- Shot Selection: I really want to give 9 on Top credit where I can, and despite the short distance on almost every hole, this course does require that you get creative with your shot selection to hit gaps. I've VERY predominately RHBH, with a workable tomahawk thrown in, but I had to throw forehand, patent pending scrambles, and overhands.

- Practice Basket: Not much to say here, there is one practice basket to the left of the pavilion just before hole #1. For some reason, perhaps cost, the practice basket is the only one that isn't a Discraft Chainstar.

- Surrounding Area: As you're driving along atop Signal Mountain, it's easy to see you're in a safe and fun place. There is a grocery store and a couple restaurants before you get to the parking lot, then a large playground and pavilion, thus all in all the surrounding area makes for a fun trip.

- Accuracy vs. Distance: Although the overall challenge of the course will be discussed later in the "cons," 9 on Top does a good job of balancing the lack of distance with a heightened need for accuracy. Personally, as a guy with a small arm who loves hitting gaps, this is a plus for me, but if you're someone who prefers more of a golf course feel then this may not be for you.

- Crowd: Lastly, other than some children and their families at play in the nearby playground, I did not see another person at all for 8 of the 9 holes.

- Terrain: This course is a HIKE. Given that this was my first time playing and the chance of losing a disc was high, I decided to walk the course before playing. That was a mistake. By the time I got back to tee #1, I was tired. Where this really becomes a "con" is simply that, for those with mobility issues this course may be unplayable altogether.

- Tee Boxes & Signage: Starting with the tee boxes, although they are a nice turf, they are unfortunately shorter than the average tee and do not drain water well. It has been a couple days since it rained here and the turf tee boxes were very soft. Also, hole #2 was missing a tee completely! Regarding tee signs, for the holes that have signs they are actually very nice! Not the most informative, but they absolutely do the job. Sadly, the sign for hole #7 was missing.

- Baskets: As I hinted at in the "Practice Basket" section, all 9 baskets are Discraft Chainstars. This may just be a personal preference, so if you're a fan of Chainstars disregard this point, but they simply are not for me.

- Course Navigation: This is one of the big reasons I decided to walk the course before playing, 9 on Top can be pretty difficult to navigate. It being my first time playing, I parked and just walked towards the practice basket and pavilion hoping hole #1 would reveal itself to me. It did, but as it is the only hole you can see because of the downhill terrain, you really don't know where you're going. Even at the end of hole #1, there are three paths leading away from the basket and no signs of where to go next. I guessed left, thinking that the course may be a clockwise circle, and fortunately guessed correctly. Throughout the entire course, there is a whopping ONE sign (really just a carving on a wooden board) directing players of where the next tee is found.

- One Tee (most of the time), One Basket: Well, there you go.

- Overall Difficulty: Ultimately, if you can hit gaps, this course really isn't hard. It doesn't require much distance, essentially just throw 150-200', don't hit anything early, and you'll have a birdie look. I threw a -1 for the day, and that was after giving myself a bogey for skipping hole #6 due to the amount of children playing nearby.

Despite it's "pros," unfortunately 9 on Top is just not at the top of Chattanooga-area courses. If you're looking for a top-notch 9 hole course nearby, I recommend Portland Park, Shepherd Rec., or Black Branch Trail down in Fort O. This course was my last one to try here in the area, and looking back I certainly don't regret that decision. I may play 9 on Top in the future if I'm near Signal, but ultimately this is not a recommended course for many golfers.

A short, hilly, heavily wooded layout.

Pulling into the parking lot, I wasn't expecting much when the main thing I saw was a sign for "The Pumpkin Patch" and a playground. (The playground is pretty awesome, by the way.) However, 9 on Top has some decent land to work with behind the playground. Steep hills with thick woods are a good combination for some technical disc golf.

And, in fact, the technical disc golf is fairly good, if on a very small scale. The holes are all short, mostly under 220', with razor thin but mostly fair lines. There's a few hyzer shots and a few straight shots that vary the angles and gaps to keep the course somewhat fresh throughout nine holes. (5) and (7) are big uphill shots, while (1), (2), and (6) provide downhill opportunities. Speaking of (6), it's out of proportion to the rest of the course, a 393' downhill left-to-straight shot that will have any player happy with a birdie two.

Other pros come with the territory of being a short nine-hole course. It shouldn't take long to play. Navigation isn't confusing (except possibly from (1) to (2)--go left). I'm pretty sure you'll be able to track down any disc, even during summer overgrowth.

First off, it's just so small. This is probably the best possible course that could have been installed on this property, but to only have one hole over 250' is underwhelming. You're not going to get any chances to throw near full power.

It's going to be difficult or impossible to scramble from a bad drive, too. Lots of the undergrowth is very thick, so you might only be 70 feet from the basket but have no way to get closer than 40 at the end of your throw. (Note: My local partner told me that the rough is much better than it was several months ago thanks to some work days. It's not in the fairways, just off the fairways that it becomes prickly.) In conjunction with the length, this is really frustrating. The driving mindset here is park it or bust.

The amenities are lacking as well. Tee signs have distance and number with an unhelpful map. The tees themselves are all natural and vary from decent to atrocious. Chattanooga signature Chainstars stand out in the woods about as well as a crow on a moonless night. There also aren't any comfort items like benches, practice baskets, and the like.

It looks like the areas at the bottom of the hill wouldn't drain well at all and could be very muddy after precipitation.

There's definitely a certain charm about 9 on Top with its tiny-line ace runs and big elevation drops. It challenges me to decide how highly I can rate a course with virtually no length. At the end of the day, with really thick rough and poor amenities, I ended up rounding it down to a Passable 1.5. It's a course I would return to if I lived around and wanted to see how low I could go.

On Walden's Ridge, a disc golf course that started as a high school project by three seniors continues to offer a rugged alternative to the other nine-hole options in the Greater Chattanooga area.

If you're seeking some mountain-style disc golf near the Scenic City, this little course is probably your best bet. There is significant elevation on several holes and you might do a little scrambling if you're off the fairway - literally.

Most of the holes are short and several of them are definite ace runs. That said, missing your line can take you from birdie to bogey in a hurry, as things get hairy and prickly off the fairway.

Finding the first hole might be tricky; if you pull into the parking lot and face the pavilion, there's a little path on the left that takes you to the course's start. After that, navigation is fairly intuitive and most of the time you can spot the teepad area or a path from the previous basket.

One of the most exciting holes is the second hole. At just under 200 feet and down a steep hill, this is an ace run if you can split the tree goalposts near the bottom of the hill.

Hole #6 is the antithesis of the other holes here. While six of the holes are under 200 feet, Hole #6 is a 393-foot beast that journeys down a rocky hill and through some narrow gaps between towering trees. However, it's a fantastic hole that requires an accurate drive to avoid putting up a big number. It's listed as a par 3, which definitely raises eyebrows, considering that it's twice as long and three times as challenging as most of the other holes. A par is darn good here. And a "bogey" is acceptable.

A fallen tree lies in front of the basket on Hole #9. This tree use to be well positioned to deny any ace runs, but it's less threatening on its side.

Despite the hilly terrain, this course can be completed in about 20 minutes if you scamper.

Except for the rubber mat on Hole #7, the teepads are natural. Fortunately, most of the holes are short and don't require a run-up.

The course is a bit rundown from when it was created, though a recent maintenance day helped with taming some of the overgrowth. However, if your shots venture off the narrow fairways, you might find poison ivy, briars and more.

The traversability of the course is moderately difficult. Climbing over rocks and uneven areas occurs on several of the holes, and that's even if you stay in the fairway.

A couple of lines are ridiculously tight, probably a byproduct of the original creators creating just enough gap to obtain fairway status. Stable putters and mid-ranges will be useful here. Except for Hole #6, you won't need a driver on this course.

There's also a bit of trash around the area at times. However, the course was previously home to more garbage. For example, check out the original photo of the huge pile of tires on Hole #5.

If you want the full 9 On Top experience, you need to drive up the W Road, which ascends the face of Signal Mountain. The W Road (named for its appearance from above) has existed as a public road since the 1890s and is iconic for its three sharp switch-back curves and making inexperienced drivers look like fools. If you opt to drive on US-127 through the town of Signal Mountain, be sure you mind the speed limit.

This course is also right next to the Pumpkin Patch playground, which is an incredible play utopia built into the side of the hill. The playground offers many slides, playhouses, wooded platforms and more.

(1.860 Rating) Not your customary city park 9 hole course.
- CHALLENGING - I've played 3 nine hole courses in the Chattanooga area (Shepherd and Portland) and 9 on Top I felt gave me the most rewarding challenges. Although the holes are very much on the shorter side, the lines are tight enough to make up for it. Lots of short shot shaping ace runs that can easily turn into a 4. The course to me reads as a tweener between rec an intermediate during the summer but the challenge will vary greatly depending on the season, with the winter being much easier.
- ELEVATION - Really nice terrain changes for such a small course. There's at least ten feet of grade change on every hole other than (3) and (4). Hole (2) is very fun 25 to 30 foot down shot.
- RAW BEAUTY - The course has an appealing rustic mountain feel to it. A fully wooded layout with only a few manmade structures peaking threw the gaps in the tree coverage. A couple holes have rock outcroppings and the overall elevation undulations were pleasing. I also saw a white tailed deer hopping thru the woods.
- QUICK PLAY - Should be playable in under 30 minutes solo and under an hour for a 4 sum.
- THE DRIVE - I drove up to 9 on Top from Portland Park DGC and it has to be the most amazing drive I've ever made between courses. How did I come to this conclusion? It's because I've never done a pro called "The Drive." I took W road which has numerous scenic vantage points over the Tennessee Valley and it's full of spine tingling hairpin turns.

The course seems to still be a work in progress.
- FORGIVENESS - 9 on top will no doubt test the placement of your shots and your temperament. Several tight windows under 6 feet in width. Hole (6) starts wide for the first couple hundred feet, but starts to turn into a mild poke and hope shot. Being off your mark by a few feet sometimes isn't good enough. In addition, if/when you a hit tree, the resulting punishment during the summer could very likely be more than one throw.
- OVERGROWTH - Although I played in November, it doesn't take a genius to conclude that this gets thick vegetation during the summer. I had thankfully had pants on for my round and I could hear the thorns scraping my pants legs.
- POISON IVY - I spotted poison ivy in several locations along the layout in November. It must be everywhere during the summer.
- DEAD LEAVES - Playing here in late fall will present conditions where the course is just buried inches deep in dead leaves. I spent several minutes trying to locate my disc due to this.
- NAVIGATION - Trying to find (1) is can be an adventure if you don't read the directions on the course page. I walked through the center of the pavilion, saw (9) basket and then wandered around for 5 to 10 minutes trying to find (1). The path to (1) is on the north side of pavilion. There are also no next tee directions on the signage and there's no course map. However once on the layout, the holes to do seem to flow together a bit intuitively, but please note that it helped that the vegetation was dead.
- TERRAIN - Some steep terrain that's probably too raw for most disc golf carts. Those that have bad knees or ankles should stay clear of this course. Lots of roots to stub a toe or twist an ankle on.
- CHARACTER - Not much, There's a shelter with tables, nice signage and nice baskets, but that's it. No alternate baskets or multiple tees. No seating or places to keep a bag off the ground. There is a lost disc return but it wasn't locked on my visit.
- TEES - Natural tees and uneven at a couple locations. Hole (2s) Natural pad is a bit abbreviated where only a standing throw or one step throw works.
- UNIQUENESS - The most unique of the Chattanooga nine holers I've played thus far but still lacks the diversity of your average 18 hole course. There are no water features in view or play. There are no dogleg holes or par 4's or 5's. There are few well done left bending shots, but no shot bends more than a couple degrees in the opposite direction. The only time I didn't throw RHBH was on (4) where I flicked one.

Not a destination course by any means as The Sinks clearly has that title wrapped up for the area. However, 9 on Top would be a great pairing partner with nearby city park style course Portland Park. They are only a 10 minute drive apart and it would make a fun 18 hole round of opposing styled 9s.

-Nice wooded area with technical shots
- Good signage
-easy to find the next hole
-nice change in elevation
-very nice baskets

-near a kids play ground so you need to watch where you throw
-short distances on every hole
-pretty much a straight shot on each hole
-near some houses and yards

overall pretty decent 9 hole course

I really enjoyed this course! I played it directly after playing a round at Portland Park and found it to be far more enjoyable! The course has a very "natural" feel as you make your way through the woods. There aren't any wide open shots but there are a wide variety of Ace potentials if you're lucky. Only played this course once, and navigating it was a breeze! Signage at every tee is great and there are also trash bins in a couple locations to keep the course clean. As previously noted, there's an excellent park on the property which looks so nice, I wanted to play there! Hole 9 ends right where 1 begins, so it's easy to play another round right away. The disc bin is a nice touch, but I looked inside and saw a big spider, so don't stick your fingers in there!!

Only "Cons" with this course are the natural tee pads and thick brush areas. Other reviews have noted that concrete tee pads will soon be installed, but I saw no preparation for them. There are also quite a few areas of the fairway with thick and thorny brush. I threw one disc in there and got stabbed by a couple hundred thorns, so be careful! Also be conscious of where your disc lands because loosing one could be pretty easy in spots. Being a 9 hole course - it's very short, but it also plays along a hillside. Adding a couple benches here and there would be a nice added amenity.

I've played quite a few courses in the Chattanooga area, and this one stands out as one of my new favorites. The reviews of this have been overwhelmingly positive, but I don't feel the overall rating is high enough for what this course rating should be. Adding some concrete tee pads, clearing some bushy areas, and maybe a few trees, I think this course would be a solid 4. If you haven't played here before, and you're in the area, definitely check this one out!

-Variety of shots required. Does not appear to favor BH or FH.
-Great use of space! The course is on a relatively small tract of land that weaves back and forth, but no fairways interfere with one another.
-A couple of ace runs if you can hit a tight line.
-Challenges your approach game and forces you to hit tight lines with a putter or midrange.
-The tee signs are great!

-A big downside is that there are no concrete tees and the tees are only marked by wooden pegs in the ground. Some of these pegs are orange and some are green and they are not the easiest to find.
-There are no holes to break out a driver and throw a long drive. All shots are short and technical.
-Navigation is difficult between holes. This course could use some "Next tee" signs.

9 on Top DGC is a solid 9-hole course with a unique name. It is just a scenic drive away from other courses like Portland Park and the Sinks, so could easily be included in a day of disc golf. The playground here is massive, so it would be a great place to bring kids/family.

Fun short 9 hole course of the wooded-technical style. Holes are not very long but still offer a good challenge through narrow but clearly defined fairways. Holes play straight, left, right, up , down- in all different combinations. I really like that, despite the space limitations, there are no two holes the same. Good baskets and tee signs. Natural tees are clearly marked.

Good for beginners/families. Experienced players will have the opportunity to work on controlling distance and shaping their mid-range shots. Several opportunities for ace runs and birdie opps.

Natural tees- I always prefer concrete, not just for footing but they make a course look more official. (I would not be surprised to see concrete tees added in the future, however, as every course in the area that starts with natural tees end up concrete eventually!) This course is set in a very small area (but good use of it). Views of houses the entire time, almost feel like you are playing in people's back yards rather than on a wooded mountain.

The land was very trashy, piles of trash on most holes somewhere, like this land used to be a dumping ground for old tires, scrap metal, etc. and has not yet been removed.

This course is very close to the Portland Park course- more of an open parks style, so pair it with this technical wooded course and you get a nice set of 18 holes. These two are on the same road, one on top the mountain, the other at the bottom.

Overall, even though it is not all that much, I liked this course. It was really fun and enjoyable, especially for a really quick round. Props to the designers- job well done!

The three young adults who designed and built the majority of this course did an excellent job as they were the driving force behind this project.

Baskets are brand new Chainstars, no rust, no damage. Tee signs are up and give a general layout of each hole. For the most part you can see the basket from the tee but for the few you cannot, the tee signs help.

Course is a very short 9 hole course that goes through very thick woods and has great elevation change. I would say that the use of elevation is its greatest asset. Most area courses are quite flat (Cloudland excluded) but these huge down hill and uphill shots make this course difficult and challenging.

Fairways are well groomed, all brush and fallen trees moved to the sides. Also, no trash was present on any of the holes in the dozen times I have been there. A shared garbage can was placed at 3 & 7 (same can, the tees are close to each other).

Being on top of the mountain, this course is hardly ever in use. You will generally be one of a handful of people at the course.

A few holes are a pitch and pray type hole. 1 & 9 come to mind as there is no clear routes that are wider than 3' or so.

Dirt tees are usually not a con to me but here they are not level on 1,2,6 & 8. Rumor has it that cement tees are coming soon though.

Course highly favors a RHBH thrower. Good for me, might not be that fun for BH southpaws.

Off the fairway is rough. Really rough. Thorn bushes, poison ivy, kudzu....bring an extra pair of eyes if your accuracy is off.

Signature Hole: 2 is a great hole. A straight shot pretty much straight down a tunnel 12' wide. Tip, there is a RH hyzer route.

This is next to a children's playground called the Pumpkin Patch so bring the kids and let them play while you play. Also has a pavilion with restrooms that are open from dusk to dawn that are super clean for public use. Parking lot holds about 12-15 cars but there is more parking next door at the town hall.

Solid 2.5 course, not a destination course but if you were on a mission to rack up as many courses as you can, you can knock this one out in about 25 minutes. With a few benches, a few more trees taken down and concrete teepads, this will be a 3.0.


**Want more information that I did not cover? Let me know. I am always looking for ways to improve my reviews.**

9 on Top is a nice little course playing down a heavily wooded hillside, across a valley floor, and then back up. As you can imagine by the name, the course offers plenty of elevation changes. A great mix of up, down, and somewhat flat shots are all here. Most holes lean on the short side but the technicality of the tightly wooded holes help create some challenge. The course also offers lots of variety with left, right, and strait shots. For a new course, the fairway floors are surprisingly clean with a good amount of work evident. I like how in a few areas they used the smaller downed trees to line the fairways and paths.

For now the tee pads are marked with flags and are pretty easy to spot. Some great homemade next tee signs point the way as you make your way through a pretty straightforward layout. Hole one starts near the parking lot and then the nine hole layout loops you back up to the parking area. A generous sized pavilion with plenty of picnic tables is there for rest, lunch, etc.

Discraft's Chainstar baskets compliment the course and they're in tip top condition. Based on the love the course has gotten so far I'm sure plans for those accessory amenities are in the planning stages once the layout is finalized. The lost disc drop box was a nice touch too.

This is a very fun pitch and putt course good for beginners and experienced players alike. Beginners will learn to play in the woods without too much length to be overly frustrating. For the advanced players it'll be good practice for shaping new lines. Power players can leave their drivers at home and just come enjoy a quick round in the woods with their putters and mids.

Against my better judgment I'll go ahead and mention it. There are a lot of soccer moms at the playground adjacent to the course if you're in to that sort of thing.

There has evidently been lots of clearing going on but there is still a lot of work to do. Many downed trees still litter the course. There are several areas where in my opinion lower hanging branches need to be pruned back to open the flight paths a bit. There are also a couple of holes where small trees near the basket (less than 6' at times) need to be removed. One of my favorite holes, number six, was great but the big downed tree just before the basket kind of messed up the hole. Hopefully there are plans to take care of that. I read that the tee pads may be adjusted before they get poured but as of now a couple are on pretty good slopes and will have to be leveled off. These are all things that are temporary and I'm sure will be taken care of in time. Once these are completed it'll be a little gem on the hill.

Watch out for some of the areas in the fairways that have a lot of broken glass lying around.

The course is only about 10 minutes from Portland Park and is pretty close to the legendary Sinks course too. 9 on Top may not be worth a long drive on its own, but trying to squeeze in some rounds at the other nearby courses while you're in the area will make it worth the ride.

I've read that this course is the project of three young men and I'd say they have done a great job with this course so far. I'm glad y'all were able to get them to let you put the course in. I pass through Chattanooga often and am looking forward to seeing this course mature.