Canaan's Sand Hills course is the perfect elixir to the punishment you'll endure at Riverbend. That said, it's one of the best 9-hole layouts I've ever played.
- This is an amazing 9-hole course. It's 10 baskets with 2 tee pads. Take away #3 - a pitch-n-putt 48-foot (#3) and 60-foot (#13) layout that probably shouldn't be a part of the course. The first time through (holes #1 - 10) are played from shorter tee locations. The second time through (#11 - #20) is played with (mostly) similar layouts, with the tee pushed back 50 - 75 feet.
- The second loop through (#11 - #20) offers a great 9-hole layout. ochets off a tree is ending up wet.Playing #10 (short layout) instead of #20 (long) is more enjoyable, so the stretch of #10 - #19 is even better.
- That 9-hole stretch averages 219 feet, so it's a series of holes that require accurate throws. You've got some straight holes - #1/11, #5/15; good doglegs - #2/12, #10/20, a fun, uphill layout - #6/16; and a ridiculously fun, challenging, risk/reward layout for a beginner-friendly course on #9/19.
- #9/19 is a dogleg left with the Catawba River on the right side, with the fairway sloping away from the basket towards the river (left-to-right downhill slope). A normal RHBH throw is starting close to the river, before curving back towards the basket. A shot that doesn't curve, or one that ricochets off a tree is ending up wet.
- #10 is a simple, yet fun layout. Short, slight uphill, dogleg right (134 feet) with a hanging basket between three big trees. Trees are wide enough that they provide a real chance for bankshots into the basket. I had a putt from 50 feet that hit off one of the trees, hit the basket and fell out. Provided a cool view and reaction from me and my buddy. On a normal course, this would be too much of a gimmick. On a short course, it somehow makes sense.

The biggest negative is the lack of variety from the short (front 10) and long (back 10) tees. The overwhelming majority of the holes offers the same look, just a longer layout. Much of that is due to a lack of space, but it still feels a bit repetitive.
- #3 is a waste. Unless you're ace-racing, this isn't needed. I felt it's slowing down my round, having to walk up the stairs to #3's tee, 2-putt from 48 feet, and walk back down the hill to #4's tee. I'd prefer going straight from #2's basket to #4's tee. It's such a waste that I feel it drags down the overall quality of the course. Or, I guess you could look at it like a free-spin, bonus hole if you're a glass 1/10 full type of person.
- Course is a little cramped in spots. It's quite impressive there's such a good quality of holes in a small amount of space. If you're not careful, you can easily skip a hole. It's added confusing with the dual-tee pads per hole. Shouldn't be an issue for a normal disc golfer, but for first timers who aren't adapt at navigating a course, I can see someone easily going from #2 to 4, or #8 to 3.
- No benches or trashcans. You're playing a sub-one hour round, so it's not a real issue. Just a statement.
- There is a lost disc factor on the water hole - #9/19 and from the long tee on #20, with thick rough on both sides of the initial dogleg.

My buddy and I played Riverbend first. Sand Hills was our relaxing, after-round round. And I was pleasantly surprised how good this simple layout plays.
- Course reminded me of Mint Hill's 9-hole layout in that both courses are simple, yet effectively designed. It's hard to picture either as a complete 18, but you could easily pull a couple of these holes and stick them on a real 18-holer, and they'd fit right in.
- I'll throw out #16 as the final good hole layout. The added length - 234 feet vs 168 - make the long layout far superior to the short - #6. #16 is a flat shot to a basket up on a hill, with a slight dip right before the hill. That depression is listed as OB on the tee sign. If you play it that way, you're having to throw around a curve to the left. The uphill basket presents roller options on all sides, with the risk of some ending up in that OB in the front right. This seems like a hole that will seem very birdie-able from the tee, yet leave many players wondering how they carded a bogey after having a putt roll away.
- I'll view this as a 9-holer with dual tee pads. That said, when I'm here, I will play all 20 tee locations. It doesn't matter how you view this course. This course has nine solid hole locations. Add to that it's a perfect warm-up or cool-down compliment to the advanced course on the island. Even with #3, this is a solid 2.0 course in my book - decent, especially as a second act.

-This is the other course at Camp Canaan. It's more of a pitch and putt with a few unique holes. It ends really challenging though with a tricky #19 and a long dogleg right #20.
-Rubber tee pads are good. I have no problem with that. There are 10 basket and two sets of tees so I guess that makes 20 holes. It starts off really easy with the first ten and then it gets longer. It's like a 10 holer with two sets of tees.
-Hole 2/12 is fun. #2 is an interesting flick shot around a man made wall and #12 is of course longer. The basket is straight ahead of the tee but there are many trees in front of the tee and the wall is straight ahead. It's not too hard of a 2 but a 3 wouldn't be very disappointing either.
-6/16's basket position is really cool on top of the hill. Adds a bit of challenge.
-I love the forced hyzer on #19. It's no more than 250' but I usually throw a firebird on this hole so it will go sharply left. The water that plays mostly on the Riverbend course is in play on this hole. Hole #9, the short tee on #19 isn't in a good position (see below in cons.) #10/20's hanging basket is also really sweet. It's connected to three giant stumps.
-Friendly staff. Very helpful as well. Scorecards are provided on both courses. It's $6 to play all day or you can pay $49 for a season pass.
-Riverbend course is also on site so you can play two courses. This is the easy course but Riverbend is a bit more unique. Play them both.
-Construction is good, there are plenty of bridges and stairs.

-Not too many really. It's mostly there for practice even though I do think it's worth the play. I think #3 is a joke! It's 48' and plays around a small tree and there is a drop off behind the basket. Could be worse but it is pointless! The long tee #13 is also pointless. It's just 12' behind the short pad that is #3.
-I also don't agree with #9's tee position. A cluster of trees is directly in front of the pad with some hanging limbs. Kind of disappointing.

-Really not much to say about this course except that it is much more forgiving than Riverbend. Some holes were fun, most were decent with a couple of buzzkills. It's a good practice course. I think you should play it because you should easily be surprised at least once. I thought it was really cool.

-Favorite hole: #12. Very unique sidearm hole that goes around a hill and to the right.