(1.545 Rating) A moderate technical course with no need for drivers.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - This is clearly the Johnston Woods course's best aspect. The layout plays threw an undulating forested terrain the entire time. There are no featureless or lightly wooded flat plays. Man made features are generally in fringe view or not at all. Overall I scored the course a 3.375 out of 5 for beauty.
- ACEABILITY - Chain music was playing in my head before several shots. Hole (3) is 96 feet, so short that many will be conflicted to even count it in their ace totals. Five other shots are sub 175 feet. Players are going ace here 4 or 5 times more often than normal even despite the single chain baskets.
- SHOT SHAPING - Even though this is a very short layout, most shots have to be planned prior to gently releasing a disc.
- NAVIGATION - Passable. I did not see a course map. My group did however start on (5), so perhaps I missed it somewhere between the parking and tee (1). Tees are only marked with a simple numbered post, of which several are getting ready to fall apart. Basket are numbered with a placard on top. Transitions were extremely short. sometimes less than 30 feet. See cons.
- QUICK PLAY - My twosome was in and out in 40 minutes.

There are some substantial flaws with Johnston Woods.
- BASKET AND TEE SEPERATION - Several tees are way too close to the prior basket. Having multiple groups on the course is going to cause issues. There was plenty of park room to avoid this.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Moderately spaced wooded lines, but so short that I never reached back for full power on any tee shot. I finished 6 down over 9 holes as an Intermediate level player with no bogeys. I did use a dialed back driver on two holes as the sweeping nature on a these tee shots needed significant movement.
- BASICS - The pavered tees and baskets are showing their age. In addition, the pavered tees are roughly 3 feet by 7 feet. The baskets are single chain and a couple are leaning. The basket on (8) appears to be a retrofit.
- MAINTENANCE - A few tees had a touch of overgrowth beginning to engulf the edges. Several fairways were raw. I'll fathom a guess that this course is only beat back once or twice each summer. Likely best played during the winter months and early spring
- NO EXTRAS - No multi-tees, practice basket, alt placements or benches. There is one picnic table near tee (1).
- GATES CLOSURE - Apparently not open on weekends during the summer. My group had to park at the gates and walk to the nearest tee, which is tee (5).
- UNIQUENESS - The variety is probably the second best aspect of the course. However it's just so short that the putter came out way too many times. As for positive aspects, heavy to moderately wooded technical shots. 30 to 40 feet in elevation change occurs on a couple holes. A couple tree gaps to thread and pockets to hit.

The fifth niner I've played in the Chattanooga Metro area and my lowest rated of the bunch (Shepherd, Mattox, Portland, 9 on Top, and here) I liked the fun factor aspect due to the ace run potential and the beauty. However those two elements could not overcome the slew of other problems. No need for those outside the Chattanooga area to check this course out unless they are a course bagger like me.

- Concrete Tees and baskets are in good condition.
- Very easy course to play, most holes are between 150-220 ft.
- All holes are par 3, making score-keeping simple.
- The retreat does a great job of maintaining the grass and foliage.
- Aesthetically beautiful, always makes for a good hike if the throws aren't going your way.

- Baskets are only one layer of chains, so discs may slip through if thrown hard.
- Intermediate and advanced players may get bored as this course can easily become a birdie run.
- Little variety, the course could be played with one or two discs.
- One tee, one basket; if you are looking for different levels of challenge give Athens Regional DGC a try.
- Tee pads are short, but this shouldn't be much of a problem. A one-step or short run is all that's necessary.

This course is could potentially be deserving of a 3/5 rating, but currently the basket to hole #8 is gone due to a tree falling onto the course. The retreat plans on making a couple alterations to the course, so I look forward to playing and reviewing again in the future. Again, a great hike can be found here, the area is beautiful with a good amount of hills. I took a friend to play here for his first round ever, so I think the course proved to be fun for a beginner, but I found the holes to quickly become repetitive. I certainly recommend for any beginner or an intermediate player looking for something new.

- Perfect for beginners. With short holes but plenty of trees, this is an excellent course for youngsters to learn the beautiful game of disc golf.
- Quiet and not crowded.
- Only need a mid-range and putter to play this course as the longest hole appears to be about 220 feet.

- Teepads are short and not level; on several holes, your run-up will be uphill or downhill.
- Single chain baskets.
- Since it's a private course, it's not open on the weekends (though it's great that Johnston Woods opens the course to the public during the week).

This is a course suited for beginners and youngsters. If you're an experienced player, you might not enjoy this course as much, though it's a nice place to work on throwing your putter longer distances.

Beautiful scenery. If you go at the right time of the year there are very few people out, I only saw two people and one dog. The course is laid out well and utilizes the space that it takes up very nicely. Every hole on this course is definitely not an ace run like others have said. There are a good amount of obstacles in the way of quite a few of the holes.

Just like everyone else has said, this course is quite short but not so short as to make it not fun to play.

They definitely have a lot more land out here that could be utilized to make the course better and or bigger. Although we all know that takes money and time. It is very sufficient for the location, use and money spent.

-Concrete Tee pads
-Every hole is an ace run
-Scenic

-Single chains, I missed several putts that went right through the chains. Bring your rubber putters
-Some tees are literally right next to the last basket
-Fairways cross a few times

This is a nice little course laid out perfectly for what it was intended for, children's church retreats. Drink machine on site. Every hole is an ace run, so it is fun to just throw at it every time. Short, fast play, but if there was ever a crowd it could get clogged up real quick.

New stone slate tee pads
New pins
Nice Layout
Located in a scenic church retreat
Short distances make it beginner and kid friendly
Despite its short length, wooded course still makes it somewhat challenging
Scorecards provided at the first tee

Hilly layout could be a workout for some
Single chain baskets (though they do seem to catch shots fairly well and did not cause a problem for any of my shots)
Extremely short holes/almost too short (I believe I threw my putter on most holes)
Lack of grass and loose rocks can make footing a little treacherous on the hills
No distances on holes or scorecards

I would probably like this course regardless, as it is the only one in my home town. Until now, I've had to drive at least twenty miles to get to a course. Nevertheless, I find this an enjoyable little course. It's not a tough course by any stretch, and it takes a really bad shot to even flirt with a bogey (which I found out the hard way on one of the shortest holes on the course);however, it is great place to practice your approaches and try to make birdies and/or aces. Since I take my seven year old son with me a lot, this is ideal for us.

New pins and rock slates for teepads. Nice course layout, very easy to follow. Most holes are straight with a few curving to the left or right. Course is very short so good for a beginer, child, or anyone lacking power. A real confidence booster for the average player.

The only cons in my opinion are the shortness of the holes. Shortest being around 100 foot and longest is around 220ft. Also the teepads are located right behind the oins making it dangerous for multiple groups. Also very hilly with some posion oak and ivy around.

The course is very sucluded and has awesome scenery. The location allows the course to be a 18 holle course, as long as we do good with the first half. Keep in mind this is on a church retreat so closed on weekends.