(2.183 Rating) A spread-out small city park course.
- SIGNATURE HOLE - Hole (9) is killer. A chip shot ace run with a 6 foot wide needle line that's downhill 60 feet and across a creek. Normally I would unload my bag on a hole like this, but considering I smashed the chains on my first throw, I saw no need to continue. Obviously, my disc slammed into the base of the basket after hitting the chains squarely, and so it decided to politely wave to me while jumping out of the basket.
- TEES - Average 4 foot by 10 foot concrete tees on seven holes. Hole (9) is a 4 foot by foot pavered standing room only tee on the hill side. I'd say these measurements were adequate for the length of the course.
- SIGNAGE - Adequate HB tee signage. They have all the necessary info for this short course. The signage on (2) was missing on my play.
- COURSE MAP - Great course map at the beginning of the layout as well as a box with scorecards with map picture. Man I wish every course did this.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Not ideal, but still user friendly enough to have a vacation counterpart tag along in most circumstances. Completing a 12 mile hike up a mountain earlier in the day is apparently a disqualifier. The course difficulty is a tweener between Novice and Recreational level.
- QUICK PLAY - My wife was happy I bagged this one solo in only 30 minutes. Figure 45 minutes for a two-some and an hour for a four-some.

A couple of design complaints and 9 holer inadequacies.
- DESIGN - Hole (2) is ridicules. Sure it's a 304 foot par 4, but my gosh, absolutely no line. I ran up the fairway on (2) a good 100 feet as I could not define a line from tee. Then I shook my head all the way back to the tee and then blindly rolled the dice down a small lane in hopes to run it at least 150 feet. My resultant approach had views of the basket peaking threw the trees but with no line to realistically get it within 30 feet without some luck. Hole (8) is another quasi-poke and hope line for the last 75 feet. This one is just a right-hand hzyer chucked 200 feet and then praying is makes one of the many 2 foot gaps for the remaining distance. Other than hole (9), the rest of the holes aren't anything to write home about, design speaking.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Advanced players will be extremely underwhelmed by this course. 6 holes are under 250 feet in length and three of these are under 200 feet. Hole (2) and (8) offer a little challenge to par as there is no logical line to the basket, but even with these two holes, the course only offers lower recreational challenges at best.
- MULTI USE HAZARDS - I've seen much worse, but other park amenities are in fringe play on several holes. Hole (7) was probably the worst offender which tees off a park sidewalk and then runs along another path. Holes (3) and (4) also have a walking paths in play.
- DISCONTINUITY - I've never jumped around so much on a short course. Really not much the designer could have done here. The usable spaces to put in holes are pretty spread out in this small park.
- CHARACTER - A touch below average. As noted in the pros, average tees and nice signage. There is also a shelter and practice basket nearby tee (1). The baskets are average MachVs. As for things gravely needed, seating. I think there was perhaps one or two picnic tables commandeered and placed near a tee box. Other missing items include alternate pin placements and multiple tee pads.
- TERRAIN - Hole (9) is borderline terrifying to traverse. I started down with to much pace and was forced into a run to keep my balance and nearly wiped it at the base of the hill. This course is not cart friendly just because of this hole.

A reasonable 9 holer in a small town. This course is far from being a destination location, but the town of Gatlinburg definitely is. Every dedicated bagger with a family needs to plan a trip here as it will keep the family happy and the addiction filled.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - There are some amazingly beautiful throws on this course that are mixed in with some duds. Holes (2), (8) and (9) are all aesthetically well above average. However holes (3), (4) and (7) bring my score well back with all the manmade structures in view. Hole (7) has a burned out building on the left side. This I would assume is from the raging fires that sweep threw in November of 2016.
- UNIQUENESS - Not to bad for a niner, but overall average. There are no doubt some good elevation changes on a couple shots, but I was expecting this considering the area. Basically all par 3s except for the poke and hope 305 foot par 4 on (2). Water makes a fringe appearance on (9) and shots break both ways. What's missing here most is an opportunity to rip it. I was throwing mids or less on almost every tee and I'm not a big arm.
- NAVIGATION - Don't be an idiot like me and forget to grab a scorecard. I only took a picture of the posted course map and I was constantly looking at it. Even with the this, I still lost my bearings once. Navigation on this course is not easy without them. The tee signage on (2) is missing. There's a huge course flow gap between (2) and (3) and also (6) and (7). There is no dedicated tee pad on (7) and I personally had a tough time discerning where to throw to, even with the tee signage. The course also doesn't loop back to the parking area, so once finished, it's a 1,000 foot walk back.

Mills Park features a beginner friendly, 2100' foot, nine hole course in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. A kiosk with info, scorecards, and a course map are all available. Speaking of the course map, it won't hurt to grab one on your first visit. A practice basket for a quick brush up on putting is also a nice touch. A pavilion with picnic tables and clean bathrooms are right at hole one as well. Mach 5 baskets, concrete tees, and tee signs round out the amenities. Overall this is a sufficiently stocked course for a small city park facility.

There is thoughtful use of the topography as you'll find both uphill and downhill shots along with hole eight's valley shot. You'll also find some sweeping left and right shots with a couple pronounced doglegs as well. Overall, for the intention of the course, the design certainly serves it purpose well.

Hole nine I guess is what you'd consider the "signature" hole as it's a fun downhill shot that will lure you into emptying you bag. It was a great way to finish the round.

You'll find yourself playing throughout a multi-use park so sharing some of the real estate is to be expected during busy times.

I thought number two was a bad hole. And par 4? Just because there is no legitimate line to the basket doesn't legitimize a par 4 on a 305' hole. Can you get through to the basket? Sure, but I seriously believe if I took 10 shots with my eyes open, and 10 with my eyes closed, we'd find similar results. Of course, to be fair, locals can probably find a sweet spot and send a repeatable shot with better percentages.

On some of the other holes, low hanging branches gave me the feeling I was taking a recovery shot out of the rough rather than a clean tee shot. Some careful pruning could help open up the course to what was probably the designer's original intention for the holes. The consolation is that it will add some challenge to the shorter holes.

There are couple long walks adding to some confusion as far as layout goes. It's finished off by the long walk from hole nine to the parking lot that was more frustrating than arduous.

Like some other reviewers, I couldn't help being somewhat disappointed. There were some fun shots here but overall, I had hoped for more. It wasn't terrible but hoped that with the terrain in the area that I'd find nine really fun holes. Instead, I found some basic disc golf in a crowded park. With that said, and despite what it may sound like, I am not dogging the course. It's actually a decent little course. Again, I had just expected more.

I would certainly recommend the course for those on track to add as many courses to the played list as possible. It will also satisfy your disc golf itch if you are in the area vacationing and need a break from reality!

It was just a short, average 9 hole course. The baskets were in good shape and there was some signage.

I really enjoyed the last hole which is definitely the steepest elevation change I've ever seen. It's a straight down throw that I out drove the basket with my putter, but it is definitely a unique hole that I have only played similarly at one other locale (White Oak Park).

Offers a little bit of scenery if you climb the stairs at tee 7. Literally a picture perfect shot of the mountains there if the school wasn't in ther way.

Concrete tee pads on all but one hole. Nice course map at first tee.

Not quite what it sounds like. There were 2 other nearby courses for tourists to tryout for a quick round, but I specifically chose this one because it was called "Park DGC" and the others had school and church in the titles. This one is literally fashioned around Gatlinburg High Schools athletic facilities. There's not a problem with school DGC's, but it usually means the course design isn't the best as it has to be designed around existing facilities. That's mostly how this is. It starts at the park but only 2 holes are off the school campus. Most are generic holes, straight or an occasional dog leg.

The course isn't terrible. Just bland in a locale that would thinkably have excellent geographic potential. Other than hole 9, it was very bland.

Also missing signage on hole 2 so just look for the tee pad.

It's opposite for hole 7 as there is a sign but no tee pad so you just throw from the sidewalk.

If you are just craving a quick round on your vacation, then you can get a quick 30-45 round in. But, this course isn't anything spectacular and a little out of the way for simply average especially if you're staying in Pigeon Forge (About 20-30 minutes depending on traffic). Will be trying other area courses soon.

- Excellent use of land available within a nice and tidy multiuse park.
- Each hole on its own is well thought out design.
- Very clean and mowed fairways.
- Senic. Cannot stress this enough just how pretty the views are all around the course.
- Well constructed tee pads. #9 is teeny tiny but good grief if you need a run up on that hole you fail at disc golf.
- Baskets are all in great shape and properly installed.
- Some well thought out risk/reward here. #3 is a good example of this especially if you play the OB. To the left is a tight OB line and to the right some nightmare shule.
- I think #8 is the signature hole on this course. Finding the right line to get up to the basket was really tough and I liked the challenge. #9 could arguably be the signature hole as well with its stupid short length and HUGE elevation change from tee to basket.
- The tee signs are beautiful. Some of the best I've ever seen. Unfortunately, the #2 sign is gone. I really like the clear indication of OB.

- No benches. Seriously needed here.
- Not all the distances looked correct to me. #4 says it's ~220 and I think it's closer to 280.
- #9 is a fantastic hole but that walk down the fairway is dicey at best. Either some steps need to be installed or something of that nature. If someone takes a header here that could be a nasty fall.
- #2 is a serious 'poke-n-hope' fairway with no real defined line. Also didn't care for how close this hole played to the cemetary.
- I haven't seen walks this long between holes since I played Andrews U in Berrien Springs, MI. #2 to #3 isn't terrible but goes around a football field. The real kicker is going from #9 to #1. This is the second longest walk I've ever seen between holes behind #13 to #14 at Andrews. Is there anything the course designer could have done differently? Nope. Is it still going to affect my score? Yep.
- I probably wouldn't mind the long walks so much had it been for better navigational aids. The tee signs did always indicate which way to walk to the next tee but that's not enough IMHO in a place like this. With that said, bring a map or bring a smart phone with this map loaded up or you will get lost. I don't care how well that map at tee one is memorized it just isn't going to help until you're out on the course.
- Not a real big fan of playing so close to walkways. Just isn't safe and #3 is a little too close to the football field for my comfort.

Don't let my review discourage you from playing this course. It's pretty good in it's own right. In a vacuum, I'd say that every hole here is good in it's own right but when put together in this lay out it just isn't great.

I do see the course designer here working the land as best as possible and frankly I'm not sure what could be done differently to make it better. If you're in the area and are jones'in to play some DG hit this place up it will not be a waste of your time.

The positives on this course after the 2021 redesign are that it is still on that same gorgeous property that Mills Park DGC has always been on so you still get to experience the Great Smoky Mountains while throwing discs. This is obviously a huge plus. Another plus is that with there being a "short and long" basket on each hole, you can pick whichever layout you want to play, or even throw two off the tee to play both layouts in one loop.

Old Hole 3 is now Hole 7. Old Hole 4 is now Hole 8. I do like the fact that these 2 original holes are still in play, however now you have to walk behind Hole 8's basket (that players could be throwing towards) to get to Hole 7's tee. Even if you never played the original layout here you would be able to notice that this is a flow of play issue. In addition to this, possibly the most fun hole on the og layout (Hole 9) which was practically a jump putt of the tee with a huge elevation drop and basket on the other side of a creek, is gone. This is a hole that everyone around the area knew and loved. This was just super fun and short shot that made you want to empty your bag on ace runs and it definitely kept this course in your mind after you left. I will forever miss this hole. From what I have heard, this hole was taken out due to safety concerns because of how steep the hill was. However, you still have to walk that hill because Hole 9 now plays up the hill instead of down it. This is silly. In my opinion, there are now more safety concerns on the course than there ever was due there being 18 baskets tightly packed in such a small area. Not only do we have the issues I mentioned with Holes 7 and 8, now Hole 1's "long pin" plays directly towards Hole 2's tee pad. Furthermore, after you finish your round on Hole 9, you now have to walk directly up and through Hole 2's fairway to get back to where you started the course. If safety was the reason for some of the course being changed, the mark was missed.

This review hurts to write. Mills Park DGC in Gatlinburg, TN has always been one of my favorite short little 9 hole courses to play in East Tennessee. I first played the course possibly close to 8-10 years ago and have tried my best to get back to the course at least once per year since then. It was never a big long challenging course, rather more of a short just absolutely fun little layout to play. Just straight up fun! In 2021, Mills Park DGC had a course redesign and for me, it absolutely ruined the course. Two of the original holes are still in play but are now different numbers on the course. Old Hole 3 is now Hole 7. Old Hole 4 is now Hole 8. I do like the fact that these 2 original holes are still in play, however now you have to walk behind Hole 8's basket (that players could be throwing towards) to get to Hole 7's tee. Even if you never played the original layout here you would be able to notice that this is a flow of play issue. In addition to this, possibly the most fun hole on the og layout (Hole 9) which was practically a jump putt of the tee with a huge elevation drop and basket on the other side of a creek, is gone. This is a hole that everyone around the area knew and loved. This was just super fun and short shot that made you want to empty your bag on ace runs and it definitely kept this course in your mind after you left. I will forever miss this hole. From what I have heard, this hole was taken out due to safety concerns because of how steep the hill was. However, you still have to walk that hill because Hole 9 now plays up the hill instead of down it. This is silly. In my opinion, there are now more safety concerns on the course than there ever was due there being 18 baskets tightly packed in such a small area. Not only do we have the issues I mentioned with Holes 7 and 8, now Hole 1's "long pin" plays directly towards Hole 2's tee pad. Furthermore, after you finish your round on Hole 9, you now have to walk directly up and through Hole 2's fairway to get back to where you started the course. If safety was the reason for some of the course being changed, the mark was missed. The positives on this course are that it is still on that same gorgeous property that Mills Park DGC has always been on so you still get to experience the Great Smoky Mountains while throwing discs. This is obviously a huge plus. Another plus is that with there being a "short and long" basket on each hole, you can pick whichever layout you want to play, or even throw two off the tee to play both layouts in one loop. In short, if you have played this course before, please forget everything you know about it and think of it as a brand new course that was just put in. That is pretty much the only way you are going to enjoy this course. This short, fun little near-annual trip for me will no longer happen. If I am ever in the area and have free time and absolutely need a disc golf fix, I will play it again. But I will likely never travel to specifically play this course again. This hurts to say. If you want to see this new layout on video, check out the videos below where I feature both the Short Pins and Long Pins.

Short Pins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi8qYIv_ao8
Long Pins: https://www.youtube.com/watch...TA&t=199s

Check out this playlist to see both the OG Layout and both of the new layouts: https://www.youtube.com/playl...k_aeHAq8MIVbX

It was close to town and clean.
Baskets were in good shape.
tees were nice and longer than normal
a great course for children or begginers.

Very short course
not a good flow
signage wasn't very good

It's not a bad course just probably the best that could have been done with the amount of land they were given. I'm not sure i'd play it again.

-short drive from gatlinburg
-on the trolley line
-fun elevation changes
-clean facilities
-nice family picnic area with large playground for kids
-horseshoe pits -- just sayin'

-very short course
-long/confusing distance from holes 2 - 3 (TAKE MAP)
-course doesn't finish remotely close to where it starts.
-although a fun hole, number 9 is a very steep drop to get to the basket.

-It's the perfect place to get away from the sensory overload that is Gatlinburg.
-I played early evening during a July heat wave. tons of pesky gnats buzzing around.
-My family and I were the only people in the park.

This is a fun 9 hole course that is well maintained in a nice park about 5 miles outside of downtown Gatlinburg. There is a good a variety of holes- each hole is unique from the other eight holes. And hole #9 is an especially memorable finishing hole. There is some elevation involved, but it is well used and not noticeable when walking.

The teepads, baskets, and signs are all in excellent shape. There is a big course map on the kiosk by hole 1. There are nice restrooms and a picnic pavilion near hole #1.

This course would be excellent for beginners and/or families. Experienced players can enjoy working on the short game and should have several opportunities for birdies and aces.

The course is very scenic as it is located in the Smoky Mountains. Views of the mountains can be seen behind tee #1. It is nice to have a course nearby if you happen to be vacationing in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as the course is just a short drive from all these places.

The holes are spread throughout the park making a little extra walk between #2 and #3 and from #9 back to #1. This course is pretty short and not too challenging for experienced players.

Overall this a decent, fun little 9-hole course. The only water is a ditch on #9, not a disc eating hazard. Be sure to print off a copy of the map or really study the one on the kiosk to navigate the long walks between holes.

It is great to have a course nearby if you are vacationing in the area (which is a popular spot for people of ages to come all year round.) Definitely check it out if you are in the area. However, I would not drive out of the way to play it. It is a good ways off the interstate and the drive through all the traffic lights of Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg can take a long time. (It will take you much longer to get here than it will to play it one time!)

Be sure to follow the directions on this site (my GPS took me to wrong spot.) The course is a few miles out of town past all the touristy stuff.

Only disc course in the general area so its what you will have to play if you're near there.

The signs were well made and very clear. The park sign at the entrance contains the map of the course, which you'll need in order to find a few holes.

For what they had to work with, the park utilizes the available shots well. You won't have an awful time when you play.

The tee pads are concrete and were in great shape.

Hole number 9 is actually pretty cool, with a 45ft elevation drop down the hill and over a small creek. This is my only real takeaway from my round at Mills Park.

Only two wooded holes and most are wide open with a couple of trees around. All holes are pretty short (too short) however a couple of shots are pretty technical. You won't really be challenged to make shots.

Some navigation issues partly due to my lack of acknowledgement of the signs. Too much distance between holes 2 and 3. Be sure you have a map.

Don't get me wrong, the scenery is great and the park utilizes the space well, however it just felt lacking. Too many putter/midrange holes to be taken seriously.

I'd recommend playing it only as something to do while in the area (As if you needed anything else). Don't drive too far to play Mills Park.