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Whitestone DGC reviews
7
0
A Sanctuary For The Soul 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:May 16, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
-I didn't know that Kingston, Tennessee could be nice little southern getaway between the historical site at Southwest Point and along with that, the Whitestone Inn! Only nine holes, but two sets of tee pads and the overall quality of disc golf is higher here. The long pads offer a challenge for even pro players over 1000 rated and the short pads are more suited for intermediate players. The property almost seems like a disney movie/ tv show setting with it's rolling hills, pond, the view of the smoky mountains. Not to mention the lodges are five star, and there's even a Whitestone Spa. The food they offer ranges from an exquisite Cilantro Mint Grilled Chicken to a simple outdoor barbecue and you don't even have to be a guest to dine in (just a service charge).
-Elevation is present along with a pond. If you play both sets of pads as 18, you'll see a good amount of variety in hole lengths. There is one par four (#8) that is about 540' from the long pad and about 410' from the short. Mostly open, but you pass a wide tree to reach the pin. Few of the par threes are over 400' from the longs, making distance a primary factor. My favorite hole was #3. About 450' and downhill past a low ceiling gap toward a building.
-Nice mach pins that catch fine. The tee signs offer good hole diagrams.
-Ends in a loop right where you start. Holes 6-8 play on the opposite side of where you start. #6 has you throwing over a steep valley across a pond. That stood out as a hole as well. There's a practice basket right between the basket for #9 and the tee pad for #1.
-Elevation is present along with a pond. If you play both sets of pads as 18, you'll see a good amount of variety in hole lengths. There is one par four (#8) that is about 540' from the long pad and about 410' from the short. Mostly open, but you pass a wide tree to reach the pin. Few of the par threes are over 400' from the longs, making distance a primary factor. My favorite hole was #3. About 450' and downhill past a low ceiling gap toward a building.
-Nice mach pins that catch fine. The tee signs offer good hole diagrams.
-Ends in a loop right where you start. Holes 6-8 play on the opposite side of where you start. #6 has you throwing over a steep valley across a pond. That stood out as a hole as well. There's a practice basket right between the basket for #9 and the tee pad for #1.
Cons:
-#2 from the gold is a real tweener. It's probably 450' and uphill about 20' in elevation. Nice looking hole and a fun one. Just feels like more of a softer par four like #8.
-No tee pads. A bit harder to grab distance without teeing off on a flat surface.
-No tee pads. A bit harder to grab distance without teeing off on a flat surface.
Other Thoughts:
-I don't have a lot to add here. It's a fun nine hole course on exquisite property. I heard it's a great wedding venue too.
-Time spent here is time well spent! Hopefully at some point, I'll get to spend a couple of days here.
-Time spent here is time well spent! Hopefully at some point, I'll get to spend a couple of days here.
5
0
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 4, 2016
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
The picturesque lakeside property here is home to the Whitestone Inn Bed & Breakfast. My wife and I had stayed here a few years back (pre-DG course) and loved it. Many times I visit places and think "this would be a good place for a disc golf course", but rarely does that ever come true---however this is an exception! My wife and I had always wanted to come back, and when finally were able to, it was a pleasant bonus to have disc golf on the premises now as well. And it is a pretty nice and well-planned 9-hole layout, spread out, utilizing many of the land features found here.
The big rolling hills dotted with many large trees make for a beautiful and challenging course. Don't let the distance fool you, it plays much longer because the hills are about as steep as you can get without being categorized as mountain/extreme golf. Putting and approaching is tough with no gimmees because it is easy to sail past the basket when throwing downhill or have putts roll back to you on the uphills. Roads, the pool area, and a pond are some other hazards/o.b. you have to avoid. Also, there is many times a decent breeze blowing in off the lake onto the exposed hillside.
Though only 9 holes, there are two sets of tees (long and short) essentially making it 18 different holes to play. Play a round from each set and you will give yourself a pretty good workout walking all those hills twice!
I liked the 18 highly visible color tee signs. Mach baskets were easy to spot and always catch well. Navigation was no problem without a map (one exception, on my first round I threw to #8 basket from #6 tee- you don't throw over the pool, you throw over the pond instead, despite what the tee signs show and the direction they are faced.)
Fairway grounds are always mowed, with no undergrowth so finding your lie is easy, and errant drives are relatively easy to recover from (good characteristic for a course at a place like this as it is likely to be played by first-timers more often than pros.)
Since the course is a little out in the middle of nowhere, you are likely to have the course all to yourself for a relaxing peaceful round.
The big rolling hills dotted with many large trees make for a beautiful and challenging course. Don't let the distance fool you, it plays much longer because the hills are about as steep as you can get without being categorized as mountain/extreme golf. Putting and approaching is tough with no gimmees because it is easy to sail past the basket when throwing downhill or have putts roll back to you on the uphills. Roads, the pool area, and a pond are some other hazards/o.b. you have to avoid. Also, there is many times a decent breeze blowing in off the lake onto the exposed hillside.
Though only 9 holes, there are two sets of tees (long and short) essentially making it 18 different holes to play. Play a round from each set and you will give yourself a pretty good workout walking all those hills twice!
I liked the 18 highly visible color tee signs. Mach baskets were easy to spot and always catch well. Navigation was no problem without a map (one exception, on my first round I threw to #8 basket from #6 tee- you don't throw over the pool, you throw over the pond instead, despite what the tee signs show and the direction they are faced.)
Fairway grounds are always mowed, with no undergrowth so finding your lie is easy, and errant drives are relatively easy to recover from (good characteristic for a course at a place like this as it is likely to be played by first-timers more often than pros.)
Since the course is a little out in the middle of nowhere, you are likely to have the course all to yourself for a relaxing peaceful round.
Cons:
Natural grass tees, and really no tee at all, you just throw from around the sign. Which is ok at a place like this, unless you are going to make this a 36-hole complex like Selah Ranch, better to keep the ground free of artificial tee material.
Some of the basket placements were a little easy out in the open, as there were definitely places available to tuck them in and around trees a little more, but since most people who will be playing here are amateurs, I totally understand the decision.
Only 9 holes, when there is definitely room for more that could utilize the woods and a hole or two down by the lake. But 9 holes is better than 0 for sure!
The geese! Canadian geese are everywhere. Many times I nearly accidentally hit them with my disc. Plus geese are known as poopers, so watch your step and hope your disc avoids it as well.
Last, the grounds used by disc golf are also common areas that could be used by other guests (fire pits, swings, hammock, pool, fishing pond, etc.), so be sure to scout ahead as to not hit anyone. Plus, there might be times where certain holes may have to be altered or may be just unplayable due to others being in the area.
Some of the basket placements were a little easy out in the open, as there were definitely places available to tuck them in and around trees a little more, but since most people who will be playing here are amateurs, I totally understand the decision.
Only 9 holes, when there is definitely room for more that could utilize the woods and a hole or two down by the lake. But 9 holes is better than 0 for sure!
The geese! Canadian geese are everywhere. Many times I nearly accidentally hit them with my disc. Plus geese are known as poopers, so watch your step and hope your disc avoids it as well.
Last, the grounds used by disc golf are also common areas that could be used by other guests (fire pits, swings, hammock, pool, fishing pond, etc.), so be sure to scout ahead as to not hit anyone. Plus, there might be times where certain holes may have to be altered or may be just unplayable due to others being in the area.
Other Thoughts:
The course utilizes a large section of the more open areas of the property, but if they wanted to, there is room for a few more holes down by the big lake and plenty of woods land available to make for a super-nice 18-hole course. That being said, it is fine as it is making it more accessible to guests of the inn to get a taste of disc golf as just one of the many other activities this place has to offer as well.
It seems you can play the course without being an overnight guest, but I would recommend to call and ask for permission first. They also have discs to borrow if you are staying here and don't have your own.
The owners and workers are all very nice and hospitable, and Whitestone is one of our favorite getaway spots, but I would only play DG here if I was staying here. Note, that if you are just passing down I-40, Roane Co. Park DGC is a much better option to play and is much easier to get to from the interstate.
It seems you can play the course without being an overnight guest, but I would recommend to call and ask for permission first. They also have discs to borrow if you are staying here and don't have your own.
The owners and workers are all very nice and hospitable, and Whitestone is one of our favorite getaway spots, but I would only play DG here if I was staying here. Note, that if you are just passing down I-40, Roane Co. Park DGC is a much better option to play and is much easier to get to from the interstate.
5
0
helix_rider
Experience:
9.8 years
626 played
7 reviews
Out of the way and beautiful 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 30, 2016
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Beautiful scenery overlooking rolling hills and water
Elevation on several holes (both up and down)
Well marked Championship and Recreational tee signs
Well marked baskets
Friendly staff provided me with a map
Get to throw over a pond, without too much risk
Elevation on several holes (both up and down)
Well marked Championship and Recreational tee signs
Well marked baskets
Friendly staff provided me with a map
Get to throw over a pond, without too much risk
Cons:
Natural tee pads
Some lines are obstructed by trees and are hard to realistically hit
Some lines are obstructed by trees and are hard to realistically hit
Other Thoughts:
As this is a resort/retreat farm, there might be people walking the trails that circle the main areas of the course. It is 15-20 minutes off of I-75, but I will definitely go there again. It was very windy the day I played. Not sure if it lake effect or if I simply was unlucky. If this course could get some concrete pads poured, I would bump it up 1/2 star.
