Springfield Elementary is a course designed to introduce elementary school students to the game of disc golf. So for pretty much any other player outside of completely green beginner, it is just a pitch & putt course. But even for intermediate and advanced players, this course will offer a great place to practice your approach shots due to a well designed course.

The course has 9 tee signs that include the hole number, distance, and par - which is more than some of the similarly designed courses I've played. Each basket is numbered, and the tees are indicated by two PVC pipes that stick up and indicate the front corners of the tee.

Some of the holes have interesting designs. Hole 3 in particular stood out, because it is definitely a shot that can be made from the tee, but if you get a bit too aggressive and go long you could wind up sailing/rolling down the hill. If you play the asphalt as if it is OB, it makes the fairways a lot more interesting, and quite a few of the greens become pinched in real fast. The rest of the holes do a good job using the limited amount of trees to force you to shape shots.

If you really want to air out a driver, there is a soccer field right across the parking lot that you can use to practice your drives in. With the field being there, Springfield Elementary makes a pretty decent place to practice your game.

Once again, this course was designed for kids, so it will never offer up a real challenge to a seasoned veteran. Even if you decide to play every hole as a par 3, because the par at this course is clearly meant for the undeveloped arms of school children. I mean Hole 8 is essentially just a long putt from the tee. So if you're ever looking for an ace, here is a place to try.

The course is not open during school hours, and even when it is available to play there aren't any real amenities around. I did, however, notice that there is a porta-jon right next to the course. So it could be used in a pinch.

This course is going to get a 1.0 rating from me. If it had one or two more longer holes, at least 200', I'd probably bump the rating up. Springfield has the basics a course needs to function, with the added benefit of a couple holes thrown in that are more fun than those traditionally found on a pitch & putt course. Of the courses built in a similar vein that I have played, this one is definitely among the best. If I lived in the area, I might visit this course every so often. Especially since I know the field exists to practice throwing my drives.

Favorite Holes: 3 & 6

For what is essentially a pitch-and-putt nine-holer, Springfield Elementary is a relatively decent course. There isn't much challenge, but there are plenty of chances to hone your short game skills here.
- The course is what it is: a short school course aimed at children and beginners. Average hole length is less than 152 feet, with none longer than 205 feet. In that sense, it achieves its goal of having every hole be easy enough, and mostly interesting enough, for said players. And unlike a lot of beginner courses, this one isn't boring.
- Course has a decent amount of variety, all things considered (I'm ignoring #5 for right now, but will mention in the cons). There are less than 20 trees on the course, but the baskets are strategically placed that those trees come into play on almost every hole. The exceptions being #5 & 6. The trees force you, or at least give you the chance, to throw different types of shots. A couple holes also use a little bit of elevation - #4 & 5 are downhill throws; #6 is an uphill shot.
- This is a really good course for practice. There's enough distance and different angles that you can practice all sorts of shots. There's also a good field for practicing. Also a good course for ace races, match play or various types of games you can play with groups. Anyone looking for their first ace, or any ace period, should play lots of rounds here.
- I've played here half a dozen times over the years. Each time, there's been somewhat of a crossbreeze coming from the open field. That alone can add an extra layer of challenge, just give you a second thought if you're trying to loft a putter down to the basket.
- You can fly through this course. I played through twice in about 30 minutes. This is the type of course that if you bring your bag, it's actually going to slow down your round.

3/24 brief update: basket on #8 has been gone for a long time - at least a year. There's a flag in the ground where it should be. You may as well throw to the flag as you have to walk that entire distance so you can turn right back around to play #9.
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There's only one real problem with this course, and it's the joke of a hole that is #5. It's a downhill, wide open, 82-foot hole. Both times I played, I treated it like a regular putt, not even a jump putt, and was left with essentially a tap-in for a 2. It's such a bad hole because there isn't a reason to create a hole this bad. There are plenty of ways to add enough challenge to raise it to the level of the other eight holes. A simple solution is to move the tee near the tee for #1. It will add at least 60 feet or more, and add challenge by throwing over the school road. At least it will require a good tee shot for your 2. As it stands now, this has to be the easiest, and possibly, worst hole I've ever played.
- I'll throw out the obligatory mention that this course won't be challenging for any advanced player. For good players, anything worse than a 3 on any hole will have to involve a major mistake.
- Here's the other obligatory mention: the course isn't open during school hours. Also no benches, trash cans, bathrooms or water fountains. But, nobody should need any of those in the time it takes to play the course twice through.

Springfield was better than I expected, in that there was good variety for such a short course. Every hole is birdieable, but at least you have to work for your 2s on some holes, especially #6 & 8. (3/24 update: well, not #8 as that basket has been gone for a while).
- The course offers several tempting pin locations, especially if you're being aggressive for aces. A hole like #3 is good because you can play smart and have a birdie putt. But if you're too aggressive, the hole is downhill past the basket, so you could end up with a long putt if you get too greedy for aces.
- The course, in terms of quality and challenge, is comparable to Pinewood Elementary in Charlotte, Cuthbertson Middle in Waxhaw and Fewell Park in Rock Hill, for a local sense.
- Like any pitch-and-putt course, it's not worth a drive just to play here. If you've played one, you've played them all. However, if you're close by, or want to drive 5 minutes off I-77, then check it out.