(1.491 Rating) (2.5 Rating MINI) (REVISED - replayed January 2023) A course for mini's using teeny tiny baskets.
- CHALLENGING - Throwing a mini accurately and far, apparently isn't as easy as it looks. This was the first mini course I ever played, back in 2017. In my three recorded rounds out here now, I have yet to card a birdie. The arm motion is not exactly the same as throwing a regular disc. It's a little finesse and snap. My regular 300 foot arm could only chuck these little guys about 100. Plus I just can't seem to get a putt to stick outside of 10 feet. It's hard to score well on these small baskets.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Despite the difficulty to par, the layout can easily be run by first timers and younger kids. My 8 year old easily handled the course. There are no water hazards or dense overgrowth under the trees in this portion of the park.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Not quite as much awe as the big boy course, but it's still located in a fully wooded portion of the park. In addition, the entire Monte Sano Park is just amazing with lots of hiking and biking trails. Be sure and stroll about 5 minutes south of the MINI Layout, for a great overlook of Big Cove valley.
- LOCATION - The MINI course is located off the right side of fairway (7) on the regular Monte Sano layout. This makes for an easy one-two punch for those trying to rack up courses played.
- NAVIGATION - No course map and no hole signage other than numbered posts. Despite these seemingly problematic deficiencies, the layout is so small that traversing it doesn't require much thought. The numbered post for the next hole is always in view from the prior basket. There are direction arrows below several of the baskets, but a few have now disappeared.
- QUICK PLAY - Even with me photographing all the holes to post onto DGCR, it still took me only 20 minutes to play the loop the first time.

It's just not the same.
- HOLE VARITY - Because this is a MINI-course it's definitely unique. However, the shots here all feel the same. Chuck it 75 or 100 feet and hope it avoids three or four trees. There is no elevation. There are no water features.
- NOT DISC GOLF - Perhaps I'm bias by generally only playing on normal courses. To me, throwing around a MINI is a different experience versus throwing a regular disc. It just doesn't have the same thrill.
- AMENITIES - There are no extras for this course. Although, what does one of these MINI courses really need other than baskets and markers? Concrete tees and hole signage are normal things for an average course, but for a MINI? It's just not necessary. The only items here are the basics, MINI baskets and numbered posts to mark the tees. One might also see a relic carpet square on a hole or two. In addition, please note that basket (9) is still missing, as was noted in the reviews from 8 years ago.
- PAY TO PLAY - Currently its $5 to enter the park per person (less for seniors and children.) A yearly pass can also be obtained for $100 or $150 for a family.

A difficult course to rate as this is only one of two MINI courses that I've ever played. It's definitely an interesting play. Perfect for smaller kids and those with arm pain issues as they won't have to worry about the weight of the disc. Considering that It's right next to the big boy course, it should be easy to try out and check off. However, the MINI itself is probably not worth checking out if the big basket course weren't right there.

I've played lots of regular courses but this is my first time playing a mini course and I had a blast! There are mini baskets and mini tee pads with signs displaying the hole number. There are directional arrows under the baskets pointing you to the next tee so navigation is a breeze. Tee pads are carpet but you don't need a run up to throw a min so they're really just there to show the tee area so I didn't mind that at all.

The course plays through mature trees with little to no underbrush which is important when throwing and looking for a mini. There are multiple routes to the baskets on many holes and it seems like a good design for a mini course.

It's only 9 holes but after playing it felt like an appropriate number of holes for something like this.

Basket on hole 9 was missing when I was there 3/8/15 so we just played to the pole which remains.

The mini course does play a little close to holes 7 and 8 on the regular course so keep an eye out for other players.

Since this is the only mini course I've ever played I find it tough to rate since I don't have any other mini courses to compare to.

Maybe it's a novelty that will wear off over time, but I must say I had a lot of fun playing the mini course and would definitely play it again. Go check it out if you haven't played it, it's a lot of fun!

First time to see a mini course. Made for an interesting, fun and challenging twist to the game we love so much. Great layout, Small baskets, small tee pads, mini signs. Pretty cool overall.

Park setting on the mountain is great.

Only 9 holes. which may not be a con seeing as how it is a mini course. The #9 basket was missing, only the pole was there. Someone obviously removed the Trophy style (golden) mini basket.

tip: If you haven't thrown a mini before, practice first and select several different minis. Same style minis will have way different flight patterns. I purchased a mini from Meeman Shelby park that has a great flight pattern and can get some good distance with a stable fade. Putting can be tricky since the mini can kick off or through the chains. Not ideal for windy days, but ramps up the challenge. Definitely give it a shot if you haven't played a mini course. Additionally would have given a higher rating but the #9 basket was missing and tee pad signs were torn up.