Kiwis in Memphis Playing Disc Golf
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Disc Golf in Memphis Tennessee.

Kiwi disc golfer Gabb is spending some time in the Land of the Blues, Elvis and Barbeque. Join him as he visits the local disc golf attractions and meets some of the friendly locals who are always more than keen to show him around.

Click to jump down to the pics for...
Shelby Farms Park
Bud Hill Disc Golf Park
Shelby Forest Disc Golf Park (Western Course)

Story to come - meanwhile, enjoy the pics!

Hoping that the Memphis lads will perhaps correct me on hole numbers and details that I may have gotten wrong.

Have having great fun on the disc golf front fer sure!

This page will probably take a while to load, as I have used rather large pics (about 2.8Mb total), but those that visit will be enthusiastic and so shouldn't mind, plus the idea is to throw together a story which they can read whilst the images load underneath.

Gabb

SHELBY FARMS DISC GOLF COURSE (Public Course)

Disc Golf in Memphis
Debbie Does Memphis. On their first full weekend in Memphis, Deb and Gabb visited the Shelby Farms course for an introductory round. Here Deb pots the 4th with her customary confident putting style.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Hello y'awl. Local pro and a big part of the Memphis Disc Golf Club Zac Lambrecht briefs the field before the Ryan's Hope Classic begins. This tournament, whilst casual in its play, raises money for a very worthy cause. The weather may have dampened the turnout numbers, but well over $1000 still went to the Ryan's Hope cause.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Dimple Technolgy. Gabb had heard about this sort of thing, but to be given a Gateway Diablo DT (for Dimple Techonology!) in his players pack, along with another disc and a mini was quite a bonus.

Disc Golf in Memphis
What A Start!. Hole One and in true Juan Unda style, Gabb tries out his untested Gateway Diablo DT (for Dimple Technology!) only to 'disc'over it turns sharply to the right. Not good when there is dense bush there!

Disc Golf in Memphis
What A Start! - Part Two. Once in the bush, Gabb tries for an intricate roller recovery, only to see it roll up the trunk of a tree and fire straight back at him (see it top left)! A resulting triple bogie saw "Juan Unda" revert to his death-or-glory try-for-an ace approach that endeared him so much to the crowds back in New Zealand.

Disc Golf in Memphis
I'm Watching You. There were other interesting discs on display. This one proudly owned by Memphis Disc Golf President Brian Friedman.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Crazy Baskets. There were several wickedly designed baskets on display, all made by local enthusiast Jeff Karl who set up and ran the short kids course. On ya Jeff!

Disc Golf in Memphis
Bling Basket. And out on the course proper - on one of the two extra holes - was this very cool chain-chain basket. Looks like a lot of work!

Disc Golf in Memphis
All Day Ref! Gabb couldn't find a birdie all day - here he bounces off the basket on the second bonus hole.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Now That's Power . The secone hole features a long open fairway, but with the basket hidden from the tee in amoungst some trees to the right edge. Here local Gateway Professional Zac Lambrecht shows extreme power on the tee (or maybe just a wee bit in front of the tee - preserving the tee area we're told :^).

Disc Golf in Memphis
Presidential Drive. Hole 4 and Memphis Disc Golf President Brian Friedman releases with the balance and poise of many years experience on this course.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Down the Channel . In true Unda style, Juan tries the direct approach to the basket - another good drive that shoulda been a birdie, but no way.

Disc Golf in Memphis
This is a Thorny Issue. The lads warned Gabb about drifting left on hole 6 - and rightly so. The thorns in the trees there were just waiting for a foolish tourist to wander in.

Disc Golf in Memphis
A Line of Baskets . The generally open design of the Shelby Farms course may make it look easy, but there is seasonal water to contend with as well as some very smartly placed and tricky basket locations.

BUD HILL DISC GOLF COURSE (Private Course)

Disc Golf in Memphis
At Yer Own Risk. But all will be well - the lucky horseshoe greets you at the carpark, I mean parking lot.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Brad in Action. Hole 2 and Brad is already showing local knowledge.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Welcome to Bud Hill. Brad throws a high putt backdropped by the shelter on the third tee.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Bag Hangers . Yep, Danny even provides special hangers so you can keep your bag dry in wet conditions and/or save the back from a lift. Awesome.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Hop, Skip and Release. Local pro Zac also showed local knowledge - long pants to combat poison ivy. Here he tees off on from the elevated third tee. The Bud Hill course sits right alongside the Mississippi River and there are plenty of water features around.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Rusty Basket. No, that's not the name of the other local, that was the characteristic feature of the 4th hole's target, up a slight rise after a couple of hundred feet of flat, narrow fairway.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Da Plane! Da Plane. Gabb just cannot stop photographing planes when he's on the golf course. If only he could concentrate on his game!

Disc Golf in Memphis
Reptilian Hazard . This rather large fella was discovered along the 7th fairway.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Shady Tee. Zac shows poise and control on the shortish 8th. But the trees surrounding the basket ensure this is no gimme birdie.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Kiwi Koordination. Gabb demonstrates his patented two handed release on the 12th.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Waterlife. Some golfers are game enough to brave the ponds and find quite a few discs. Unfortunately some non member golfers come along (Bud Hill is Memphis Disc Golf Club Members only) and take off with other players' discs that have found their way into the ponds. There is a box in the clubhouse for disc that have been found to be left in for their owners to recover. And the ponds can be dangerous, hiding a few nasty hazards, like some sharp edged barrels (usually marked by fake ducks).

Disc Golf in Memphis
The Bamboo Shoot . On the 10th green, you are surrounded by bamboo that is harvested for the 2 Pandas that are a feature of the Memphis Zoo. Brad can't 'bear' to look as local pro Zac guides his Gateway square into the chains for another birdie.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Welcome to the Bud Hill Clubrooms. Scene of many a social gathering - there's a big open fireplace outside surrounded by seats, a nice roomy deck (built using funds donated by local pro Phil ?? with his prizemoney from an event here in 200?), lots of nostalgic stuff on the walls. And even a few bunks where golfer are known to stay over in during some of the tournaments.

Disc Golf in Memphis
"I Wash My Hands In Muddy Waters". Between courses, you must visit the General Store - its been here for well over 100 years and attracts all sorts. Bikers on Harleys, roadies taking a break from risking life and limb on these roads, general public and, of course, disc golfers. Patron Doug supports the disc golf scene, sponsoring just about every event that happens at Bud Hill or Shelby Forest. And he offers a fine selection of discs too, to compliment his Memphis-famous cheeseburgers and onion rings. Mmm mmm, enough to make you wanna play another round! We were also fortunate enough to time our visit with the local bluegrass band plucking out their rendition of Muddy Waters - classic.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Confused Kiwi . Gabb's never seen so many golf discs in one place! Oh well, another cheeseburger will help. Is that a pot belly we're seeing?!

SHELBY FOREST WEST DISC GOLF COURSE (Public Course)

Disc Golf in Memphis
Welcome to Shelby Forest Disc Golf Course. Our intrepid threesome arrived to see the old sign still standing and quite a few groups out playing. Good stuff.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Kiwis Can Fly! Gabb was starting to get a handle on his Gateway Diablo DT (for Dimple Technology!) disc and was firing some nice straight drives. The tendancy of the Diablo to turn over means a slight (10-15 degree) hyzer is required to achieve the straight line. A real bonus on these narrow fairways.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Left of This Trunk, Right of That Trunk. Zac bends one like...well Zac. This one hit the upper rim of the basket. The local pro had a fair bit of back luck bounce outs in this round.

Disc Golf in Memphis
So Very Close. Brad was threatening to make a move on the other 2 players to close the 2 shot gap that had opened up. Threatening not with his play, but with de Haas-like banter all the way. However, he had us all holding our breath as this shot on the 11th looked all the way like an ace, only to slide over the basket by inches (see disc just above basket). Next time Brad!

Disc Golf in Memphis
That'll Do! No ace, but at least the Webbmaster ensured a birdie to have him chasing the others right to the last.

Disc Golf in Memphis
Timber! Zac is at one with his Gateway disc leaning over like a tall pine falling as he forearms up the dogleg 15th to set up a birdie that saw him closing the gap the Kiwi had opened up.