Pros:
(1.054 Rating) A wide open forgiving school course.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - This course is perfect for middle school players. Mostly wide-open fairways, but also a few obstacles that will intrigue junior players to conquer more challenging holes. In addition, the hole distances are very much on the short side averaging less than 200 feet. Also, no water in play, the overgrowth is minimal, and it's not an all-day excursion.
- ACEABILITY - To veteran players these holes are all putter runs. Lots of great opportunities for an improving young player to get their first ace.
- NAVIGATION - Other than the transition between (2) and (3) the course is easy to navigate, even without a map. However, I did have to reference my downloaded map once on the before mentioned transition as the tee sign for (3) is not viewable after finishing (2). It's about a 300 foot walk due south. The map on DGCR was accurate as of April 2018.
- FORGIVENESS - The odds of losing a disc due to an errant shot is near impossible. A player would have to forget to pick up to lose one here.
- GROW THE SPORT - No doubt will this course aid in growing the sport by offering students easy access to learn the game at a beginner friendly course on school grounds.
- CHAINS - The remaining eight baskets are in great shape, DISCatchers. Unfortunately, a typical comment when you run out of good things to say about a course.
Cons:
Most middle school courses are limited in their reach and this course is no exception.
- UNIQUENESS - They really don't get much more vanilla than this one. Holes (1) thru (4), (6) and (9) are all obstacle free putter runs to recreational level players and above. Hole (7) is a short blind right hooking hole and hole (8) has trees running down the entire right side. As of this review, I've scored the Clint Small course with least amount of hole variety out of the 22 courses I've played in the Austin Metro Area.
- HOLE 5 - As stated in all the previous reviews, hole (5's) basket is missing. That's 18 months now at minimum. I wouldn't expect it to ever return.
- SAFETY HAZARDS - A bunch of other school amenities in play. Hole (1) right out the gate plays over an overgrown volleyball court. Hole (2) plays down a walking path and my group had to wait for walkers on this hole. Holes (4), and (6) thru (9) all have a running track in fringe play. If the track were in use, this layout would not be playable.
- TEES - Slightly overgrown gravel pads defined by 4 by 4s. There aren't the worst examples out there, but for Austin this is sub-par.
- CHARACTER - Extra items are just about non-existent. It's just baskets and simple tee signs. Don't expect any other amenities.
- ELEVATION - I think hole (9) might have a 5-foot-high berm running along the entire right side and this is the most notable elevation here. The rest of the site is mostly flat, so even a future layout change couldn't incorporate any nice elevation changes.
- TOO EASY - Advanced players should have no problem shooting 7 or 8 down (8 holes) on a routine basis. Even 850 rec players should be able to shoot a few under here. The only challenge here will be the wind, which was more than 30 mph on my visit.
- ACCESS - Although not fenced off like some other area school courses, playing here during school hours would not be wise.
Other Thoughts:
Clint Small is a Beginners and newer Novice level player's course. It will be a yawn fest for those that have played just a handful of courses. It's an easy one to check of the list if you feel the need to play every course once. Perfect for baggers like me, as long as school is not in session.