Pros:
Where do I start....
I am rating this as a 4.5 simply because it was truly PHENOMENAL and I want to reserve the 5....maybe I will change my mind...***This is the BEST course I have played to date***I played this course in the rain today with 52 degree temps and loved it. For the UFO's...your commitment to the sport and to your course is evident and very much appreciated.
1)Course Layout- This course is laid out PERFECTLY in tune and in line with its surroundings. Every hole is an adventure in itself, which is one of the reaons I LOVED this course. The mix of long, short, open, tight, up hill, down hill, cross the Kudzu valley on 18...plus a very plesant walk in the woods...
2) Signage...THIS COURSE IS THE STANDARD, in my HUMBLE opinion. Perfect signage and directional signs, hole layout, basket placement...EVEN the practice basket says, "PRACTICE" on it. BRAVO!!!!!!!
3) Risk versus Reward- A+...every single hole caused an internal dialogue...do a lay up or do I bomb it? Do I spike hyzer or keep the disc below the tree line and work the shot? What happends if....you catch my drift...This was SUCH a neat treat because not only was I playing in the rain, playing a course I never played before, but I was playing THE COURSE....today it won..+2...
4) Architectural detail- I say this because of the DIFFERENT shots that I had to make today because of the fairway shapes, hole placements, uphills, downhills...alone today I had to execute straight shots, Hyzer/A-Hyzer, Thumber, Tomahawk, long put, short put, roller, skip shot, and a PUT UP or SHUT UP 200' drive (normally not a big deal) acoss a Kudzu valley..
5) Practice area. NICE open practice area (well marked as stated above) and adjacent to the parking lot and Hole #1. I state this as a Pro because it is nice to have an area where you can short put and long put for warmups, plus be near your car for a quick change if you under or over dressed
6) Online course map. This map was GREAT...it was VERY easy navigating the course, but it was nice to have such an accurate and detailed map to have as a back up...I drove over 2 hours to play this course and did not spend my time searching for baskets or tee pads....
7) Course Condition. A+++...PROPS to the UFO's...guys, your course is OUTSTANDING and I appreciated the attention to detail with the benches, signage, directional signs, but more importantly there are no downed trees in the fairways, or psycho underbrush. The steps, bridges, and benches are in GREAT if not PERFECT shape, and it is CLEAN...AHHHH...how refreshing...AND...nice Info Kiosk...it represents you guys and gals wells and hats off to the UFO's...Oh, I would be remiss if I did not mention on Hole #2 HOW COOL of a idea was it to dig out UFO in the fairway...NICE TOUCH!!
Cons:
Cons....Hmmm, the ONLY con I can think of is that this course is over 2 hours away from me (I live in Chilhowie, VA).
Other Thoughts:
Thanks to the person who previously posted the GPS address....this was SPOT ON...thanks...I can see where it would get tricky without that.
For me, this is disc golf, This is why I have fallen in love with this sport. On a very serious note, THANKS UFO'S. You have a great course and I appreciate the love and attention you show your course. It made it a very PLEASANT trip and I plan to be back...
Favorite Holes-
#2- I LOVE this hole...one slip up or left turn of the disc and you are toast!!! Nice little holeshot hole and steep drop on the other side of the paved trail...
#10...I nearly aced this hole...I hit the basket and it hit the tree right in front...
Hole 7.5- I will always refer to this as the BASTARD hole...a simple little hole, but that little L to R curve and across the ravene took me by suprise...but it was fun...
Hole 18- I have to admit that a 200' drive is really not a big deal for me, but put kudzu between you and the basket and a ZERO chance of finding your disc if you shank it, PRICELESS....got my blood pumping....
GO PLAY THIS COURSE...This was such a great round for me and worth every minute of travel and gallon of gas. You have restrooms/changing area (CLEAN, too), great playground areas and places for the family to play while dad is in the woods chasing discs...safe area of Hickory in a nice neighborhood, but most importantly a very family-oriented, clean, and inviting place to come to!!!