Pros:
I made a reservation to play this new addition to the greater Northern Kentucky scene not knowing what I would get . This 18 hole course is situated right in the middle of Grant County , but accessible to both I-75 and I-71 . Parking is still in it's formulating stages . Course owner and designer Tim Blanchet told me to park just off of his driveway and he would catch up with me when he came home from work . When he okays you to play here , he sends you directions to his house , and a scorecard with informative details to move you from hole to hole . 5 years ago , Tim had a dream to make a course on his vast property , and it is coming along great . The tee pads are either natural or carpet , and there is little signage , except some NEXT TEE signs or arrows to help you navigate . The baskets are different throughout the course , but are in good condition and catch real well . I never like being the first one to review a course , mostly because that means the course is still being broken in ( ca. 2018 ) , but after playing here , I couldn't escape the creative design and the natural feel of this course . Even without tee signs , I was able to navigate this course pretty easy with the scorecard . The course is unique with it's variety of shot selection . There is some good but not overly extreme elevation on some of these holes . They can incorporate a creek , mando , pond and landing zone . This course plays technical from the word go . Hole #1 is a good warmup hole ( 293' ) with just a little obstruction , but one that will get you to stretch your knees . #2 & 3 are to your left and go out and back in tight woods . #4 follows the road on the left , then breaks to the left , with rough dividing the course to the hole . There is a cool rock bench next to the fairway , just in case you want to take a seat for a minute . I won't go hole by hole , but will tell you that I had a good workout playing here . A few of the holes will give you a break , only followed by the next hole that will break you . Tim and his dog caught up with me at about hole 14 , and we talked for the rest of the round .He has dual pin placement and many alternate tees . There are so many different looks that the course gives you . an example would be #10 which is a long downhill drive that forces you into an uphill up shot to the basket sitting protected by some trees . Follow that with #11 , which forces you to eventually bring your drive right to left and set it down to where you can approach the basket into a narrow woods passage to the basket sitting on the right , about 100' in . After your dose of tight holes and elevation , the course finishes you off with #18 , a downhill drive over a pond , with the basket protected by 2 trees . You also have the option to wrap your drive around the pond to the right , but you have have to content with some deep rough if you miss your lane . This is one of the better finishing holes in the area . I don't know if the course is set up for the newbies or the kids , but I feel that the rest of the disc golf world will enjoy this setup . There is a WOW factor here . The course is private , so you usually have the course to yourself , or with 1 other group . Give yourself about and hour and 15 minutes or so if you are playing solo . Maybe 2 - 2 1/2 hours for a foursome . Signature Hole : #11 which takes you from woods to open , a little downhill back to tight woods . Great basket placement .
Cons:
#1 this course is going to be a tough walk after a rain . The ups and downs of this course combined with woods will equal a possible fall and a lot of caked mud on your shoes . #2 amenities . The course can use some signage and some tee pads , but these will come in time when Tim can have some cash flow coming in . #3 Disc Risk . I can see losing a driver or a long approach disc here . The rough can be heavy in spots , and rollaways and blind shot baskets can add to the fray . Use a spotter or watch your disc's flight .
Other Thoughts:
I am glad that I was able to play this course in it's early stages . There is some work to be done , but the foundation is set and the hard part is out of the way . I can see a tournament played here within the year .The design combined with being far from the city really makes this worth coming to. Tim has aspirations of making this a destination stop for the disc golf world . Kind of like Field Of Dreams ( or Field Of Discs ) .I have played a lot of private courses , and he is one of the nicest I have ever met . He doesn't say anything about it , but it is a private course . Reach in your pocket and give some money . All of it goes right back into his course . My Recommendation : I normally have a wait and see attitude about new courses and being broken in before playing them , but this course changed my mind . A solid course for travelers or baggers coming up or traveling south on I-71 or I-75 , or locals , enthusiasts intermediates to pros . Catch this course early , so you can experience the progression , and meet the owner . PLAY IT !!