A strange mix of good holes and putting runs.

-Amenities: Basics are there. Pretty good tee signs with personality, concrete tees, decent baskets.

-Elevation: Some serious hills to be played on, as makes sense for a "Highlands" community college. (1) and (2) are both substantially downhill runs, (9) is a sharp uphill, and (8) benefits from the use of sidehill.

-Setting Expectations: Hole (1) is one of my favorite starting holes I've played. Almost 400 feet, it probably drops by at least 50 feet as it gently hyzers into a gentle stand of trees. Really fun.

-Other Noteworthy Shots: I also thought (2), (6), and (8) were good holes that used elevation and trees to great effect. The baskets are also often situated so as to create tough putting decisions.

-Navigation: Pretty straightforward other than the (7) to (8) transition. The next tee is readily apparent.

-Disc Loss: Low probability. There are plenty of trees used, but nothing that will obscure an errant shot too much.

The quality of holes varies widely.

-Dinky Holes: After two holes I thought I might be playing a brilliant 9er. Then, hole (3) appeared at under 150 feet, practically a jump putt. Holes (4) and (7) were similarly disappointing.

-Meh Holes: The remaining holes (5) and (9) were okay but boring, stock 9ers.

-Walks: The walk from (7) to (8) is long and uphill. Not a pleasant interruption. Similarly, after (9) it'll be a steeply uphill climb to return to the parking lot. Be ready for lots of trudging on steep terrain.

-Rough: Hole (2) has some seriously thick rough to the left. I underestimated the amount of power I'd need to clear it and took a very thorny bogey.

VHCC has a perfectly pleasant nine holes here. (1) is spectacular, and (6) and (8) are stimulating as well. Unfortunately, the course designer tarnished these holes with boring putter runs. The result is a pretty typical nine holer, which based on my experience lands it a solid Reasonable.

The course at VHCC is a beautiful 9 hole course, set on what seems to be a nice campus in the quiet Virginia town of Abingdon. I came here during non-school hours, and there were no students, so I had the course mostly to myself.

To start, the tee pads are nice, concrete pads, allowing for full throws on the longer holes, and a controlled stance. The tee signs are beautiful and very descriptive. I really wish they were the standard for all courses.

There were a few fantastic holes, such as hole one, a 375 foot valley shot playing into some pine trees, or hole 8, another valley drive playing for a lefty hyzer down into the hillside.

The course loops back to the parking lot after nine, and sets up for a quick round or two whenever you are able.

There are a couple short ace runs, during my two rounds of nine, with two player, (so 36 drives), we had three metal hits, plus a cubby ace.

While there are a few great holes, the short holes are duds. Three holes play under 150 feet, and are easy for even the less skilled player. While one of these holes is not bad, 1/3 of the course being a short ace run definitely isn't ideal.

The baskets were Mach II's I think, which caught most putts well, but I did have a 200 foot shot spit out, so I'm putting it in the cons because I still haven't emotionally gotten over it, and I'm allowed to make it a con because I'm salty about it, even if it wasn't the basket's fault.

Off the fairway, there was a good bit of poison ivy, which I'm sure would suck for people who can get it. If I were you, I would send a buddy in to receive your disc from the woods.

While this is a great 9 hole course, there is a lot of untapped potential. According to the tee sign, there are 100 acres of land on campus, not including buildings. With a smart redesign of a couple holes, and the addition of a back nine, this can truly be something special, but right now it is a good nine hole course with a few dud holes.