Pros:
H V Griffin is a multi use park that also features an 18 hole disc golf course , The road to the disc golf course is tricky and can cause a non local to miss it on the first try . There is plenty of parking available . There is even a glass and wood book case , I guess to borrow books out of . Bathrooms are near the tee at #7.There is a nice shelter sitting between the #18 and the #6 basket .
The Equipment : There is a nice kiosk with a map across the road near hole #1 . The tee pads are more of the smaller size , but they are cement . The baskets are Mach 5's , typical of park courses , but seem to catch well . The course signs are pretty descriptive course signs , with hole # , par , length and flight path .
The Landscape : The course has some woods holes early , then opens up . The terrain rolls some and features a couple of good uphill drives . There is no water present , but there are some good rock formations in both the woods and also holes 13-15 . The course grounds were mowed and trees trimmed . A couple of the holes are a close proximity to the ball fields , maybe 11 , 12 , 16 . I played during a men's softball tournament and some teams were sitting in camping chairs close to the holes with their families while waiting to play .
The Highlights : #1 starts you off with a 323' slight uphill drive , then everything for the next 8 holes is in the woods and short . Somewhat tight but fair lines force you to bend your putter or midrange around different tree setups in the fairways and down by the baskets . #6 is a 277' gully shot to the basket perched on a hill . #7 has a double mando in the woods with a downhill drive off the tee . The fairway is eaten up by random trees midway through and your disc is on it's own from then on . Pinball , Anyone ? Not my favorite type of play . #9 is going to be a semi clean ace shot . It is a gully drive that plays shorter than it's 164' posted length . #14 is more of a picturesque short throw in the rock formations . You can really air out your arm the last 2 holes . 17 is a flat 385' open drive , and 18 is only posted as 366' but is up a hill to a sinking basket flanked by a tree . It plays more like 425'+ .
My signature hole was #13 . It is an uphill drive to the rock formations , with the basket flanks by some mature trees . It is also a postcard hole ( nice to look at and beyond ) .
Disc Risk . The woods is clean and there is no real rough to speak of . I don't know if they keep the gates locked at the fields when they are not in use , but you may have trouble getting your disc back from a terrible drive on hole #16 . The trees here are not the type that will swallow your disc . Disc risk is minimal .
Time : It took me less than an hour to play here . But I was lucky . There were several people playing on Saturday evening when I was here , so the course might fill up on peak times by the locals . A group of 4 will get out of here in less than 2 hours .
The locals are nice and the course is popular . The fun factor is pretty high .
Cons:
#1 : Navigation : not bad , but some long walks , like 12-13 and 16-17 ,around the ball fields . Print the Map so you don't wander . A couple of Next Tee signs would help .
#2 Lack of challenge/repetitive : This course is short and will be a deuce or ace fest for locals on up . I think you could take out 4 or 5 discs in your bag and just play with them for this course .
#3 safety : You will encounter park users during your round that have no idea what disc golf is . Be courteous , Your score doesn't lower if you hit one .
#4 The elements .: This course could be a mess if you play it after a good rain . Use common sense and at least wear waterproof boots .The rocks might be a little slick , too .
Other Thoughts:
This is the kind of course that a newbie could be introduced to the game , and keep playing it . It's just a comfortable , fast round in a park with a nice setting . Even though the course lacks a lot of variety , it makes up for it in fun . I mean , who doesn't like woodsy ace runs and deuces ?! If I lived locally , I might hang out and work on my weaknesses here . Even Safari a few holes to bring up the challenge .
My Recommendation : Great for families , especially Dad and son or daughter slipping away for a round while older child is at ball practice . Perfect for Newbies and to introduce the game to the curious . Short enough to be good for dates , and really fun for the locals to go Ace hunting . Intermediates may want to play here to reminisce about what disc golf was like over 30 years ago . Pros and Ams might think it is waste of time because of the lack of challenge . Too far away for the typical traveler from the interstate , but still good for the Course Collector that wants to bag part of or all of the " Circle Of Six " , between I-24 and I -65 ( Henry Horton , Lewisburg , Don Davidson , City Park , Sunrise Rotary and H V Griffin ) My disc golf life is fulfilled . I have now completed The Circle ( lol ) . Not a course to go out of your way for , but if in Shelbyville , it's fast and worthwhile . Give It A Try .