Pros:
+ 18 holes, few of which are flat. Nearly every hole incorporates elevation into its design. Some notable examples are #4 which has a pin placed on a right to left slope, and #18 with the basket sitting on top of a large hill.
+ Good variety between lines. Leans a little heavy on straight shots, but it mixes in some left and right turning holes.
+ Tee signs show the line, distance, par, hole # etc. They're a bit on the small side, but they stand out so you won't miss them.
+ Multiple benches. In fact some of the benches that are out in the open even have artificial shade constructed to block the sunset.
+ Easy to navigate, no map needed for a first play through.
Cons:
- Not difficult enough. Granted they don't feel like gimmies, and the course isn't quite as easy as say, Eager Beaver or Crooked Creek Crossing, but there's no real challenge here.
- Both par 4's are easy, especially the last one. It's a wide open 620' shot with no obstacles besides a few short trees you can throw over. In a tournament there are island rules in effect, but for casual play there's no risk on the tee shot. There is no strategy of "Should I bomb it and risk kicking off the fairway, or lay up for a birdie?" There's no reason to lay up here if its not a tournament.
- Lacks length. I use a driver of some sort for maybe 5 or 6 holes here, and that's primarily throwing an overstable driver on a hard hooking line, not so much for distance.
- Couple patches of pretty thick rough. Most the course does not suffer from this problem, but there are one or two spots you want to keep an eye out for. I've seen people lose them on #15, and on the right side of #2.
Other Thoughts:
Robbins is a solid course. It is one I think most people would find fun to play, not too demanding but not a complete walk in the park.
For me its too easy. It offers some interesting shots, but none of the holes really stand out to me as fantastic. It's one of those courses that even though it checks a lot of the boxes, the actual golf doesn't get me terribly excited.
I will say the land was put to good use. The design flows well and incorporates everything the terrain had to offer.
Still, there's something to be said for the accessible nature of the course, and its close proximity to Bailey Road Park.
Thank you for the review. You'll find it interesting, maybe. In the tournament rounds played, 12 and 16 (the 2 par 4s) played among the toughest on the course. 16 (without island rules) played almost a stroke over par. The bombs you describe often enter OB early and never come back in. If you play the longs, it adds a little teeth and probably 3 strokes in scoring over the shorts in tournaments.