This was my original review, and it still applies for most of the front 9 holes:
Wow, what a fun little course! I branched out from my go to course since COVID-19 had it shutdown, to catch this newer course that I had not yet played. I tried to temper my expectations going in seeing as the course was new, at a church, and only 9 holes (at the time). But I would have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
FYI, when you pull into the church driveway, take the road left to the backside of the church. Look on your right as you approach the parking lot behind the main building to find the first tee with sign.
The course is on the church grounds, and follows a path around the property. There is elevation change everywhere here. I walked up to the first tee which is still dirt and found some cool yellow rocks with a painted logo to mark the tee locations. If you go, navigation is tricky. I used my UDisc app and the map there lead me around just fine. It might be a little more difficult playing it with no guide between tees.
Hole 1: This hole overlooks the soccer field with a basket across the field and halfway up the hill on the opposite side. You can see several baskets here, but the tee sign makes it quite obvious which one is yours. It is a nice long open pull for a RHBH. But beware, the hill at the basket will make you pay if you catch and edge and roll on the drive or after a long putt.
Hole 2: This is just a short downhill toss with really only a rhbh hyzer line. Its not hard if you hit your line. I imagine it would be miserable if you missed your line due to all the trees. Note: Hole 3's goal is to your right as you tee off on 2. Remember that because you may not be able to see the goal from hole 3's tee.
Hole 3: Nice full uphill shot to elevated basket set into a huge boulder. Its a cool looking basket location, and the hill will make for an interesting death putt if your drive goes long.
Hole 4:Nice and simple RHFH flick downhill. Its great place to practice that type of shot.
Hole 5: A very long hole with plenty of space to grip it and rip it! I really liked this hole because it gives you a chance to throw everything you have into a drive with very little risk. The basket is downhill and more on the left side of the fairway.
Hole 6: This is my favorite hole! This one can be deceptively difficult to get a 3 on if you play the road and beyond the creek as OB. It would take a well placed shot through trees to stick a landing on this peninsula hole from the tee.LOVED THIS HOLE.
Hole 7: Another long open drive over soccer field. Very little trouble, so feel free to really let it ride.
Hole 8 (Now hole 18): Really long downhill drive. Plays about like 310 ft. Playing with road as OB makes this really interesting.
Hole 9
This hole is currently not in play) One more long drive across the field to a basket up on an elevated ridge. It takes a pretty good pull to get pin high here. Especially for Rec/Intermediate players.
I had a lot of fun playing here. I would not say it is super technically dangerous, but I do believe it is the best Greenville has to offer to allow lower level players a course where they can work on improving their long distance driving accuracy. There are not a lot of long courses in the area that combine this forgiving of a fairway without being just an empty open field.
This to date has been my favorite 9 hole course I have ever played. Sure, it could use some navigational aids, more tee signs, removal of briars on Hole 5, and some stairs on certain steep banks, but I still would rather play here than some local 18 hole courses that have all those things. For this, I am giving it my highest 9-hole course rating ever, and keep in mind it may go up as improvements are made.
8/24/21 Update:
So, the previous was my initial review. Since then, tee signs have been added along with a formidable back 9 (Holes 8-17) that have mostly been carved out of the wooded property next door.
I played it for the first time yesterday, and boy, what a contrast between the front and back 9s. The back nine is tighter with significant distance and significant directional change. It is a challenge to say the least. Most courses in the area are designed to be attacked, this one is designed to make you be patient and accurate, and then punish you severely if you are off target.
Itt was a refreshing challenge, but it needs play. The fairways are still rough, and the course needs to be beaten in. I believe there are plans to do some fine tuning in the future, but even as it is now, it is a great little course! We will find out this Saturday, but I am pretty sure even par o this course will result in a 950+rated round.
Out of the 69 courses I have reviewed, this is where this course ranks along with similarly rated courses:
Rank-Course, Location
15-Regional DGC, Ardmore, OK
16-Dolly Cooper Park DGC, Powdersville, SC
17-Woodruff Leisure Center DGC, Woodruff, SC
18-Shaver Recreation Center Original, Seneca, SC
19-Hampton Park Baptist Church DGC, Greenville, SC
20-Foothills DGC, Easley, SC
21-Langley Pond DGC, Burnettown, SC
22-Century Park DGC, Greer, SC
23-Pipeline DGC, Spartanburg, SC
24-Zube Park DGC, Hockley, TX