Pros:
Common Ground is a 9 hole disc golf course that sits on Fellowship Bible Church , near I-24 . It is part of a triad of courses in Murfreesboro . The Church looks very nice from the outside , and there is plenty of parking here . When you pull in ,drive all the way to the end of the parking lot and park close to the highway . I am not sure the church will be open for you to use the bathrooms .
The Equipment : There is no kiosk here and no online map . There is a small wood obscure bench up near the road near the corner of the woods , with what looks like some worn dirt or carpet . That is the tee for Hole #1 . I am not sure where the signage went here , but I didn't pick up any until Hole #5 . I was hoping vandals weren't at work . The tee pads are an old small carpet . Some of the surfaces below them were not level , so be careful when teeing off . Whatsurprised me was that there were 9 yellow banded Discatcher baskets present . They are easy to spot and are the best option for any woods holes . Those wood benches appear in a couple of other places on the course .
The Landscape . The first hole is the longest ( someone lengthened some of the holes ) , an elevated tee drive down a fairway with the woods on the right and open on the left .The basket is in the shade of some smaller trees . Important to remember . There was no signage , but the next tee is not far from the back of the #1 basket , and it plays to the end of the property ( still teeing off in the same direction as #1 ) with the #2 basket tucked into the right of the woods . This part of the property was mowed and manicured well . The rest of this course is in the woods . The woods is scenic , quiet and full of nature for being in a residential area . There is some elevation here , notably on 6 & 7 , and rock formations typical of this part of Tennessee . It always adds to the landscape , IMO .There is a small gully in the fairway of #8 . The abundant trees making up the fairway and also lining it make for tight lines .
The Highlights . Once I found where to tee off from #2 , The basket placement to the right in part of the woods was nice . The course goes back and forth for a couple of holes , #4 being a tight fairway shot with a small drop in elevation on the left . #6 is a downhill putter/midrange throw to an elevated basket at the end . Overthrow and you have an uphill putt AND the elvated basket to contend with . #7 is an uphill drive ( I thought it was longer than 195' ) over a rock formed fairway , through the trees to the basket on the right on level ground . #8 would have been my signature hole . A lengthened narrow fairway shot . Midway through , there is a small gully , and after the gully , the fairway shifts to the left and down a bit to the basket tucked into a small green . More of that on cons .
Time : The course is a fast play . I was done in 30 minutes without knowing where I was going . This course is an excellent team building exercise for the church , and also a fun type of course that the group can participate in .
Despite some things lacking , there is some fun factor present .
The church property is very clean . There are no trash cans on the course , so carry out what you carry in .
Cons:
#1 Navigation . As I said before , there was no kiosk , no map , no signage until #5 . It is frustrating for a first time player here , or out of town player to have to feel around for direction . After #2 , you get a better feel for the next holes .
#2 Equipment . I still praise the church for the yellow Discatcher baskets ( even Barfield Crescent lacks those ) , but if carpet is used or rubber or whatever , the ground underneath has to be level , or someone will trip or turn an ankle . The carpet was is bad shape when I played . I am positive that someone would donate carpet strips to this fine church . The signage was kind of paper encased in plastic . I am guessing that the signage may have blown off in a storm or were discarded . Signs were only present on 5, 7,8 & 9 .
Speaking of equipment . Not really a con , but the elevated basket was a mismatch for hole #6 . I think it would have been a better play for the uphill #7 , or #2 or #4 . Just sayin'
#3 Safety : Since the course is short simple and designed for the casual player , a couple of the fairways ( 3 & 4 ) run close by . A ricochet off a tree could wind up with someone being " baptized by disc " . Also , the downhill run at 6 is dangerously close to the #9 basket to the left . A right to left fade at the end could ruin #9's day . Careful coming down off those rocks in the fairway on #6. They might be slick in adverse weather .
#4 The big disappointment . The most challenging hole on the course and what would have been my favorite , #8 , was overgrown and no fairway really existed . I walked it and putted at the basket , but if I had thrown my driver ( it looked like it had been lengthened to almost 300' ) , I would have been looking at belt-high weeds for my disc .
#5 Challenge . No doglegs or real obstacles except some tight lines and fairway trees . Most baskets are just a little off center , either right or left , of the tee pad . An okay player will eat this course up . I don't think good players are necessarily what Common Ground is preferring , anyway .
Other Thoughts:
I always guess what a church's mission is , when building a disc golf course . There are costs involved to start one , time and effort to upkeep and a good amount of church property to use .
It can be for church fun or inclusion for all the members to laugh and exercise together . It can also be giving something back to the community . Just like colleges , it is a way of advertising by coming here , maybe asking questions , and who knows ? Being a member .There is a reason that the Course is called Common Ground , instead of Fellowship Bible Church . When I played here on June 28 , I came onto the property a little after 9 . They had outside speakers hooked up , and I heard a whole sermon during my round and thoroughly enjoyed it . There were some people scattered on the lawn listening , though . Thank You , Fellowship Bible Church , for allowing me to play on your grounds , especially on a Sunday morning ( sorry about rattling some chains ) .
If anything , it is still a nice walk though beautiful woods .
My Recommendation : Unless living close by , intermediates on up will not find this course to their liking . This is a good fast play for the locals , Great for church members ( I wish my church had a course ) , good for newbies and 1 disc players looking to shore up the technical aspects of the short game , excellent leg stretcher for the traveler if near I-24 in Murfreesboro's vicinity , and ultimate for the Course Collector . 30 minutes here and on to the other area courses . Don't go out of your way to play here , but if you do and have the chance , say hi and thanks to the church personnel here .