This is one of the best experiences I've ever had on a golf course. We were treated to 2 rounds in Burde's backyard yesterday and it lived up to all the hype. One of my favorite parts of the course was how secluded and private it was. There were obviously only those involved in the tournament roaming the hills that day. I wasn't having to worry about guys and their girlfriends going for a stroll across the fairways like at most parks. Secondly, this course requires a full arsenal. Every shot you've ever used or thought about will come into play here. It's got 2 very fun shots across a valley from hillside to hillside, but other than that, be ready to dodge every tree in existence! This course is chock full of challenging, technical shots that will really tighten up your game. Not to mention Ed Burde is one of the friendliest pros I've ever met and one of the most gracious hosts. He's put a lot of time and effort into these hills and it really shows.

The only cons about this course are those things that make it so fun and challenging. I've never played a course where at least 3/4 of the fairways are hill sides. It's very tough to get your feet set and maintain balance for approach shots. Plus, the pins are on those same hills which makes dinking off the basket VERY unforgiving. I saw someone miss a par and roll at least 100 ft. downhill. But as long as you're not already in a bad mood when you get here, these things should not take away any of the fun to be had. I can't wait to go back!

This course offers a greater variety of challenges than I've seen anywhere else. Some of them I've seen nowhere else. One has to be able to throw left and right, long and short, up and down, and even deal with some elevated baskets. The variety goes beyond what I imagined practical in a single course.

This is not a public course. One cannot just show up and play (though Ed Burde seems eager to welcome anyone that loves the game to come and play a round with him). It's not a lawn you're playing on, it's the side of a rock. You have to manage the climb and avoid the droppings of the horses that share the space. The first hole is not a scenic beauty, as you have to throw across a gravel driveway, and over a muddy horse paddock beside a ramshackle barn. The distance is about 300'-320' and the line is cut by some powere lines right about eye level front the tee box. Don't be detered by first impressions. The course is worth overlooking them.

Holes 2-4 zig-zag back and forth slightly up the hill and become easier to look at. Hole 5 is something special to behold and to play. It is 300' from box to basket. There are a couple of trees that have to be avoided. What makes it special is the 22 degree angle you have to throw uphill. While this might not sound like much in print, it is a bear in person. We applied some trigonometry to the above mentioned figures after our round, and found that the elevation change is 112'. Ed tells me that this hole has never been birdied, and I believe it. I have a 300' arm on the flat, and it took me 2 1/2 pulls just to reach the basket. Perhaps the players in more mountainous regions have a better understaning of the treachery of elevation change, but for a player like me from West Tennessee, this hole was a learning experience. Holes 6-9 zig-zag back down the mountain. It is important on all of these holes to hug the curvature of the mountain with your drives, as to go the other way leaves your out in space and out of luck. You'll have to throw back uphill again if you err. Hole 10 is the downhill beauty. It's just over 500', and feels as though it's drivable by someone with my arm and a good pull. You have to angle your throw down to take advantage of the elevation rather than just make it halfway, stall and hyzer off into a shed on the left, or the aformentioned paddock on the right. If you don't make the distance, you'll be throwing back up out of a depression for the second half of the hole. The scene of the first hole looks so much better from the other side and when seen from a greater height. We all took multiple drives from the tee box for fun. The back 8 are on the other side of the gravel road, and are confined to a smaller space. They are all shorter and more technical. They follow the same formula of zig-zagging up and down the side of a hill, but there is more surrounding foliage to arrest an errant drive. Technical aspects include narrow fairways, raised baskets, and dropoffs behind the pins. There is far more exposed stone on this side of the course. The 17th is a downhill run across the gravel road again. The creek behind the pin is OB as might be expected. The ultimate hole runs along the other side of this creek and back to the start.

This course offers no sense of being in parkland. It has an organic wilderness feel that makes it unique in my experience. Much of what makes it easy to have doubts about in the beginning makes it so special soon after. This is a course in someone's yard. Ed has poured an enourmous amount of thought, energy, and love into this course, and it plays like nothing else. I don't have the luxury of easily returning to play, but oh how glad I am to have made the trip this once!

This course has about everything you could want in a course. Technical, Hills, long, short, and a 300' foot hole that has never been birdied. You really have to use every type of shot from hyzer, anny, sidearm, straight and any other shot you have in your bag to conquer this course.

The front nine is where you need to try to stay at par. There are a few birdies out there but most holes are not reachable for that. You really have to work for your pars through the woods and over the hills. One errant tee shot and there goes your par for the most part.

The back 8 are short technical holes that if you don't get off the tee you are fighting for the par. I don't think I pull out anything faster then a teebird except for one hole and that hole I used a wraith with caution.

I would say there are three signature holes on the course, hole 5, 10 and 17. Hole 5 is a 300' straight up the hill shot. Since it is straight up hill your drive has to be perfect. Hole 10 is a 600' down hill then back up across a creek and over a barn to a surf board pointing to the basket so you can see it at the tee. The wind plays a huge factor on this hole due to the Mountains around. I have to add that hole 17 is sweet as well. You throw down hill through trees on each side out into an opening with OB creek behind it. Everyone either loves or hates this hole because of how tight the fairway is.

During the summer time the underbrush on the sides get pretty thick but nothing that a work day and a weed eater can't fix.

This is by far one of the best courses in TN period. It is very long and hilly so bring lots of water. Hole 10 ends by the house and parking so you can pick up water and a snack for the last 8. This is a must if you are coming through TN.