(4.122 Rating) A beautiful course with a split mix of wooded and park style holes.
- THE FIRST 8 HOLES - The star of The Claytons to me, is the beginning. When traveling to the first tee, not only will one observe how well tended the encompassing elements are, the first line presented looks wonderful too. A heavily wooded line with a bend to the right and it has rolling elevation. Amen. Then hole (2), which was personally my favorite hole on the course. (2) is an extreme downhill play that needs to be threaded through and down a heavily wooded fairway. Next, holes (3) through (8), which as a whole, I'd describe as a wooded paradise comprised of tantalizing shaped lines with manicured fairways and beaten back off-fairway undergrowth. The first eight holes reminded me of rock star wooded courses such as Inverness, Rollin Ridge, Lake Claiborne, Wilderness, Langley and Headrick. All courses that I have scored at the 4.5 level or better. I really wished by the rounds end that more of the course was in this exquisite portion of the property.
- CHALLENGE OPTIONS - There are two distinct layouts to follow here. The short basket layout and the long basket layout. The short basket layout is a super fun rec course bursting with variety. I don't think any player with a rating from 825 to 925 is going to be disappointed. Birdies can be had and bogeys are possible. It'll require a mixture of throws and it'll be hard to get into major trouble. The long tee layout on the other hand, is going to offer some real nice intriguing and engaging gameplay for Intermediate and lower Advanced level players. For the record, I opted for the short layout.
- HOLE VARIETY - It's fantastic. The course is near a split mix of open holes and heavily wooded ones. There are several par 4s on this course that require hitting a landing zone before going after the basket. (15) long tee was one of the better examples of this with the long tunnel out the shoot and having to play towards a gap in a line of trees. Distances range from plus 700 feet to sub 200. Elevation change is used dramatically several times and I liked how the flight path significantly mattered when attacking baskets near a significant slope. There is only one water play on (18) and the big guns will love the roulette feel of the hole. The course did have a par 5 listed on the signage but I did not give the course credit for one as it was far too short for highly skilled players to whom which it was targeted too.
- BASICS AMENITIES AND EXTRAS - The Claytons course is well funded. This was the first time I've ever seen more than a hundred concrete steps specific to a course layout. The grandeur of the amenity bonuses are evident when first arriving. There's a big practice area with 3 practice turf tees and 3 practice baskets. This practice area apparently doubles as an informal extra hole. High quality community board with a large beautiful course map indicating all the updated distances. Each tee is decked out with a large well built turf pad, large bench and sheik tee signage. The baskets are Veterans and there are two planted on each hole. Most baskets also have the metal next tee marker gripping the bottom wires of the baskets. Overall I'd say this aspect is 90 percentile or better, when compared to all the courses I've visited.
- NAVIGATION - This aspect was generally really good. As noted above, beautiful course map affixed to the community board. The tee signs were great too. They were in a style that wraps around the post which something I'd only seen a couple other times. All the info that one would need was on them. My only gripe on this aspect was that a couple transitions were well longer than normal and could be tricky to those who didn't take a picture of the course map or didn't have a navigational app.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - First off, the course was outstandingly maintained when I played it. Just stating that the course is beautiful would be an understatement and an injustice. So, I will add these additional fancy adjectives to describe it; ravishing, dazzling, angelic and sublime. I took several photos and sent them to friends to instill jealousy. Overall, I scored this aspect a 4.5 and on the fence of my personal top 20 most beautiful courses. Had the entire layout stayed in the woods, it may have broken into my top ten for beauty.

One minor issue and then some preferential cons.
- FINISH FROM PARKING - I calculated that I walked over a quarter mile from 18s basket back to my car. What a buzz kill. I'm not sure what they can due to remedy this. It kind of is what it is.
- HOLE 18 FOR THE MORTELS - When I got to (18), a local whom I had conversed with earlier egged me into attempting the pro tee shot despite me having played the short layout for the first 17 holes. It's a glorious looking herculean play from the Pro tee. 40 feet of elevation change over a creek valley with a twenty foot wide tree-less swath down the center. So I decided to play an extra shot and grabbed a sacrificial boss and attempted to chuck it 400 plus feet to see if the disc was destined for glory or death. Unfortunately, with some of the extra juice I tried to inject into my throw, I slipped a bit on the slick turf pad and my disc came out far too low in trajectory. I watched helplessly as it was easily swatted down by the 60 foot tall flanking trees, and it fell straight down into the awaiting chuckling creek below. This is really a poor tee choice for those with sub 400 foot arms. Sadly, the short tee option is a boring let down of an alternative. Not only is the line to the basket a treeless sub 200 foot play, there are picnic tables in play. In addition, those that do play the long Pro tee, players could be oblivious to those sitting at the picnic tables and the adjacent walking path. I like the premise of what they wanted to deliver on the final hole, but I think it's the weakest link on the course. Not a great way to finish a fine layout.
- TIME PLAY - I was here for 90 minutes as a solo throwing the short layout. It probably would have been close to two hours had I opted for the long layout. Groups of 4 could be here 3 hours. Plan accordingly.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Not a good course for beginners. Novice level players likely won't be overwhelmed, but they'll be well over par. I don't take off rating points for this.
- TERRAIN - I loved it, but I know others that won't. I don't think the course is cart friendly. I would not be surprised if some locals bag it for the first 8 holes and then switch to a cart before heading to hole (9).

The Claytons reminds me of The Beast in Waco, but a hair better example. The Beast does offer a better overall challenge, but The Claytons delivers better looking lines, better maintenance and far more amenities. I think the hole variety between the two is roughly equivalent, but The Claytons has one or two fewer average looking holes over The Beast IMO. Anyways, excellent course overall. Probably one of the best in the Knoxville metro area if not the best. I have yet to play local notable courses Tommy Schumpert and Victor Ashe, but I have played Morningside. I couldn't name one aspect that I liked on Morningside over The Claytons, other than the baskets. I think if they added back tees here to the rest of the holes, I'd consider dropping a low 4.5 on it. However, as is, I have it falling short of that distinction. If you find yourself in the Knoxville area and you are an 850 to 950 rated player, you need to find a way to get over here and play it.

- The property is beautiful.
- Practice area with 3 baskets and what can be treated as a 19th hole.
- Two baskets for each hole. A handful of holes have multiple tee pads. On most holes, the different pins make for very different lines.
- First 8 courses are heavily wooded. Holes 9-18 are open. So you get that variety.
- Course is essentially split into a pair of 9 hole courses, so you can play just 9 if you have time constraints or play 2 loops of the front or back 9 if you want really love the woods or if you just want to bomb.
- One of the more challenging courses in the area. With the different layouts, it can serve a wide variety of skillsets.
- Great use of elevation.
- Brand new Veteran baskets.
- The wooded front 9 rewards great shots and punishes bad shots.
- The back 9 is less interesting, but I found it surprisingly fun. It is a great use of mowed fairways, elevated basket locations, and the limited available obstacles to reward well placed shots.
- At least at this time of the year, errant shots were very easy to find.

- The shorter turf tee pads are directly on the ground, so they can be uneven in places.
- Hole 11 throws very close to a construction area. Hole 18 throws directly over a break/picnic area.
-It is a really long course (this isn't a con) with a few long walks between holes and a long walk from 18 to the parking lot.

Course is fantastic. I'm almost ashamed that I hadn't played here before today. I played the shorts, but made an effort to pay attention to the longs, as well.

Prodigy baskets were replaced with Veterans baskets in Fall 2021. When you enter the facility, you can park next to the 10th tee box. If you want to start at hole 1, you'll see a small lot and the practice area at the top of the hill. Park there.

The Claytons is a fantastic course in Alcoa, TN (near Knoxville). While playing the front 8 holes (the course loops back to the DGC parking area after 8 holes, with the 9th a decent walk away, and the character of the course really changes after the F8, rather than the F9), I honestly couldn't think of a reason not to give the course a 5.0 rating. Unfortunately, the flaws emerge on the Back 10. But still, this is a fantastic course and a must-play in eastern Tennessee.

+ First and foremost, the property here is very pretty and also well-maintained. This course is on the property of a private company, Clayton Homes, circling the campus, from the wooded F8 to the very open B10. On the B10, the grass is cut in the fairways. On the F8, the trees and underbrush are well under control. Great piece of land.

+ If you like courses that mix wooded, technical holes with open holes to bomb drives, you will love The Claytons. It really feels like two courses in one. The F8 is exclusively in the woods and very technical and challenging. It's also an extremely fun layout. (And I'm not just saying that because I got the suprise-of-my-life ace on hole #2 after missing my line, but somehow narrowly missing all trees and hitting dead-center chains!) Hole #9 emerges from the woods and is the first truly open fairway on the course. The next 9 holes continue this theme -- with scattered guardian trees dotting some of the fairways and marking the greens. Accuracy is still rewarded on the B10, as elevation is a factor and angles to the pin, still with some tree obstacles to avoid, are key to scoring well.

+ The Claytons has the best practice area I've ever seen on a course. There are three practice baskets and three practice tees to throw to these baskets. I assume one of the baskets (closest to the tees) is really just for putting, but the other two make for legitimate disc golf holes, complete with tree obstacles and fast greens. You could easily use one as Hole 0 or replace hole 11 (at least temporarily...and more on that in the cons) with a practice basket hole for a full 18. Very well done on the practice area.

+ Nice elevation on this course. It's not a mountain course with truly epic elevation, but there are several fantastic hole layouts that make great use of elevation: downhill holes where you will want to empty your bag, some uphill holes, and some fast greens with elevated baskets and/or baskets perched on hills and ridges. Nice risk/reward elements.

+ Very nice, flat, level, and big tee pads with turf on top of a solid framed surface.

+ Good tee signs at each hole showing the short (Blue) basket and long (Green) basket with accurate yardage and layout.

+ Great variety within the wooded holes (straight shots, right to left, left to right, downhill, uphill) and the open holes (par 4's, fast greens, alt tee pad #18 for a tougher and more dramatic finish).

+ With a Blue layout that I would consider really a white/Intermediate course and a Green layout that would rightly be a blue/Advanced course -- plus some alt "Gold' tee pads at the end -- this course has plenty of challenge (as well as fun) for players of all levels.

I was seriously starting to check myself after the first 10 holes (the wooded F8, then the first two open holes of the B10) to see if I could think of any demerits for a near-flawless course. Unfortunately, a few not-so-minor problems emerge starting on hole #11.

- Hole #11 is an open hole that plays parallel to a road. Errant tee shots (particularly RHBH with too much hyzer) could go into the road. Also, there is an active construction site halfway down the fairway, with work site trailers, parked employee cars, and construction equipment. My son and I almost skipped the hole, but then decided we would just play very safe shots, not testing the road or the construction area, and settle for pars. Pretty big safety risk on this hole. If that construction area stays around for a while, a redesign of this hole is in order. If the construction area goes away soon, it's much better, but still not perfect with the road running parallel. However, you would have much more room to the right and no reason to test the left-hand side where the road is, without the construction area.

- Very long walk in between holes -- on most holes -- starting on hole #9. And then there is another long walk back to the parking area after #18. Also, there are not Next Tee signs or directional arrows to point you in the right direction. This isn't a problem on the F8, but is on the B10.

- I'm not sure what happened to hole #18, but it's kind of a mess. For the regular Blue layout (not the alt/Gold tee), it's almost a throw-away hole, under 200 feet with no obstacles, other than being backed up to the active construction area, so don't go long! The alt tee makes for a pretty dramatic and super-challenging finishing hole, playing through a narrow gap in the trees bordering a creek that separates the main campus area near the Clayton building and the vast, open park area where the last 7 holes are located. However, the gap is almost non-existent. It needs to be wider or at least trim back the trees. As it is now, it is a lost disc waiting to happen. It also seems to be pretty dangerous during work hours as the picnic table areas are right there in the landing zone...and you can't see them from the tee! So, this is another accident waiting to happen. Most people will therefore play the regular tee, which is, again, just a hugely disappointing, easy, sub-200-foot hole.

All in all, a fantastic destination course in eastern Tennessee. A few holes on the back 10 are disappointing and detract from an otherwise near-perfect disc golf course that will challenge you and is a lot of fun to play.

1) Hole design and variety. The Claytons Disc Golf Course has a little bit of almost every style of disc golf on offer. The front wooded holes are mostly shorter and highly technical and there are a few holes with steep elevation changes. The shots are, for the most part, highly technical but still doable and fair. Maybe favors lefties just a bit, but players of both handedness will need to use most of the shots in their bag to get into good spots on every hole. Hole 1 is the only tee shot that I would venture to call unfair as the only line that can get you to a very good place is not something most people have (RHFH/LHBH overstable flex shot through a blind gap about 100ft off the tee). The margin for error is very small, and the likely punishment for missing is a trip to bogeyville. Most of the rest of the shots are hard but definitely doable for any intermediate level player or above. The back holes play almost entirely in the open and use the elevation in tandem with the few scattered trees to create an interesting and fun contrast to the front holes. Going in I expected to not really enjoy these holes, but I was pleasantly surprised as there is good variety and there is still some shot shaping required on a couple of the holes. There is some distance, but the pars are pretty soft (specifically for the long pins) so bigger arms will be looking to birdie basically every hole and maybe get some eagle looks. I don't think it's technically intended, but I also played the tall grass OB for a little extra challenge. Though, the fairways are mowed very wide so getting off them usually takes a pretty bad shot so, other than hole 16 in the long pin, it didn't change my game plan at all. The major plus of the wide cut fairways is that lost disc potential is quite low, which usually isn't the case for holes out on a prairie.

2) Baskets. Nearly brand new Prodigy ones, in great shape. Some people consider that a con, but I think they are great baskets. There are also two permanent locations on every single hole. They are color coded blue (shorts) and green (longs). On most holes the two baskets play very differently, and the lines are far enough apart that going the wrong one off the tee isn't really a worry. 5, maybe 7, maybe 8, and 11 are the only notable exceptions. 11, though, is the worst offender by far as the short is pretty much exactly on the line to park the long. Overall, I'd say the longs probably play easier than the shorts, relative to par, due to most of the long pins being short par 4s and a very short par 5 (probably should be a par 4, tbh) as opposed to almost entirely par 3s, some quite long and difficult, for the shorts.

3) Tees. 16 holes have one of them, holes 15 and 18 have two. 15s long is much longer and makes the hole exceptionally difficult, as far as I can tell most people play the short. 18s long is the main tee, the short is for anyone who can't/doesn't want to throw over the creek because it's decently wide, murky, and looked deep enough to make getting a disc back very difficult. But, clearing the creek doesn't take that much power with how downhill the hole is. I'd say anyone with 300 feet of power can easily clear it over the trees every time as long as they don't shank it. Except for the long pad on 15 (which seems to have just been forgotten about and is concrete) all of the tees are turf. They are all perfectly level, flat, plenty large, generally well built, and in great shape.

4) Tee Signs are pretty amazing; some of the best I've come across. Very detailed, accurate, visually appealing, and simple.

5) There is a quite nice practice area with a basket to putt at and then an entire practice hole. Though, it is not a super long one so some netting somewhere to warm up drives into would be nice. But, it's still a much nicer warmup area than most courses have.

6) Stairs and landscaping, especially up and down the really steep hill between 7/8 and down off the pad on 8. The stairs made getting my cart up the hill a massive chore, but it is the only spot on the course where I had any trouble at all, and it wouldn't have been any easier without them given the steepness. Also, great for erosion control and just general safety. I could see someone taking quite a tumble here without the stairs if the hillside was muddy. A few tees and baskets also have nice landscaping around them.

1) A couple areas could be a bit dangerous. Hole 11 is relatively long, has a well trafficked road on the left, and construction site/what looks to normally be a parking lot on the right. Road isn't really in play, but it wouldn't be hard to get to it, construction site is 100% in play. Then hole 18 very much brings the walking path into play. The path is nearly completely hidden from the tee and there is no easy way to check the path for pedestrians so you're pretty much just going to be throwing an hoping no one is there every time you throw unless you have someone standing down by the basket, which is a good couple minute walk to get to.

2) The walk is long and sometimes navigation isn't the most intuitive. The hole length is not the con here, but the sometimes very long walks between them is. I may have just missed them, but I don't recall any 'next tee' directional markers. 8 to 9 is across the road that continues past the parking lot (behind hole 1) and down a path in the woods. 9 to 10 is across the main entrance road and under the patch of trees. 11 to 12 is a couple minute walk over the bridge across the creek and around a few bends on the walking path. Then most of the holes on the back have long walks between basket and tee, though they are mostly visible from the previous hole's long basket. The short baskets, not so much. Then the walk after you throw your drive on 18 is the same walk from 11 to 12 but in reverse and 18s baskets are a few minute walk from the parking lot by hole 1.

3) As mentioned in the section about the design there's a couple iffy things going on in the woods holes, but it's nothing major. Hole 1 was already mentioned. Hole 2 short is in a pretty awkward spot where sticking something in the circle is very unlikely unless you can hit the like 5 foot wide tunnel down the left side. But, just throwing down the right side to the base of the hill and pitching up is a pretty easy 3. Then hole 7's landing area is very tiny, which isn't a problem in and of itself with how short of a par 4 it is but the second shot has a few pretty skinny trees and the gaps are maybe a little too tight. Just taking out the one skinny tree in the middle of the gap would probably make the hole completely fine. Kind of a shame on this one too, because the long pin on 7 is probably my favorite pin location on the whole course. Hole 15s long basket (short tee) also takes a pretty tricky line for a birdie look, but unless you are playing the tall grass OB like I was you can just chuck something out the gap and lay up for your 3 without much worry.

4) Despite the generally immaculate condition of the course and the maintenance when I was there hole 10 was quite soggy. The tee was soaked (not slippery, just wet) and most of the fairway had some water on it. Not enough to visibly puddle, but enough to sink into and get your feet wet. It hadn't rained very much (if at all) recently so it seems like it has to be a general issue on the hole and not just the conditions of the day, but I also could have just caught it at a bad time. No other spot on the course had this issue. Also, as mentioned above, the long tee of 15 just seems like it's abandoned and the fairway is overgrown, almost to the point that it's unplayable. Unfortunate, because it could be a very tough and technical par 4 that contrasts greatly from the other holes on the back if it was cleaned up.

Overall, The Claytons is a very nice course. I had a blast and will probably play the course again if I'm ever around Knoxville in the future. The multiple permanent pins allow for a lot of variety and you can mix and match baskets as you please to play exactly the layout you want at any time. The course is definitely not championship level difficulty, more like a tough intermediate to advanced level course as most, but the quality of the design and the (generally) very good maintenance and condition of the course makes it feel championship worthy. I'm very torn between 3.5 and 4.0. A 3.75 is really the perfect rating for this course. Though, I feel that there is just good stuff going on and the fun factor is high enough to go with the 4.0.

At the time of my writing the two most recent reviews seem to paint a picture of a course that's nearly a dumpster fire and that's just not the case in anyway whatsoever. The few people I ran into the morning I played all said they think the course is great, including one who told me it's the best course in the Knoxville metro. Maybe the most recent reviews are just a case of a vocal minority, or maybe that was the people I ran into on the course, but I digress. Either way, I greatly enjoyed the course and highly recommend a stop at it if you are in the area.

If you don't have time to play both layouts, or only wish to play one round, during your visit this is my (Lefty, max distance just over 400ft, and forehand only good out to about 250ft) recommendation for the most fun pins to play;

Hole 1 - long: Tricky tee shot, tight dogleg right, then steep uphill to the basket.

hole 2 - long: Steep downhill, plays maybe like 250ft, small creek behind basket but no lost disc worries.

Hole 3 - short: Sharp dogleg right, basically a forced LHBH/RHFH. Bigger gap on the left, very hard to get to the circle; small risky gap on the right for a more direct line.

Hole 4 - long: Straight, slight finish left, a little downhill with fairway sloping left to right.

Hole 5 - short: Simple soft left to right shape, elevated basket.

Hole 6 - long: Downhill, short par 4 (maybe should be a par 3, but I digress). Great eagle opportunity for longer throwers, pretty hard to bogey without an early tree hit.

Hole 7 - short: Straight, deuce or die.

Hole 8 - any: Both pins very steep downhill. Short is mostly straight, long is to the right and blind.

Hole 9 - short: Long open par 3. My only birdie during my round on the shorts. -_-

Hole 10 - any: Both basically the same shot, one a bit left one straight, straight one is slightly longer.

Hole 11 - any: Same shot, long is just longer. Maybe play short so you don't grey ace the short while trying to throw to the long like I did. LUL

Hole 12 - long: Good, open par 4. Needs a well placed tee shot to be able to stay clear of the woods on the left during the approach. Basket on a small ridge.

Hole 13 - long: Short par 4, downhill, tight landing zone for average power players. Another possible eagle for (very) long throwers. Rough is thick, most technical hole on the back (excluding the aforementioned long pad on 15)

Hole 14 - long: Another short par 4 and uphill with a blind tee shot. Basket in the tree line on the hillside.

Hole 15 - short: Little RHBH/LHFH pitch hyzer. Deuce or die.

Hole 16 - long: Long-ish crescent shape par 4. 500ft if you throw straight at it over the prairie grass, two well placed 325ft shots will have you parked if you stay in the short stuff.

Hole 17 - long: A bit uphill and long, but a par 5. Pretty easy eagle for anyone who consistently throws 400+. I short armed my second shot and had a 50 footer for eagle, missed it, of course.

Hole 18 - short: Perfectly framed up basket from the tee, throw down the middle or over the top. 400ft, downhill, probably plays 350ish.

Tons of work has been put into this course and that is obvious. The land is beautiful. The signs, tees, and baskets are all in great condition. 2 baskets on each hole so you can choose if you want to play the short or long layout. Short range driving range and practice putting green right at the parking lot. A tale of two 9's with a wooded front 9 and an open back 9.

Very long walk from hole 18's basket back to hole 1 where you parked. Lots of throw and hope holes on the new front 9 with unforgiving fairways. Several other long walks between holes.

This review really hurts for me to post because a few years ago if you were to ask me what I thought of The Claytons DGC I would have told you that it was tied at the top as my favorite course (with Sugar Hollow) out of close to 80 different courses I have played. These days, I can not say the same. Not even close. The Claytons (front 9) was shut down for quite some time and was redesigned due to some lodging added by Clayton Homes. With these changes the course changed dramatically. The original Hole 1 is gone and is now just a short practice driving range. Original Holes 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9 are gone. Original Holes 3 and 4 both seem to now be altered versions of what they once were. Original Hole 10 is now Hole 9 and OG 11 is now Hole 10. They have added a new Hole 11 and everything from there on out seems to be the same. I may be a little wrong on some of these but I believe I am fairly close to being accurate. The original front 9 was some of the funnest holes I have ever played in disc golf (still to this day) and that nostalgic feeling is now gone for me as you can see where all the changes are. I remember having an absolute blast playing the OG Front 9 on my numerous visits to the course. The Back 9 was great as well and still is now aside from what I feel is a filler hole (the new Hole 11). The Front 9 there now just seems like so much more of a throw and hope course. The new Hole 1 is absolutely terrible. by far my least favorite hole on the course. From there it seems like too many of the holes are just placed in thick woods that require a certain amount of luck to get in a decent spot. So many tiny branches still hang out over the holes dropping down any shot that is inches from perfect. I hate to have negative feelings about any course because I love having course diversity all around me but after giving this new layout a chance several times, it is likely that I will never play this course again. If I do, it would be to do a safari layout using the OG Hole 1 and then skipping straight to Hole 9 from there. I feel like if I had never played the OG layout and didn't have such a high opinion of that design, I would have liked this new layout much more but having the memories to compare it to, this course just does not hit the spot for me anymore. If you want to see the OG layout vs the new layout check out the playlist below with videos on both layouts.

https://www.youtube.com/playl...gsCUh-5f4GfCP

- 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.

-It's back. A part of it was gone and it's finally back. When a part of you is dead, you must resurrect that part of you and that's what happened to the Claytons. Front nine was closed from the Spring of 2017 until the near end of 2019. All that was seen of the front nine during that timespan was on facebook. Many posts about when the front nine at The Claytons would reopen and whether or not it's only a hoax? It wasn't because it's back. This is a unique disc golf experience in the Clayton homes. This is neighborhood disc golf! It's like the ultimate backyard disc golf experience on the front nine, and the back nine is even better. It's open and filled with some excellent high quality holes with their own distinctive merits. You feel like you're playing off the side of a highway and you almost are actually.

-I never played the original layout. But this layout is really well designed overall if you play the long pins. I think most of the short pins serve some sort of purpose with their lines but the long pins are more enjoyable. You start off with a pretty short par four (I think 414') but it's very demanding. It's a dogleg right that requires a left fade for the first shot to the landing zone. If you don't get to it, you'll have to really fight for a par, as a birdie is challenging enough if you get to the ideal spot. The second shot is uphill and down a wide enough fairway but not much room for a shank. The short pin is a hard par three. The basket is straight ahead but the fairway to get to it is curvy. You have to throw an anny righty flick. #2 is a challenging but awesome downhill par three to the long pin. Fairway is tight the whole way to the basket, which is close enough to a ditch.

-You pull in, and you'll see three carpet pads and two pin positions for practice.

-Throughout your round, regardless of which pins you play. You'll see some very cool greens. Many of those particular greens are man made platforms surrounded by concrete. The time and effort placed on making those greens is highly appreciated. Many other greens here are special too, as they test the quality of your decisions. They are pretty scary. Hole 5's short pin in particular is quite intimidating on an elevated structure.

-The elevation here isn't extreme, but it's enough to heighten the enthusiasm of playing this course. The best part of it in my opinion is the atmosphere, as you have a different feeling than you would at a regular park course. The first eleven holes is neighborhood disc golf. The last seven make you feel like you're in a huge demolished city on the side on the city. The elevation is icing on the cake. The first few holes utilize it well. #8 is a really cool downhill par three. The short pin is probably the better pin on this one. You throw straight downhill to a basket on a platform 228' away. The long pin is a challenging sidearm hole. #18's back pad makes a fantastic finisher. You throw down a hill and ideally, through a gap. The creek is right in front of the gap, meaning if you miss you might be wet.

-#18 would probably be without much debate, the main signature hole. However, the atmosphere and the looks really blew me away. Holes 15 and 16 long are my favorite holes here. #15. Not only does it have two pads, but the long pad has you throwing through what is one of the most incredible gaps I've ever seen. It's very tight and sketchy but you can see the 454' pin position from here. The temptation for skilled players to go for the eagle is real, but it's so risky to even attempt to throw a driver. The ceiling is low, and the trees splitting the gap aren't spread far apart. This hole is hard enough, but the long pin is even harder. It's a hard par four for pros. You have to execute a safe shot through the gap to even have a possibility to tame this hole. The second shot is through another gap that takes you out of the woods. Two back to back tight gaps. Holy cow. The short pad is a great birdie opportunity to the short pin.

-#16's long pin is surreal. You really feel like you're in a demolished city when you stand on the pad and look at the long pin. The fairway is shaped like a C, but it's pretty much wide open. Hole is 668' if you play it conservatively and is about 540' in a straight line. The rough that separates the fairway is in the open but filled with low limbs in the ground. You go in there, you may lose a disc. But if you spot it, it won't be too bad of a hazard.

-It's a walk. However, the amount of construction that was done here is impressive. There are so many stairs and bridges that'll prevent you from danger.

-Throws curveballs at you. The front nine is incredibly challenging. Even the short pins are very hard. Some are actually harder. For instance, hole nine is a 426' par 3 in the short and a 565' par 4 in the long pin. The long pin is easier because you can bomb a nice drive without as much accuracy to obtain a three than you would need to deuce the short pin. You'll be fighting to not go over par on the front, but then you also see some scraps of redemption. For instance, holes seven and eight in the short pins aren't too difficult and give a greater chance for birdie. If you play the longs and are able to pull off decent distance and accuracy, you might be able to knock out a birdie. But there aren't any easy birdies on the longs until you reach hole nine. The back nine isn't quite as hard. The long pins have quite a few softer par fours. #17 is a short par 5, being only 725' long. #13 is probably the easiest par 4 on the course. I had a short upshot for my second shot on this hole. But it's still a gem of a hole. It's slightly downhill and very pretty. There is a wider gap about 320' from the pad. The green is wooded and the woods are quite sketchy on this hole, so it'll still make you think. A few good birdie opportunities on the shorts would be maybe 13, 15 short, 17, and 18 short.

-Nice accurate tee signs with hole diagrams.

-There's a donut shop nearby. Richy Creme! They have great jelly donuts and coffee!

-The carpet pads can get very slick in the morning dew or during or after a rainfall.

-Some of the fairways for the short pins are ridiculous. Sorry to say it, but hole three in the short is awful. I mean really awful. I thought the short for hole one was fine and the short for hole two was weird. But hole three's short pin is a detriment. It's a dogleg right and maybe 60' to the middle of the landing zone. So take the total distance (288') and subtract 60' and you'll see that you have to throw over 200' to the right side just to be at circle's edge. Impossible. Not to mention, the fairway tightens a little. Don't like #8's short pin at Rotary? Well, you'll see something similar here. The long pin is a par 4 and it's not a great hole, but at least it serves a purpose. Throw a nice cutroller or sidearm and go far to the right and throw up a hill. At least a birdie is within reach to the long. And #6 needs some trees removed. There's not really a fairway to the short pin, making this hole very irritating. The long pin is only 393' and is a par 4 so it's really silly. Just improvise and roll with the punches and you'll probably get a ho hum four. If you get relatively lucky and miss all those randomly spaced trees, you'll likely have more room for a three. But the green is also guarded by many trees that offer no line. The hole has no real fairway.

-#16 is awesome in the long pin, and its really bad in the short. The short pin is over 400' and is a par 3. The basket is about 10 o' clock from the tee pad and into the woods. You have to throw a ridiculous flip up to enter the woods. The basket is at least 60' past the woods. This is like a classic Russell Schwarz inspiration. Discs don't fly like that.

-You are going to walk a lot. #18 ends quite far from #1. You could drive down to the other side of the parking lot once you finish hole #8 so you won't have to walk as much.

-I loved The Claytons. I think some of the shorts need improvement. And I know for sure that hole three could be far better than it is now in the short pin. But the long pins really give the ultimate experience. Some of the short pins I enjoyed, such as #5's elevated basket. #8 was an awesome look. #15 was a real joy to play, and #18's pin straight ahead on a hill was awesome too. Some of the other shorts were well thought out too. But I think the long pins are better as a whole. You'll have more birdie opportunities and an easier time saving par on the back nine, but I thought the front nine was fun for the most part.

-For an optimum layout suggestion, l'd play 1L, 2L, 3L, 4S, 5S or L, 6L, 7S or L, 8S, 9L, 10S, 11L, 12L, 13L, 14L, 15L pad to short or long pin, 16L, 17L, 18 long to short pin. It would be challenging, but courses like The Claytons will make you better. You'll learn about shot shaping and ideas to get the optimum distance on the wooded holes. Course explicitly asks you to maximize placement.

This course has all the potential to be an incredible pro caliber course while playing to the long baskets, while still offering a fun experience for newer players with the short tees. There are a few holes with 2 tee pads which completely change the dynamic of the shot. Local parks and rec does an amazing job keeping up with maintenance and Smoky Mountain DGC cleans up what they miss. Benches on every hole and garbage cans throughout. Could literally be world class.

***Update***

At least they kept old hole 3 and old hole 6.

Driving Range?

Front 9 has been closed longer than it was open.

The Prodigy T1 baskets couldnt catch a cold

***Update***

The entire front 9 except hole 2 and 5.

Driving Range is comically small.

Bench on the only hole that needs one please (8)

Halved old 10 into 2 mediocre holes.

Spent 50 bazillion dollars on stairs and stone work in terrible places.

Will update if the front 9 ever opens back up.

***Update***

Talk about a kick in the pants. We waited years for this thing to reopen and it just isnt good. There are some ultra funky lines, combined with bad decisions when it came to which trees to cut. If your max distance is 330' with a wraith, you might like this course, as none of the new holes have real disc flights in mind. Stairs and other stone work was put down on hole 3, 7, 8, 10, 17 and 18. All of it is in a landing zone and unnecessary. Simply upgrading the baskets to literally any other target would have been the biggest upgrade this course could have gotten, but was somehow overlooked. The driving range is a good idea, but the execution is a clown shoe. Any advanced level player can throw a putter all the way across and into the woods. Its really more upshot practice than anything else. Hole 3s tee is positioned in such a strange place that you are likely to get for face knocked in from an errant shot from hole 2. It should have been put across the creek to keep players out of danger.

Ask anyone who played this course before the front 9 closed and you will hear tales of a plus ultra fun course. Ask the same people about the redesign and you'll hear tales of slaw and disappointment. The back 10 are still fun enough (Except 11, slaw) but the things that made the course great like a great variety of wooded and open holes is tarnished by the awful woods holes that exist now.

* 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!

The Claytons is the fantastic result of a carefully crafted and well-designed course. Two thumbs up to Clayton Homes and the city of Alcoa for their efforts.

Hole #18 is the signature hole on this course. The over-the-creek and through-the-woods drive on the last hole is an excellent finishing hole that will prompt emotions of delight or disaster. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to retrieve your disc from the creek if your drive ends in a splash.

The picturesque Hole #1 is a fun start. Not only does the short basket offer the possibility to begin with a precious birdie (while making an ace run), the entire hole is visible from the parking lot. I've enjoyed arriving at the course and just watching other disc golfers throw on Hole #1 while I stretch and practice putting.

Plenty of variety on the front nine. The wooded holes provide excellent diversity in distance and design. Elevation is used wisely and while a few holes might present a bit of "poke and hope," most of the wooded holes are a fair test of one's accuracy. Hole #7 is a fun 231-foot shot to the short basket which requires navigating a few trees while throwing over a chasm.

Outstanding teepads and signage. Nearly every teepad is covered in artificial turf, which is a special amenity that adds to the experience. More courses should follow this example.

Hole #9 ends near the parking lot, allowing for a quick round.

Filler holes. While The Claytons makes good use of the available territory, several holes on the back nine are obvious connectors to the next hole. Holes #11 and #12 are fairly open and not very interesting. And Hole #17 is a wide-open 525-foot hole, but it does offer a fun basket location on the side of a hill. The course experience might be slightly improved by playing the back nine first, allowing disc golfers to warm up their arm before tackling the technical and wooded front nine.

Lots of walking, especially on the back nine. Be prepared for a hike if you play all 18 holes. The walk from Hole #18 back to parking lot is a trek too.

The quality of disc golf has significantly improved in the Greater Knoxville area recently. The three times I've played The Claytons has been coupled with a round at Tommy Schumpert Park in north Knoxville.

I agree with reviewer BogeyNoMore's assessment - this course is close to a 4.25; however, I can't round up when several filler holes detract slightly from the overall awesomeness of this course. But the variety and amenities are top-notch. The disc golf at The Claytons is fun too.

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.

Very well kept, the marking is good, tee signs are excellent

Long walk from hole 18 back to Hole 1, VERY long and challenging for beginners, even from the "easy" pins

Very long and challenging, but overall a high caliber course, the front wooded 9 are especially nice, easy to lose a disc on hole 18 in the river, although I made the gap and landed my tee shot about 50 feet from the pin, yay!

Tees are turf that always grip, two prodigy baskets for every hole. This is a fantastic course that will appeal to every level of player. Front 9 is in the woods with well laid out holes that offer multiple lines to most pins. Back 9 opens up big time, couple fun holes, 18 throwing across the creek is probably the signature but there is an alternate tee for this one if you don't have the arm to make it, you'll see this on the walk from 11 to 12. Very nice views from the 10 tee pad, great spot to empty your bag if there are no groups behind you. Two practice baskets to throw between near the tee for 1.

I can't give this course higher than a 4 because a) there is a giant parking lot in the middle of the course that is full and busy all week b) a highway right next to it c) the back 9 can become kind of boring and d) this course needs time to wear in, maybe some changes are in order, I don't know but it's missing something that other courses in the area like Tommy Schumpert and The Mounds both have and the Claytons just don't got it.

I didn't like this course much at first, but it grew on me quite a bit and may grow on me more. At the end of the day it's a championship level course that will undoubtedly host some great tournaments and bring attention to the growing disc golf hub that is Knoxville and for that reason I give it major props. Come play this one if you haven't yet!

Amazing mix of holes, front 9 almost exclusively technical wooded holes where the back 9 is almost all open distance holes
Wonderful tee pads, all concrete and vast majority have artificial turf to keep grip
Excellent baskets, all very new prodigy with tons of chains to stop the disc
Appropriately parred, there was a couple that were far too easy but could have just been a nice tee off
Challenging, not send you home crying but enough to make you work to keep on track for par
Some very memorable moments, such as the grand finale 18 from a mound way above the pin over a creek and through a small clearing in the trees

Honestly I don't have many bad things to say about this course. Although it is a massive course, and physically grueling with all the hills. I say this more as a precaution instead of a con, but bring lots of water.

Awesome awesome course. I really enjoyed playing it and will definitely go back, but didn't realize how much I enjoyed it until writing this review. There is very little negative feedback about the course, although I have only played it once and just played the short pins. I can not wait to go back and play the long pins. Easily one of the best courses in knoxville and I have played for many years. Can't wait to go try the longs. What are you waiting for??? Go play this course!!!

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.

-Incredible artificial turf tee pads. Played right after a big storm and never slipped one time. I didn't think I would like them but now I'm a believer. Tee pads are also surrounded by mulch and look very pleasant and add to the overall aesthetic of he course.
-Dual baskets on each hole and nice signs with par, yardage and clear markings of both baskets. On most holes, the long baskets are clearly more challenging than the short baskets and would make the hole play much differently.
-Beautifully manicured course. Wooded holes have well defined fairways and never feel overly punishing. Open holes have well defined fairways as well and remind you of a ball golf course with deep rough for truly errant shots. It is not marked as such, but I assume rough could play OB for tournament play.
-Bench at every tee
-Disc drop located at a kiosk near the first tee
-Nice prodigy baskets. Some have complained of them being a little stiff and experiencing pop outs but I feel like they are pretty broken in now. I would still putt with some authority to avoid any unfortunate chain outs.
-Two practice baskets for putting.
-Baskets are often placed somewhat precariously (but fairly) and make approaches and putting a little more challenging without being unreasonable.
-The course is challenging but accessible. I feel like it's a good challenge for advanced players but still fun and fair enough for intermediate players to shoot near par. Beginners will really struggle with the length of some of the back 9.
-Elevation on many holes to that can make them deceptively challenging.
- #18 is truly a signature closing hole and very memorable.

These are few and far between. The most notable con would be the lack of restroom access. It's a large course and requires a lot of walking but there is nary a restroom to be found. Likewise, there are no water fountains so come prepared with water.
-in order to practice lengthier approaches to the practice baskets, you need to throw across the fairway of #1. Bottom line the practice baskets are somewhat awkwardly placed.
-#18 (though an amazing closing holes) is not very forgiving and definitely not beginner friendly. There is an alternate tee/drop zone so that helps some.
-Not really a con so much as a warning, but the course has some pretty intense elevation in spots and the back nine is long and hot in the heat of the day.

I've played around thirty courses and this is hands down my favorite. Now in fairness , I haven't had the chance to play many of the big name courses yet (Flip City. Idlewild, Selah Ranch, etc...) but my two rounds at the Claytons were the best disc golf experiences I've had. I love the aesthtic and cleanliness of the course As I said before, it feels like a ball golf course at times with its manicured fairways and layered rough. it really feels like you have really done something when you finish. It's a course that requires many different types of shots In the woods and challenges your approach game when the course opens up on the back 9. I live about an hour and a half away and it is well worth the drive.

So much attention to detail...very manicured. You will use every shot in your arsenal: hyzers, annys, rollers, downhill straight shots, etc... There are two baskets per hole, so you can choose your level of difficulty.

With exception of the first hole, the front nine is in the woods, and is very peaceful. There are straight uphill shots, down hill, up and down

The back nine are more open, but not necessarily easier.

It is the cleanest course, and is located on Clayton Homes business ground. Everything is well marked, no trash on the grounds, map at the start, and practice baskets.

It had just rained a good bit the few days prior. There was mud, and flooding in some parts, though I tended to avoid it if I was inbounds. I lost a disc on 18 due to the stream/river being so much larger than anticipated. It had risen above a walking path, and light poles for that path.

You'll do some walking across the business campus when you're done with 18, unless, before hole 10, you drive your vehicle closer to 18.

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.