Basic Information
Course Location: beside Norris Water Commission
Geographic Location: Norris, TN (36.19769, -84.07507)
Date Visited: October 2023
Number of Holes: 9
Course Length: 2367/1918 feet, par 27
Cost to Play: free
Difficulty Level: recreational, medium
Difficulty Level: recreational, medium
Carts: usable, but expect some steep and rough areas
Potential to Lose Discs: medium due to dense woods
Park Information: N/A
DG Course Review Page: https://www.dgcoursereview.com/courses/norris-dgc.12435
Course Walkabout Video:
Driving Directions: North of Knoxville, take I-75 to SR 61 (exit 122). Exit and go east on SR 61. Drive SR 61 east 1.6 miles to East Norris Road, which goes left where US 441 south goes right. Turn left on E. Norris Rd. Drive E. Norris Rd. north 0.9 miles to Deer Ridge Rd. and turn right on Deer Ridge Rd. Drive Deer Ridge Rd. north 0.1 miles to Chestnut Drive and turn left on Chestnut Drive. The parking lot for the disc golf course is 0.1 miles ahead on the right beside the tennis courts just before the Norris Water Commission. #1 tee is near the parking lot entrance beside the tennis courts.
Course Constructions:
Tees: 2 on most holes, mostly astroturf
Baskets: Discatcher, 1 on most holes, like new on my visit
Signage: course map on restroom building, small hole sign on each tee, sign at each basket pointing to next tee
Amenities: tennis court, playground, restrooms near the parking lot
Summary Review: 3 Stars (out of 5)
Norris Disc Golf Course occupies a compact, somewhat hilly, heavily-wooded piece of land near an unnamed city park and the Norris Water Commission. Most holes are less than 300 feet in length, and from the forward tees this course is very beginner friendly. Yet the course is tight enough that most players will be challenged from the long tees at least on occasion. The course has a nice mixture of hilly and flat holes: 3 holes play over hilly terrain while the other 6 are mostly flat. The area is devoted solely to disc golf, so interference from pedestrians or vehicles should not be a factor. I was the only person on the course when I came here on a warm Thursday afternoon, and course maintenance was near-perfect. The course route forms a true loop, and I had no trouble finding the next tee. Overall, this course would need more length and variety to be a highly rated course, but what is here is presented very well. This course is located near the interstate, and it is worth a stop for a quick half-round if you find yourself driving I-75 north of Knoxville.
Hole-by-Hole Review
Distances taken from hole signs. Picture sequence for each hole is 1) back tee, 2) approach, 3) basket to tee.
Hole #1: 202 feet, par 3
Comments: the most open hole on this course, this hole starts in a lightly wooded area, but the basket is in the edge of the heavily wooded area that contains the rest of the course. An accurate tee shot curved around either side of the tree in front of the basket will set-up a birdie opportunity. #2 tee is in the woods behind the basket.
Hole #2: 200/166 feet, par 3
Comments: this extremely tight hole plays moderately uphill. Some people won't like the tightness, but I think it is fine for a hole this short. #3 tee is to the right.
Hole #3: 254/213 feet, par 3
Comments: another very tight hole, this hole plays down and up across a narrow but fairly steep ravine. The most obvious line of play is the direct one, but a right-to-left disc flight could utilize another line to the right that would use the slope more effectively. Thus, there is an interesting decision to be made here. #4 tee is to the left and back toward the tee.
Hole #4: 243/186 feet, par 3
Comments: now the course heads to the bottom of the ravine and flattens out. The extreme tightness remains, and you will need an accurate tee shot to set-up a birdie. #5 tee is to the left.
Hole #5: 323/243 feet, par 3
Comments: this fairway isn't wide, but it is wider than the previous few holes. The extra space and the flat ravine-bottom terrain make this longer hole manageable. #6 tee is behind the basket and to the right.
Hole #6: 326/218 feet, par 3
Comments: very similar to the previous hole but plays the opposite direction. #7 tee is to the left and back toward the tee.
Hole #7: 301/232 feet, par 3 (B Basket)
Comments: this is the first hole with two baskets. If you play to the A basket, this is a short, flat, and very straightforward hole. The B basket is longer and more challenging: you will need to curve your disc right-to-left to fit it through narrow openings between small trees. Choose the challenge you want. #8 tee is behind the basket.
Hole #8: 258/242 feet, par 3 (B Basket)
Comments: another hole with 2 baskets. The A basket is shorter but tighter and a dogleg left. The B basket is longer but straighter with a more generous fairway, following the base of the hillside on the right. #9 tee is behind and between this hole's two baskets.
Hole #9: 260/216 feet, par 3 (B Basket)
Comments: a steeply uphill hole with one of the wider fairways on this course. Again there are 2 baskets, but in this case the A basket is just shorter than the B basket. I prefer the B basket's position just outside the edge of the woods. The parking lot is behind the basket, around the tennis courts and restroom building.
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