Like many good courses, Royston offers some quality layouts over rolling hills. And just as it gets going, your round is over.
- Royston feels like an 18-hole layout that one quits after hole #9. It's much better than the typical small town, beginner friendly nine-hole layout. There is some meat on the bone here.
- The course is located around the corner from the Ty Cobb museum. Just an interesting observation about the town. Maybe sharpen up your metal spikes for your round?
- I enjoyed the course. #1 seemed a little gimmicky by starting in an open field and putting the basket behind a line of pine trees. #9 is the worst hole on the course in that it's the only one that's wide open. Between those two holes, #2 - 8 is a perfectly suitable stretch. Most of those holes would be found on your average 18-hole course and they'd fit right in.
- #2 is the bomber hole, playing 470 feet from the longs. #3 & 7 are more technical layouts.
- The course takes advantage of the trees. From only a couple of strategically located ones on #2, 3 & 6 to heavier coverage on #4 & 8, the amount of accuracy varies.
- Course is spacious. Holes are well laid out and spread apart from each other. Very atypical of most 9-hole layouts.

Nothing major is wrong with this course. A handful of small things to be pointed out and/or improved upon.
- Tee pads are gravel/pads. You may notice it on run ups on the longer holes.
- Pedestrians on the walking trail may come into play with stray shots on holes #6, 7, or 9. Holes don't play over the trail, but a shot long or off-line may come into play with the trail.
- I didn't notice any benches or trash cans on the trail. It shouldn't be an issue as this is a 9-hole course, but it is worth noting.
- Perhaps the worst thing about the course is hole #9. It's the worst hole on the course. It's the only one that has no obstacle, playing in an open field. It's boring and ends the round with a whimper.

Royston Park was an excellent surprise. I'm always leery when a course has few reviews and/or hasn't had updates/reviews. Royston hadn't been reviewed for nearly 5 years (8/15 to 3/20). Seems like this course is getting overlooked.
- This really feels like an 18-hole layout that ends after #9. It's a nice, big loop through a section of the park, with #9 ending back at the beginning. It seems like you should be walking from #9 over to #10, but nope. Round over.
- Unlike many small town, 9-hole layouts, this course isn't aimed specifically at beginners, at least from the long tees. Holes aren't generally easy birdies. My round consisted mainly of tap-in 3s, but not birdie putts.
- I liked the feel/flow of holes #6 & 7. This duo feels like the reprise you get on many elite layouts - think the shorter holes/layouts found at the IDGC. These are the two most scenic holes and allow for some good shot making.
- The course is just far enough from other courses that it's not easy to get to. It's a decent drive from I-85, you're 30 minutes to Lake Russell, which is also out of the way, and you're a haul to the Atlanta/Athens or Upstate SC courses.
- One of the best nine-hole layouts I've played. A full 18-holes with this layout and you're looking at a possible 4.0 layout. Think Victor Ashe in Knoxville or the better parts of Foothills in Easley, SC.

Nice mix of holes. A few requiring tight shots through the woods, many more giving the opportunity to bomb it.
Overall, this was a fun course but nothing stuck out for me to make it an excellent one. I did enjoy the basket for #8. It made that a challenging hole.

None to speak of except that it's only 9 holes.