Pros:
The property is set off the highway . A small gravel area to park is set up near hole #1 . I saw no bathrooms available .
The 20 hole Broken Still starts in the corner of the property where a unique sign lures you .
-- THE EQUIPMENT -- The tee pads are carpet , worn but useable . There are 2 tee pads for a lot of the holes . The long tees are normally blue carpeted . The signs are black painted rocks with hole number and distance . something you would only see on a private course . The baskets are a mix , some being the Axiom Black Hole Portals . They look temp , but do the job . There is some blue netting near a few fairways to protect stray drives from clanking craniums . Some signage shows log tee or short tee directions . There are benches at some of the holes that are made out of logs cut in half . Pretty cool . There is a large trash can at one of the tees after you cross the road .
-- THE LANDSCAPE -- Lots of Tennessee elevation . For short holes , elevation can move 20-30' The course is set mostly in or out of woods . A barn will come into play . Enough of the woods is cut out to make for fair throwing lanes . The grass was cut when I was here . The property wasn't what I consider clean , but I wouldn't change it .
-- THE HIGHLIGHTS -- None of these holes will give you a nervous breakdown attempting pars , but they WILL give you a great time .
#1 is a good starter hole . The long tee is actually across the street and is a door shot across the road and to the left .
#5 is a hanging basket in the 2nd story of a small barn . Picture worthy .
#7 can be approached from the left or right . Downhill through the trees to an elevated basket sitting on a stump .
#9 is 332' from the longs to a protected basket .
#20 is a putter/midrange run right to left through a tight fairway to an opening basket .
-- 20 -- As in 20 holes . extra fun .
-- THE TIME -- It took me an hour and 15 minutes to play all of the holes . some of it was spent thinking on whether to throw from the long or short tees each hole . A foursome will play all 20 holes in around an hour and 45 minutes .
-- DISC RISK -- Low , especially from the short tees . There are a few areas with overgrowth like the left fairway on #5 , or ricochets in the woods . You won't get deep bounces into it from mostly midrange or putter shots .
The fun factor here is very high . The variety will make for an enjoyable play . Almost all of the holes will let you save par from errant drives ( my putt on one of the holes bounced off a basket and plunged 50' downhill making a chance at par for the hole a FAIL ) . Plenty of holes to birdie to make up for mistakes .
The course will be a true test of your fitness by the time you have played all 20 holes .
Cons:
#1 Equipment -- Some will complain that carpet tees and average baskets make a course lack credibility . It's not that type of course . Fun . Remember ?!
#2 Safety -- The course is tightly packed into 2 sections . one one the owners side , and the other across the road . Not that you have to keep your head on a swivel , but you do need to be aware of where other are on the course .
#3 Challenge -- It's a birdie fest and ace run . So ?! If you are in for less fun and more backbreaking challenge , drive up to Dickson . This is a finesse and relaxing course .
I don't think that this course is cart-friendly . A lot of rugged and steep terrain .
I would not advise playing this course after a hard rain .
#4 RESERVATIONS -- Contacting the owner for permission might not make it as accessible as other courses , but it CAN make it exclusive .
Other Thoughts:
Private course get a bump up from me , knowing that the owner or designers personal touch goes into the making of a unique course . This is one of those . I haven't had so much fun playing a short course since Arrowhead ( Louisville Ky. ) . I had a long talk with the property owner , Grady , who is one of the nicest men you will meet . He never asks for money to play here , but there is a donation mailbox in the barn as you go to the #6 tee . Even though he said no , I stuffed some money in his hand . Do the same . It costs to upkeep a private course .$5 or a little more shows him you appreciate him opening up his property for visitors . His dog might even follow you around for part of your play . Make sure you call/text ahead so he can expect you . They have had trouble before with some vandals . Make sure you spray before you play . The bugs can be mean in the woods .
I can be a bad person to advise when it comes to private course , because I like to be able to see what the designer was thinking in building their course . A good Tennessee example would be Oggwood .
MY RECOMMENDATION -- with its short tees , a good intro course , even good for the 1 disc player . Pretty hilly for a family after-dinner round , but they can work off calories . This should be a great social get-together for the locals . The 2nd set of tees might just make it interesting enough for intermediates and AMS . Pros might think it gimmicky . Close enough to I-40 and 840 , maybe 20 minutes , that Course Baggers can grab this Lake Benson , Fairfield and Dickson in just over half a day . Might not recommend it for the traveler , unless staying overnight close by , because of having to contact the owner prior to playing . If in West Nashville and wanting a one of a kind experience : PLAY THIS COURSE !!