Pros:
Shotwell is an exceptional backyard course on only 3.5 acres that disc golf enthusiasts will enjoy and homegrown course aficionados will savor. Mike is a tremendous host and couldn't be more generous with his time and sharing this course with rando degenerate course baggers like me. I traded emails with him, we figured out a time that worked for me to play, then he joined me and even gave me a beer. As fun as the course was, the overall DG experience was even better!
+ Far and away the most amazing pro of Shotwell is how much course is packed into a tiny amount of space. On 3.5 acres, you're not expecting any "full pull" holes, but there are. There are some sub-200-foot holes too, of course, but some of these are the trickiest holes on the course. Mike did a great job with the design. It's tough, technical, fair, and fun.
+ Elevation and death putts! Another big surprise for me. Mike's backyard slopes down to a small creek. The topography reminded me of the old R.L. Smith in Charlotte and Rockness Monster in Roxboro. Steep! And of course Mike took advantage of that topography by strategically perching baskets on top of hills and ridgelines with big-time roll-away potential. More courses should have risk/reward elements on the putting green. Designers: come to Shotwell to see how it's done.
+ Another characteristic of the design I really appreciate is the use of "common sense" OB: the driveway, garden areas, and the property line of the houses next door. Everything is marked so you can easily see it and it's pretty intuitive.
+ One feature that makes homegrown courses unique is how the owners/designers use a theme or add fun aesthetic elements to the property. Mike added some of the most memorable homegrown features I've seen. For one, he's added full-color hole layout signs at each hole -- something you'd only expect to see on a nice, public course. He also has Next Tee signs after each hole (not that you'd get lost, since most likely Mike would be taking the time to play with you and personally showing you around). There are two layouts: Orange (because Mike's wife is an avid Tennessee Vol) and gray. The Next Tee signs are colored to reflect the layout. But my favorite "just for fun" feature is the amazing directional sign at the Hole 1 tee box, pointing to the dozen or so amazing homegrown courses around the Southeast (all courses Mike has played and used as inspiration in his own course). Think of one of those signs with lots of arrow signs pointing to different cities across the country or around the world...but replace cities with DG courses. I've bagged or *will* bag (one day, God willing) all the courses on these arrows: Blackjack, Brackett's Bluff, Deep Creek Dreams, Harmon Hills, Hawk Hollow, Legacy Trails, Runaway Rocks, Tar River, The Blockhouse, The Country Course, and Unity Farm. I loved this. Also at the first tee, there is a logbook you can sign and a list of records for each layout, singles and doubles play.
+ There's a lot of variety here. You'll need a good flick and a thumber in your arsenal to score well.
+ All of the tee areas are of the homegrown variety: repurposed wood (level), carpet, flattened out natural areas. I'm sure some of these get pretty slick and treacherous in the rain. (Mike confirmed that.) Solution: don't play it after it rains.
+ The property is backed up to a larger natural area -- with the same hilly topography in Mike's backyard (steeper, in fact). Future plans for the course are to (hopefully) obtain that land and expand the course in a larger footprint. Fingers crossed that this happens one day!
Cons:
The only cons to speak of are due to the limited space available. I can't imagine getting anything more out of this property than Mike was able to design and execute.
- There are 18 unique holes (times 2 layouts), but playing only to 10 baskets. It can be a little confusing. But again, that's why Mike offers to play with you! And I think if I had to rely on the signage, I would've been fine. Not a huge con, just the reality of laying out a full course in a small area.
- The baskets are decent, but all single-chain (adding even more to the putting challenge on this course).
- I worried about hitting the house and cars on a few holes, but managed to keep it clean. The layout is great and mostly avoids dangers like this. Just be aware and respect the property.
Other Thoughts:
Awesome course! Be respectful of Mike's time and the effort he's put into this course. Make plans with him if you want to play it. He'll make it happen. Super cool guy and a course to match him.