Pros:
Bud Hill Disc Golf Course - Original, is one of 2 courses on private property . Be patient finding this place . Your phone might mess up , and the place sits pretty far away from everything . There is a long gravel driveway leading to the property . It features a clubhouse with a guestbook and memorabilia to sit and swap stories after a round or two , and Port O Lets are out next to the parking lot .
THE EQUIPMENT - The equipment is pretty standard . A kiosk with a map greets you near hole #1 , along with a donation box .You need to put some money in it . Danny doesn't charge to play like most , but it's on private land with no city or county dollars coming in . The tee pads are pretty much cement , average size , maybe 7-8' X 3-3 1/2 ' . Some of the pads feature carpet ( the ones not on the original layout ) . I prefer longer , but,,,,,,, . The signs are old and faded , kind of rustic looking , with Hole # , distance , and flight path . I kind of liked them . The baskets are Dualtee Blue Baskets , which look classy .
The LANDSCAPE - The grass was trimmed and the branches cut back . It was primed for the big amateur tournament that was coming through the next day . The land here rolls throughout the course , giving you level holes and up and down ones , with valley shots . There are several ponds that come into play . Great basket placement bring fairway trees into play . Don't be surprised if you see nature's creatures on your rounds .
THE HIGHLIGHTS - #4 ( 535' ) Level hole , but you have to travel down the fairway , only to hook up with another fairway to the right about halfway through . The basket sits at the end with flanking woods on each side . #10 was an uphill garage door double mando . The basket is raised on this one
#15 ( 351' ) was a downhill drive , where you either have to go low and under a low canopy tree , or swing wide over a pond to the basket sitting near the edge of it . There is a big risk-reward dropoff behind the basket . #18 is a picturesque hold that goes across a large pond to the basket that is on a slowly ascending hill , a fun finishing hole .
SIGNATURE HOLE - #6 . A woods hole that goes over a pond , then straight uphill to the basket , which is guarded by a large wall in front of it . If you throw to the left of it , you risk going into the weeds and down a long hill .
AMENITIES - Besides the clubhouse , there are blue trash cans and benches throughout the course . Danny did this right .
THE TIME - It was busy on Friday morning when I was here . It took me 80 minutes , mostly because of the groups hoping to play a round before the tournament . On most days , maybe a foursome can play it in just over 2 hours .
CROWD FAVORITE - I have played several courses in the Memphis area , and I can tell this is the most popular by far . You could put this course 10 more miles into the country and you would get people flocking here .
Cons:
Not much in the way of cons here .
DISC RISK - even though the grounds were immaculate , I found a lost disc ( while looking for mine ) , in some brush . I watched one of the grounds crew pulling discs out of the pond for 18 . Make sure you have your name and # on them , and Bud Hill's people will call you .
Bring bug spray . It can get tough in the woods .
Maybe larger tee pads .
The gravel driveway and parking lot wasn't a favorite . Go Slow ,,,
Other Thoughts:
I had the privilege of meeting owner Danny Daniels when he was out on the course with his tractor , and when he came in after I finished my round . You will not meet a friendlier guy and a better ambassador to the disc golf game . He is full of history . You can tell he is not doing this to make money , and that most of it goes right back into the course . Make sure you donate some money to the cause . I missed playing here several years ago because of a tournament being hosted that weekend . Make sure you email them before coming over or you might be turned away because of league or tournament . The course is challenging , but not over the top . I think that I only played 1 hole over 500' These are fun holes with a private course type of feel . You will have a lot of fun here . It's that type of course . I graded it out at between 3.5 and 4 , but I bumped it up because of the 2nd 18 hole course on the property ( The Ridge ) . This means that you could spend a whole morning playing all 36 holes .
MY RECOMMENDATION - With 2 tees on some of the holes , and the varying terrain and distances , this is a great course for the locals . I don't know if I would play the Original layout as a newbie ( maybe the Ridge ) or a 1 disc player . Intermediate , Ams and even pros will get a kick out of the course . Danny really tries to make this an enjoyable experience . Off the road a bit for travelers and baggers , but you WANT to get this course onto and off of your bucket list ( plus baggers can get 2 course for 1 stop ) . I shouldn't have to Persuade you . PLAY IT !!!!!