Pros:
- Lots of elevation changes on the course, which is quite unique if you're used to fairly flat courses
- Baskets are all good quality (Mach II or III)
- Signage is decent for the most part
- There are rubber/plastic teepads
- Course layout isn't difficult to understand
- Bathrooms and water fountains available at Robert Purcel Community Center across the street
- Parking is right on the first hole (but you must pay before 5pm or risk getting caught by Cornell parking)
- The swamps, rough, and elevation can be challenging in a good way if you're into getting challenged
- If you catch the course right after Cornell does their quarterly maintenance some of the cons can be avoided
Cons:
- The elevation changes are real; 2 is up a hill; 3 is down then up a hill, 7 is down a hill. If you're looking for some easy recreation then this aspect will be a bit disruptive
- You have to pay for parking if you come before 5pm, and you can only pay through an app that you have to download. They'll give you a warning first time usually, but they will make you pay fines eventually if you're caught
- Even though the course layout isn't difficult to understand, there're a couple holes that might not be obvious finds
- In the summer the rough and high grass and swamps can get quite annoying. There're lots of thorny plants in the rough, which is a damper on rounds. There're two swampy areas, namely to the immediate right of hole 1, left of hole 7, surrounding hole 8, and the right of hole 9. If you lose a disc in there, don't go to get it; you'll start sinking in. Wait until it's winter to come look for discs, or hope someone finds it and puts it by the course map sign.
- Because of the elevation changes, when it rains or snows enough parts of the course get very soupy
- Some of the teepads are bumpy enough where it's preferable to throw from the side instead
- 9 holer if you're looking for an 18 hole instead
Other Thoughts:
I came to Ithaca from the Midwest, so this hilly course with a big swamp and thorny rough really slapped me in the face and honestly discouraged me for some time. But, eventually I got over it and now I enjoy giving the course a go and pushing the swamp and rough to get good shots. I can totally see how for some people this course is a 3 or 3.5, but I play recreationally, so the hill climbs and swamps are just too much for me sometimes. Between Robison, TC3 (newly renovated!), and Danby, Robison is my least favorite, but it's still a very respectable course. It's just not an easy mode course.