Pros:
Kennesaw State campus sits just above Atlanta in Marietta .A lot of the times , you can go to a college course and eventually see a basket or 2 . This course isn't one of them . Pay attention to the directions on DGR .The East visitors lot is pretty far away from the course . I think they like checking you into the campus police station so they can charge you $3 for 30-60 minutes here . I got away with parking right up against the course because I had a driver this time . You might be able to use a bathroom if classes are going on , There was a Port O Let near hole #2 , but I don't know if it is temporarily there just because of some construction .
THE EQUIPMENT -- From previous reviews , the school must have upgraded it in the last few years . The tee pads are a cool 6 sided brick . It's only about 6' X 6' , but the holes are short , so you won't need a run up . The signs are basic , giving you hole # par and distance . Flight path would have been a big help , because the 6 sided pads aren't pointed to any particular fairway . Print the map , or you will spend time walking down a couple of the fairways trying to find the tee pad to match the basket . The baskets are nice yellow banded and numbered Discatchers .
THE LANDSCAPE -- This is a nice looking campus . The grass was cut and trees trimmed . The course goes in sort of a swirl , starting next to and looping around campus buildings for the first 2 holes , then encircling itself slowly in some light woods between 3 of the buildings . The course has a little elevation to it on most holes but maybe 3 and 5 . In some of the fairways in the woods section , there are some pine cones and pine needles in the fairways , which add a little to the overall appearance . There is a small reservoir looking gulley in front of hole #4 . It's an obstacle , but most will be able to easily throw over . Even with the absence of trash cans , this area is very clean .
THE HIGHLIGHTS -- The course is just over 2200' , so the holes are very short .
#4 ( 320' ) is an uphill drive over a gully . This may be the only time you pull out your driver . The basket sits atop of a hill .
#6 ( 257' ) is a slightly downhill midrange/putter shot between a jail of trees .
#7 ( 213' ) is a downhill putter run slightly to the right with a tree in front of you , and the basket sits on a slope .
#8 ( 231' ) thowing uphill and over a ridge , there are actually little flags in the ground to show you which way the hidden basket sits .
DISC RISK -- Very Low . If the water gulley had a large amount of water in it on #4 , and you failed to clear it , I guess you could . If you lose a disc here , you need to report to the campus police station and let them charge you with " Driving Without A Purpose ' .
THE TIME -- Once I found hole 1 , it took me about 25 minutes to play the course . A group of 4 could pla it in an hour or less .
The course has made improvements over time and looks to be a nice addition to this campus
Cons:
#1 SAFETY -- there were only a couple of students walking the sidewalks when I was playing on a Saturday late afternoon . I imagine that there will be people walking to/from class some during the week . The course plays close to some sidewalks . Also , a couple of the tee pads sit close to the preceding basket ( #4 & 5 come to mind along with 6-7 . I guess the paddy wagon is just on the other side of the building if someone gets jacked while teeing off . A couple of the building are kind of close to fairways . A real errant shot might strike the side of one .
NAVIGATION -- The course is short and within time you could still play all holes , but print an online map . It will save you time , since there is no kiosk , and hole #1 starts behind a building that separates it from the rest of the course . Remember that the course swirls and encircles itself after hole 2 .
LACK OF CHALLENGE -- They wedged the only 9 hole course into tight spaces ,therefore sacrificing both length and variety . Most people carrying a disc bag will shoot under par here . There are a couple of spots for ace runs , too .
PARKING AND PAYING -- Parking where they want you to leads to a long walk to/from the course . On top of that , they might want you to pay $3 for a temporary permit . Play on a weekend or between school sessions and hide your car between the students cars next to the course and just keep an eye on it .
Other Thoughts:
Many campus course go downhill after they are first installed . This one didn't . It's actually a nice little break for the students to play before or after classes , or if they have some down time on the weekends . The Student Body here , or intramural athletics could have a small school challenge with other colleges , or even just a dorm against dorm competition . I have always said that having a decent college campus disc golf course can introduce the campus to the city or other areas , and receive free advertisement in doing so . One student's tuition that found this college could pay for the course for years to come .
MY RECOMMENDATION -- Barring the walk or the hassle of registering your car , this is an excellent intro course and course for newbies . Perfect course for the student want to get out and throw a round or 2 without taking up too much of his or her time . Locals can get a quick fix if they can get in and out without detection . The course does not have enough here to keep an intermediate on up interested . Just off of the I-75 exit , this is a good leg stretching course if you have someone sit in the car while you play for less than a half hour . The course is only slightly elevated and the pine needles make the course easy on the body . Course collectors can get on/off the expressway and get this course in less than an hour total . Easy grab . I wouldn't go out of my way to play this course again , but it is Fast And Easy . Try it if you have an extra hour and are in the area .