Pros:
(2.241 Rating) A small park style course that's much longer than currently listed on site.
- CHARACTER - I was impressed for such a small course. First off, the basics of tees, baskets and navigation are all solid. Baskets were MachIIIs in great condition and tees were 4 by 10 tapering to 5 feet in the back. Course map and community board by tee (1) and adequate tee signage for this style of course. There is a practice basket and huge shelter with picnic tables. There is seating for every front tee. There are restroom facilities and probably a drinking fountain (aka, bubbler for my Wisconsin friends). There are extra tees on every hole adding about 40 to 60 feet in distance for more challenge. My only wish here is that there was dedicated signage for the extra tees.
- NAVIGATION - Adequate for this style of course, although the tee distances are wack, see cons.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Other than hole (3), an ideal beginners course offering just the right amount of challenge and forgiveness. Recreational players in town should really like this easygoing layout.
- QUICK PLAY - I was done with my solo round in 30 minutes. Figure 45 minutes for a twosome and 60 minutes for a foursome.
- MAINTENANCE - The park was in good shape. Mowed though-out and little trash on my appearance.
Cons:
Small course issues, but otherwise a nice reasonable layout.
- MIS-LABELED DISTANCES - As has been stated in most of the previous reviews, the hole distances labeled on the tees are not accurate. I started pacing them off beginning on (6) and all four of the last holes were at least 20 feet longer. Hole (6) was nearly a 100 feet longer. Clearly the basket locations were updated after the signage was installed. Based on satellite imagery, the distances are more like, 131, 294, 378, 275, 212, 330, 265, 259, 210 for the front tees and 180, 352, 450, 339, 260, 387, 309, 304, 251 for the back tees. I went ahead and updated the figures on DGCR.
- UNIQUENESS - For those that like heavily wooded layouts, they will have to go somewhere else. I don't think I would define one hole on this as even moderately wooded. All park style shots with one or two trees to game-plan around. Water comes into play once on (3) and elevation is a non-factor. Hole distances vary more than the signage indicates, but it's still sub-par.
- SPACING - This course was hammered into a developed multi-use park. Ball field fences, walking paths, roads and pavilions come into play. The direct line to the basket on (4) back tee in no more than ten feet from a pavilion. I could see a lot of waiting or even having to skip a hole or two if the park is very active. No issues for me at 7 AM with the temps at 35 degrees.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Average. The Fox River adds some appeal on a few shots. However, after this element, nothing else grabbed my attention. Man-made features are in view the entire time. No seclusion and the overall tree coverage is very light.
Other Thoughts:
I liked it for what it was. A quick easy-going bag that was easy to follow. I'd give the course a 2.25 if I were allowed to do so. The course will work great for Recreational and beginning local players. For those outside an hours' drive, there is no reason to come here unless they are a course bagger.
- CHALLENGE - With the increased distances, the course from the back tees might play as a tweener between Recreational and Intermediate. However, it's just too open and too forgiving that bogeys will rarely happen for those exceeding a 900 player rating.