Cameron Yards is a neighborhood course that has three DISCatcher baskets and natural tees marked by painted pavers/stones on the ground. The course is a "nine" hole course, but each hole has short and long tees. Allowing players to play a full 18 if they wish. It's worth noting that the course is not meant to be a heavily trafficked disc golf course, and is really meant for the residents of Cameron Woods.

A lot of thought seems to have gone into designing a course full of variety despite the lack of space available for use. The elevation that is in play is actually pretty surprising, and definitely caught me off guard. This is probably the best aspect of the course for me.

The short course has decent flow, with the basket for the hole just played being near the tee for your next hole.

There are a couple of water carries if played from the Long tees.

There are some lights that can allow for some putting practice after dark.

Located in a mixed use area, the area is very well maintained.

This course is packed into an insanely tight space. Even at dusk on a Friday, I had to wait for a few people walking the trails to pass by before throwing a disc. I imagine this place gets swamped on a sunny summer day.

Navigation was definitely tricky, even using uDisc. Highly recommend to take a picture of the Course Map.

I didn't get a chance to play the Long Tees, but I could already tell the flow was a bit wonky since you play 5 across the pond, then walk back to the same tee area to throw across the pond again to a different basket. I think playing the Longs in the order of 1, 5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 would have a bit more flow.

Hole 9 tees off from and the fairway follows the road.

I'll be honest, I had incredibly low expectations when I set out to play Cameron Yards, but was pleasantly surprised. While I still felt like the course felt more like a practice area with an incredibly well designed safari layout available for play - I still enjoyed myself. And despite only having time to play short tees and walk the long tees on my visit, but I would actually be interested in coming back to play the Longs. For now I am going to give the course a 0.5 rating and most of that comes down to the limited space and various safety concerns on a busy day. If I were judging the course simply on how well the holes were designed within the space given, it would definitely warrant a higher rating. I just have a hard time separating the crammed in nature of the course, and throwing over/down the neighborhood road.

I do think this would be a great introduction to the sport for residents of the neighborhood and was likely designed for that purpose.

Favorite Short Hole: 7

Cameron Yards introduced me to disc golf. I grew up in that part of Charlotte (80s and 90s) and went back there to visit my parents and stumbled on the course in the mid 2000s. My dad and I went out and bought starter discs and played there every day we could. (Our minds were blown when we played the Eager Beaver...a real 18-hole course!) While Cameron Yards holds a special place in my heart for infecting me with the disc golf bug, it obviously has its shortcomings. But first, the pros...

+ I love the concept of a small, beginner-friendly disc golf course in a neighborhood to expose people to the game (like me and my dad). Cameron Yards delivers on that goal. (Scottish Hills fits this mold in Cary, NC.) You'll quickly outgrow it or find the dozens of better options in Charlotte, but as a practice spot or a close, local option to introduce a newbie to the sport, it works. (Note: this is a private course and it's only supposed to be for residents of the neighborhood and their guests. The reality is, if you want to play the course, you can. Just be respectful and courteous if there are other people in the park. No one will care.)

+ With one of the three baskets perched on very steep hill, you learn about roll-aways, risk/reward, and committing to shots real quick!

+ There are lights around this little pool/clubhouse area, so you can play after dark. But the lights aren't centered around the disc golf area, so daylight play is still recommended.

+ A couple of the tees are from the top of the hill (same hill with the one treacherous pin location). While the holes are very short, for beginners this is a fun glance at a downhill "drive."

There's not much to Cameron Yards. It's more of a practice area than a course, but does a lot in a very small space.

- Only three baskets with natural tee areas (not always marked) playing to the baskets in different, crisscrossing layouts.

- Safety is a concern here. It's a very tight area. There aren't many other "park" goers here ("parkette?"), but if there's anyone walking around the pond or just passing by, don't even think about throwing. It's too small a space.

- Anyone higher than a brand new beginner will quickly want to advance to established courses, tougher challenges, and a full disc golf course experience.

- Navigation is always a little confusing here. You play to each of the 3 baskets from 3 different (not always marked) natural tees. Have a course map pulled up (or just play safari or as a practice area).

I've never understood some of the super-high ratings for this course. A 5.0?!?! The sub-2.0 ratings are more reasonable. I have it at 0.5, despite my warm feelings for it, after playing 140 more courses (and counting) *since* stumbling on Cameron Yards and seeing what the wider disc golf world has to offer. I've waited for almost a decade for this course to rise from the ashes and have baskets put back in so I can review it. Don't travel out of your way to play it, don't expect too much of it, but if the specs of Cameron Yards match what you're looking for, check it out!