Pros:
WHAT TO EXPECT: Patoka Lake is located within a pay to enter State Park ($7 for Indiana residents, $9 for out of state visitors). Expect an absolutely beautiful course with tons of shot variety, wilderness seclusion, some picturesque forest views, and great course upkeep for as secluded as the course is. There are mostly shorter holes distance wise with a mix of semi open but well defined fairways before dipping off into some tight, but well defined technical woods golf.
TEES/SIGNAGE/BASKETS: Baskets are older, not sure exactly what brand, but look like early Mach's but the chains have been replaced with newer ones. Baskets caught well, just show their sign of age. Basic tee signs that only show distance and par. Tee pads are concrete and on the smaller side, but fine for a course with holes this distance.
DESIGN: Course is chalk full of variety with multiple windows to hit off the tee, subtle but noticeable elevation changes, tree guarded greens, and a variety of distances and shot shapes required. Very few "air it out holes" for those with longer arms, but offers a ton of variation in distances and angles that make disc choice and angle control extremely important. Extremely fair lines that are both fun and challenging without being overbearing.
EXTRAS: The course beauty deserves recognition with the mass of old hardwoods, walnut trees, streams, and evergreens. The slight elevation changes (to the extreme elevation changes on Hole #9), low ceilings, protected greens, and scenic nature of the course just add to the aura. Course is well maintained and while there is some thicker rough, especially in the heavier wooded sections, it isn't thick or allowed to grow uncontrolled.
Cons:
AMENITIES: The lack there of. Though this park has some great beaches, a beautiful lake, and tons of amenities for those areas, the disc golf course is a secluded island unto itself. There are no bathrooms or water available that I could find anywhere near the course.
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: The lake unfortunately is not incorporated into the course at all. The water hazard aspect as well as the missed view opportunities definitely stands out. Kinda leaves the name of the course to be sort of misleading, but that's just nitpicking.
SECLUSION: While being alone on a course is often quite relaxing, this course is secluded from practically everyone. The closest course was Dubois County Park over 30 minutes away. We actually played a tournament that used this course, Dubois County Park, and Neihaus Park over a 2 day event and the courses were wildly spread out. The course is also a decent haul from Louisville, Indianapolis, and Evansville making it require a dedicated trip to play.
BENCHES: Course could use some more benches, and the existing ones could definitely use an update. Though the elevation isn't crazy here, there is enough of it that some players would benefit from having a place to rest between holes.
Other Thoughts:
Overall Patoka Lake is a wonderful wooded course that has stood the test of time. Some serious updating and modernizing of this course and adding amenities would make this course rate MUCH higher. As is, the course rates at a 3.5 to me. The old tees/signs/baskets and the lack of bathrooms and water bring this course down from a 4.0. The State Park is definitely worth the trip on its own, with the bonus of this great course. Not a destination course on it's own, but definitely a can't miss if you are in the area.