Pros:
Located in the suburbs of Hopkinsville is the 9 hole North Drive course . Plenty of parking in the rec center lot. which is next to hole #1 . Seeing the rating can be deceiving . This course is landlocked by roads on 3 sides and woods in the back , but still has some decent length on several of the holes ( 4 is 417' , 5 is 350' and 7 is 340' ) . The course is very well kept up , looking like it is mowed and trimmed regularly . There is a practice basket near a nice kiosk near hole #1 , . There are good sized cement tees on all of the holes , basic Mach baskets with numbers on the tops , and good descriptive signage with Hole # ,par , distance and hole layout . although one was broken off at #7 , I think . Strangely , when you look away from the course in every direction , nothing is very attractive about area outside the park , but when you look at the area in the park , you realize how nice this park looks from the inside . Within the confines of this part of the park , you will only share it with a cement walking trail that wanders through it . I don't know how many people utilize it , since I played it at 7:30 on a Saturday morning , but it may cause you to wait a minute or 2 per round . The course is easily navigable and a fast play . I figure a solo player could play this in about 30 minutes or so . The park is fairly open , but the course utilized the trees and bushes , even a small pond and a tiny creek that was dry when I was there .Nice bridges dot this course . Only a couple of filler holes on this course ( #3 and #9 ) . The course will start you off with a straightaway drive ( most of the course are straightaway drives ) with a driveway to the right and the basket sitting right behind a creek and flanked by a couple of trees . 2 is an open drive into a clump of trees . 3 is a drive to an open area next to the playground , with a tree next to your right of the pad . The holes become nicer looking , as 4 , being the longest hole on the course ( 417' ) is a downhill drive , with woods on your immediate right , over a creek and towards a large rock sitting to the left of the basket , which sits protected under a couple of trees . #5 was my signature hole of this course . Your drive will force you to carry between 4 small trees surrounding a small pond , up a hill over a rocky but dry creek bed . Then you your approach , you will throw into a woodsy area where the disc basket sits ( about 50' ) . #6 is a short slight downhill drive to a basket with a bush line at the end and to the right of it . 7 had no tee sign , but the pad sits near basket #1 . You throw your drive with that creek bed to your right , 2 decent sized trees in the fairway to the basket beyond . #8 is around a tree directly in front of your drive and #9 is just a straightaway throw with no obstructions . The course has little elevation , but what it does have , it uses . There is a Port O Let near the playground after hole #2 . Disc risk is near 0 since the course is so well kept . Maybe other that griplocking your drive on 4 into the foliage on your right , you will be safe .
Cons:
#1 The course is in a confined area , which means that you have to pay attention if there are other groups or walkers in the park . An errant throw could end up in the direction of the path or on another fairway and bean someone . #2 Basically pretty flat , if you really like the elevation factor in your game .
Other Thoughts:
. Inside this area is one most well kept and pleasing 9 holers I have played . I am going to give it a 2.5 , but I think it may be a bit better than decent/typical and move the needle toward the Good . Course designer H B Clark does a great job with what he has to work with here . An excellent stop for travelers ( Just off I-69 ) , course baggers to combine with nearby Trail Of Tears Park , locals , newbies and even families . I made it a 3 because of the fun factor here . park at the rec center , jump out and just play . My Recommendation : PLAY IT !!