Pros:
(2.079 Rating) (REVISED - replayed January 2023) Generally an open layout with a few lightly wooded fairways.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - The landscape at Warhawk is void of overgrown areas and it has no water hazards either. This will be an ideal course to bring a beginner to. A new player won't lose your discs and they won't constantly be hitting trees. The course is also a great utility course for MA4s and MA3s and perhaps beyond depending on personal tastes.
- QUICK PLAY - For its length, it plays fairly quick. I've done my solo rounds here in just over 45 minutes. I also did a threesome once in less than 80 minutes.
- EASY GOING - I think the best aspect of Warhawk DGC is the easy going feel. As mentioned, no hazards and no overgrowth. There are also lots of birdie opportunities for MA3 level players and above. Also, a few ace runs and lots of opportunities to air one out for those that max out at 375 feet.
- THE BASICS - Adequate 4 foot by 10 foot concrete tees and great baskets, Pro 28 DISCatchers. It's always a nice start when a course gets the core items right.
- TRAINING GROUNDS - This is the perfect place for players rated between 800 and 900 to work on their game, especially on wind plays. This course doesn't get the heavy play like that of nearby Brahan Springs, so I could definitely see a player practicing the skill of unloading a bag on a few holes.
- NAVIGATION - It's mostly good. There is a course map on DGCR and the tee signs are nice and have the next tee direction indicated on them. The only issue is that the course is so open that first time players might throw at the wrong basket a couple times.
Cons:
No major playability issues with Warhawk, but it definitely lacks variety and challenge.
- ELEVATION - The site here is mostly flat. Perhaps there are a couple of tee to basket grade differences at around the 10-foot mark. The site perhaps had the potential to work in a 15-foot drop in elevation on a tee shot, but that wouldn't have made much of a difference.
- HOLE VARIETY - Way too many open plays for me to enjoy. There are three holes without a tree in play. Thirteen of the remaining fifteen holes I'd classify as openish or lightly wooded. Only two holes, (5) and (7), I'd label as moderately wooded holes. Only one placement could be argued a par 4 for lower skill levels, Placement (18 C), but par figures are not listed on the tee signs. There are no water plays and no par 5s. There are a few par 3s with placements beyond 400 feet. There are also a few nice swales around baskets that could bring into play a death roll. For those that don't know, that's when the disc catches an edge and rolls 30-feet or more away.
- LACK OF SHOT SHAPING - With the extent of the openness, one can expect a round with very little thought process while on the tee. For most of the holes here, I'll just look at the tee sign hole distance, and then quickly grab a disc and throw. Way too many holes can be attacked from every angle.
- LACK OF DIFFICULTY - MA3s level players who are able to throw 325 feet should have no problem breaking par on this course. MA1s should probably be able to throw 10 down or more on light wind days. The only challenging deuce to an MA1 is location (C) on hole (18) which is listed at 520 feet.
- NO BONUS AMENITIES - Still no community board or course map. No restrooms or shelters near the layout and only one set of tees. There is a practice basket near tee (1), and 9 holes have multiple basket placements. Sadly not one installed bench in its near 5 year existence.
- WIND - It's been super windy 2 of the 4 times I've been here. Much of the challenge here comes from this aspect.
- RAW BEAUTY - Really not much for the designer to work with to deliver an inspiring layout. The grass looks terrible in several sections and they recently trimmed all the bases of the magnolias. The airport runway fills the east backdrop and the buzz of U.S. 31 traffic fills the west backdrop. I gave the course a 1.625 out of 5 for this aspect.
Other Thoughts:
A nice set up that will definitely attract newer players within a 15 to 20-minute drive. Locally, it most closely reminds me of courses like Journey Church and Asbury Church, but this one is 18 holes and slightly more bland. Players that like to grip-it and rip it might really like this course. However, for those that prefer technical courses, they will have to go elsewhere. I would suggest nearby Flying Dragon in Decatur or Mastin Lake in Huntsville.