Pros:
About 15 miles east of Cleveland, Tenn., Bigfoot Ocoee Outfitters has expanded its offerings of rafting, cabin rentals and camping by recently adding disc golf.
A short and technical course in a peaceful wooded setting, the Bigfoot Ocoee Outfitters design won't require the mythical creature's strength to score well; instead, you will need to rely on precision to bag birdies and bypass brambles.
While most of the holes are in the 200-foot range and require just putters and mid-ranges, accuracy is also necessary to score well. Most of the fairways are narrow and a few include a tree-lined ceiling also. Plus the off-the-fairway areas will prompt some difficult scrambles if you don't keep your drive straight.
The course is extremely easy to navigate as the course outline forms a large rectangle and the Hole #9 basket is a jump putt away from the opening teepad. About the only transition that requires a look around is after Hole #2; climb the hill on the right to find the next teepad.
The teepads are crushed gravel inside of wooden planks, and the footing seemed excellent. Some regular maintenance, such as some minor leveling and leaf removal, will help keep the teepads in good condition.
There is elevation on a few holes. Hole #2 is a blind basket that offers a cool choice between the open line on the left side or the wooded line on the right side where your disc might slide down the hill to the basket. Hole #5 is the signature hole and a fantastic wooded valley shot. Even though it's only 197 feet, there are two trees serving as goalposts nearly halfway down the fairway that can quickly halt your ace run.
Cons:
The briars off the left side of the fairway on Hole #9 could seemingly be guarding the gates of hell. I received several bloody scratches retrieving my errant drive. Fortunately, the owners said that future plans include eliminating all the thorny bushes, which currently border a dry pond.
The baskets are Axiom Pro. They are a little lightweight and the basket is on the shallow side, but the chains seemed to catch just fine.
Several of the tee signs are located too close to the front of the teepad. The sign for Hole #8 was definitely trying to distract me while I threw my drive. The signs are hand-drawn but detailed. The white signs are easy to spot. However, the inked map was already starting to fade due to the elements.
The variety is a bit low. At least half the holes could fit the mold of a "200-foot tunnel shot."
Isolated. There isn't much chain-rattling action near the Bigfoot course. The Ocoee Retreat Center is about 10 minutes away and its nine-hole disc golf course might be open, but noteworthy courses like Athens Regional Park and The Sinks (Chattanooga) are about 45-50 minutes away.
There is a $5 charge per day to play, unless you're a rafting, camping or cabin customer. Consider it a donation to a small business in the offseason, and then play several rounds to get your money's worth.
Other Thoughts:
The par for the course is listed as 29, which includes two par-4s. I would suggest that Hole #3 falls into the category of a tougher par 3. While the drive is a little challenging, a good S-curve will find the circle, and making a 4 feels like a bogey, anyway. However, Hole #9 would meet the par-4 standard. First, the hole is L-shaped and listed at 259 feet, but I believe that's as the crow flies. This hole requires a straight 250-foot drive down a narrow gravel road while avoiding all the branches that threaten to deflect your shot into the briars on either side. Then it's a 90-degree turn and another 60-75 feet to the basket. If your drive goes off the path, you might have to pitch back onto the fairway and play for a 4 at best.
The guys at the Bigfoot Ocoee Outfitters are a friendly group. They asked for our feedback (here you go, Trevor!) on how to better the course. They acknowledged that their new course is a work in progress, and they shared several ideas of planned improvements. There's also consideration for an additional nine holes on their 26-acre property, though they said that's probably a task for next winter's to-do list.
The dog is extremely friendly. Her name is Reese, and she has markings similar to a boxer. She followed my friend and me around on our round and was a delightful companion.
Regarding design, the scenic and technical creation at the Bigfoot Ocoee Outfitters is my cup of tea. The course has made a solid debut and the dedicated ownership seems intent on making their site the spot to visit, especially during rafting season.