Pros:
Fairfield Baptist sits right next to HWY 100 .On the back and side of the grounds is the 9 hole Fairfield disc golf course . Facing the church from the road , the 1st tee is on the left of the building , next to the cemetery , and finishes on the far right grounds near the soccer fields . There were no useable bathrooms that I saw , but there is plenty of parking not far from the #9 basket .
-- THE EQUIPMENT -- Natural tee pads here . some areas are not level . Pick a side of the tee sign to throw from . I was unsure . The tee signs are wood posts that look to have seen better days . It does look like the signs on top of them were replaced not long ago , and are descriptive . There were a couple that didn't have the signs on the posts ( #4 & #8 ? ) . You may have to walk out into the fairway to see where you are throwing to . Both have baskets , though . The baskets are the best equipment feature . Green Prodigy baskets . Solid . .
-- THE LANDSCAPE -- I haven't started a disc golf round next to a cemetery in a long time . Anyway , the course rolls some , with the only extreme elevation coming from downhill #1 , and the going back up the hill #2 . Other than teeing off at #7 , everything else is slopes . All tee pads are in the open , but many of the holes are tucked into the left , part of the way in the woods ( #3 , 4 ,5 ,6 ,& 8 ) #2 & 8 are wraparound right to left shots . You will have to be precise , since it can get a little windy , here . The entries into the woods are small and the overgrowth is thick . Stickers might catch your hand while reaching in . If you are not a RHFH or LHBH player , or can't control a fade , then you are going to have a long day here .
The grass was mowed and the grounds were clean when I played .
-- THE HIGHLIGHTS -- No highlight holes here . #1 is the longest at 356' , a downhill drive . If you overshoot the basket , you will be digging in the overgrowth . #2 was uphill with the woods extending out into part of the fairway to the left . It is open on the right , so you have to stay as right as possible . Basket is left , behind the woods .
-- THE TIME -- Once I found hole 1 , it took me just less than 30 minutes to play . A foursome will complete in just under an hour . It is a quick play .
I was feeling that this course is played sporadically at best . You might have the course all to yourself like I did .
Cons:
#1 Punishing Rough -- Somewhere during the course of your round , you will have to dig discs out of the overgrowth here . The entry ways to the tucked away baskets are tight . The wraparound holes also can cause the thickets to eat your disc if you don't swing wide enough .
#2 Where to start/finish -- The starting tee is wedged in between the cemetery and the building . Since there is no online map in DGR . and no directional arrow in the parking lot , it can be hard to find . The finish is nowhere near the start , but you can see the #9 basket . from where you need to park . There is no parking close to hole1 .
#3 Repetition -- Everything from 2-8 is right to left , which will be a nightmare for some , especially new or casual players , which are the main types of players to come here . Somebody took an idea and used it times 7 .
#4 Challenge -- The holes are short , and your score will reflect whether you can hit the paths to the basket or wrap around rough effectively . It just lacks variety .
#5 Disc Risk -- Medium . The rough is thick and there are many chances to drive your disc into it . Your disc is only real safe on #9 . Control your throws , or search .
Other Thoughts:
I am only guessing that the person designing the course or having the final say in it throws right to left . Still , there is some fun in this course and a way to have the congregation at Fairfield Baptist come together and have something to do as a group during a picnic on the grounds . Church courses are also a way to say hi to the community and invite them in a subtle way to come see what this place is all about . It is also some inexpensive advertising . Other than leveling and graveling , or putting some carpet/rubber down for tee pads , and adding tee signs for 2 & 8 , and maybe a sign to direct you to hole #1 , the course would be in decent shape . It's still a nice alternative to grow the game in the Fairfield area .
MY RECOMMENDATION -- Good for church socials , and okay for newbies or intros , considering that it is short . Locals have somewhere to go if they don't want to travel up to Dickson , or make a reservation to play Broken Still . I doubt that Intermediates and up will come here unless they live down the street and want some putting practice . A little off the path for travelers , unless staying in Centerville , but a quick play for Course Baggers , combining it with Broken Still , Lake Benson and Dickson . STOP IF LOCAL OR BAGGING