Maryville College Woods reviews
7
0
Maryville College Woods DGC
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 3, 2023
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Fun short layout
Loops nicely
Beautiful park
Great for a quick round or looped twice for 18
Well designed holes
Good for beginners
Away from most of the campus
Loops nicely
Beautiful park
Great for a quick round or looped twice for 18
Well designed holes
Good for beginners
Away from most of the campus
Cons:
Other park visitors may be in your fairways
Not as much elevation as I would like to see
All holes are a similar distance
Not as much elevation as I would like to see
All holes are a similar distance
Other Thoughts:
Maryville College in Maryville Tennessee is home to a 9 hole disc golf course. This disc golf course is back in the Maryville College Woods section of the campus that has some walking trails and other amenities. This course being off and away from the campus is a great benefit as I feel most disc golfers prefer to play away from buildings and college students. As I mentioned above, there are some walking trails on this part of the property so you sill need to be mindful of other people in the area. The good news is, you don't have to worry about smacking your discs on buildings. The design of this 9 hole course is actually really nice. There's not a ton of elevation in play, but there are definitely several well designed fairways. For this being only a 9 hole course, there is a great mix of wooded/open and righty/lefty holes. It seems like the course designer(s) took care in making sure each of the holes are different in their own way. The course as a whole is a really fun layout to play and it loops well so you could finish up 9 holes and then start right back at Hole 1 and get another loop in so you can get 18 holes in for the day. There are a couple really tricky lines with fences in play as well as a road up through the middle that could make for some interesting play if you were to use the road as an OB line. If I had one complaint about this course it would be that all of the holes are a similar distance. Each hole is between 250' to 310' which is great for an intermediate player like myself, however I like to see a good mix of distances. Basically, I'm saying that I would like to see at least one very short 150'-200' ace run hole as well as a nice long par 4 that would be 400' or longer. I do see that this would be hard to accomplish with the land used for this course so it's hard to think of that as a legitimate complaint. In conclusion, this is a great little 9 hole course that is very fun to play and can offer a few challenges along the way. It's not quite the course that you would travel long distances to play, however if you are in the area, it is definitely worth a stop to play. If you want to see this entire course on video, please consider watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aYEE2FRsXg
20
0
Nine OK Tee Shots... If You Can Find Them 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 26, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
(1.426 Rating) A challenging Rec course with absent navigation.
- CHALLENGING - There are not too many positives with the Maryville course right now. Its lacking a lot of the basic amenities and has some glaring flaws. But for all its limitations, its the game play aspect that makes this a passable niner. This is going to be a healthy challenge to local Rec players. The hole length average is over 300 feet, which is not a common trait among 9 holers. The course area is not open fields either, it's probably somewhere in between lightly and moderately wooded in my opinion. There are a few modest twists and turns. Overall I thought the holes were a fun mix to game plan on and I looked at the bag and pondered a couple times. If it weren't for this nice gameplay element, this one could have dipped to my 1.0 course rating level.
- QUICK PLAY - For baggers that have a navigational app and locals, this is going to be a sub 30 minutes solo round. For those that aren't in the above groupings and haven't played before, they might never finish the whole thing correctly, get frustrated and leave.
- FORGIVENESS - This is not a beginner's course, but if you brought a beginner here, you'd probably still have all your discs by the end of the round. It seems like there may be some heavy overgrowth in spots on the fringes, but I played during the winter so the edges weren't oppressive.
- CHAINS - If I recall correctly, I think they were older MachVs. They caught well.
- CHALLENGING - There are not too many positives with the Maryville course right now. Its lacking a lot of the basic amenities and has some glaring flaws. But for all its limitations, its the game play aspect that makes this a passable niner. This is going to be a healthy challenge to local Rec players. The hole length average is over 300 feet, which is not a common trait among 9 holers. The course area is not open fields either, it's probably somewhere in between lightly and moderately wooded in my opinion. There are a few modest twists and turns. Overall I thought the holes were a fun mix to game plan on and I looked at the bag and pondered a couple times. If it weren't for this nice gameplay element, this one could have dipped to my 1.0 course rating level.
- QUICK PLAY - For baggers that have a navigational app and locals, this is going to be a sub 30 minutes solo round. For those that aren't in the above groupings and haven't played before, they might never finish the whole thing correctly, get frustrated and leave.
- FORGIVENESS - This is not a beginner's course, but if you brought a beginner here, you'd probably still have all your discs by the end of the round. It seems like there may be some heavy overgrowth in spots on the fringes, but I played during the winter so the edges weren't oppressive.
- CHAINS - If I recall correctly, I think they were older MachVs. They caught well.
Cons:
Crossing fairways, not water.
- SAFETY - I'm not sure what and what not the designers were allowed to do, but there are some issues with the layout. Several fairways cross on this one. It would be hard to have more than a couple groups playing at one time. There is also a low use university road in play on almost every hole. Hole (7), although fun to throw, is a blind hook along the bend of the road.
- SIGNAGE AND MISSING INVESTMENT - Driving in, I don't recall any indication of there being a course here. I google map'd it to the course and parked. I had my nav app with me and followed it to tee (1). On the way I did not see a kiosk or map posted. After getting to supposed tee (1) according to the app, I observed a couple 4x and a dirt throwing scar, but no tee sign. I scouted down the fairway about 100 feet and finally saw a basket in the morning fog. This was repeated several times during my time here. There is basically no signage here, except for a small hole number on the basket poles. Maybe the lack of amenities was a way to keep the course usage low.
- HOLE VARIETY - As noted in the challenging pro, I thought it was a fun mix, but the mix has substantial similar elements to it. Like hole lengths for instance, which vary from only 270 to 344 feet long. All par 3 and either lightly or moderately wooded. The elevation change is modest and gradual, and there is no water to game plan around. The challenge level of the holes seemed similar too. No gimmies, and nothing that many Recs won't eventually birdie. It would have been nice to see a couple fully wooded holes.
- SAFETY - I'm not sure what and what not the designers were allowed to do, but there are some issues with the layout. Several fairways cross on this one. It would be hard to have more than a couple groups playing at one time. There is also a low use university road in play on almost every hole. Hole (7), although fun to throw, is a blind hook along the bend of the road.
- SIGNAGE AND MISSING INVESTMENT - Driving in, I don't recall any indication of there being a course here. I google map'd it to the course and parked. I had my nav app with me and followed it to tee (1). On the way I did not see a kiosk or map posted. After getting to supposed tee (1) according to the app, I observed a couple 4x and a dirt throwing scar, but no tee sign. I scouted down the fairway about 100 feet and finally saw a basket in the morning fog. This was repeated several times during my time here. There is basically no signage here, except for a small hole number on the basket poles. Maybe the lack of amenities was a way to keep the course usage low.
- HOLE VARIETY - As noted in the challenging pro, I thought it was a fun mix, but the mix has substantial similar elements to it. Like hole lengths for instance, which vary from only 270 to 344 feet long. All par 3 and either lightly or moderately wooded. The elevation change is modest and gradual, and there is no water to game plan around. The challenge level of the holes seemed similar too. No gimmies, and nothing that many Recs won't eventually birdie. It would have been nice to see a couple fully wooded holes.
Other Thoughts:
Maryville is alright, if that's an acceptable thought for a passable course. Sure it's got several issues, but if you got directions and an empty course, it can be an ok time. For those outside the area, this should only be considered if you are a bagger or happen to be in the neighborhood and you're looking to play a quick round. If you're local and live within 10 minutes from here, it could be a regular course option. Outside twenty minutes, I doubt there are many return visits. Overall, I'm going with a solid 1.5. If they redesign it and incorporate the woods, a much higher score is possible.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I scored this aspect 40 percentile.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I scored this aspect 40 percentile.
1
2
fiberformer
Experience:
8.9 years
15 played
9 reviews
Campus Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 24, 2015
Played the course:once
Pros:
Nice area. Family friendly. Navigation arrows.
Cons:
Dirt tee pads. Starting point of the course is a little unclear. Holes need to be numbered.
Other Thoughts:
Very enjoyable course for a beginner. You will need to watch out for bicycles, joggers and vehicles as this course is along a road. The area was mowed and in good condition when I played.
2
1
mcarybrown
Experience:
14.8 years
15 played
1 reviews
A Great Practice Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 18, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Area is great! Bring your hiking shoes, there are lots of trails near by. It's a relaxed setting and in the heart of Maryville!
Cons:
Gravel tees are not maintained. Parts are a little overgrown. No signage on tees but it's easy to figure out. Playing near a road is kind of a bummer.
Other Thoughts:
Great beginner and practice course. They are always improving it. While the college campus is nice, it really minimizes a lot of potential this course could have. I hate to rate it low, it's still a fun course! Worth checking out if you live near by.
5
0
Jurd269
Experience:
9.9 years
4 played
4 reviews
A Wooded Romp 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 9, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Added navigation arrows
Appropriate challenge for par 3 course
Quiet, not crowded even at peak times
Good variance in hole design
Appropriate challenge for par 3 course
Quiet, not crowded even at peak times
Good variance in hole design
Cons:
Dirt tee pads need better maintenance
Poison ivy!!
Random vehicles parked near course
Lacks hole numbering and signage at this time
Poison ivy!!
Random vehicles parked near course
Lacks hole numbering and signage at this time
Other Thoughts:
This is a fairly new course that is still being improved upon.
Let me start by saying I'm acquainted with a man named Dave who is the husband to one of the professors at the college. He is responsible for organizing and facilitating the improvements to the course and therefore I know of some impending improvements that will be taking place soon. The course is set in the back of the Maryville College campus with parking just feet from the first tee.
The thing to love about this course is the variance in hole design and challenging tree obstacles that make this more of a finesse course than a power course. Each hole plays at approximately 300 feet but rarely involves throwing straight to the basket. My playing group (including myself) are all beginners and we average about 3.6 strokes per hole. The course gives up very few birdies to beginners.
The course is undergoing constant improvements. At the time of this review there are actually 8 baskets with the 9th basket ordered and the date set for 8/23/14 that its installation should begin, making it a true 9 hole course where it started as just 4 holes over a year ago. Recent improvements to navigation include concrete slabs with arrows pointing to the next tee pad. Per Dave, in the coming weeks we can expect course signage to improve, while it's already fairly easy to navigate.
There are a few areas where this course could improve:
There is the minor annoyance of vines hanging down across already tight corridors; the college is very strict about any foliage disturbance or removal to maintain the efficacy and natural beauty of the woods. My group has suffered many a shot that was otherwise great but got knocked down by an errant vine that isn't intended to be a course obstacle.
The tee pads are dirt/coarse sand and could use more regular maintenance such as adding material back to the box after a heavy rain. If you are highly allergic to poison ivy there are some holes on this course that should be avoided altogether: the 3rd hole is deep into a wooded corridor while the 8th hole runs parallel to heavy woods that are ripe with poison ivy. I've personally recovered two unmarked discs from the 8th hole.
The woods where the course is located host many events from engagement pictures to weddings and also contains a pavilion and a lodge so the area has many random parking locations. Holes 5, 6, and 8 have had vehicles parked nearby during my play experience which obviously disrupts things.
Also, if you aren't familiar with the course there can be some difficulty with navigation. This is among the things that is soon to be improved upon. Just follow the arrows and signage is soon to be posted.
In all, I enjoy this course a lot and it has a lot to offer. Objectively, though, it scores a decent score until said improvements are made.
Let me start by saying I'm acquainted with a man named Dave who is the husband to one of the professors at the college. He is responsible for organizing and facilitating the improvements to the course and therefore I know of some impending improvements that will be taking place soon. The course is set in the back of the Maryville College campus with parking just feet from the first tee.
The thing to love about this course is the variance in hole design and challenging tree obstacles that make this more of a finesse course than a power course. Each hole plays at approximately 300 feet but rarely involves throwing straight to the basket. My playing group (including myself) are all beginners and we average about 3.6 strokes per hole. The course gives up very few birdies to beginners.
The course is undergoing constant improvements. At the time of this review there are actually 8 baskets with the 9th basket ordered and the date set for 8/23/14 that its installation should begin, making it a true 9 hole course where it started as just 4 holes over a year ago. Recent improvements to navigation include concrete slabs with arrows pointing to the next tee pad. Per Dave, in the coming weeks we can expect course signage to improve, while it's already fairly easy to navigate.
There are a few areas where this course could improve:
There is the minor annoyance of vines hanging down across already tight corridors; the college is very strict about any foliage disturbance or removal to maintain the efficacy and natural beauty of the woods. My group has suffered many a shot that was otherwise great but got knocked down by an errant vine that isn't intended to be a course obstacle.
The tee pads are dirt/coarse sand and could use more regular maintenance such as adding material back to the box after a heavy rain. If you are highly allergic to poison ivy there are some holes on this course that should be avoided altogether: the 3rd hole is deep into a wooded corridor while the 8th hole runs parallel to heavy woods that are ripe with poison ivy. I've personally recovered two unmarked discs from the 8th hole.
The woods where the course is located host many events from engagement pictures to weddings and also contains a pavilion and a lodge so the area has many random parking locations. Holes 5, 6, and 8 have had vehicles parked nearby during my play experience which obviously disrupts things.
Also, if you aren't familiar with the course there can be some difficulty with navigation. This is among the things that is soon to be improved upon. Just follow the arrows and signage is soon to be posted.
In all, I enjoy this course a lot and it has a lot to offer. Objectively, though, it scores a decent score until said improvements are made.
