Pros:
I pulled into Meeman-Shelby on a Sunday morning at about 9:40 , to a half full parking lot . Most times , that means there is a tournament or league doubles playing in the morning . If you are a traveler , you want to avoid these . The guys gathering for this were very nice , gave me some directions and turned me loose about 15 minutes ahead of them . The start of the East Course is to the far left as you are facing the shelter . The baskets are a mix of old yellow Discatchers and regular Machs . The tee pads are cement or carpet on top of cement , which were adequate . The tee pads were a little shorter , but they may have been from 40+ years ago . This is widely considered the oldest course in Tennessee ( 1978 ) . If you research it , that's the way I read it , too . The signage is faded but readable somewhat . There are 2 pins per hole on many ( I didn't see where on the signs which position the pin was in ) . The amenities include a nice water faucet to the left of the shelter . The shelter is mostly used by disc golf and has a bathroom in it . Trash cans and benches are throughout the course .There is a kiosk , that I originally thought was useless , but was shown the key to it and it makes sense . I won't go hole by hole , but I will try to guide you as the nice Sunday group guided me for the first few . left of the shelter , #1 wraps around the woods and brush to the tee's right . #2 is the tee that kind of stares you in the face when you are teeing off #1 straight ahead . #3 gets tricky . After playing #2 , the inclination is to go a bit right and pick up the next tee you see , but #3 is actually behind the #2 basket and in the woods . You will figure it out . Then the course starts to flow a little . You can use common sense to get where you are going from the on . The fairways are mostly short but tightly wooded . #7 goes over a gully . There is some elevation on this course , but it isn't extreme . Challenges aren't huge on this course , but the lines force some shot shaping . You might want to leave your bomber drivers , heck , maybe all of your drivers behind for a few of you . Pros & good Ams will need only Some good midranges and a putter . What it lacks in hole by hole challenge , it more than makes up for in fun . The lines change from hole to hole , encouraging creativity . This course is a fast play . I played the course solo in just over an hour . Disc Risk is low on this course . Even though most of the course is set on woods , only some areas of the forest floor will leave you temporarily looking for your disc . #18 is a nice finishing uphill shot . Since I didn't have an online map to print , I am going to guess that my favorite hole was #15 ? A downhill controlled drive that comes back uphill some at the end .
Cons:
#1 Navigation . This course needs an online map , a couple of NEXT TEE signs , and maybe a bolt on the tee signs telling the golfer which pin position the basket is in so they don"t need to walk up the fairway to figure it out . #2 Bugs . Spray up in the summer and fall months . #3 Very short , and technical . Not really a con , but ,,,, also , make sure you complete your calls by the time you get close to the course . I lost coverage about 4 miles before .
Other Thoughts:
A lot of history here . I found out from the players her that the original 18 hole course was actually made up of holes 1-9 of both the East AND West course . 2 courses in a free state park in Tennessee , 36 holes in all . Nice locals , course amenities . Perfect for a half day of play . You can even stretch it to a full day if you add Bud Hill right down the road . My recommendation : This is certainly a destination area . Meeman Shelby and Bud Hill are the reason I came to Memphis . Local , newbie , enthusiast , traveler , PLAY IT FOR SURE !!!!!