(1.553 Rating) (REVISED - replayed May 2023) A lightly wooded MA4 level course.
- ACEABILITY - My personal favorite thing about this course is the pre-throw visual I get of smashing chains. Several low to mid-200 foot looks that will have players eyeing the basket. I'm sure those that frequent this course have racked up a bunch of aces. I would not be surprised to hear that a local has aced every hole on this layout.
- BASICS - 5-foot by 8-foot concrete tees. A bit smaller than normal, but for a layout this short they will be adequate for most players. Every prior review notes natural tees as there were put in in 2017. As for the baskets, they are mediocre Mach 2s. They are still in good shape for the most part.
- SIGNAGE AND NAVIGATION - Not too bad as the layout is fairly open. No course map on site, but I posted one to DGCR for a future player's use. The hole signage is nice with easy-to-read hole number, distance and an artistic description of the line. Although only tee sign (6), has next tee direction on it.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Of the two courses in town, Athens is way more new player friendly. Very little overgrowth, little opportunity to lose a disc and five holes under 250 feet in length. I'm sure most would agree that these are great course characteristics for first timers.
- MAINTENANCE - The grounds appear to be constantly mowed, trimmed and manicured. I don't recall seeing any trash on any of my 3 visits spread over a five-year span.
- NIGHT GOLF - This is an ideal night golf course. Spacious fairways, no areas of substantial overgrowth and no water hazards in play. Locals put on a glow league here during the winter.
- QUICK PLAY - Most solo baggers should be able to run this one in 25 minutes.

Too small of a footprint and some quirks.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - MA2 level players will have no problem breaking par and should be able to birdie all the holes after five rounds or so. MA1 players and higher will be untested. They should be able to post a round of 8 down or better from time to time.
- HOLE VARIETY - Well below average. Not one hole has even 10 feet of elevation change to it and there are no water elements. This is an all par 3 layout with no well-defined tunnel shots or guarded pockets to skip into. Basket guarding is weak overall and there isn't really any good opportunities to air one out. I will add however, some may find playing in a more urban setting with buildings in the backdrop, as interesting flavor. For instance, Hole (5) is a blind bender around a corner of a building. Some will likely throw to basket (6) from tee (5) on first go around as basket (6) is in center view.
- PROPERTY DAMAGE HAZARDS - As stated above, hole (5) is a play around a building. The thought of hitting a window on this nice building is not a pleasant thought. I bailed out way too far left on my first go around here. Recently they put up a Mando sign on the lone tree which helps keep players away from the building.
- EXTRA AMENITIES - Only one disc golf related extra on this course. There is no practice area, no multiple pin placements or multi tees like one will see at the older established courses. Seating is at one tee, (5), which was likely there before the course was.
- LOST DISC OPPORTUNITIES - Almost impossible to lose one here with one exception. Throwing one over the barbed wire fence behind basket (7) is unforgivable. Don't throw long as there will be no way to get it back.
- DISCONTINUITY - There's a big gap in play between holes (6) and (7). Not a huge issue but less than ideal of course.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - A slightly below average setting. There are numerous man-made elements in view and play. The property behind (7) with the barbed wire fence is a bit of an eyesore. The tree coverage is light and nice, but it's not at the same level of pizazz as many other north Alabama courses. One of the trees on (6) is over 200 years old and was donated by Thomas Jefferson.

The Athens course will work just fine for locals in the neighborhood out to perhaps a 5-mile radius. This is also a great Beginner's course too due to the limited amount of hazards and overgrowth. Not really worth a look see for those outside of Athens as there are better courses within an hour in every direction. For those traveling through town or perhaps visiting, Sportsplex should be the first course to hit, unless they are a newer player. Overall, I'm going with a solid 1.5, which is about as high of a rating as I could ever see myself giving Athens considering all the site constraints.