Pros:
I have played many courses on church grounds , but The Preserve , On Crossroads Community Church grounds is one of the best . Just off of rt 31 in Kokomo , a lot of time and effort went into this 18 hole course . There is plenty of parking available . I think they want the disc golfers to park way in the back near hole #1 .
The Equipment : There is a nice kiosk with large map near hole #1 . There are large cement tee pads flush with the ground . There is good signage about 1 1/2 ft off the ground , telling you everything you need , + where the next tee is . The baskets are a powder blue Prodigy , brand new .
The landscape . There is a boulder to which a basket sits on at the first tee ( will talk about later , then the course stays flat and open for a few holes , except woods holes on 3-6 and soybean fields running to the right on 8 , 9 & 10 . The course elevation changes as the course moves to the front of the property , where it starts to roll some . Good use of the trees on the property . The grass was cut and the grounds were well kept .
The highlights : Some solid holes #5 in the woods was a good left to right tight hole with a protected green . #13, basket ( 354' ) was under and protected by a bent tree . #14 was a canopy run to a hill . #18 was a nice 360' slightly uphill shot to a basket protected by trees on both sides , and a lake right behind it . This is one of the picturesque holes for a #18 that I have seen .
Signature Hole . Hole #1 will stick in your mind , because it sits on a boulder that bears the name of the course .. Only 288' , it is still a harder than usual birdie shot because of the wind . Disc Risk : Depends . Could be moderate if playing holes 8-10 when the soybean fields are active . They were cut down and not in play when I was there , so disc risk was minimal . Only losing one in the trees or the lake behind hole 18 are possible bad spots .
Navigation is pretty easy . Take a picture of the kiosk before playing . It will help you into the woods .
Time . It took me a little over an hour to play it . A foursome is going to take a little over 2 hours .
Cons:
#1 challenge/difficulty . Some of these holes will be a birdie fest for players with an arm and a little accuracy . The woods holes are short and technical , while the rest of the course plays from open to semi open .
#2 amenities: you might have trouble if the church is locked in getting to a bathroom , or filling a water bottle . I wish there was a shelter to sit under in case of rain or to chill .
Be prepared for the long walk back to your car after playing #18 . Not a con , but making you aware .
Other Thoughts:
This is what Kokomo needed . A course that can be long enough for the ams but not too stressful for the less than average performers . Imaging , calling a course on church grounds " The Preserve " . With 2 9 hole courses that just popped up very close to here , and Highland park just up the road , someone could spend a whole afternoon playing all 54 holes in Kokomo . If you only have time for 1 course , or need a good leg stretch and have an hour to kill just off of rt 31 , come here . Too nice a course to just pass by . .
My Recommendation . Good for the Church , good for newbies ( stay out of the soybeans ) ,, locals and 1 disc players . Pretty decent for ams and intermediates . Pros could work on their game her , and unload on the spacious fairways that some places pose . Great course for travelers looking for a course right off the highway . Course Collectors , after entering Kokomo , " Come And Get'em " . Take an hour and Play This Course .