Pros:
Hop Springs Beer Park is a newer Microbrewery that features an 18 hole disc golf course on it's grounds . A large parking lot is at the end of the driveway and bathrooms are inside when the place is open . The first tee is at the beginning of the parking lot .
The Equipment : The tee pads are wood boxed with gravel in them . They will be cement , but not poured yet . The signs lack , just saying hole# , par and distance on a post on some of the earlier holes . The baskets are new Prodigies . I talked to one of the workers there , and he says that the concrete will be poured very soon , and the course has already entertained tournaments here . There is no kiosk here , yet , but inside , the bartenders will give you separate maps for the front 9 and back 9 holes . You will need these , or the online maps , to navigate the course in its early stages .
The Landscape " Hop Springs Park has a lot of land and it rolls a bit . No huge amount of elevation , but what is here is used . There is a small creek , dry when I played , that runs through the middle of the property and is in play on several holes . The trees are sparse , but are used in basket protection or to line fairways . The grass was mowed and the park was clean when I played .
The Challenge : The length , some good basket placements , and some variety = a par 65 course . You can shoot par here , but you will work for it . I'm sure some trees will be planted and the course will be tinkered with before it is finalized . You will get a workout here .
The Highlights . The length here is fantastic . I had to see it with my own eyes . 9420' , and they have room to add . There are 8 holes over 600' . Hole #2, 730' is an elevated drive to a flat plain that follows the driveway to the basket close to the front of the grounds . #9 is a gully shot 743' to a basket sitting on a flat green . #18 , a good finishing hole is 760' slightly uphill at the end , left to right , and brings you behind the building .
Signature Hole : #6 . at 919' and the longest hole on the course . it plays straight to a large amount of rough about 300' away . You can throw along the creek line to stay in the fairway , or throw over the high rough to cut part of the course . The basket sits 90' uphill on top of a long sustained grade .
I safaried a hole that I made up along the way that I thought would make a nice addition , but forgot to give the idea to the bartender .
The Time : I made a couple of errors playing the course , but it took me about an hour and 20 minutes . A group of 4 will take over 2 1/2 hours .
Disc Risk : The grounds are clean and the creek will never eat your disc , but the rough is a little high in places . I still rate losing your disc on the low end . You should be safe .
How many course in your lifetime not only encourage you to grab a beer and play the course , but to welcome you to stop in and relax outdoors with a couple of more , afterwards . There is also a food truck that is present for a lunch or dinner on Thursday thru Sunday . Bands play here Thursday thru Sunday , too . Optimal time to come here and enjoy everything would be Thursday thru Sunday late afternoons or evenings . Dogs look welcome here , and the Murfreesboro natives seem very nice .
Cons:
#1 The Equipment : Tee pads need to be finished , good signage installed . Some Next Tee signs would help with navigation , along with a kiosk at the building or tee #1 .
#2 Navigation : The course is raw , and therefore , players will make mistakes going from point to point on the course . I started to throw at the 7 basket from the 6 tee , not thinking that I had to go 90 degrees uphill from the basket to hit my target still 300+ feet away .
#3 Safety : A couple of spots where fairways run parallel , players that are cranking a long drive might stray from their fairway and end up in yours ( ie. 6 & 7 ) . Just be aware if the course is crowded . Also , #2 throws from an elevated tee and hugs the driveway . You might have to hold up your drive for a car or 2 . Other than that , the course avoids any other park activities .
Some of the flat areas could become soggy after a rain or 2 . Throw some waterproof boots in your trunk to be safe .
Ticks . I pulled a couple off of me at the end of my round .
This course will need some short tees . The course will be too intimidating to the casual player . Short tees will encourage dates and families to go out and try a round .
Other Thoughts:
Coming here and throwing this course had me brimming with ideas about this course . The owner will get his initial investment back tenfold + if he promotes it . There is always going to be a fun factor here ,not only for the course , but for the atmosphere . It is good disc golf with a happening afterwards . You never have to leave the grounds for a meal or a couple of drinks . You can even toss a game of cornhole if you wish . I didn't score the course very high because I don't like grading on potential . But I do intend on coming back in the fall or spring and anticipate giving this course a rating jump . Not far off of I-24 and not far out of Nashville , come and patronize a local owner and a dream .
My Recommendation . Not a destination course yet , but a potential Must-Play . A little long for newbies dates or families so far . Great for intermediates , Ams and pros . A real chance to dig into your driver arsenal . Fantastic for travelers to step off , play 9 or 18 holes , grab a bite and jump back onto the highway . and Course Collectors , who can grab the 2 other courses in Murfreesboro and end up here for a bite .
Play This Course Now , so next year you can tell others that you saw the early stages of this course in the making .