Pros:
-- As good a piece of land as you're likely to find in DFW for disc golf. There is plenty of elevation change, with uphilll and downhill throws, water and trees. The scenery is really nice and would be enjoyable for a walk or hike. Getting to play disc golf here is almost like a bonus.
-- There are some really fun holes. Nos. 3 and 6 really stand out. No. 3 is a short RHFH shot to a basket on the side of a hill (at least that is one basket position). An alternate path for RHBH is there. No. 6 throws from a bluff/hill over some trees (at least there used to be trees) to a basket in a clearing surrounded by rough. The long basket position is devilishly placed a few feet from an 8-foot drop-off right to a 15-foot wide flat area that then drops down to the creek.
-- You have a good mix of distances, and the course doesn't overly favor one throwing style (RHBH, etc.).
-- Baskets are numbered (fairly large) with the logo of the local club. It's a nice touch.
-- Practice basket near parking lot.
-- Excellent tee signs with map of hole and obstacles and "Next tee" direction. Some also include directions for a "safe" route on trickier creek crossings or steep hills. However, a third pin position was added for some holes after the T signs were made, so that adds a layer of confusion. On No. 2 on my most-recent visit, I saw the empty short position, so I threw toward the second position, not realizing a third position left of those two had been added.
-- A couple of holes have gotten new/different basket locations (some of them elevated). I generally like them and think they add to the course, but they are getting close to have too many elevated baskets and making it feel gimmicky.
Cons:
-- Navigation (and course flow) was a big issue here. The new tee signs help, but there are still some issues. Vestiges of the numerous previous incarnations of this course are still there (tee pads that are no longer used and old tee markers with incorrect numbers), and make the navigation issues worse. A map by the parking lot has been added as well as a sign pointing to No. 1 tee pad. That sign isn't big and could be overlooked, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
-- Related to the navigation issue but somewhat different is the ability to safely traverse the course. Numerous "creek" crossings (mostly dry in the summer but a muddy mess when I played in February) exist. In fact, with the No. 1 basket in the long position, you cross the creek three times in the first two holes. Many crossings are steep and either so dry that the loose dirt and rocks make them likely to cause an accident or so muddy so as to cause an accident. Also, going almost straight up hill on No. 4 is dangerous. On my first visit, I had to throw my second shot from the hill on No. 4 and was worried about falling. I am in good shape, hike frequently, and was wearing hiking boots and was still worried. Additionally, there are many large pieces of concrete with rebar in them that are dangerous.
-- Blind shots. If I'm standing on the tee and have no idea where, or even which direction, the basket is located, that's a problem.
-- No. 5 seemed like a throwaway hole. It was short, with a double mando (almost always a gimmick) and power lines 10-15 feet off the ground all the way across the fairway. Now the tee sign is missing.
-- No. 11 has a picnic table near (or in) the fairway. With the pin in the right position and a RHBH thrower, a disc is likely headed right for that picnic table. A non-disc golfer was sitting there on my first visit and on my most-recent visit.
-- Snakes. I haven't seen any on my tthree most-recent visits, but this is the only course/location where I have seen two snakes on the same day.
-- No restrooms or water.
-- New development (houses) in the area is likely related to the re-paving of the road, but it also added a drainage ditch almost on top of the No. 1 tee. It appears that water from that pipe now flows directly into/across the No. 1 fairway.
Other Thoughts:
-- Wilbur Road (leading to the parking lot) used to be more potholes than road, but re-pavng has fixed that problem. The parking lot is small but nicely paved.
-- This was a difficult course to rate because the pros are really strong, but the cons are almost as strong. If I were rating this on just the holes (taking out navigation, safety, etc.), it probably would be a 4-disc rating. However, the frustration of trying to safely traverse the course and figure out where the basket is brings the rating down.
-- Between the navigation issues and the blind shots, you almost can't play a solo round. It would be really helpful if your playing partner knows the course, but if nothing else, you're going to need a spotter on several holes. The risk of losing a disc is high, as is the risk of hitting someone (a disc golfer or someone walking in the park or sitting at a picnic table).
-- A LOT of hard work has been put in to clear brush, etc. I understand that this work is done by volunteers, so kudos to them. However, that doesn't eliminate the concerns. When I order a meal in a restaurant, my rating/satisfaction is based on the quality of the food and is not influenced by any struggles or limitations in the kitchen, etc. Why something is a "con" doesn't make it not a con. The course rating should be based on what is, and is not, there. The reasons should not affect the rating.
-- This is at least the fourth version of the course at this location, and the course was getting worse. Recent improvements (tee signs, road paving) are moving the needle in the other direction. However, many of the current holes existed on previous versions of the course, but the flow doesn't work as well now. The only reason I can think of for the current move (the old No. 1 is now No. 12) is to have slightly more parking near No. 1, but it's still a small parking lot. In addition to way too many creek crossings, you cross the main road (Saddle Road) twice. I don't think the trade-off is worth it.
** UPDATE **
I originally rated this a 2.5 disc course. I was torn whether to raise it to 3.0 or 3.5 but eventually settled on 3.0 on my first update and now a 3.5 based on the new tee signs, which help the navigation. There are still some problems with course flow and not knowing where baskets are located. The creek -- almost completely dry August 2024 -- is in play on quite a few holes, which makes the holes challenging, but the creek crossings themselves are difficult and a safety issue.
The park land keeps getting sold off unfortunately. We are doing the most with what land we have left. Yes, the parking is better at the new #1. The permanent T signs are finally installed, (10/03/21). Come back out with a regular and give it another shot.