Pros:
Westover Park is a surprisingly enjoyable 21-hole course. It winds around the park, rec center and swimming pool, giving players a fun round of disc golf.
- I enjoyed Westover more than some other, higher-rated (at least according DGCR's ratings) courses in the region. This isn't a flashy course, but it's a great example of the KISS method.
- Course continually plays up and down the same hills throughout the round. You start at the far right of the park, throwing uphill on #1. That same hill is still in play all the way up to #14, where you're now throwing uphill in the far, back left portion of the park.
- There isn't anything fancy here, just a bunch of decent, slightly-above average holes. The main hole design is this: a fairly straight hole, maybe with a slight dogleg, that has just enough trees players are forced to carve shots around in order to be in birdie range. On almost every hole, even if you hit a tree off the tee, you should still be able to advance your 2nd shot to within putting range.
- Course tends to have tons of switchbacks throughout the round: times you play up then hill, turn around and throw back down hill; times you play one hole, turn back 100 feet to now play the next hole that plays alongside.
- Course is very consistent in terms of layout, design, and length. Average hole is 307 feet along, ranging in length from 204 feet to 472. You want consistency? 15 of the 21 holes range in length from 225 - 360 feet. If you can throw straight 250 feet, you'll be looking a ton of birdie putts to short up-and-downs throughout the round.
- #12 is a fun, simple layout. Sense a theme yet? It's a 344-foot, slight downhill layout with players aiming towards the swimming pool (don't worry, there's a tall fence). There's not a lot of challenge here. It is a simple 3 at worst, for most players. But the backdrop of the swimming pool is a different visual.
- I also enjoyed #18. It's a real chance to unleash a drive, at 472 feet. The sidewalk on the left is OB, but it shouldn't cause much difficulty. Two decent shots will leave players putting for 3.
- Great tee signs. They're a great tool for first-time players.
Cons:
The course layout is tight. The switchback element is there because of the lack of space. You couldn't fit in 21 holes without squeezing in some layouts. Perhaps a couple holes could, and should, be eliminated as a safety precaution.
- Some major safety issues. Holes #3 -5 play right next to a couple picnic shelters. Hole #10 plays right over the tee for #11. If the course is ever crowded, you'll have to be on constant watch for discs sailing from other fairways. Be prepared to skip holes if the park is busy. I doubt park goers care that they're walking through your fairway.
- I probably wouldn't play here if the course were crowded. I couldn't enjoy myself if I was always worried about being hit by other players. Or, more importantly, I wouldn't want to worry about hitting others simply because my shot sailed slightly offline.
- There was no signage for the final three holes - #19 - 21. After finishing #18, I saw the basket for #19 straight ahead. I walked around and didn't see anything indicating a tee marker. Skipped that one and tried for #20. Made an arbitrary tee for the next basket I saw. Made two good tee shots, got ready to putt and noticed I was on #21. Didn't find #20 until later.
- The course is redundant. I enjoyed it as a simple, slightly easier layout. If this were my home course, the closest 18-hole layout to me, I'd want something a little flashier.
Other Thoughts:
Westover Park is good for what it is. Don't expect greatness. Enjoy a course where you don't need to throw many drivers.
- Due to the lack of variety, I was surprised this course measured longer than 6400 feet. It felt shorter than that, probably due to throwing mostly mid-range discs off the tee.
- The positive of all holes being close to 300 feet is that there are plenty of chances to park tee shots. My tee shot on #17 - a 246-foot hole - resulted in a tap-in birdie. Ace runs on holes like this feel much better than ace runs on shorter holes.
- The first two holes might be two of the most difficult on the course. Both play uphill, creating longer layouts. It also doesn't help that #2's basket was in a different location from the tee sign. The course is front-loaded and played much easier. Don't let a rough start discourage you as it gets easier from there.
- This is the perfect 'tweener rating. It's not quite a 3.5-level course, but it's better than a 3.0 rating. The safety concerns are serious enough to take points off for, resulting in a 3.0 rating. I'd rather play Kiwanis in Staunton than here. Better yet, drive 45 minutes to Walnut Creek. Still, this is a decent course that has plenty to offer.