Pros:
(2.151 Rating) My first experience on a Tennessee Course.
- EASY GOING - One of the better aspects of Two River Park is the laid back feel. No hazards and little overgrowth. There are also birdie opportunities for rec players. Skilled players will be able to shoot low and make a few ace runs. Lots of opportunity to air one out for players maxing at 400 feet, if that's your thing.
- FORGIVENESS - The odds of losing a disc due to an errant shot is near impossible. Misguided shots are generally not further punished within this very lightly wooded layout.
- NAVIGATION - Adequate with a download of the course map on DGCR. I did not see a course map on site, but even without a downloaded one, you'd eventually figure it out. The openness helps with locating next tees, however the hole signage and also downloaded map don't help enough to stop first timers from playing to the wrong basket on a few holes. I personally threw to the wrong basket 3 times, even with the map.
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - Not a beginners course per say or an advanced level course, however Two Rivers does manages to provide a prefect middle ground with the one set of tees. The forgiveness as stated above, is great for beginners and rec players. The fairways are long enough on a few holes for advanced players and the few obstacles that are here will make a skilled player work for it on several holes. However, upper advanced players and pros will come away unchallenged.
- QUICK PLAY - For its length, it plays fairly quick. I did my round here solo in under an hour. I think this will translate to two hours for a group of four seasoned players.
- MAINTENANCE - The grounds appear to be constantly mowed, trimmed and manicured. I don't recall seeing any trash on my visit.
- NIGHT GOLF - I think Two Rivers would be an ideal night golf course. Spacious fairways, only a few areas of overgrowth and no water hazards in play.
- LOCATION - Located literally like one mile from the Grand Ole Opry music hall, resort and mall.
Cons:
No major issues with Two Rivers but it scored average to below average in all five of my reviewing categories (Fun Factor, Character, Uniqueness, Raw Difficulty and Raw Beauty)
- UNIQUENESS - Way too many open plays. There are at least three holes without a single tree in play (8,14,18). 13 of the remaining 14 holes I'd classify as lightly wooded, and only one hole, number (4), I'd label as a moderately wooded hole. There are no water plays, doglegs and or pockets to skip into. There is only one good bender on (4) if basket placement (A) is used. Only one par 4 on (3) if basket placement (C) is used.
- ELEVATION NOT FULLY USED - Just about every hole has some elevation to it. Nothing all that major, maybe 35 feet max on any one hole. Two Rivers however, has way more available than is currently used. The site has the potential to perhaps work in a 50 foot elevation tee shot on (14). I read on an earlier review that a redesign in 2011 reduced much of the elevation here. I understand that some players will struggle with navigating elevation but I personally would prefer that a couple shots use the maximum the site allows.
- CHARACTER - Fewer amenities and comfort items than I was expecting. I was not impressed by the hole signage. Very poor in its artistic description. The old signage behind these posted over images appears to have been much better. So it was a bit of a head scratcher to think that an item like this downgraded over time. Probably the next biggest thing missing is seating. I also didn't see a practice area. There were however multiple basket placements typical of older established courses.
- TEES - A few of the pads are carpet. For the remainder that are concrete, several are in need of repair and they are very much on the smallish side.
- CHAINS - Mach 3s that are very much starting to show their age.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Seasoned players who are able to throw 300 feet should have no problem breaking par on this course. Advanced players should probably be able to go several down. Very few shots require you to shape your shot and baskets can typically be attacked from multiple angles.
- SPACING - I found myself deep into other fairways. It's not that there's inadequate room, it's the absents of bordering tree lines and the constant paralleling of hillsides that allows misfired discs to head way off course.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Perhaps it was the time of year I played, but I did not find the course to be vibrant. For what few trees and shrubs that were here, several looked to be on the verge of death. I saw massive branches that were downed in the fairways that I passed through. By all means, Two Rivers is nowhere near the worst course out there in these terms, It's just a touch below average compared to the 149 courses I've hit as of this review.
- TIME WAITING - I played at the break of dawn and still found myself waiting for a few morning joggers and walkers. Five or six holes have a walking path in play.
- WIND - I lucked out, hardly any wind the day I came out here. But considering the openness, I'd bet that it's a common occurrence out here.
Other Thoughts:
I forgot my bag on my trip to Nashville, so I had to run this one with three new discs I purchased in town. I see Two Rivers being an adequate rec course that probably also makes it into the rotation of many area players. Not a destination course, but if you're from out of town staying at the nearby Gaylord Opryland Resort, you can slip away early in the morning and knock this one out before your wife even knows you were gone. True story.