Pros:
*Awesome array of shots - Even with 9 holes I used every disc in my bag. hard doglegs, tunnel shots. If you need to fine-tune your game, come here.
*Easy access - Even without signage in the park, the course was really easy to find. It's right off of the road.
*Camping - The closest course that offers on-site camping (I think) is Token Creek in Madison. Bring the family for a weekend, enjoy the city and the park, play a round or two of ball golf (the country club is adjacent to the park.), do some fishing in the creek that runs next to the course (does not come into play) and walk from your campsite to the course. There are literally sites a few yards from a couple of the holes. This will be even better when the aquatic center is completed. What an amazing family weekend.
*It's beautiful - Even with construction continuing on the course, it's really nice looking.
*Pet friendly - I took my dog with me (leashed, please do the same) and he loved exploring while I threw. I believe the camping is pet friendly also.
*Great flow - Each hole is different than the last. This 9 holer offers more than most 18 hole courses do.
*Navigating is a cinch - There is a long woodchip trail that takes you from hole to hole. With one exception (between 5 and 6 I think) the course was incredibly easy to navigate without signage (which is coming) and with most of the holes being blind from the previous basket. UPDATE 9/4/13 Signage is in, it's beautiful, and its incredibly accurate. The signs are HUGE and bright. They look great.
*Variety - I know I said variety already, but seriously, the variety here is great. The point I want to make here is the difference between the tee boxes. If you played AM tees, then PRO tees, it would feel like you played an 18 hole course.
*Utilization of underused space - I know this doesnt pertain to disc golf so much, but my favorite thing about disc golf is how easily it provides entertainment in areas previously neglected by the public. Another good example of this is Zoebel in Green Lake. I've never seen anybody besides maintenance workers in this area of the County Park, and soon it will be filled with frolfers.
*Location - I touched on this already, but what an awesome location for a course. Camping, playground, hiking, fishing, and ball golf (and a large aquatic center soon) steps from the course. Resturaunts, groceries, hardware, and drinking establishments (don't kid yourself, frolfers drink) all within a mile. camp here and enjoy one of about a dozen other courses within 20 minutes, a couple of them being championship quality (Zoebel). A++ on location.
Cons:
*Baskets - My biggest complaint about the course is the basket quality. They're the baskets that were previously in Tanner Park. I don't know a ton about baskets, but these appear to be old Innova Discatcher baskets with only 1 set of chains. No inner chains means less grab means these baskets will spit out some great putts. hopefully some day they will be upgraded.
*Parking - Parking adjacent to the course is scant. if the park is busy it will be hard to find a spot to put your car while you play. That being said, there is a big parking lot in the park, but it's a hike from the course. UPDATE 9/4/13 The adjacent parking lot has been upgraded with more sensible parking lines. with 90 degree parking many more cars can fit in the parking area. Big upgrade!
*First Hole - You can see the #9 basket from the road, but the #1 tee boxes are inside the edge of the woods. Future signage will help, but I think the placement will make hole 1 difficult to find for first timers. definately not a biggie.
*Potential for more - There is some under-utilized space in the area of the course, especially between #6 and #9. I have no complaints about the holes, and I'm sure funding was tight, but I wish permanent tee boxes had been delayed for the last few holes until funding could be secured for 3 more holes. Natural tee boxes for these holes would have allowed for rearrangement in the future to accomodate a few more holes. It can still be done, but now the freedom to make the holes however you would want them is gone unless you tear out old tee boxes. I will touch on this more in my next con.
*Not enough holes - Hey, this is a great course. My hat is off to whoever designed it, seriously. That being said, I have lived in Waupun for 2 years and one thing I crave is an organized group of players that play together for leagues and have club events in town. This is much more possible with a 12 or 18 hole course. I think Waupun has the player base for a league, all we need is a course big enough to accomodate it.
*Big arms might be disappointed - Obviously the designers couldn't help it, but this course lacks that "bomber" hole where you just wind up and fire it from your cannon.
Other Thoughts:
This is the kind of course I look for when me and friends take a disc golf trip, with on site camping, nearby courses, and amenities near by.
Thanks for the review!
Reusing the baskets was necessary to keep the course affordable. They are probably my least favorite aspect of the course as well. Once we get some signs up and sell some more hole sponsorships, we might be able to ask WARP or other community organizations to help us replace them in a few years. For now they're not awesome, but adequate.
See my response to star doggy for why we had to go 9 vs 18.