- Shot & Selection: There's a reason this "Pro" is listed first, you will absolutely use every disc in your bag and throw every type of shot in your arsenal. From the technical challenge that comes with the front 9 to the big time drives and approaches needed on the back 9, this course will challenge all players by making you think through each and every throw.

- Practice Basket & Warm-up Area: Just beside of the parking lot is a putting basket and three turf tee boxes to practice your driving towards a basket target. Kind of a warmup hole before you get going! This was formerly hole #1 before the course was redesigned, so definitely a nice way to get in the zone before your round.

- Terrain: In and around the trees of the front 9, there is very little underlying brush that can eat stray discs. For the back 9, although the fairways may be more open, there are deep clumps of trees and brush to steal your disc if you manage to find yourself off the fairway.

- Tee Boxes: Clean artificial turf tee boxes designed well with surrounding rocks. Plenty of tee space, benches nearby, with no intruding or obstructing branches.

- Signage: You know exactly what signage you're getting with a Daniel Boutte course, colorful and accurate signs at every tee box displaying multiple distances and all the par information.

- Baskets: There are two baskets to every hole with new Prodigy baskets. Any bit of variety to a course is a plus for me!

- Hole Length: As you can find on the course page, speaking of variety, there's plenty of standard deviation when it comes to hole length at the Claytons. Holes can be anywhere from 230 feet on the short baskets up to as far as 725 feet headed to long baskets. Again, you'll be using every disc in your bag here!

- Aesthetic: Whether you're seeing all of the trees inside the front 9 or the wide open views of the back 9, there are many picturesque moments to be had at The Claytons.

- Challenge: One question that I often ask myself when doing these reviews is, "Did this course make me any better?" At The Claytons, I believe the answer to that question is a resounding, "Yes," regardless of your skill level coming in.

- Crowd: With this being such a top-tier course right smack between Knoxville and Maryville, you're going to get a bit of a crowd. There have been a couple instances where my group had to let a few smaller groups play through on different occasions throughout, so avoid peak hours to the best of your ability.

- Distance: Right in line with other reviews, The Claytons is a hike, the back 9 especially. I would not advise bringing smaller children with you to the course. Bring your most comfortable shoes and plenty of water, because all things considered you'll be walking and playing through a couple miles.

- Difficulty (esp. for Beginners): Don't let yourself get frustrated. Every disc golfer has their strengths and weaknesses, and unfortunately The Claytons will find your weakness and bring it out. Although this course will challenge every golfer, beginner-level players may find it a little too difficult.

I'll be honest, I had to scroll through other reviews to try and find more "cons" for The Claytons. I'm not sure why I waited so long to review this course, but maybe I just wanted to build the best review possible because The Claytons is undoubtedly one of, if not the best, courses in the greater Knoxville area. Truly, there isn't much holding this course back from being a 5. Another tee box would add even more variety and fun to this course. Additionally, during all of my rounds in 2020 there was some light construction on the back 9, but only truly impacts play on hole 11. Needless to say, if you're driving nearby and there is only one course you have the chance to play, I highly recommend The Claytons.

* Great mix of shots
* Awesome layout
* Long and Short Tees/Baskets
* Nice Prodigy Baskets

* Front 9 still closed
* Some long walks

One of my TN favorites! Anytime that I am in the area, I will definitely stop!

This course provides a lot of variety. The first half is within the woods for the most part. Lots of elevation changes and interesting basket locations. The second half consists of long distances in the open. Both my wife and I enjoyed the course immensely. She is a newer player and still did pretty well.

The elevation changes and natural walking paths can put a bit of wear and tear on your knees and lower back. If there has been any snow or rain recently, be careful of the slippery mud or you could easily twist an ankle or go for a tumble.

The course was covered in a few inches of snow when we played. It was still very beautiful and an enjoyable time. The course is well marked and you can tell it is maintained and taken care of. I highly recommend playing this course if you're in the area.

The Claytons has two sets of permanent baskets on every hole, short are coated blue, and long in green. Most tees are covered with the artificial turf, which I like a lot. A couple were concrete, also good. All tees had illustrated signs, and additional signage directing on longer transitions between holes.

Converging 9's on opposite sides of a corporate campus that is well suited for the sport. Very well designed, and nicely maintained. Clean and visually pleasing. Major props all around to the all involved.

Front and back nine contrast in respect to amount of trees, but the water, elevation, and fair but challenging layout continues throughout. I would describe the blue, short layout as difficult, yet fun and fair. I could imagine the green has to be frustrating at times, maybe even for the best of the best. All holes are good, most are really fun, and 18 is epic. One of the great finishing holes you will see, in my opinion.

There are physically demanding portions, and long walks between the front and back halves of the course, and in between holes at points. Maybe too hard for some of the youngsters or beginners. Parts of the back 9 are wide open, even when long or with elevation, not quite as fun as more wooded front nine to me.

The Claytons is kind of 2 courses in one. The question you need to ask yourself is how tough are you?

Initially I didn't recognize there were 2 targets on each hole, and set my aim on the first basket I saw. Decent drive, missed putt, comeback for par. After pulling my disc from the blue target and moving toward hole 2, the green target comes into sight. Since there was local doubles action starting soon, I just decided to go with it. This was a happy coincidence because those green targets are not for wimps! I ended up being happy not tacking on anymore distance.

Alcoa was starting to get cold, and I arrived earlier than is normal for me, about 5 untill 9 AM. This was old school waiting for the bus in the morning cold. I was surprised to find out there were 4 groups that beat me out there. With the gathering of players building for doubles, it was evident that this course sees a lot of traffic, and with very good reason. It is a great, fairly long course using the blue pins, and if you're feeling randy, plays much longer to the green pins, and strategically there are changes also.

I had the incredible fortune to get three nice throws in front of an audience of strangers at the park that day. The first one came as I approached two pairs of guys playing separately, both allowing me to play through on hole 3. I tossed a Vibram mid range disc, and gave it a legit run at the chains, on a steeply downhill and heavily wooded fairway. A friend gave me that disc, and I kind of really like it. Felt great to convert on the putt for a birdie to cap it off, too.

The second nice throw was past a dude just walking the course to make sure everything was in order for league play. Hole 6 is where I caught up with him I think. Nice, fairly flat, left to right through well cut fairway in heavy woods. A good RHBH anny, well placed but not spectacular. He says "that is just how you want to play it." This hole the blue is on a longer pole, and the only shot was a conservative approach to get a close lie and easy par putt.

Third one, and the most awesome, was on hole 18. It is at the crest of a tall hill, bare of trees until you reach the bottom, next to a healthy running creek that is lined with tall trees. From the tee you are almost level with the tops of those trees, and they are a good 250-300' from the tee to clear it all. A guy was playing solo in front of me on the last 4 or 5 holes, and he didn't make it quite to the other side. I crushed a magnificent drive as he was heading over the river and through the woods to look for his plastic.

It was listed as 412' to the blue on DGCR app, and I got about 395' or so with help from the massive downhill elevation change and making a great flex shot. It was the ideal line, center of the gap, and just enough snap to reach the base of the hill that sits mostly behind the short pin, rising to the parking lot. I passed the guy, kind feeling bad for going around, but mostly stoked on the killer throw, and a little tense about making the putt. Luckily, I converted that one for a birdie also. The same dude was returning to his vehicle as I was driving out, and gave a nod as we passed. He was a witness. He thought it was pretty cool, too, I think.

Favorite holes were 3, and 18. I would like to check out the green layout at least once. This was the first of 3 courses in the Eastern end of Tennessee that I played that day. All were amazing, and the mountains are beautiful. If you have not been there, you should check it out. It will not be a disappointment, I promise.

Between the blue and green baskets combined with the open and wooded holes, there are sure to be at least a few holes to please everyone and the rest will be well liked. Fantastic tee pads, variety of elevation changes, and great basket locations makes this a fantastic course. I'm just a beginner playing about 6 months with a typical throw being in the 150'-170' range and I had a blast make a few pars and even a birdie to keep the excitement level up.

Going from 9 -> 10 and 11 ->12 was a bit confusing the first time around. Directional arrows hanging from the baskets on those two would be nice.

Would be nice if a link was made to the local DG group. My schedule was wide open during the week so could have changed when I played to meet up with someone. If a link was available, it may have been possible to join up with someone. This is true for anyone who is traveling.

I'll be back as this was one of the best courses I've played to date.

Great turf tee pads. Beautiful wooded front nine. Beautiful wide open back nine. The baskets are like new. Nice that the short and long baskets are different colors. Grassy areas are very well maintained.

No arrows to next tee pads, although it is pretty intuitive. After finishing number 9, had difficulty finding number 10.

A beautiful and challenging course. Had a great time.

What a gem. Short and long tees and short and long baskets. Tees were big enough, baskets were color coordinated and easy to see. Whoever laid this out knew what the were doing, great design. I have not thrown all the courses in this area but this one is the best that I have thrown. I highly recommend it. I think it's newer but the fairways were nice.

Not much I didn't like but I will say if possible have a guide. I was able to throw with some locals but a couple of holes have long walks. Be careful on the one hole by the parking lot.

Be respectful, this course is right beside a large corporation and you share the back half with the employees who walk the walking paths. Wait for them, smile and be polite. Pick up your trash.

Each hole has a short distance basket and a long distance basket making the course great for veterans or beginners . The baskets are color coded making the easy to see and identify. There are nice benches at each hole in case you need to sit down. Tee pads are permanent and most have carpeting. Well laid out with a variety of shots available. Plenty of parking available.

The course is a little confusing the first time playing.

The kiosk is nice and has a large map of the course but it would be eb great if there were small course maps available that you could take with you.
This course was very busy when we played, however, everyone we spoke to was very nice.
There were several discarded food and beverage containers around the course. Hopefully, this does not become a problem.

Amazing course layout, two nice permanent Prodigy baskets on each hole, varied hole types, the nicest tee pads I have ever seen

Not 100% finished, still some trees to take down on the front. The back 9 could use a bit more work, just aesthetics.

As I said, the only problem I had with this course was that it wasn't 100% polished yet. With a bit more time and work, this will be one of the top courses in the country. It's a must-play if possible.