Franklinton, NC

Tar River

Permanent course
3.65(based on 5 reviews)
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3 0
pmay5
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.8 years 480 played 245 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Private Course - Public Welcome 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 27, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

One of the few private courses I have played and the first here in NC. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, glad I called Kerry ahead of time because he gave me the "combination" to the front gate. Then he took the time to give me a ride around the entire course in his golf (ball) cart, I wasn't sure we were going to make it up at a couple of spots, but I got to see every hole on the tour.
Mix of baskets, some probably homemade, but didn't have any problems with them not catching well.
Good mix of open and wooded holes, I was expecting a thick, heavily wooded course, but even most of the wooded holes had a clear fairway.
Mats on most of the tees were adequate on this dry day.
Grass was cut to a good level on the open holes.
Also a good mix of left, right and straight holes, some elevation change, but not a lot.

Cons:

No tee signs, but after the cart tour and playing once, it was no problem.
Several holes were wet the day I was there, but that was following some heavy rain, and was only on the ones down my the Tar River. Really didn't have any problems with the other holes.
#1 - not located near the house, but down by the river and Tournament Central. Short, heavily wooded hole, probably has a lot of history to it, but my least favorite hole.

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this experience. I've heard there are several private courses in Franklin County and this is the closest to my house. I'm sure I'll play it again ($5 donation is appreciated), so nice to have it available in this public DG desert.
Most of the open holes are at the front of the property that you can see as you drive in.
A couple of interesting holes in the woods, using the sunken roadway as the fairway, I still managed to leave my drives up on the banks.
#8 was one of my favorites, mostly open hole at the front of the property, actually the first basket you see as you drive in. The drive has to go through an opening in a perpendicular tree line, that tree line follows a creek bed that you then have to cross. The basket is out in the open, so you can take a good run at a birdie here.
#18 is a real challenge, sandy tee box going over the edge of the river. Pretty much unplayable the day I was there because of the recent heavy rains, but looks like a real challenge anytime.
Kerry's property really gave me a look at what is possible, and the work involved, as I dream about available property for my retirement job!
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6 0
KenanFlagler01
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14 years 195 played 190 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Awesome homegrown course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 13, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Kerry owns and operates the course and does a phenomenal job. It's 25 acres. I don't know how he keeps the meadows cut and the underbrush under control, but when I played, it was in decent shape (for the most part).

There are some really fun and unique holes. #18 is the signature hole, along the Tar River. You have to hold a tight line or else you will hyzer into the river. My favorite was number 15, a steep downhill hole. For an eastern North Carolina course, there is surprisingly good elevation here. Also a really good mix of open and wooded holes, with fair fairways for the lengths of the holes.

This is a challenging and fun course. This is my first homegrown course. It's a different experience than a park course, to say the least!

Cons:

This could be a pro or a con: the baskets were all very different, not a standard type throughout. For me, this adds to the character of the course. But I did have a putt chain out that would've stayed in on a better basket.

Ticks were an issue when I played. Wear big spray, long socks, and check yourself after you're done. This is true country golf.

While I don't know how Kerry keeps the place up as well as he does, there is a lot of underbrush. More than a park course and most nature trail courses. I got in to some poison ivy.

Other Thoughts:

Definitely check the place out! Give Kerry a call in advance. He will give you a tour of the course on a golf cart and has some great stories, including aces he's watched and Ken Climo's round of -13 he witnessed. Don't forget to tip at least $5!
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6 1
walkup
Experience: 24.8 years 2 played 2 reviews
4.50 star(s)

1st Run 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 2, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is a diamond in the rough. Kerry has done an awesome job with this course. I really like the course layout. You play up and away from the river and make a circle until the last hole where you find yourself on the banks of the Tar :) Every hole has some signage and Almost every hole has a bench.

I played the course as designed #1 thru #18 it flows beautifully. 1 is a narrow shot in the woods. 2 is still in the woods but the fairway is slightly wider than the first. Nice shot accuracy is required as you work your way to the turn. 5 thru 9 are fairly open but still challenging. Some nice longs and uphills. Then you get the back nine! What a Treat!! Nice downhills (and a few ups) that play along a river bluff ridge-line and every hole gets nicer and more picturesque until the signature 18 along the bank of the Tar River. Fantastic!! I was very impressed with the course and the golf cart tour.... Thanks Kerry.

Cons:

I wish I would have found this course years ago and A course map would be nice since the course has a couple holes with dual baskets in view, but the cart tour is a nice substitute. I will definitely be playing here again soon.

Other Thoughts:

My AT&T phone was useless down here on the river bluffs.
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7 1
aggreen
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.9 years 264 played 19 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great homegrown/private course experience 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 15, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

There is a great variance of length and type of holes (wooded to open).
Every hole has tee signs with distance.
Wooded holes have solid, and fair, fairways.
There are natural tee pads, marked by 2 bricks in the front, but they are flat and level. We didn't have any footing issues.
The holes by Tar River - especially #18 - are very scenic.
The owner - Kerry really cares about disc golf and continues to maintain the course, despite no longer playing. Grass is mowed, wooded fairways are cleared (we played after a recent storm) and he provides a tour in his golf cart - which was great fun as well. This, to me, is what can make a private course so great - it's someone's personal investment for the benefit of others.

Cons:

The cons are nitpicks at best.
Most of the baskets are in decent condition - a couple could use some improvement, but he plans on improving them.
There is not much elevation change to the course - no real uphill, downhill or valley shots - which is limited to the land.
If you want to play the course from #1 through #18 - it is a walk from the parking area to start and finish.
In the open holes, the fairways are a little close to each other.
There are no next tee signs, although this is a private course, so wasn't expected and the golf cart tour that is provided prior to the round gives you an understanding of the layout.

Other Thoughts:

In summary, this is one of the better private courses I have played and really doesn't seem to favor a certain type of player - good woods and open players should have equal footing here. #18 is a standout/signature hole - nice way to finish the round.
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9 1
PanicKJ
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 27 played 15 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Homegrown Beauty 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 27, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is one of the fairest courses that I have played. All the fairways are the perfect width for the length of the hole to give your birdie opportunities on every hole. At the same time due to the low ceiling they force you to shape each shot . Lots of elevation changes keep the course fresh and will challenge you to come up with a differant plan of attack on each hole. You can tell that a lot of labor and love goes into this course. It would be a full time job just to keep all the grass cut!

Another plus is that the course has a few open holes to let a few drives rip as well. If you can throw 350 then the open holes are probably going to be easy enough for you however if the wind picks up it will be a differant story. Again elevation will trick you on the open holes as well as there is just enough elevation change to make the distance tough to judge.

Cons:

Many of the wooded holes have homemade baskets that do not catch as well as your discatcher baskets. Personally I do not see this as a negative at all I think it just adds to the challange. If you hit your putt dead center it will go in however these baskets are not as forgiving as a discatcher pro. You will probably not hear any complaints out of your good putters however people who struggle in this area may get a litte frustrated.

I actually think that the placement of the homemade baskets is nice in that they really add a little more challange to the shorter holes. The one on hole 12 is pretty sweet actually. One of the best looking homemade baskets I have seen.

Other Thoughts:

If you are fortunate enough to play this beautiful course be sure to give a donation the the course owner. He has spent countless hours making this course what it is and I don't think that anyone could have done a better job.
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