Pros:
Sharp Springs Park is a multi use park that has a 20 , er 18 hole disc golf course in the back . It sits far enough enough from everything that you may only encounter a walker with or without a dog that has strayed off course . There are bathrooms at the park , but I don't recall seeing any near the course . There is plenty of parking in the lot .
The Equipment : There are 2 practice baskets onsite . One further away to practice approach or drives . There is a large kiosk with a map at the front of the lot . Look at the closest woods behind you .. That little entrance way is to hole one . The tee pads are plenty large , maybe 5' X 10' and flush with the ground . Signage is first rate , Hole# , par , pin position in most circumstances , distances in those positions , and color flight path in a frame . Classy . The baskets are also first rate . Multi chained deep bucket orange Discatchers . There are plenty of Next Tee signs to keep you on the right track . I only had 1 small problem and that was transitioning from 5 to 6 . There is an occasional wall you will have to throw over to an elevated tee ( Ex. #1 ) and there is a 3A and a 9A that completes the 20 holes . They have their own fairway and basket . You probably will skip 1 or the other and play just 18 .I don't know why they don't mention this on the course page in DGR , but this course has multiple tees that can make a world of difference in your score .
The Landscape : Not much in the elevation department . A few grades here and there . Even though it is a straight across throw , the gully shot at 9 could be counted as a lot of elevation . The rest if flat or lightly slops . Good use of the trees here . Some woods holes and some semi woods ( going in late or coming out early type holes ) . The course is very clean and trimmed , at least when I was there . I will mention #9 in my highlights .
The Highlights . There is something good to pick out in most every hole . #1 . What a starter hole ! A tunnel shot that will eventually break left to right , down a gully , then up to a basket with a nice man made wall in front of it and a big tree on it;s side . #8 was a nice downhill midrange shot with the fairway littered with trees . #12 is a hole like #1 Seven Oaks . . It has a big grouping of trees and brush in the middle but wide open other than it . You can pick going left or right here .
#13 The basket you see in front of you on the other side of the fence is a Mach style practice basket . An open drive to a tunnel where you have to shot shape left to right . The basket is in the open after you clear the tunnel by a hundred feet or more . I didn't play it , but I can't get #3 out of my mind . It is a 390' hole over water to a basket just beyond . You have to bring it in a little right to left . About 340-350' of it is the water carry . I would have to rent a rowboat to get close enough to carry this hole ( don't ruin your day and lose a disc . This is one of the toughest water carries I have ever seen ) #18 Is a nice finishing hole . 327' and a left to right drive ending in the woods . There is a lot of variety here . Not every hole is a challenge , but the park is nice and spots are here for you to air out a drive .
Signature Hole : #9 . a short gully shot over some water at the bottom , you have to clear a wall of a rock formation to a small green that looks like the rocks were set around it . This is what I call a Postcard hole . Worthy of taking a picture and keeping it . It would get voted for the most picturesque hole in Tennessee .
Time : It took me a little over 75 minutes to play here , but it was time well spent . A foursome will be here for at least 2 1/2 hours or more .
I was considering walking this course after I played it , but I ran out of time .
This course was a lot of fun playing . If it was within an hour of where I lived or worked , I would play it every other week .
Cons:
#1 The Rough : The thick grass and plants here will eat your discs alive . I saw a foursome on hole #4 griping to one about not following his disc into the rough . It is out of control by design in spots , but it will ruin someone's day by taking a prized driver .
If you miss the short wall on #9 , or you clip a tree on your drive , you could wind up in the water below . Same with losing a disc on the long water carry on #3 .
Disc Risk . Moderate to high . I saw too many players digging into the rough or the trees to find a slightly offline drive
Landscape/Challenge . Not a con because there looked to be nowhere in the park to have a hill or 2 , but this course is very flat by Tennessee standards . Part of that contributes to a lack of challenge for better players . I shot even here for my first time and some of the pins were in the back position . No par 4's or 5's to crush your spirit or bear down for a series of holes. .
The flatness and fairways may combine for a wet course after a good rain . You might want to throw a pair of waterproof boots in your trunk before coming .
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Other Thoughts:
Good design . Lots of variety here . There are not a whole lot of courses that give satisfaction pretty much the whole way . This could be one of them . I liked the fact that water was taken out of the picture for the newbies . This course can cater to all . Woods holes , open bombers ( #4 , #7, #13 ) without being ridiculous , Postcard holes , fun holes . The course shares right and left breaking holes , tunnel shots . You might empty most of your bag playing Sharp Springs .
The course is very popular . I passed no less than 4 groups and was passed myself by a lone local . Everyone was nice and some even told me it was their favorite course . I can see that . Nice scenic course that isn't going to tear up your legs by climbing up and going down steep hills , attainable pars with a birdie chances here and there . Multiple pin positions ( not sure how often baskets change . Forgot to ask a local ) .
My Recommendation : This course is just too fun to pass up . Short enough for the newbies , 1 disc'er , locals . Just enough length and challenge that intermediates and ams will like it . Pros might get a kick out of shot shaping some of the holes . They can step a few paces back for more length . Close enough to Nashville and I-24 to make it a worthwhile side trip ( flat and easy on the legs , even though it isn't a fast play ) and a course collectible for the Course Collector ( grab both Cane Ridge courses that are only 9 miles away ) . Sharp Springs's course doesn't make a lot of noise , but it should . PLAY IT !!!!