On the east side of the Carson-Newman University's grounds, the David W. Barger DGC on Mossy Creek is a fabulous 18-hole course that combines scenic views, appropriate challenges and unique holes.

Tabbed as one of the "hidden beauties" on campus, the new course does a fantastic job utilizing Mossy Creek as well as the scattered trees, rolling hills and gorgeous lawns to provide picturesque holes. I have played 48 courses on college and university campuses to date, and this course immediately vaults to the top spot for scenery. With the exception of a walking path that borders a few holes, the designated area is nearly exclusive for disc golfers.

As the previous reviewer stated, there's plenty of design variety. The elevation is used well, and while the creek borders about half of the holes, there's never a hole where the design seems unfair or requires too risky of a throw.

There were several holes that felt a little unique, and as a course bagger, I cherish the opportunity to play a well-designed hole that is different that what I've experienced before. A couple of my favorite designs were Holes #11 and #14. Hole #11 is listed as the shortest hole on the course at 207 feet, yet it's moderately uphill and turns to the right. The trees on the right side are positioned well to prompt an accurate RHFH or turnover backhand. Throws that fade too early risk leaving the mesa-like area and tumbling down a hill. Hole #14 is a 261-foot challenge that offers an ideal line to the right, and drives must find the gap between a few trees and then secure a landing spot on the plateau around the basket as there are small drop-offs on multiple sides.

The teepads are excellent. The signage and basket banners sport the blue and orange colors and logo of the Carson-Newman Eagles. Nearly every section of the course is on grass, though there are a few rough and muddy patches over the last few holes.

The hole distances average about 280 feet and the course difficulty is ideal for recreational to intermediate disc golfers. The course is moderately hilly, which includes a bomber throw of nearly 400 feet downhill (Hole #8) and another shorter downhill toss on Hole #17. Only one hole is significantly uphill (Hole #7) and it's one of the shortest holes out there.

I noticed several little things during my round that contribute to the thumbs up I'm giving this course. For example, there's some private property that is fenced in between Holes #10 and #11. The designer wisely chose to bypass this land for course use and instead inserted a short walk to limit the possibility of irritating a property owner. Also, the basket placements are outstanding as the trees serve as obstacles en route to the basket but are rarely in the circle.

One obvious shortcoming of the David W. Barger course is the lack of bridges. Building two bridges would contribute greatly to the course navigation and reduce the extra walking. The teepad for Hole #3 is near the creek's edge and offers one of the most gorgeous views on the course. However, after throwing over the creek, one must retrace their steps down the fairway for Hole #1 to cross the course's only bridge and walk several hundred more feet to the basket for Hole #3. More consequential is the pause after Hole #14. Without a bridge to cross the creek, which is akin to a small river at that spot, one must walk for a few minutes to reach the solitary bridge and then hike a significant hill up to Hole #15. If I played this course frequently, I'd be tempted to start my rounds on Hole #15, which would limit the interruption during the round and moves the long walk to the end of the round.

The creek was flowing quite rapidly during my visit and discs that find the water are extremely unlikely to be found, let alone retrieved. The creek and the metal barrier that protects the water's edge from erosion reminded me of the log flume rides at an amusement park.

Due to the course's proximity to the creek, it's possible that several holes, especially Holes #3 through #6, will be susceptible to standing water or complete flooding after rainstorms.

The new layout is a remarkable improvement upon the original course at Carson-Newman, which was in the center of campus and only nine holes. When I played that version in 2019, the in-ground markers indicating tee areas were challenging to find, navigation was extremely difficult, and several fairways were dangerously close to buildings, sidewalks, roads, cars, students, and well … you get the picture.

As I reviewed the list of college and university courses I have played, the index is full of nondescript nine-holers with ordinary design at best. Too often, those courses are shoehorned into areas that aren't ideal for disc golf and don't merit revisiting. However, by choosing a spot away from campus traffic with attractive land features and pairing it with smart, enjoyable design, the David W. Barger course has raised the bar for what a university course can be.

- The course and park are visually interesting.
- Course play is fun.
- The course uses elevation well. It isn't the longest course, but offers a variety shots and hole shapes and many holes give you a shot choice.
- Scorable for rec arms.
- Very close to several other good courses.
- The college themed baskets are a really nice touch.
- Good use of water as the creek winds thru the course.

- The layout is one of the worst that I've played. Hole 3's teepad is in the direction line of fire of hole 2's teepad. Once you throw across the creek on hole 3, you have to walk down hole 1's fairway and cross a bridge to get to the green. If you early release or stall out your shot on hole 3, you may land in a picnic area. Hole 10 throws over an amphitheater. The walk from hole 10 to 11 is long. The walk from hole 14 to hole 15 is long and illogical. You walk back to hole 1, then walk up the street to 15. You'll need a map. Walking paths come into play on many holes, so please be mindful.
- Being a college campus, there were likely be days and events when you can't play the course.

On course play, I'd give this course an easy 3.5 or possibly even higher. Unfortunately, I bumped into down to a 3 due to the layout. With that said, there are so many good courses in the area that there is minimal risk in making a trip here. Worse case, Panther Creek and Kiwanis are about 7 miles away. Cherokee and Rotary are also close by.

I'll touch on some of the holes that stick in my memory.
- Hole 1. Relatively open, basket to the right on the side of a massive hill. Big rollaway risk.
- Hole 2. Big downhill throw. Trouble to the right. Massive drop off just behind the hole. Very touchy shot.
- Hole 3. Straight forward shot with a drive over the creek.
- Hole 6. Straight shot that requires you to challenge trees (and risk kicks into the creek) for a RHBH hyzer or straight to fade shot.
- Hole 7. Tee off between 2 trees up a massive hill.
- Hole 8. Bomb back down the hill.
- Hole 10. Throw downhill across a pavillion with a basket tucked away on the side of a hill. Great RHFH hole.
- Hole 11. Uphill straight to fade right hole.
- Hole 12-14 offer a few line choices. Hole 13's basket is in a bowl. Hole 14's basket is on a mound.
- Hole 15 -16 are uphill shots with a tight wooded line to the right and more sloped greens.
- Hole 17 is a downhill hard finish to the right that is sort of a spray and pray shot.
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