Johnsons Road park is in a very nice area. The area is extremely safe and family friendly. Water comes into play on many holes which adds to the challenge. The park is very well maintained and there are an abundance of shrubs and plants. Since the course meanders through the main section of the park, these are included as "pros" for this course in my opinion. There are signs on each hole and benches are scattered randomly throughout the course. Holes 16 and 17 may be the best back-to-back holes I have ever played.

While I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this course, it would only be good for a relaxing round. The course is not very challenging. This was only my second round since knee surgery in early September. I am currently only able to get a max of about 250 feet on my drives...and I shot a 59. Since I am not a pro level player...and am currently injured...I would expect an experienced player to be able to shoot under par easily on their first run through the course. On the holes with water-in-play, the water is exclusively on the left. For RHBH a strong hyzer will be wet. Many of the wooded holes are anhyzers for RHBH. A lefty should be able to shoot an extgremely low score and stay out of trouble with the water. There are a few navigational issues. The tee signs do indicate which way to go after holing out, but sometimes you have to look around to find the next tee.

Johnson Road Park is an exceptionally clean park and the course is now one of my favorites. However, it does not offer the challenge that many disc golfers look for when they are traveling. If you are in the Memphis area, I would definitely recommend giving this course a try. The water adds to the challenge but is only daunting on 2 holes (16 and 17). I put that it is tricky to review, because as far as a relaxing round, it is definitely a 4 or better. As for the challenge of the design, it is more like a 3 or less. I am giving it a 3.5 because it takes both into account.

As a side note, this time of year the leaves are horrible...even in the fairways of wooded holes. It would be nice if the parks department or a volunteer would take the initiative to use a blower and clear of the fairways of the wooded holes. There are only about 8 of these holes. Right now, discs can easily disappear in the fairway. I put this in the "other" section because it is obviously not a problem during the majority of the year. Today it was a big problem.

Overall, this course will definitely not disappoint if you are looking for a recreational round. It is also a very safe place to play in a metropolitan area (Memphis) where safe places are somewhat uncommon.

challenges every aspect of your game. wooded shots, big water holes, uphill, downhill, shots that must go left and right, and a few long holes that if you miss, you miss BIG. I love this course and play it often. concrete pads, multiple pin locations and great signage.

Some of the holes are par 4's and should only be 3's. it's very easy to score well on this course so if you've had a few bad rounds playing here will boast your failing confidence.

Before the addition of the nine new holes this course was almost a time-filler; someplace to go and practice and mess around between rounds at other longer 18-hole courses. The new holes have made all the difference in the world. You start at the west end of the park next to the restrooms and playground. Take this chance to fill up your water bottles at the fountain. You won't get another chance for 6 holes. The front 5 are all shorter wooded holes with holes 3&4 requiring L to R movement. Use bug spray during the summer or you will get carried off by mosquitoes. Number 6 is the hole that flies over the water. If your discs tend to hang and then fall sharply to the left watch out or you'll be swimming. Shorter no. 7 also takes you over the water but with a huge OB area all around the target. With the exception on no. 9 the next 6 are shortish woods shots. Keep your cool or you'll lose it during these technical holes. Nos. 14-18 are primarily long open shots. Bring your long arm for the 440ft no. 16 over the lake. All in all, this is great course with a little bit of everything. Definitely worth a visit if you're passing through.

There's not much to say negatively about this course. The mosquitoes are a pain but if you survive the first 5 you're ok. Also because the paths through the first 5 haven't been established thoroughly they tend to get real boggy after rains. Again, not a problem after the first 5. There's only 2 places to fill up your bottle and only 2 places to throw away trash. Watch out for unsuspecting pedestrians as they can become targets of errant discs.

This is a great course with tons of opportunity for great shots. If you feel you're not up for the long water holes there are shorter recreational tee pads so you don't have to chance losing discs. This course sees a fair amount of traffic so there's always a chance to play-in with a group.

Nice park, including public restrooms. Some good design (which I expect I'd appreciate more on a second playing). There is definitely a challenge here.

Wow, the poison ivy is terrible if you stray off the new wooded holes. There are 4 holes that play over the lakes in the park (and a few more that play very near them) so it's easy to lose a disc if you miss your shot. On top of that, there are signs posted indicating that nobody is allowed in the lakes. These were being ignored by several young men while I was playing. The course closely follows a walking/jogging trail that seems to get heavy use.

I was sad to lose a driver in the lake. I was amazed at the heavy ivy growth just off the narrow fairway (more like a path) in the woods. It's the ivy that made this course a 2.5 for me. I'll try it again in the winter months.

This course was recently expanded from 9 holes to 18 holes, and it was done right. Rather than tacking 9 more holes onto the existing layout, the course was totally revamped. It offers a mix of wooded holes, open holes, and plenty of shots with water in play. On the wooded holes, there is always an obvious route, and often an alternate route as well, so there is a element of challenge without being punishing. The tee signs are very informative as to distance, basket location, and also anything that might be OB or mando on that hole (such as Hole # 7 -- mando landing area). The course follows the terrain well and makes good use of elevation changes. At all holes either the tee sign or the basket (if not both) directed you to the next teepad.

Trash cans are spaced out quite a bit on the course, especially on the first few holes and when you get back into # 11 - # 16 or 17. There are not really any benches convenient to the tee pads at this time. You also need to keep an eye on walkers on the track and other park patrons to make sure they are aware you are about to throw.

This course used to be overlooked in favor of other courses in the area in terms of challenge. However, the designers seemed to take that into consideration with the changes, and have made a course that I will be visiting a lot more frequently now. There are some awesome views from several of the teepads (# 6 and # 16 in particular), and # 7 offers a unique challenge in terms of your drive. Anyone who gave up on this course needs to come back and play the new layout -- it is worth the time.

Challenges all aspects of game... Water holes, tight wooded holes, hyzer and anhyzer holes

loosing your disc in the water if your disc rolls down hills or from wind or bad throw

or ending up in thicket of woods if you griplock

this course has changed dramatically... I used to go to Johnson the 9 hole course only if I was bored at lunch cause it's close to work... Now I go out of my way to go to play at Johnson on the weekends and such...

One more note... Traffic on the course has increased dramatically since expansion... Also though, alot of people have no clue what the baskets are and will just walk over in front of them looking and touching on them while you're ripping a 200ft + drive right at their head... Don't neccessary expect them to duck when you yell "Fore" b/c they don't know they're on a frolf course...

convenient, nice area, quick, ace-able, birdies galore (I recorded my first ace on hole 2.... 145ft, bank off of a tree... nothing to write home about)

this course made me feel like i was hanging out at a high-class dog park that tolerates disc golfers on it's perimeter. the holes are ridiculously short, and 7 of 9 favor a Left-to-Right shot.

I played this today to get some energy out after the holidays. I got done and immediately went to my sister's house, got on this website, and got directions to Shelby Forest so I could go play a real course that I could get some satisfaction from. This course would be ok if you have limited time/light, or if you're taking a beginner/date... but for a decent disc golfer, expect disappointment.

Challenging short game. Mostly wooded. Great for practicing a right-handed fade as most holes 5 holes are slight dog-leg right. Nice area with nice people

9 holes and short. A large pond that comes into play on the last three holes.

Easy to navigate, well maintained, nice setting - backs a neighborhood of nice houses, plenty of people at the park but the course is not crowded

Pretty easy, too short

This is a great course to play after work or when you don't have much time. The course and park are clean and the scenery is nice. There's a lake and walking trail with plenty of people out when I was there. But me and another guy were the only one's playing the course. Good for beginners. Mostly played through trees but there are a few open areas.

Not very crowded and easy to navigate. Beginner friendly but will also challenge experienced player's short-game, fun course.

Only 9 holes.

For you intermediate to pro players, play it with two discs: your favorite approach disc and your putter - it's good practice.