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Farris Park reviews
15
0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
20 years
603 played
546 reviews
Fun Course in a One-of-a-Kind Town 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jan 5, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
I was surprised by how much I liked Farris Park. Even with a couple so-so holes in a wide open field, this is a fun, varied layout.
- The front nine is more of the open side; the back nine is the wooded side.
- Elevation is this course's best friend. Even on some of the open holes, it's what turns pedestrian layouts into better ones, as seen on holes #8 - 11 (two uphill layouts & two downhillers). It also turns a nice, slightly winding, semi-wooded layout on #13 into an excellent one.
- Dual tee pads making the course even more inviting for new players. From the short tees, only three holes are longer than 250 feet. From the long tees, the average hole length is 292 feet with a long of 404 feet (and uphill to boot). Similar to Eager Beaver in Charlotte, where it's fun playing through twice, once from each layout, I wish I'd had a little more time to play a second round just so I could go on a birdie fest from the short tees.
- Course weaves throughout the entire park, but it does seem the course does a good job skirting along other park activities. #2 plays alongside a driving range, with the 50 yard marker just beyond the basket. #4 - 5 play alongside a soccer/sport field. #16 plays alongside a stage (they call it an amphitheater, but it's quite small), and #17 & 18 are near a pond. At any point, these activities may interfere with the course. Or, you may be able to play cautiously and still complete a full 18.
- #2 is a good layout. It's a downhill, 272-foot dogleg right shot originating from the woods to a basket in the open. Throw around the edge of the trees and the hole slopes downhill towards the basket. From the short tees, you're throwing over an old golf course bunker to add a little challenge.
- #9 & 11 are both good downhill shots. You can barely see the top of the basket on #9 from the tees, if you go too far right or long, the fence for a baseball field may come into play. Throwing from the tee, I picked an object in the background as my target, threw, and realized it wasn't as aligned with the basket as I thought. I suspect many people will run into this as well.
- #11 is fun as you're teeing from the open field, throwing downhill to a basket on the edge of the woods. It's a 292 foot layout, so you don't want to unleash anything too fast or you risk sailing into the trees. The edge of the woods create another nice layout on the very next hole, as you're throwing along the edge of the tree-line on this dogleg right layout. It's similar to the opening hole at Shoally Creek (aka Va-Du-Mar) in Boiling Springs, SC.
- This is one of the easier courses I've had navigating. It was easy spotting the next tee from the previous hole's basket. Plus you have well designed tee signs that point you where the next tee is in case you need any help.
- The drive to the course from 220 was very scenic and enjoyable. I love driving on older bridges over valleys & rivers. This had a very mountainy, West Virginia vibe to it. Then you drive through a quaint, older, small-town downtown district. Once you drive away from the town, you suddenly have a quick uphill drive that reminds you you're in the southern edges of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a sharp contrast from the terrain of Greensboro 30 minutes away.
- The front nine is more of the open side; the back nine is the wooded side.
- Elevation is this course's best friend. Even on some of the open holes, it's what turns pedestrian layouts into better ones, as seen on holes #8 - 11 (two uphill layouts & two downhillers). It also turns a nice, slightly winding, semi-wooded layout on #13 into an excellent one.
- Dual tee pads making the course even more inviting for new players. From the short tees, only three holes are longer than 250 feet. From the long tees, the average hole length is 292 feet with a long of 404 feet (and uphill to boot). Similar to Eager Beaver in Charlotte, where it's fun playing through twice, once from each layout, I wish I'd had a little more time to play a second round just so I could go on a birdie fest from the short tees.
- Course weaves throughout the entire park, but it does seem the course does a good job skirting along other park activities. #2 plays alongside a driving range, with the 50 yard marker just beyond the basket. #4 - 5 play alongside a soccer/sport field. #16 plays alongside a stage (they call it an amphitheater, but it's quite small), and #17 & 18 are near a pond. At any point, these activities may interfere with the course. Or, you may be able to play cautiously and still complete a full 18.
- #2 is a good layout. It's a downhill, 272-foot dogleg right shot originating from the woods to a basket in the open. Throw around the edge of the trees and the hole slopes downhill towards the basket. From the short tees, you're throwing over an old golf course bunker to add a little challenge.
- #9 & 11 are both good downhill shots. You can barely see the top of the basket on #9 from the tees, if you go too far right or long, the fence for a baseball field may come into play. Throwing from the tee, I picked an object in the background as my target, threw, and realized it wasn't as aligned with the basket as I thought. I suspect many people will run into this as well.
- #11 is fun as you're teeing from the open field, throwing downhill to a basket on the edge of the woods. It's a 292 foot layout, so you don't want to unleash anything too fast or you risk sailing into the trees. The edge of the woods create another nice layout on the very next hole, as you're throwing along the edge of the tree-line on this dogleg right layout. It's similar to the opening hole at Shoally Creek (aka Va-Du-Mar) in Boiling Springs, SC.
- This is one of the easier courses I've had navigating. It was easy spotting the next tee from the previous hole's basket. Plus you have well designed tee signs that point you where the next tee is in case you need any help.
- The drive to the course from 220 was very scenic and enjoyable. I love driving on older bridges over valleys & rivers. This had a very mountainy, West Virginia vibe to it. Then you drive through a quaint, older, small-town downtown district. Once you drive away from the town, you suddenly have a quick uphill drive that reminds you you're in the southern edges of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a sharp contrast from the terrain of Greensboro 30 minutes away.
Cons:
There is only one true issue with the course: the natural/gravel tee pads. The footing was pretty consistent when I played in January '21. Over time, with more play, washout, and erosion, it will be interesting to see how they hold up. It would be nice to see real pads installed.
- There may be times when a hole or two is unplayable to other park activities. I think the holes boarding the soccer fields (#4 - 6) can be played from the short tees as long as people aren't away from the fields and encroaching on the fairways. I'd reckon the biggest hindrance would be on #17 & 18 if there's a lot of activity around the pond and/or people are using the area for picnicking or other activities.
- Not a con per se, but a clarification that this course tilts almost entirely towards the fun side instead of the challenging side. Advanced players are going to eat this course up and may not enjoy it as much. That just means it's not aimed for your skill level.
- Several chances for lost discs or searches due to thicker wooded portions (#3 & 13 especially) or playing near the pond (#16's basket is 30 - 40 feet from the pond).
- Restrooms aren't always open and it's 10 minutes back to town.
- The course is one big loop around the park. There isn't a natural place to cut your round short if you're only looking for nine holes. I guess you could park in the upper lot, start on #8, and cut your round off after #15. A solo round should only take about an hour, although I finished in under 40 as I was on a time crunch.
- There may be times when a hole or two is unplayable to other park activities. I think the holes boarding the soccer fields (#4 - 6) can be played from the short tees as long as people aren't away from the fields and encroaching on the fairways. I'd reckon the biggest hindrance would be on #17 & 18 if there's a lot of activity around the pond and/or people are using the area for picnicking or other activities.
- Not a con per se, but a clarification that this course tilts almost entirely towards the fun side instead of the challenging side. Advanced players are going to eat this course up and may not enjoy it as much. That just means it's not aimed for your skill level.
- Several chances for lost discs or searches due to thicker wooded portions (#3 & 13 especially) or playing near the pond (#16's basket is 30 - 40 feet from the pond).
- Restrooms aren't always open and it's 10 minutes back to town.
- The course is one big loop around the park. There isn't a natural place to cut your round short if you're only looking for nine holes. I guess you could park in the upper lot, start on #8, and cut your round off after #15. A solo round should only take about an hour, although I finished in under 40 as I was on a time crunch.
Other Thoughts:
I love when a course far surpasses my expectations. Based on reviews and pics on *ahem* UDisc, I thought this was going to be a simplistic, average-at-best short course. It was much more than that.
- This park has so many amenities: ball fields, walking and biking trails, fishing, mini golf, and a concession stand, which I'm guessing is only open during peak hours (weekends, during ball games, etc.). This park has everything but a playground, which seemed a little weird.
- Nice scenic layout. I had played Holly Run early in the day. This was a fresh change of pace with a better nature feel. Standing on the tee at 9 or 11 with an overview of the park, it's one of those stand back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the tee shot you're sure to park.
- I wish the course ended up a little more of a high note. #17 & 18 were both simple weave your tee shot around several trees to get to the basket types of holes. Both are birdie chances with little penalty if you smack a tree other than having a longer approach shot.
- #14 was interesting in it's sharp dogleg right layout. A high sweeping shot should cut that corner nicely. That's followed up by a nicer, tighter layout on #15. Throw your tee shot on a rope, and you should see a birdie putt.
- This course is going to offer lots of birdie chances. With this layout, I bet the short tees would be a great Ace Race tourney or at least a course to bag a cubby ace.
- Based on Wikipedia, the town is the only one in the world named Mayodan. It's a combination of the names of the town's two rivers: Mayo & Dan. Now, go ahead and check Urban Dictionary for what a Mayo River is.
- I'm giving this course a 3.0 based on its nice layout and fun factor. There are enough enjoyable, or at least distinctive, layouts throughout the round that it remains interesting. This is worth a visit from players in the Triad and southern VA.
- This park has so many amenities: ball fields, walking and biking trails, fishing, mini golf, and a concession stand, which I'm guessing is only open during peak hours (weekends, during ball games, etc.). This park has everything but a playground, which seemed a little weird.
- Nice scenic layout. I had played Holly Run early in the day. This was a fresh change of pace with a better nature feel. Standing on the tee at 9 or 11 with an overview of the park, it's one of those stand back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the tee shot you're sure to park.
- I wish the course ended up a little more of a high note. #17 & 18 were both simple weave your tee shot around several trees to get to the basket types of holes. Both are birdie chances with little penalty if you smack a tree other than having a longer approach shot.
- #14 was interesting in it's sharp dogleg right layout. A high sweeping shot should cut that corner nicely. That's followed up by a nicer, tighter layout on #15. Throw your tee shot on a rope, and you should see a birdie putt.
- This course is going to offer lots of birdie chances. With this layout, I bet the short tees would be a great Ace Race tourney or at least a course to bag a cubby ace.
- Based on Wikipedia, the town is the only one in the world named Mayodan. It's a combination of the names of the town's two rivers: Mayo & Dan. Now, go ahead and check Urban Dictionary for what a Mayo River is.
- I'm giving this course a 3.0 based on its nice layout and fun factor. There are enough enjoyable, or at least distinctive, layouts throughout the round that it remains interesting. This is worth a visit from players in the Triad and southern VA.
