(3.126 Rating) (Re-Played September 2022) An Intermediate level heavily wooded technical course.
- RAW BEAUTY - I've played just about every course in Alabama, 123 different courses in fact, as of this review revision. To me, this one is easily top ten in eye appeal for Alabama. I've pulled out my camera several times to snap pictures on both of my visits here. There are large limestone bedrock boulders on many holes. A lot of the rocks have bright green moss on them and its appearance just pumps out an euphoric touch for all those fortunate enough to get in a round here.
- CHALLENGING - I love the intensity of this course. Lots of needle thin lines. Being able to perform magic tricks may seem like the only way to run it to the basket clean. Missing an early 10-foot gap is almost certain bogey and sometimes worse. Rec players are going to cards some birds here, but they are also likely ending up with more than a handful of bogeys as well. Intermediates are going to hover at around par and Advanced players are going to average a few down. Playing the 4 extra short baskets will likely shave off 2 to 3 throws on average to every player. The course is not beginner friendly for those that were wondering.
- HOLE VARIETY - For a course without elevation or water features I think the variety is really good. Lots of crafty tunnel shots, but they twist several different ways. Some are abrupt pockets while others are gradual bends. There is one par 4 on long (11) which I would consider a true dogleg placement hole and it's also my favorite hole on the course. There is one shot which starts in the woods and ends in an open field, hole (14). (14s) basket also kind of lies in a sinkhole surrounded by bedrock. It was a very fun and unique basket condition to putt at. Finally, I'll mention (18), which is definitely the oddball in the layout as it's the only open shot. There is a lot of beautiful landscaping along this hole although the ending looks like a built-up dirt pile.
- AMENITIES - Holes (3), (5), (11), and (17) have two DISCatchers in play. Definitely a bonus to see a feature like this as it adds some replayability while also taming down a few of the harder holes. The course also has some extra sleeves on other holes, so perhaps they rotate them to other holes. Great to see two practice baskets spaced 200 feet apart next to the parking area. There are a couple benches spaced throughout and a picnic table by (1). Also, a community board with league postings and other info.
- SIGNAGE AND NAVIGATION - I think this aspect is just good enough to still be a pro. A nice course map is posted by tee (1). I would advise solo first timers to take a picture as there are a couple of unnatural transition such as after (3) and after (13). Most of the walks between holes have an intuitive path to take and there are even a few navigational adds. It's just not flawless. The tee signage is respectable for this style of course, although I believe at least two of the pads didn't have a sign anymore.

There are a few minor issues with Flying Dragon, but the first three noted below are correctable.
- TEES - When I first played here about five years ago, I thought one of the weaker aspects was the tee surfaces and that is still the case as of summer 2022. The tees are turf laid over crushed gravel fill and are boxed in by heavy timbers. The surfaces are good in size, but are moderately lumpy and I was unsure of my footing several times. Four of the tees no longer have the turf fabric attached to the throwing area. The pad on (14) is literally bedrock and somewhat sketchy. Overall, the tee surface situation isn't epic bad, but it's a very noticeable and clear deficiency
- OPEN HOURS - What horrible park hours. The park gates close at 4PM on weekdays and do not open on weekends unless there's a special event. The disc golf course itself is open from sunrise to sundown.
- PARKING - Players that choose to play here when the park gates are closed, say on Sunday morning for example, they will have to park their car 1500 feet away from tee (1). There is also a sign warning of towing for vehicles left after sunset. Many players who park by the gate start on hole (3).
- OVERGROWTH - Missing the fairway on this course can leave some brutal lies. Lots of vines and thick bushes line both sides of the fairways on a majority of the holes. One of the plant species off fairway is called Citrus trifoliata, aka Flying Dragon. This plant does bear oranges, but it also has 2 inch dagger thorns and it will swallow every disc that enters its space. Lots of poison ivy off fairway and likely seasonal issues with ticks, mosquitoes and snakes.
- TERRAIN - Despite being a very flat course, I don't think this course is cart friendly. Lots of rocks both on and off fairway. Players with ankle and knee pain should not seek this course out.
- HOLE 18 - The last hole on this course is a total misfit. An openish hyzer shot that's in a different section of the park. I have heard a rumor that during league play that they don't use it and that there's an alternate pad that plays to one of the practice baskets.
- A BOMBERS NEMESIS - Players that prefer to grip-it and rip-it might not like this course. I'd classify 16 of the 18 holes as heavily wooded. A few will argue that some of the holes have no fairway. Players that hate courses with constricted fairways are likely going to hate this one as well.

Flying Dragon is one of those courses that some are going to love, and some are going to hate. Myself as a fan of wooded courses, I like it. I find it very exhilarating to thread the fairways out here and the scenery to me is top notch. However, I would be kidding myself to proclaim that everyone is going to enjoy themselves out here. I know of several locals that played it one time and have chosen to never return. I originally scored this one a high 3.0 and have decided to leave it at a high 3.0 after my second visit. I was really hoping to see some improvements over a five-year period, but it's essentially in the same state. A sustained local effort and some new tees could easily get this course into the 3.5 ratings level on my ledger. For those outside the area, I don't think it's a must hit unless a player's favorite style of course is scenic ones in heavy woods. Ratings wise, it compares well to somewhat similar wooded courses in North Alabama such as Mastin and Monte Sano. Further out, its style more thoroughly reminds me of courses like the Sinks in Chattanooga and Morristown Kiwanis just north of Knoxville.
- TIME PLAY - Expect a typical four sum to play a round in about two hours or a little more, give or take.
- COURSE UPDATE - Only reviews after 2017 account for the completion of the last 6 fairways. Reviews prior to this date will note that 6 holes reuse fairways and this is no longer the case.

Technically demanding: tight lines through the forest, with shots that veer off the fairway being pretty heavily punished due the density of the underbrush etc. I found myself discing down and accepting less distance to gain control on quite a few holes, and realizing I probably should have done so on a few more. Did not feel repetitious at all: pretty much every hole felt like a fresh challenge. Design: success.

Tee pads are fake green stuff (think putt-putt course) over gravel in a wooden frame. It's a novel setup to me, but I like it. Tee signs are reasonably illustrative color signs on metal, and indicate multiple positions where present, distances, and par (3 throughout, except for the long pin on 11). Baskets are new Discatchers, and the few that are suspended are still at "normal" height. Also, on nearly all (or maybe all... now I'm unsure) of the holes with two pin positions, there are two baskets, allowing play to either the longer pins or the shorter as desired.

Practice area is pretty sweet. Two baskets, well apart from one another, with room enough to work some practice upshots as well as putt.

Almost completely flat, but that's the land that was available, as far as I can tell. Given everything else this course demands, this doesn't wind up feeling like much of a noticeable drawback - it's mostly level, but not a field by any means.

One hole tees off from a textured spot on a large rock, which provides little room to step up to your shot.

Barbed wire fences at a few points that hide well in the woods.

Pretty short, aside from one hole which was pushing the short end of par 4.

Dead as can be - never seen another soul out here playing.

Older reviews mention 12 fairways, with 6 being partially reused to make 18 holes. This is no longer the case. There are 18 completely separate holes.

There are a few tees that are just gravel in a frame without the turf/carpet stuff yet, but they're just as serviceable/playable for the time being, whether played with a run-up/step-up or not.

About the terrain: Rough, rocky. Mostly level, but this feels like a small hike nonetheless. If you drive a cart, expect to have to pick it up a lot. Also, the flying dragon has to be mentioned. It is way worse than a regular brier plant, with pinkie-sized spikes. I might recommend pants if you expect to go off the fairway very many times. There are particularly large clumps of it right of the fairway on 16 and left of the white pin on 14, and boy, do they put the sh in shule. Also, if playing in a group, consider spotting each other on 18. The rough is exceptionally tall (though less spiky than elsewhere).

Check out the photos here on DGCR - they give a good impression of the course's character.

Overall, I really do recommend local-localish players stop by when they have the chance. I feel like this is a course that really challenges accuracy in about as many ways as could be fit in. It isn't one of those top N "has it all" courses, but it is quite technical and quite enjoyable.

Well layed out, challenging, map on each hole.

Lots of undergrowth if you get off course. Watch out for poison ivy.

Short course because entire course is layed out in dense woods. Narrow fairways but a fun course to play, even for a beginner as long as you don't become frustrated.

Placement, a technical course. Very nice looking landscape, the fairways were paved with wood chips. The rocks are very cool and unique to the course. Very nice local players! Great signs, best I have seen, and new baskets. More than one basket (usually) per hole.

Shorter course, no longer open holes. No water hazards, still not completed. (as of 3-12-13).

I gave this a 3 disc rating, but will be surprised if this course does not shoot higher as soon as the final 18th hole is put in. There were two new holes in the ground when I played. They were great holes, using the natural terrain with the rock formations, it was beautiful. The rocks (and they were profuse) add some difficulty as they can stop a drive dead or they can give it a serious skip.