, which is great. Hate me a litter bug.
Epic Holes - Indeed, there are several. The shot over the pond is going to scare some people off and probably cause some people to skip that hole. I think it's around 290 to carry the water. And that's ok. It really is an epic, signature hole. There are a couple of other great holes as well. I REALLY like the first 6 holes a lot. The entire course is great, but those first 6 might be the best starting holes in the entire state of indiana.
As far as other things go, you can camp on site. As in, there is camping within walking distance of the course itself. And because it's a state park, everything in the camping area is well maintained and taken care of.
Couple that with all of the other amenities in the park, and you're looking at having a great time. But be careful out there.
Finally, for pros anyway, this is probably the prettiest, most scenic course that I have ever played. The trees are perfectly manicured, the shot over the pond is beautiful and intimidating, the fairways are carefully manicured and looked after perfectly. I love walking out on a course where you can tell that someone loves it. This is one of those courses.
Cons:
A couple of cons. Nothing much to worry about, but every course has down sides -
Baskets - The old baskets on this course need a lot of help. They are currently in the process of replacing these baskets, so this con might not be relevant for long. I hope so. Because honestly, some of those baskets catch like a blind man with no hands.
Casual players/backup - because it does sit on a campground, there are a LOT of casual folks out there playing in groups of six or more. And this not an easy course, so people are getting backed up. Minor inconvenience, but just be mindful of this when you go out there. Plan for a round with this in mind. Or plan on joining a group of people and playing disc golf like the jets and sharks.
pay to play - for residents, I think it's like 5 bucks a car load for the day. Which really is not that bad, but it is something to again be aware of. The good news is that you can stay there all day and play as much as you like for that 5 clams.
Like I said, not a lot in the way of cons.
Other Thoughts:
Peru, also known as Circus City USA, sits smack in the middle of nowhere. if you plan on making a trip to play this course, make a day or weekend of it and play the other courses in the area. Or plan on playing this course several times and camping out or something. Personally, I don't camp. Man invented hotels and beds for a reason. Sleeping outdoors sounds like a nightmare to me. Plus, I need a boxfan when I sleep. And where do you put one of those in a tent?
Anyway, go play this course, please. It's a super challenging course for good players and a beginner friendly course as well. I wish I lived closer so I could play it more often. I literally can't wait to go play this brilliant course again.