Course Spotlight: Fairfield Park
Ah the Midwest, or ‘the Heartland’ as it’s known to many, is such a rich and historical region of the USA. According to Wikitravel.org, “The Midwest is a region of the United States of America known as "America's Heartland", which refers to its primary role in the nation's manufacturing and farming sectors as well as its patchwork of big commercial cities and small towns that, in combination, are considered as the broadest representation of American culture.” When I moved to Illinois from New Mexico, it was a bit of a shock to say the least. So much green, so many little towns, every one of them having a ‘Main Street’. I drive through a half dozen of them each day to and from work. I have spent my time here exploring all these amazing places, and it is here in the Heartland that I discovered disc golf.
Another amazing thing about the Heartland is the sheer amount of disc golf courses. Udisc would have exact numbers, but there are thousands of courses here, and I have tried to play every single one of them. After five years, I’ve only managed to play about 167 courses, so I have a little way to go still. However, of those courses, there are some that I have played many times, and this week I want to highlight Fairfield Park in Round Lake, IL.
A small slice of the Midwest Map
Situated on a huge property that also accommodates walking and biking trails, the course was redesigned in 2014. I have no idea what it was like before this, but I can tell you that this track is well known in the area for being some of the best disc golf in the state. There are two concrete tees and two DISCatcher Pro baskets for almost every hole of the white and gold layouts, with the gold layout having six separate holes. This allows for a wide variety of layouts, and there are 16 combinations on Udisc right now! It is this kind of variety that makes Fairfield a course that you want to play again and again.
The white layout is shorter, but no less challenging. You start in the open, where fairways are surrounded by very thick long grass, and where the wind is always a factor. As you progress through the course, you find yourself deep in the woods facing uphill, downhill, and blind shots. You will need every shot in your bag to score well here. The gold track is the ‘pro’ layout and will challenge even the best golfers. Holes one through nine are played on the same holes as white, but with longer tees and longer basket placements. But it is once you get to hole 10 that gold really shows its teeth. At 566 feet, this par four is a daunting downhill left to right shot off the tee that must be executed to perfection to find the fairway. Guardian trees are perfectly placed so that even a drive that is 90% good may kick off deep into the rough. Your second shot has you throwing across OB with even more guardian trees protecting the green. My claim to fame is that I once took a 3 on that hole, during a tournament. It has never happened since. The good news? There is none, you have five more holes just like 10 in front of you. After hole 15, you’re back on the white track, but again with longer and separate gold baskets. I always like to say, “When you are feeling confident about your golf game, go play a round at Fairfield Gold, that will humble you right up.”
Yes, the layouts are a big factor why this course is so popular, but there are other things to consider. There is plenty of parking for casual play (although it does overflow during tournaments). There are two very clean porta potties on site. There are plenty of trash cans. The course is very well maintained, with the park district coming out regularly to mow the fairways. It is situated on a picturesque property, with the wonderful Manitou Creek running through it. The woods are beautiful, and the grasslands are a marvel. Yes, there are walkers and bikers that have their own trails, but overall, it really feels like a disc golf exclusive property.
Manitou Creek
Fairfield is a course that should be on your disc golf bucket list. If you do come, plan a few days so that you can explore the multiple layouts. It is not a course that you only play once. Who knows, you may even see me out there, and we can get in a round together!
