Where to begin?
To start off it should be said that I am personal friends with some of the foremost members of the club which ultimately makes my review somewhat subjective (although I will try to be objective). Also should be noted I've not played that many private courses (maybe 5 or 6).
- The design is amazing here, with some of the best elevation usage and interesting (borderline gimmicky at times) pin placements I've seen anywhere (let alone a backyard).
- The heavily wooded holes (which are the majority) still play very fair with workable gaps and very forgiving rough in terms of disc locating (not par saving).
- Compared to other low land NC private courses it is hands down the best for design and overall atmosphere (and I've played DB's).
- The Brackett family are some of the nicest and most welcoming southerners I've met, never feeling like I didn't belong even though I am not a member or local, since I only play when visiting Charlotte (If I lived here membership would be a no-brainer). The clubhouse and course life are the stuff of movies and you will never be short on entertainment when you come here to play.
- This is the kind of course that makes you a better player, forcing you to hone your shot variety/selection and mental game (MJ routinely trouncing you in doubles is enough to make anyone strive to improve).
- One of the most unique courses ever built. period.

Stretching here
- Mob golf is pretty routine especially later in the day and weekends.
- The original layout is no more, which was super epic (an easy 5 discs) but Dave has done an amazing job with the more limited space (finger pointed at you land management officials) for the current layout and the course hasn't lost an ounce of its original character.
- Umm its hot in NC in the summer and the hilly terrain only makes this harder for a yankee to endure.

If you can get the chance to enjoy this course do it, you will not regret coming here.

This was the first Charlotte course we played on a whirlwind 4 day 10 course road trip. What a way to first experience Charlotte golf.

As soon as you get out of your car you can tell this is a very very special place to a lot of discgolfers. Donated tee pads, DIY projects on just about every hole. Gardens and maintained ponds.

Meticulous condition. The course really is spotless, unless you count the gnomes and other trinkets all over the property.

There are great benches on every tee (I think?)

The best paver tee pads I have ever encountered. Perfectly flat and large.

All the personalized trinkets all over the place felt like you were in someones disc golf living room.

So many great holes it is hard to remember them all.

Amazing tight lines carved out of some really hilly scenic countryside. There are some raised baskets here and there.


Really fast and really really fun greens including one (that you get to play twice!) that is perched at the top of a massive rock outcrop that has to be 25+ feet on the front face of it.


Met a couple friendly locals who opened up the small pro shop for us. It was equipped with snacks and drinks with a small but very current and adequate selection of plastic. We were invited to play in the weekly doubles and we were treated like a local

I think I liked Brackett's the most out of my 4 some but still had some minor complaints.

It seems like all of my cons are as a result of the recent redesign.

There are some really busy places on this course. Baskets and tee pads can be really close to each other in some spots.

There are some shared baskets on holes on the front and back nine

There is a hole that you play twice. I think it is 2 and 10 but I may be mistaken.

There wasn't signs on every hole, but we played pretty early in the season and would bet they are all out by now.

When we played there was only a handful of golfers on the course but I could see long waits on busier days/league nights

If I was local this is where I would be spending my time golfing, helping out, and just hanging out.

The property has such an amazing vibe to it. Every bit of a "Must play" as all the other heavyweights in Charlotte.

Don't forget to leave the owner some cash for the privilege of playing here.

- Private Property. I love private property courses... they have an ambience, an atmosphere, a flavor... and Brackett's Bluff is no different.
- Everything Shots. Well thought out, FAIR, beautiful, EPIC shots. Nothing seems repetitive... grass, woods, tight, open, uphill, downhill, short, medium, long, straightaway, big doglegs, water, OB, mandies, a hanging basket, an extremely elevated "rock" basket... Brackett's has everything.
- Play Golf. Every shot at Brackett's requires your complete attention. Having a momentary lapse in concentration can result in a ruined scorecard.
- Appropriately Par'd. I love the fact that they didn't get all cocky and go "Pro-Par" for the course. Lots of Par 4's and a Par 5. Nothing is given freely... but, by linking a few good-to-great shots together you can yield easy birdies.
- Membership. The Membership rule helps keep crowds and scumbags away and allows for an unobstructed round of golf. And although I didn't have a membership, I was able to contact a member and obtain permission to play. I love DGCR!
- The Boots. There is a river that flanks two holes and the Brackett's have provided rubber boots (located on the side of the fairway at 3 locations) so you can retrieve your disc without getting your feet wet... well almost!
- Little Things. I love the hidden little statues, the deer skull with antlers on the tree, the troll on the bridge that takes your money if you throw in the creek, the rubber snake, etc...

- Rock Basket. Let me just say that I love the concept, I love the look, the uniqueness... but the "Rock Basket" is unfair. The very best lay-up zone possible leaves you with a hard 20+ foot uphill death putt. That pin position alone can determine your final score... I only took a 4; but, an easy 3 can become an 8 really quick. I wouldn't move it though!
- Rubber Snake. The rubber snake scared the shit out of me!!! After almost stepping on this fake copperhead... I went bogey, bogey, double, double. Ouch!!!

- Hype Worthy. Having read the reviews, knowing it's on the Top 10 list, having to obtain special permission to play, etc... I could have been easily disappointed. But, Bracket's exceeded all the hype. It's in my Top 5... and that's saying a lot!
- Money Box. The Brackett's put a lot of time and effort into making this course top caliber. Definitely put money in the donation box... or buy a membership... or BOTH.
- My Score: -3 (with the catastrophic 4 hole meltdown).

My Enjoyment Rating: 9.2 (out of 10)

I arrived with the expectation that I was getting to play a very enjoyable course, and I wasn't disappointed. For days after playing there my "Euphoria Factor" was extremely high.

Design-
*Fairways- There are many challenging and creative holes and no weak ones. There's also a Pro layout that features 2 extra holes ( 5 & 6) and some alternate tee pads with a different routing that avoids crossing fairways. The holes have good fairway shape variety: 8 Straight/ 5 Left/ 5 Right.
*Hole 10 is now one of my Top 3 favorite basket placements in the state of NC. The basket is set into a boulder and much of it has a 15 ft. plus drop off if you miss your putt. That makes for great risk vs. reward. If go for the birdie and miss you're shooting straight up from 15 ft below.
*Elevation changes- There are fantastic elevation changes with lots of variety. 6 Flat/ 5 Up/ 7 Down. There are three uphill holes with +40 to +45 ft elevation changes and some downhill holes with -25 to -30 ft drops. Bring your hiking shoes. The flat holes on the back nine are actually a welcome respite.
*Natural beauty abounds. There are large boulders, woods, a river, a pond, ravines, dry stream beds, steep drop offs...
*Length variety is fantastic! 2 <199/ 5 of 200-299/ 6 of 300-399/ 3 of 400-499/ 2 >600 (606, 678)
*The putting areas are excellent, with some creative basket placements-- in a stump, hanging over a steep rock drop off, implanted in a boulder with a steep drop...
*Immaculately maintained. I didn't see one scrap of trash; no cans or bottles anywhere. The grass was well mowed, and there's an awful lot of it to keep up with. Whoever mows the grass along the power line has quite a job!

Basics-
*Baskets- It's amazing that a private course has mostly Discatcher baskets. There are still some holes with DISCatcher Sport baskets, but I think that these will be replaced over time.
*Tees- the tees are all very good. They're concrete or paver stones. Long and level.
*Signs- Every hole has a nice hole map in a picture frame
*Navigation- It's very easy to find your way, even without a map. Transition paths are well marked. Some have lights.

Amenities-
*Many little touches like a lost disc box, creative hole names, decorative knick knacks on trees, a bridge, a soft drink machine. Hole 13 has boots to put on if you go in the river and a ladder if you need to climb down into the ravine near the basket.
*There's a man made pond, as well as tons of benches and lots of trash cans.

These are really minor issues...
-It would be nice to have an explanation of the Pro layout, and I expect this will come in time. As a first timer I saw the 2 extra Pro holes and some Pro tees with different numbering, but I couldn't figure out how it played. It turns out that 2 Pro holes (10 & 18) also play to different baskets than the regular layout.
-Crossing fairways. There are two sets (10 & 18, 11 & 17) where fairways cross. It didn't bother me, though, because 11 and 18 are so long that it would be easy to compensate for, but I guess it might cause delays in tournaments.

Course Level: White (most suited for Intermediate players rated 900.)

You be the judge-
My favorite hole- 10. You tee off out of chute of trees, downhill (with a -21 ft. elevation drop), cross an open grass area, and go back into the woods to the basket implanted in the boulder.

• Terrain- mostly wooded, but some holes are more open. The epic uphill 18th hole is wide and grassy along a power line. 11 Woods/ 7 Mixed
• Navigation- because of the woods and the layouts you can't see 6 baskets from the tees, so they need a little scouting out, but the hole maps show you where to throw.
• Unfortunately, because some people acted irresponsibly the Bracketts had to change to a members only system. If you go as a guest of a member make sure to leave a donation.

Click on this hyperlink for a description of my understanding of the Pro Layout

This is now one of my Top 2 favorite Private courses and overall it's in my top category-- "My Favorites". (Currently, that makes it one of my all time Top 12.) The Brackett family was blessed with great land, and they've done a mind boggling amount of work out there as well as spending lots of money on good baskets, tees, and other amenities. It's one of those rare courses where I'm already trying to find another opportunity to drive the 3 hours (160 miles) to play again. It's a destination course that I strongly recommend!

To have my reviews delivered to your Inbox join the Yahoo group "DG Course Reviews" . Look in the Files section there for my Overall Rating notes and Hole-by-hole ratings too.

someone actually did what you talk about doing so go play it...."man, when I get some land I am building the coolest course..." yeah bet you want do near as good a job as the Bracketts have. This is complete bliss, and pay the troll on the bridge or lose some plastic and strokes on down the line.

The only thing I think needs changing is daylight hours. I mean you cant play this course in the dark, it would get expensive.I call this a boutique course at its finest, a family that loves the sport sharing with all of us throwers...don't litter, or mess this up for the sake of others if not for yourself.

Drive from Charlotte could take no time at all, if it wasn't five o'clock traffic. Even if it was rush hour it would still be worth the drive to play it.Well done Brackett family, well done in deed.Be there Wednesday with my wraith in tow.

A strunningly, beautiful piece of land for a course. There is everything here from big elevation changes, to wooded technical holes, to booming big air throws to water hazards. The owners have really put their heart and soul into making this a top notch disc destination course. And there's no charge. There is a donation can at the start. Please contribute. The pads were all concrete or patio bricks locked together. Both were great. Most baskets were nice Discatchers but there some of the temporary ones which were bolted down. A couple of unique basket and locations. A hanging basket on # 3 which hangs above some rocks and a small ravine. It's height can be adjusted with a rope. I thought it would've been better if it hung at more the height of a regular basket. And the # 10 basket sits high on a large boulder making for a very unique placement. Tee signs were very informative. There are many homespun little artifacts around the course like trolls, skulls and antlers. Many benches to rest your, by now, very weary bones on. Several signature type holes. I liked # 10 throwing across the power lines to a small opening in the woods down below before leading back up to the elevated basket on the rocks. Hole # 13 is another hole which everyone likes. It's an extremely tough 460 ft. tunnel shot with the basket protected by trees and a steep little ravine and creek on all sides. The Brackets provide ladders and boots at a couple different locations on this hole if you have to go into the creek. Nice touch.

The course is designed for the advanced player on up. As an recreational/intermediate, weanie armed old man, I felt this course was "too big" and too rugged for me. So IMO, this course is not for everyone, certainly not the beginner. A couple of holes cross paths and I understand that will have to remedied before the 2012s. This didn't bother me in the least.

Definitely a major workout along with a very tough, challenging course. The course brought me to my knees, wore out my arm and pretty much humililated me. But if you think you're up to the challenge, then by all means, make the trek to Bracket's Bluff

- The hole variety is what is most stunning about this course. You never get the feeling that the holes are running together, because each of them stands out distinctly. That is first and foremost the sign of a great disc golf course.

- Along that same line, while there are definitely some unique holes, none of them seemed overly gimmicky to me. Even the funky basket locations, like the hanging basket on #3 and the basket on top of the boulder on #10 made complete sense given the terrain.

- The course was easy to navigate, which is a must on a private course like this where you can't check out a course map beforehand. Each hole seemed to flow right into the next tee.

- This is probably the most secluded course I've ever played, although I imagine that can vary depending on whether or not there's a course event planned. If you're able to catch the course when it's deserted, then you're in for a real treat (even moreso than just playing a well-designed course)..

- Most every hole has decorative art to add to the mystique - whether it be a troll, a deer skull and antlers, a Jason mask (on #18), or some other subtle touch. I was so much at home playing this course that I almost felt like a Brackett.

- The elevation is almost mountain-like in some parts of the course, even as early as holes 2 and 3. It really does not feel like you're playing just a few minutes away from Charlotte.

- Any negatives I mention are pure nitpicking, but I wasn't a fan of the few dirt tee pads that were mixed in. I appreciate the variety with the brick, concrete, and dirt pads assorted throughout - that definitely seems intentional - but I just preferred the brick and concrete pads.

- Also, and this may just be a personal thing, but both times I've played here, I've been plagued by gnats - particularly on the back nine. It was quite frustrating, but again I think it might just be me because the guy playing with me didn't seem to have a problem with it.

- Personally, I think this is the best course in the Charlotte area considering its variety, difficulty, aesthetics, elevation, and seclusion. I can't think of another course in the area that comes close to this one in all those categories (some are better in certain categories, but none are as good in all of them). If you are planning a trip to Charlotte or the surrounding area, this is a must-play.

- An observation: It looked like at least one tee pad - and, I suppose, entire hole - had been abandoned between the walk from #6 to #7. It kind of had a ghost town feel to it, as if it wasn't good enough to make the cut. I'm curious about the story behind that one.

- My favorite hole was actually #12 - not so much for its layout or difficulty as for its beauty. The hole was flat and grassy with trees spread throughout, which really was a stark contrast compared to the rest of the course. It's quite hard to believe that a hole like that is part of the same course as the wooded, semi-mountaineous holes that come before it.

- Excellent hole variety: righty, lefty, short and technical, open bombing runs and plenty of great elevation changes.

- The difficulty and overall feel of the course changes as the round progresses, giving you a chance to warm up and see lots of different looks as you move through the round.

- Several very creative hole designs:
--> Hole 3 is 264' uphill with three distinct routes to the basket (two favoring right handers and one for the southpaws) PLUS a basket hanging 5 feet above a very small protected green.
--> Hole 4 has a 315' U-shaped fairway, with a very small landing area about halfway to the hole that is covered with pine saplings, making an accurate drive critical.
--> Hole 10 runs 300' downhill to a very small green and a basket built atop a HUGE boulder (I believe the basket is 10' above the base of the rock). A missed putt is very costly.
--> Hole 11 is a 734' par 5 beauty, with both short and long tiered tee pads, situated in back of the Brackett's home. You throw from the top of a large hill, shooting down a tunnel into a very tight fairway, with a carp pond just to the left of the landing area. You next throw is a more 'typical' difficult wooded shot, but you still don't have a real look at the basket, which is tucked around a corner at the end of the fairway with a 30' green.
--> Hole 13 is a 460' tunnel shot, with large trees on the left and a creek on the right. Your drive must be extremely accurate (and around 300') to have a chance to make a decent upshot at the tiny green, which is protected by an S-shaped ravine in front and left and the creek behind and right.
--> Hole 18 is a "simple" 606 uphill shot, but there are several burms and gulleys throughout the fairway that force accuracy AND distance on each throw.

- Very well-maintained, with trash cans at every tee pad and several "amenities" and special extras that set this course apart. It is obvious that this course is a labor of love.

- Since this is a private course (located on privately-owned land), there isn't a lot of traffic on the course, so you can take your time and don't have to worry about fighting crowds or long waits.

- Some of the tee pads were a little too short for my taste.

- A few tee pads were harder to find than others (although there were "next hole this way" signs very close to many baskets).

I played this course while on vacation in the Charlotte area on the recommendation of several of the locals (and the reviews here) and it definitely lived up to the hype. I'd stack this course up against ANY of the courses I've played and would recommend it to anyone visting the area as a MUST PLAY.

Thank you so much to the Brackett family for oepning up your excellent disc golf course to the community!!!

Well....ok you cant really compare anything to flip city- the course. However what I can compare to flip city is the feeling of gratitude and satisfaction of knowing I have played one of the best courses possible! The Bluff is one of the best and most originally designed courses out there! There is something for everyone from hole #1 which is a nice easy 176 footer with a slight fade to the right, to the big 606' finisher at #18 next to the power lines back up the hill. There are several chances to air it out but accuracy is crucial for most of the course. Bring your straightest flying disc and make sure that it is brightly colored as most of the course has abundant trees with heavy cover that tends to darken the areas that you are looking.

This course offers some of the most unique holes that you will see in disc golf, some of the highlights include:

Hole #3 uphill with the basket hanging above the rocks just beyond a deep ravine.
Hole #6 very cool tee area and troll at the bridge mid fairway area.
Hole #10 out of the woods then back into the woods with the basket perched atop a large (20 foot tall) boulder.
Hole #11 Uber-long albeit downhill for a good portion, stout (mens) tee pad is at treetop level of the large fairway trees.
Hole #13 my favorite with the tight fairway-trees on the left, creek on the right, winding ravine just short of the basket. Sounds ominous but is a very cool hole, be sure to check out the funky growing tree on the right just short of the ravine. I could go on with highlights, but I wont, you will just have to go see it for yourselves.
All holes have a clear lane or lanes to the basket but it bears repeating accuracy is crucial. This course will "tear you a new one" but if you dont focus on the score and just truly appreciate playing one of the coolest courses that you will see, then you will have a great day.

The Brackett's are working feverishly every day to make this a world class course in anticipation of hosting the 2012 worlds tournament. They installed new tee pads on holes 4 and 5 in the 2 weeks that I was in town leaving hole 9 as the only hole that I can think of with a gravel tee pad, which I'm sure will change shortly. All others are either very level and well constructed concrete, brick or brick-like patio blocks. There were trash cans and butt cans on almost every hole so dont litter and putt your butts in their place. THERE ARE NO MORE NATURAL TEE PADS ALL PADS ARE NOW INSTALLED!

This course has a good portion of holes that fade or dog leg to the right favoring LEFT-HANDED throwers, which I am not! I just thought I would put that in here because I see that from so many leftys about "right handed favoring" courses.
Truly there are only 2 cons if you want to call them that, and like everybody else this is just nit picking because it is very difficult to call anything a con here.
1. There are a couple of spots where holes cross. Hole #10 crosses hole#18 and hole #11 crosses hole #17. I believe this is something they will have to address before hosting the "worlds" tournament. It wasnt really a big con to me, I just wanted to mention it so you will be aware in those areas.
2. Parking could become an issue if it gets busy. Pull all the way in and TURN AROUND so your car is facing out before you park! DONT PARK ON THE "TURN AROUND SPOT" and this will help!

Be in shape or this course will get you in shape.
Wear good shoes.
Not a good course for beginners. (IMO)
The puppy IS very cool. I miss MY dog!
I know it has been said before but it bears repeating the Brackett's were very cool hosts, very good people and I thank them profusely for their hospitality.

FINALLY-MAKE A DONATION!!! THE BRACKETT'S ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS COURSE ON A DAILY BASIS!!!

PEACE- HAVE GOOD DISCING!!!

Great course. Great design. Great scenery. Great people. Very nice mix of partly open and fully wooded holes. Elevation change on many holes. Accuracy over distance prevails on this course. Plays much more diffucult than first perceived. Rivals Hornet's Nest and Renny as top course in the area and as or more fun to play than Reedy.

Nothing.

Private.
Favorite Hole -- #9. Huge downhill 300' with basket perched on top of 25' boulder. Missed puts on this hole can destroy a good round.
Hardest Hole -- #13. 450' with a narrow fairway and a heavily guarded basket surrounded by a creek on one side and a deep ravine around the rest. Very tough to par without a great drive and an even better approach shot.

Beautiful course. Everything you could ask for in a disc golf course. Lots of variety and a need for every shot. Its mostly wooded and requires some very tight throws, but opens up just a bit on the back nine. Tougher than Hornet's Nest but a bit easier than Renny. There are nasty uphill shots where you have to let it go with all you have, but a good downhill shot where youre above the trees and just have to let the disc float. A 606 ft. par 4 finishing hole.There are fairways that look like suburban yards.Beautiful and green. Water comes in to play on a few hole where there is a giant rushing creek, but the owner has set out wader boots along the holes so you can go get your disc if you screw up. Ive played every course in the Charlotte area, and I can say, without a doubt, that Brackett's is the nicest course Ive played. Kudos to the guys maintaining it. They've done a wonderful job. There are chairs or benches at every hole and a mix of concrete, brick, and natural tee-pads. If you decide to play, I would suggest putting a dollar or more in the donation jars throughout the course. It's that good.

None. Zip. Nada. Its a tough course, but it's so gorgeous that you won't mind the fact that its beating you to death. Other than that maybe some trashcans here and there would be nice, but again it's privately owned...feel grateful to play it.

Seriously the best course in the Charlotte area...and that's saying a lot.