Athens, AL

Athens State University

2.255(based on 6 reviews)
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9 0
TRoss886
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.4 years 283 played 32 reviews
2.00 star(s)

A quaint, manicured 9 in an urban setting. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 27, 2021 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- The Big 3: This course features 9 concrete pads, 9 Mach 2 baskets, and 9 tee signs. The concrete pads are shorter than average but this isn't a huge deal since all of the holes are between 200-300 feet. The Mach 2s are a bit dated but they work just fine and are in good shape. They could use a strip of the orange visibility tape on the center pole. The tee signage is the real star. There are big new metal signs from the last time I played here. The pictures on DGCR show the old ones. OB is clearly labeled. While they should have included par and next tee information, both of these factors are pretty self explanatory on this course.
- Landscaping: It always seems nicely manicured and well kept. Rows of crate myrtles on one side of the course and large hedges on the other. The "back" features beautiful old growth trees. It all feels very quaint in the urban setting of the school.

Cons:

- Amenities: Other than the "Big 3" listed above, there are essentially no extra amenities. The only one I noted was a nice picnic table right beside #5 tee. There is no practice basket, course map kiosk, restroom, trash can, or other benches. This course also features only one tee box and one pin placement for each hole.
- Flow: I could see the flow of players here getting slightly congested, especially if two groups are on #5 and #6 at the same time. This could also be possible in the 2, 3, 4 area.
- The Turn: I usually appreciate a turn greatly, but this one is a little different. 1-6 are on one side of a busy road and 7-9 are on the other side. This is a blessing and a curse. A first time player will almost certainly be confused as to where the last 3 holes are since there is no course map. However, it makes the course better to have the 9 holes spread out over these two plots.
- Hole #8: This is the only hole I considered to be very weak. 195 feet that is wide open and essentially flat. However, this is the only hole that I think doesn't have much to offer.

Other Thoughts:

Not pros or cons:
- Mowing: Upon my last visit, the grass could have certainly used a mow. However, I don't think this is a recurring issue based on my previous experience and other reviews.
- Parking: A trick to somewhat remedy the issue of the walk between the front and back is to park at the very front of the parking lot when you turn off of the road. This basically puts your car in the middle of #1 tee pad and #9 basket.
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13 0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 10.8 years 694 played 680 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Only A Few Acres Of Useable Land.

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 9, 2023 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

(1.553 Rating) (REVISED - replayed May 2023) A lightly wooded MA4 level course.
- ACEABILITY - My personal favorite thing about this course is the pre-throw visual I get of smashing chains. Several low to mid-200 foot looks that will have players eyeing the basket. I'm sure those that frequent this course have racked up a bunch of aces. I would not be surprised to hear that a local has aced every hole on this layout.
- BASICS - 5-foot by 8-foot concrete tees. A bit smaller than normal, but for a layout this short they will be adequate for most players. Every prior review notes natural tees as there were put in in 2017. As for the baskets, they are mediocre Mach 2s. They are still in good shape for the most part.
- SIGNAGE AND NAVIGATION - Not too bad as the layout is fairly open. No course map on site, but I posted one to DGCR for a future player's use. The hole signage is nice with easy-to-read hole number, distance and an artistic description of the line. Although only tee sign (6), has next tee direction on it.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Of the two courses in town, Athens is way more new player friendly. Very little overgrowth, little opportunity to lose a disc and five holes under 250 feet in length. I'm sure most would agree that these are great course characteristics for first timers.
- MAINTENANCE - The grounds appear to be constantly mowed, trimmed and manicured. I don't recall seeing any trash on any of my 3 visits spread over a five-year span.
- NIGHT GOLF - This is an ideal night golf course. Spacious fairways, no areas of substantial overgrowth and no water hazards in play. Locals put on a glow league here during the winter.
- QUICK PLAY - Most solo baggers should be able to run this one in 25 minutes.

Cons:

Too small of a footprint and some quirks.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - MA2 level players will have no problem breaking par and should be able to birdie all the holes after five rounds or so. MA1 players and higher will be untested. They should be able to post a round of 8 down or better from time to time.
- HOLE VARIETY - Well below average. Not one hole has even 10 feet of elevation change to it and there are no water elements. This is an all par 3 layout with no well-defined tunnel shots or guarded pockets to skip into. Basket guarding is weak overall and there isn't really any good opportunities to air one out. I will add however, some may find playing in a more urban setting with buildings in the backdrop, as interesting flavor. For instance, Hole (5) is a blind bender around a corner of a building. Some will likely throw to basket (6) from tee (5) on first go around as basket (6) is in center view.
- PROPERTY DAMAGE HAZARDS - As stated above, hole (5) is a play around a building. The thought of hitting a window on this nice building is not a pleasant thought. I bailed out way too far left on my first go around here. Recently they put up a Mando sign on the lone tree which helps keep players away from the building.
- EXTRA AMENITIES - Only one disc golf related extra on this course. There is no practice area, no multiple pin placements or multi tees like one will see at the older established courses. Seating is at one tee, (5), which was likely there before the course was.
- LOST DISC OPPORTUNITIES - Almost impossible to lose one here with one exception. Throwing one over the barbed wire fence behind basket (7) is unforgivable. Don't throw long as there will be no way to get it back.
- DISCONTINUITY - There's a big gap in play between holes (6) and (7). Not a huge issue but less than ideal of course.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - A slightly below average setting. There are numerous man-made elements in view and play. The property behind (7) with the barbed wire fence is a bit of an eyesore. The tree coverage is light and nice, but it's not at the same level of pizazz as many other north Alabama courses. One of the trees on (6) is over 200 years old and was donated by Thomas Jefferson.

Other Thoughts:

The Athens course will work just fine for locals in the neighborhood out to perhaps a 5-mile radius. This is also a great Beginner's course too due to the limited amount of hazards and overgrowth. Not really worth a look see for those outside of Athens as there are better courses within an hour in every direction. For those traveling through town or perhaps visiting, Sportsplex should be the first course to hit, unless they are a newer player. Overall, I'm going with a solid 1.5, which is about as high of a rating as I could ever see myself giving Athens considering all the site constraints.
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9 0
bjreagh
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 28.2 years 353 played 321 reviews
1.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

This short college course has 9 holes. It is set on two separate sections of land that are well-maintained, mowed, and dotted by several large trees- typical college setting. Each hole has a few obstacles (mainly trees, but also fences, roads, building walls.) The first 6 holes are flat, 7-9 has a little elevation as well.

The baskets are in fine shape. The color tee signs are very informative and helpful (and necessary to know which basket to throw to).

I played in the summer and there was nobody else on the course. There is plenty of parking in the library lot and I did not see any signs about needing a permit to park there.

Cons:

The tees are natural and are just marked by the tee sign or possibly a stone marker in the ground. (Concrete tees aren't really necessary here as the holes are relatively short, but natural tees wear the grass away and get muddy when it rains.)

This course really only requires a midrange and a putter, maybe a fairway driver. After a couple rounds here most people will have mastered it or will get bored and look elsewhere to play.

Holes 1-6 are behind the library, but holes 7-9 are across the street and down a bit to the left of the physical education building.

Other Thoughts:

This course is good for college students to get a quick round in, or for introducing somebody to the game, or for some midrange and putting practice. It is a nice course, but it just does not have a lot to offer most people.

Tips- basket 1 plays to the fence area past the gardens (and you can get behind the fence on the left to retrieve any disc that is thrown over it), hole 2 is behind that fence and across the small creek-like area, basket 5 is hidden behind the library corner (not 6's basket you see from the tee), holes 7-9 across the street.

Recommendation- skip this course unless you are a local who lives close. The Sportsplex course is just a mile from this one and any level of experienced disc golfer would surely want to go play there instead.
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2 1
AUfantastic
Premium Member
Experience: 29.4 years 176 played 17 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Worth it 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 26, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice area, well kept
Most all baskets are birdie(able) for control players
Not too long
Challenges the short game and provides good practice

Cons:

Only 9 holes and no hope for more given the location
Weaves around buildings at the college

Other Thoughts:

Worth going back to sharpen the short game and my control
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1 2
KeepRaving
Experience: 12.7 years 11 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

nice small coarse 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 5, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

decent baskets, tee signs, some obstacles, nice grass, all holes are aceable

Cons:

muddy tees when after rain, only 9 holes, all holes are short, walk between the 6th and 7th hole

Other Thoughts:

good coarse for putters and midranges, good coarse for beginners
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6 1
electricdriver
Experience: 17.4 years 31 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Great for Quick Round 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 30, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good for beginners and people you are introducing to the game. Short to medium distance holes and a good shot variety. Didn't have much room to work with but the course is laid out well, also usually is not very crowded.

Cons:

Short course and not much elevation change but not really the courses fault because of the land it sits on. Also with the redesign its a hike from #6 basket to #7 pad. Won't be much of a challenge to pros drive over to the sportsplex for more of a challenge.

Other Thoughts:

Its my home course because its about five minuets from my house. I was bummed with the redesign because they took out the first hole which was my favorite but after playing the new design i think the course is much better. Also after basket #6 walk to the exit of the parking lot and cross the street and the last three holes are on the left side of the gym in the small field.
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