Waxhaw, NC

Cuthbertson Middle School

2.55(based on 8 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Cuthbertson Middle School reviews

Filter
11 0
dndelli
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16.6 years 134 played 131 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Cuthbertson Middle School 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 29, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

Like most nine hole school courses, Cuthbertson Middle School is a short course built for primarily younger players. This makes it a beginner friendly course, with its shorter fairways. More experienced players would likely have a chance at birdie on every hole. The course has tee signs next to natural tees, and DISCatcher baskets on every hole. The only time a map on the tee sign would be useful is Hole 7, because it is tucked to the left, out of sight. Every other hole, the basket is visible from the tee. Navigation is fairly simple, though from where I parked it made more sense to play Hole 9 first, and finish on Hole 8.

Cuthbertson Middle School stands out compared to other, similarly designed courses due to its variety in terms of elevation used, and the amount of wooded holes. Holes 3, 4, 5, & 6 are all wooded, and Holes 2 & 7 start into the woods from an open tee shot. Holes 5 & 7 play uphill, Holes 1, 3, & 6 play downhill.

The course forced you to throw at various angles too, it's not just one straight tee shot after another. Holes 3 & 7 really highlight this with their curved fairways, though it looks like there might be a "local route" that has been used on Hole 3.

Cons:

Hole 8 is in a rough spot at the moment. At 314' long, it is far and away the longest hole on the course. The natural tee here is in fairly rough shape, the tee shot throws over a service road, and the basket looks like it's been run into by one of said service vehicles. Plus, if a player here turned their drive over, their disc could sail across the fence and into the retention pond. I decided to purposefully hold back on my drive, because it was a particularly windy day when I played here, and I could easily imagine my disc turning too much and heading straight into the drink.

Holes 4 & 5 play pretty close to the backyards of neighboring houses. An errant drive or unfortunate kick could send a disc onto private property.

I personally liked the concept of Hole 6, it is a nice ace run hole with a fence behind the basket to stop your disc from heading into the pond. (Unless you throw it too high and sail over the fence.) However, I think the hole could have been a bit more exciting if the tee was moved back a bit. As it stands, it didn't make much sense to go for the ace, because a jump putt was all that was needed to get into putting range. Sailing past the basket would have turned an almost guaranteed birdie into a probable par.

The course is obviously limited to play when the school is closed, and as such this course lacks the amenities of other public courses. No restrooms, no water fountains, etc.

Other Thoughts:

I am going to give Cuthbertson Middle School a 1.5 rating. It offers a lot of variety, and likely does a great job creating a fun round for newer players. However, it would struggle to provide much more than fun approach practice for more experienced players. Which is fine, because these are not the players this course was designed for. Though I will say that if two or three of the holes were maybe 30 to 50 feet longer, I would probably feel inclined to give a slightly higher score.

Either way, Cuthbertson Middle is an excellent option for beginners in the Waxhaw area who are looking for decent variety, and a quick round. It could also be combined with Waxhaw DGC for a fun day of golf, completely suitable for beginners.

Favorite Holes: 5 & 7
Was this review helpful? Yes No
7 0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.8 years 584 played 536 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Solid for a short school course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 11, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Cuthbertson Middle School is a very short, beginner-level course. It's a great course for kids and a solid practice location for more experienced players.
- Very beginner friendly course. The nine holes average only 162 feet. Take away the one long hole - #8 at 314 feet - and the other eight holes only average 143 feet. So, big arms are not needed at all here.
- Course puts a big emphasis on accuracy. For an average-skilled player or above, every hole should be birdie-able. You hit a tree or two in the woods, and it's actually frustrating to not even have a birdie putt.
- Course is very easy to navigate. The hardest part was finding where to park. From there, paths from one basket to next tee, and easy to spot tee signs.
- Tee signs are great. This is a place where you wouldn't need signs and you could still navigate the course no problem. Signs are descriptive, have next hole arrows on them, pretty much everything you need. I wish more course would have signs this good.
- Decent variety of hole layouts, about as good as you can do with such a short course. You've got several open holes, several wooded holes, three doglegs (two left, one right) and three holes with elevation (two up, one down).
- If you live close by, this is a really good spot to practice. There are fields/open to practice throwing longer shots, plus several open field baskets (#1, 8 & 9) for you to practice putting or approach shots.
- This is a very quick course to squeeze in nine or 18, or more, holes. I played through twice in just under 35 minutes. If I hadn't been carrying my bag, it would have been quicker. This is a course you can easily play with only one or two discs.

Cons:

It was really hard to find any problems with this course. The designers did about as well as one could with such a small space and holes being so short. So, to nitpick, here's what I'll point out:
- #6 is a bad hole, even by beginner level courses. 100 foot downhill shot along the walking path. Basically, I let my shot slide downhill to the basket for a tap-in 2. Even pushing the hole 30 - 50 feet further back would eliminate that type shot, forcing a player to throw something a little more challenging. Any average player who gets more than a 2 on this hole is going to feel like they've lost a stroke.
- Natural tee pads. It's only a semi-issue on the one long hole - #8 - where you actually need a run-up. The other holes you can pretty much throw without moving your feet, or just having a one-step run-up.
- This seems like a perfect place for poison ivy and snakes. I wasn't surprised when I saw a black snake on the edge of the tall grass on #7. As for the poison ivy, if you get off the fairways on the wooded holes, there's enough small growth that you have to pay attention to where you're stepping.
- No trash cans or benches. Only stating this just to point it out. Honestly though, if you need a bench while playing these nine holes, it's time to hit the gym.
- And as is always the case with school courses, it's closed during school hours.

Other Thoughts:

In terms of challenge, Cuthbertson is about what I expected. A lot of easy holes, a couple of decent ones, with some fun thrown in. For local comparison, it's on the same level as Fewell Park in Rock Hill and Pinewood Elementary in Charlotte.
- The two best holes on the course, and the only two I could see on a more challenging course, are the two uphill holes - #5 & 7. #5 is a 191 foot straight shot, with trees in the middle of the fairway. #7 is a dogleg left, starting in the open, with the basket in the woods. Both, obviously, play longer because they're uphill shots, so you actually need to put a little effort into your tee shots here.
- As mentioned, this one is clearly for the kids and beginners. More advanced players will have to find other ways to make a challenge here - ace race, practice, safari golf, etc.
- A nice added challenge to the three true open holes (#1, 8 & 9) was that there seemed to be a nice-cross breeze coming from the open field. It's similar to the cross breeze that always seems to be taking place at Mint Hill DGC on holes #1 & 9.
- I understand the reasons why others have inflated their ratings for this course, but I disagree with those. Does this course achieve its intended goal? Absolutely. If that's what this site was for, then I'd completely agree with all the 3 and higher ratings. I'm rating this course overall, so I hope people understand and appreciate that my 1.5 rating isn't a knock on the design, designers or all the work that went into this place. It's simply a reflection of how this course compares to every other course I've played, all factors concerned.
- If you live close by, you should be taking advantage of this course, regardless of skill level. If you live further away, the only reason to play this course is to add it to your 'played list.'
Was this review helpful? Yes No
10 0
Stan McDaniel
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13 played 13 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Attaboy Goob 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 4, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

I would like to preface my review with the wish that beginner/school courses had different criteria for their ratings. Otherwise how can a short beginner course get a high review? This course is a wonderful 9 hole beginner course with open holes and wooded holes. Signage is excellent and there are even a few benches. The course flows well. There are even plans for expansion to 18 holes per the course designer. As I drove in I drove to the closest parking lot and was within a couple hundred feet of the tee for hole 9 and it was easily visible from the parking lot so I didn't have to search for the course.

Cons:

I that hole 8 might get some beginners to throw errant (really errant) shots over a fence into the retention pond. I like that for a tougher course but not a beginner course, and beginners do throw some crazy shots. Not much to criticize. Perhaps a bit more manicuring around a couple of greens to clean up for putts inside 0 meters. Natural tee pads, but only a potential problem if wet.

Other Thoughts:

I love these kind of courses. The community embraces them and it gives access and exposure to disc golf to everyone as we get courses into schools.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 3
donaldm737
Experience: 40.6 years 122 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Short and Sweet 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 1, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

The holes start in the open and wind thru the trees for half the holes. The course is well laid out and its easy to locate the next tee box. Great signs and ground markers.

Cons:

None really. It's shorter than most but that is not really a con.

Other Thoughts:

A lot of thought and effort went into designing and clearing this course. Cudos to the school.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
Hornberger
Experience: 16.8 years 6 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Cuthbertson 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 15, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Wonderful course to teach a kid to play! Short enough to keep their attention span, and interesting enough layout to help them learn the basics of throwing. We've played a dozen times, and have never seen anyone out there. Hole 8 is a 314 ft par three that is a lot of fun to just practice getting a drive close to the basket (by far the longest hole on the course). Those local to Waxhaw or Weddington looking to get into the sport, or have young children that you'd like to introduce to disc golf, should use this course.

Cons:

Would love to see tee pads instead of markers. I also see enough space to add another 9 holes and have a true 18 hole course.

Other Thoughts:

It's nice to see this type of course becoming more prevalent around Charlotte! My kids love it, and I'm looking forward to their first ACE because of it!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
bamadawg
Experience: 11.7 years 5 played 3 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Good Starter Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 18, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Simple layout. Good mix of open and wooded holes. This is a shorter course, which makes it a good starting place for novice players. Hole markers are well done, with simple directions to next hole and yardage. Baskets appear newer and in good shape. All fairways clear.

Cons:

No pads, just in ground tee markers. No practice/putting baskets. Slightly difficult to find, due to no sign near the road(that I could find)

Other Thoughts:

This was a nice morning outing for my son and I. No one on the course but us! Short and sweet 9 holes(played it twice). Good place to get in a relaxing round without the crowds.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 1
NCBUCKEYE
Experience: 21.9 years 9 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Cuthbertson 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 17, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Warm up area: soccer field adjacent to hole one to throw some warm up throws

Hole signs with yardage

Variety of Holes: Easy 1st starter hole, Open and Wooded Holes, Straight, DL Right, DL Left, Straight Up Hill, Straight Down Hill, One Driver Hole and great finishing hole to try and score on.

Speed of Round Play: I have played many times with my kids and have yet to run into anyone playing the course. Don't have to worry about my kids taking too many shots and slowing down others on the course.

Great place to play if you have young kids or want to play a round with the family.

Cons:

No cement tees

No practice basket

No bathroom or water fountain

Other Thoughts:

This course is suited for kids and first time players. My review is based on the intent of the type of play for the course.

Two thumbs ups to the designer of the course. You had a great vision and designed the course well for its purpose and amount of space. Does anyone know whom designed it?
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
hogleggbob
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.6 years 217 played 47 reviews
2.00 star(s)

nice little find 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

brand new baskets , decent design and tee signs. easy to follow. really only need a putter and a mid. longest hole is 314 ft average is a between 100-180

Other Thoughts:

played this one in about 10 minutes by myself. could be a great safari type course if you wanted to make it more interesting
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top