Fair Haven DGC reviews
14
0
Underdeveloped Backyard 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 4, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
A struggling church course with beautiful property that needs more investment.
-Chains: The portable Black Holes and Axiom Pro baskets catch remarkably well. They're also easy to spot. About the best solution barring permanent baskets.
-Natural Beauty: This is a legitimately lovely plot of land. There's water in play on several holes, and the interior of the course, away from the building, is a secluded field. It's about as good as flat land in Middle Tennessee gets.
-Creek Holes: The holes using the trickle of water (not Fall Creek proper, just to clarify) are a lot of fun. (4) is effectively an island green surrounded by standing marsh water and framed by multiple trees to require a touchy putter shot. Hole (9) is also fun, a risk-reward setup with the creek just in front of the basket.
-Flow: There's a slight (4)-(5) transition, but generally the holes flow nicely here.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: A mix of ace runs and longer, open holes. (1), (3), (4), and (7) are all under 220' and beg you to go for the basket, but have additional challenge - a ridge, two islands, and a triple mando. The other holes are in the open and a bit longer, just requiring basic accuracy with a fairway driver. On these, the only challenge is avoiding the tall grass. The holes are part clever, but also part boring or flawed.
-10th Hole: There's a bonus hole not indicated on listings for the course.
-Chains: The portable Black Holes and Axiom Pro baskets catch remarkably well. They're also easy to spot. About the best solution barring permanent baskets.
-Natural Beauty: This is a legitimately lovely plot of land. There's water in play on several holes, and the interior of the course, away from the building, is a secluded field. It's about as good as flat land in Middle Tennessee gets.
-Creek Holes: The holes using the trickle of water (not Fall Creek proper, just to clarify) are a lot of fun. (4) is effectively an island green surrounded by standing marsh water and framed by multiple trees to require a touchy putter shot. Hole (9) is also fun, a risk-reward setup with the creek just in front of the basket.
-Flow: There's a slight (4)-(5) transition, but generally the holes flow nicely here.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: A mix of ace runs and longer, open holes. (1), (3), (4), and (7) are all under 220' and beg you to go for the basket, but have additional challenge - a ridge, two islands, and a triple mando. The other holes are in the open and a bit longer, just requiring basic accuracy with a fairway driver. On these, the only challenge is avoiding the tall grass. The holes are part clever, but also part boring or flawed.
-10th Hole: There's a bonus hole not indicated on listings for the course.
Cons:
Needs attention.
-Amenities: Beyond the baskets, pitiful. There are some hand-written tee signs, but they are difficult to find and not particularly enlightening. No tee markings at all, or course indicators.
-Fairways: Big maintenance issue. The fairways cut on (2) and (5)-(9) are narrow, and bounded with tall, thick grasses. A good drive that's not dead center will be a nuisance to find.
-Drainage: Hole (1) is a swampy mess. Other holes that play near trickling water have no place to cross. Some basic bridges would be very helpful.
-Finish: Ends far away from the parking, requiring you to walk most of the course to return.
-Shapes: Virtually none. Hole (5) is the only one that gets close, a big turnover. Otherwise, dead straight holes.
-Amenities: Beyond the baskets, pitiful. There are some hand-written tee signs, but they are difficult to find and not particularly enlightening. No tee markings at all, or course indicators.
-Fairways: Big maintenance issue. The fairways cut on (2) and (5)-(9) are narrow, and bounded with tall, thick grasses. A good drive that's not dead center will be a nuisance to find.
-Drainage: Hole (1) is a swampy mess. Other holes that play near trickling water have no place to cross. Some basic bridges would be very helpful.
-Finish: Ends far away from the parking, requiring you to walk most of the course to return.
-Shapes: Virtually none. Hole (5) is the only one that gets close, a big turnover. Otherwise, dead straight holes.
Other Thoughts:
I like the creativity of whoever set up Fair Haven. Some islands and strategic basket placements are entertaining. On the other hand, there are a lot of wide open holes, and the maintenance appears to be next to none, in addition to a lack of tees or signage. It's a backyard course, and difficult to play without more investment. Overall, it fits in as a Poor course. Some improvements could definitely raise its rating.
