Charlotte, NC

Kilborne TPC

3.555(based on 64 reviews)
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10 0
LLmanu10
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 2.8 years 24 played 23 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Kilborne

Reviewed: Played on:May 19, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

Kilborne TPC is an old, classic course on the east side of Charlotte that, even to this day, still brings joy to the local Disc Golfers. A fun, varied layout will always be considered a good course in my book.

***NOTE: In this review, I will be referencing hole #'s listed on the UDisc's course map. It seems as though there have been some slight tweaks done to the course in recent times, so I don't want to seem confusing.***

-Kilborne is a great course for all skill levels. Beginners will enjoy the original Kilborne layout (short tees to short baskets), and the more advanced can challenge themselves with the Skillborne layout (long tees to long baskets, when available). There is enough distance added to the Skillborne tees and baskets that it really feels like a different course.
-Lots of variety. Aside from the double layout, there is a great mix of short, long, straight, and dogleg holes. Only hole in the wide open is #1, everything else is carved out of the woods. However, a lot of the wooded fairways tend to be wider and more forgiving, which makes up for the lack of open holes.
-Along with the wide, forgiving fairways, the rough is held back really well. Some areas have the thick stuff, but generally speaking it will be hard to lose a disc here.
-Bring your accuracy A game. The original layout is pretty short in distance, so no need to bomb any shots. Skillborne makes the holes a lot more tight and dynamic, which is calling for placement shots.
-Navigation is easy. Throughout the course, I could see multiple tees and baskets in sight. There is an abundance of next tee signs leading you from basket to tee, so that issue is resolved very well.
-"A tale of two nines." The course is very RHFH reliant on the front nine, but very RHBH reliant on the back. I could see a strong backhand player come back from behind against their opponent who was dominating the front nine. I've never seen a course laid out this way, so I thought it would be interesting to mention.
-The course's signature hole, Skillborne #14, has got to be one of the best holes in Charlotte. An S shaped par 4, starting with an uphill backhand shot followed by a tight, downhill forehand. A small creek comes into play on the right hand side, and the basket is perched up next to it. One of the hardest, and probably the most beautiful hole I have ever played.
-Course amenities are great. Tee pads are perfect, Veteran baskets caught well and are easily visible. Tee signs with hole number and distance were drawn to perfection. Overall, the course is maintained well and is in great shape.
-Reedy and Eastway are close by, same for Sugaw, but I've never played it. If you're planning a day out, you could easily hit these three courses.

Cons:

The only real issues here have to deal with the course being interfered with other usage of the park:
-#1 plays across a cricket/soccer field (hence why it is the only open hole), so this hole will have to be skipped if it is being used.
-There are walking paths that intertwine near the course, so play can be backed up when waiting for the walkers.
-There are a lot of holes that play near/parallel with another fairway. Be cautious around these holes, in case a disc comes flying at you!
-The baseball field's fence comes into play on #9, and mis-thrown discs short and left have potential to fall into the field itself.
-A skate park comes into play on #17 & 18. It's hard to hit skaters directly, but an unlucky bounce off of a tree could easily sail into that area.

Now for a couple more cons that don't relate to the topic above:
-The course is located in an older, more sketchy area of Charlotte. You can tell when you're driving that this is the case. There wasn't anyone sketchy at the park when I played, but be careful nonetheless.
-Elevation is lacking. Most holes are pretty flat, maybe a slight up/downhill. Besides #14, there were no drastic elevation changes.
-Because of its popularity, the course will be pretty busy on most days. Try fitting in a round on a weekday afternoon, even then there will still be a bunch of players.
-#17 is an annoyingly unnecessary filler hole. From what I can tell, this was recently added and never part of the layout from before. Skillborne #18 also throws across #17's fairway. Everything just seems off with that hole.

Other Thoughts:

I enjoyed my time at Kilborne more than I expected. There are many great things to desire about this course, especially with it being the age it is. Kilborne park has open restrooms, a playground, skate park, and a baseball field, so the whole family can enjoy a day out.
-It's funny how similar this course is to Reedy Creek. Reedy is like the grandpa to Kilborne. They have pretty much the same characteristics, but Kilborne has that brighter, more young feeling.
-To me, this course deserves a 3.75. I just mentioned how similar it is to Reedy, which I rated a 3.5. I think the multiple basket locations (which lacks for most of Reedy) is what makes this course just slightly better, however, I don't think that Kilborne quite reaches the 4.0 mark. A 3.5 will have to do for now, but don't let it fool you!
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7 0
stixx11
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Classic Charlotte area intermediate course drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 23, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

A classic mostly woods charlotte disc golf park. The fairways are easy to see and the tee pads are in good shape. It looks like there were renovations to the course because I did not have a swamp in play for hole #1 which I am glad for. I went when there is no vegetation but I'm sure it is a beautiful park spring-fall. There is a decent sized putting practice area. There is also a cricket field right next to the practice tee. If nobody is playing cricket then it serves as a wonderful place to warm up your arm.

Cons:

The few cons I have come from the tee signs. Hole #3 has a short and a long distance on the tee sign. I could only find one tee and I guessed it was the long tee distance. On hole #11 the distance(s) are not shown on the tee signs. On hole #17 there was no distance or par with the tee sign. I guessed the distance and shape felt like a par 3.

Other Thoughts:

To find hole #1 take the concrete path from the practice tee towards the building (restrooms). On the other side of that building you will see hole #1.
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5 0
fuzzbomb
Experience: 10.9 years 23 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Charlotte Essential 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 28, 2021 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Kilborne TPC is a classic. Well-defined (and worn) fairways mostly in the trees provide ample room to throw the variety of shots needed to score on this 'long short-course'. The design is a challenge to shot shapers and power throwers alike - and either type of thrower can score birdies with a well-executed game plan.

Cons:

After hole four there isn't a sign clearly directing you to the transition to hole 5 (go left on the path). After hole 8, it's easy to miss 9 (it runs almost parallel to 8) and the signage could be better here also.

It's crowded. Very crowded. Single players should try to pair up and groups larger than four should break up.

There are a variety of layouts that aren't well signed... the good news is that all of them are fun to play so it really doesn't matter which one you stumble on.

Other Thoughts:

Bathrooms and water fountain on site (county park).
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12 1
pmay5
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.8 years 480 played 245 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great tournament course that won't beat you up. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 5, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Veteran baskets are in good shape. Different colors where there are two per hole. The long baskets (Skillborne layout) really add length and challenge to those holes.
Concrete tee pads, two on most holes, with updated tee signs.
Totally wooded course, but the fairways are wider than a normal woods layout and the roughs are beaten in pretty well, so not much chance of losing a disc.
Excellent variety of holes, left, right, split fairways and use of limited elevation changes.
All of these Pros make this a very playable course, from Advanced (long tees to long baskets) to Rec players, who want the feel of a championship course without getting beaten up by a lot of length and tight fairways.

Cons:

Pretty tough opening hole, you have to carry a swampy area that plays as a water hazard, then hit a gap in the trees to get to the basket. But, its right at the parking lot, so the only one to start on. Kind of reminds me of #1 at Zebulon.
#8 felt like kind of a short, filler hole. Real tight gap off the tee to make you earn this one.

Other Thoughts:

This is the closest course to Uptown Charlotte, so if you are staying Uptown for a game, concert, convention or other event, this course is the best shot for a quick fix of Charlotte DG.
I wasn't sure about the area on the way in, I did pass a laundromat with bars on the windows just a few blocks away. So on my early morning round, I had my head on a swivel for the first few holes. But after about 5 holes, I spotted an older lady out for a walk on her own, I felt comfortable after that. Spoke with a couple of locals as I finished, and they said they hadn't ever heard of any problems there.
This course, along with Sugaw Creek and Reedy Creek make up a pretty good threesome of playable, challenging courses, all on the near NE side of town. For most players, these 3 aren't going to beat you up with distance and tight fairways, but you do have to make your shots and be consistent. Its not surprising that all 3 are used for a lot of local tournaments and were used for the 2018 Worlds.
Kilborne is the longest of these at 6000', but it didn't feel that long. By my count there are 9 holes that play to the left, 7 to the right and 2 either straight or a split fairway. It seems they are laid out mostly in pairs, 2 left, then 2 right. #4 is the split fairway, and #12 an uphill version where you have to decide your line to take.
There are several layouts for this course, in addition to the Skillborne, so the day I was there, #17 was the only Par 4. A nice hole that requires a tee shot to go left, then your upshot goes right, to the basket.
I really enjoyed playing Kilborne. I've seen it in several videos by the guys at the nearby Another Round Disc Golf shop, so finally got to see the holes in person. Hey, there's another Pro, very close to the only dedicated DG shop in town, they even has a few taps available for you to try.
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3 4
Dice
Experience: 17.1 years 25 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Nice Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 19, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

1. This course has a nice variety of holes.
2. The course was well maintained.
3. Plenty of benches and tables.
4. Good signage--holes were clearly marked.

This is a well-maintained but older course. Past reviews contain plenty of good information about Kilborne's history and standing in previous reviews. I enjoyed my trip to Charlotte and this course was a highlight of my experience due to its friendly atmosphere, layout, and types of holes. This course was fun, easy to figure out. I highly recommend it.

Cons:

1. At times the signage was a bit confusing, and the large crowds might be a con for some players.
2. The condition of some baskets and tee pads was a little worn but no more than would be expected for a course this age.
3. The restrooms are pretty far out of the way from the majority of the course and a little weird on the inside (not a lot of privacy)

Other Thoughts:

Overall, the course had a nice mix of people and holes. I found it enjoyable to play due to the variety of shots. The slower rate of play due to overcrowding was improved by having lots of places to sit and chill. Folks on the course were plenty friendly and offered advice when asked.
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10 0
dndelli
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16.7 years 134 played 131 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Kilborne 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 9, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Kilborne is one of the oldest disc golf courses in Charlotte. Despite many tweaks over the years, including a bunch within the past decade, it is still a blast to play - and retains the same Kilborne feel! Every hole is equipped with concrete tee pads, colorful tee signs, baskets (18 new Veteran Baskets by Dynamic Discs recently installed), benches, and garbage cans. Kilborne is a multipurpose park, with restrooms, water fountains, and plenty of parking.

There are multiple layouts at Kilborne, that allow for a wide array of golfers to play here and be adequately challenged. The hardest of which, Skillborne, will surely test even the most advanced golfers. Despite being carved out of the woods, like Reedy Creek the fairways are generally pretty forgiving (Skillborne not so much). However if you manage to take a bad skip or ricochet off into the woods, you may find yourself in dire straights. This course is still going to reward accurate, technical golf - and will require you to play multiple style of shots to score well. There are plenty of looks at Birdie though, as long as you have a good shot off the tee!

It is pretty astounding how secluded this course can feel at times, given it is located in a fairly busy section of the city. There are times when you are playing through the beautiful woods, that you might actually forget you are near the heart of the Queen City altogether.

After park construction forced the course to be tweaked, Kilborne has seen some revisions. I think the new Hole 1 is one of the best opening holes in the city! A long open shot that slightly hyzers into the woods, with a detention pond near the turn acting as OB. This also allows an old tee to be utilized as a drop zone, and no longer be just a weird remnant of a past course.

Many holes have two tee pads and/or two baskets, which offers an incredible amount of variety - with 4 different potential generic layouts. And the option for many combinations! This increases the replay value of this course dramatically if you live in the area.


I finally got the chance to play the resurrected version of Skillborne, and I fell in love with this course all over again. The distance is ramped up, there are some tight gaps to hit, and many holes require completely different tee shots. The fact that these tee shots exist, and there are multiple basket locations - the replay value here is immense.

Cons:

Tee signage is constantly being updated, but isn't always kept uniform across every single tee sign on the course. The newest ones made for the 2019 Carolina Clash are some of the most detailed tee signs I have ever seen! Hopefully we get to see more made in this vein all across the city! (It looks like Hole 8 didn't get a new tee sign for the short pad.) Another pet peeve of mine is that not all of the long tees have tee signs, which wastes a lot of time when you have to walk up to the short pad and then back to the pad you're was throwing from.

Some of the holes with multiple basket locations will have their baskets pulled for various tournaments. This can be a little frustrating if they aren't promptly returned and you're not sure if you're throwing the right drive from the tee. Obviously it's understandable this has to happen for PDGA rules, but you can never be sure if/when the basket will be returned.

Kilborne Park is not located in the worst area of town, but it is also not the nicest either. This is not really unusual when you look at some of the nearby courses. However, Kilborne generally attracts more non-disc golfers to the course: loitering around the benches. I've never had any real problems with anyone here, some will even be interested in the game, but they can be a bit distracting from time to time.

There's not a lot of elevation within the park for the course to use. You might see some slight uphills/downhills, but nothing to write home about. The biggest elevation change in a hole occurs on Hole 15.

Other Thoughts:

With all of the work that has been put into Kilborne over the past few years, including the most recent tee sign upgrade, as well as finally having played Skillborne, I feel completely comfortable giving my original rating a bit of a bump up to a solid 4.0! Partially because it seems like work is continuing to be done, and I think the course is still trending upward, but also because it's just good clean fun. I'd still love to see the tee signs be uniformed and at every tee. I also think the park could handle having multiple baskets on the holes with 2 locations. As of right now Holes 3, 6, 7, 10, & 12 have a second basket location - as long as the Club owns the baskets, this could be a great way to have four distinct generic layouts exist at once, and possibly speed up rounds on busy days as people would possibly be playing the shorter courses.

Favorite Kilborne Holes: 3, 4, 14 & 18
Favorite Skillborne Holes: 1, 2, 12, & 15
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4 0
adamwn9
Experience: 10.8 years 63 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good, Not Great 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 30, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Nice tee boxes and signs on each hole.
-Practice basket right beside first teepad.
-Parking lot is easily accessible.
-Navigation is pretty easy. I did get lost at one point the first time I played here, but it was my own fault.
-1-4 are nice starting holes, each asking for a different type tee shot - I like that 4 gives two routes.
-15 is my favorite - uphill tee shot then you have a choice to go for a semi-island green or lay up for par. I think it's a cool layout.

Cons:

-Baskets can be hard to see if you're not pretty close - no bright yellow/white bands.
-Multiple fairways were more dust/dirt than grass, which was kind of annoying - I know this may not seem like that big of a deal, but I remember it happening a lot.
-Not quite sure what happened with the Skillborne layout, but the baskets look completely abandoned now - kind of an eyesore.
-8 has been mentioned as a filler hole, but I think the stretch of 7-9 is a bit too simplistic.

Other Thoughts:

I like Kilborne, but it is not as great as the other options in Charlotte. I prefer Angry Beaver, Winget, Renaissance, Nevin, Hornet's Nest, RL, Robbins, and Bradford. That being said, there is nothing terrible about Kilborne. I just don't think it is as great as the aforementioned courses that I would choose over Kilborne.
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5 0
lazrman778
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.1 years 264 played 100 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Kilborne TPC 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Has concrete tee pads for all tees

Has tee signs

Has many benches throughout course

Course navigation without a map is fairly straightforward

More wooded than open fairways with doglegs and slight elevations - which will be challenging to the casual player

Almost all of the holes are under shade where this can be really appreciated in the hot and humid summers

Free parking

Restrooms

Cons:

Baskets are hard to locate on some holes - need flags or bright paint

Course design and flow could use improvement as there is an awkward transition between holes 8 & 9

Multiple baskets on some holes can be confusing for the first timer

Course can get crowded at times as it's popular with parkgoers and players

Other Thoughts:

This a nice, fun multi-use 18 hole course in Charlotte that I enjoyed playing on a Saturday afternoon while vacationing out here. After playing Hornet's Nest and Nevin parks, I found it hard to be impressed with this course. Course is mostly wooded and flat with plenty of shade. Course has that vintage feel with it being broken in and the old Mach 3 baskets. Most baskets were difficult to locate from the tees. Some holes had two baskets - which was a little confusing at first. Hole 9 has that filler hole vibe and could have been designed better to avoid that awkward transition from hole 8. The park seems to be popular with parkgoers as some were scattered sporadically throughout the course. This is a very good course but the course's quality does pale in comparison to some of the higher caliber courses in the area and may be worth skipping if your playing time is limited.
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5 3
danmcdnc
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Worth the drive in the Charlotte metro! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 4, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

There are so many positive attributes to this course that it's tough to know where to begin, and I'll try not to regurgitate what's already been reviewed.

- It's worth the half hour drive from LKN and Davidson where I live.
- The variety of holes and terrain you'll see on this course is as well done as possible for a course so close to downtown CLT and in such an urban area.
- The fairways are truly outstanding, clear, but also challenging enough where you'd better be fairly accurate.
- The balance in left to right handed throws, hooks, curves, etc is very fair, and you get to use every type of shot, from forehand, to sidearm, to a tomahawk.
- Great signage, tee pads, pathways, etc.
- Hole 15 is one of the most challenging and scenic holes you could get for a city park, almost worth going to.

Cons:

- There can be many runners/walkers/hikers interfering with the layout, but nothing too interrupting.
- Hole 8 is extremely short and lacking a challenge.
- Holes 11 and 14 are almost the same exact hole.

That's really it, and this is nitpicking.

Other Thoughts:

Find a way to play here if you love to play, a great layout and it can be a pretty quick play, never seems to be too crowded somehow. If it's too far to be in your regular rotation, at least get here once to experience an outstanding urban course.
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3 2
jsemales
Experience: 19.8 years 91 played 39 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Great and Challenging course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 13, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I love Kilborne. This course is a great challenge and offers a great variety for all levels of player. Shooting a good score will take every disc in your bag and every shot in your arsenal. The fairways are mulched and well maintained. A lot of the holes have fairways wide enough to let you really rip off a big shot, but control is essential if you want to bring your score down. It's been a while since I've played it, but I have some of the fondest memories playing here and the other courses around Charlotte.

Cons:

Getting into the woods is dangerous. The first time I played this course, I was still only an amateur level player and it ate me alive. As my game progressed and I became more familiar with the course, I was able to bring the score down, but I attribute a lot of my growth in the sport to this course. Beginners will be very frustrated, but if they stick to it, they will find it improves their game drastically.
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11 0
KenanFlagler01
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14 years 195 played 190 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 24, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

I am so jealous of the Charlotte disc golf scene! I live in Raleigh. We have a lot of good courses and more are going in every year. But the concentration of solid courses in Charlotte is truly impressive--Kilborne being a great example. I was in town for a short business trip, so I had my list of courses, sorted by rating. I got to play one at the top of my list, RL Smith, and had time for one close to downtown, so I played Kilborne. I guess I was expecting an "average" course since it doesn't get the hype of some of the high-profile tracks. Boy, was that assumption wrong! This is a very good course (borderline excellent) that has aged amazingly well. It reminds me of my home course, Cedar Hills, but in my opinion, it's a superior course (better tees, fairer fairways, nicer).

+ Nice, wide fairways that fit the length of the holes nicely.

+ No problems with the tees.

+ Good navigation and tee signs.

+ I can't believe this course is so close to downtown Charlotte. At times, I felt like I was in a secluded forest. I didn't hear traffic, just birds. You can tell the course is up there in age, but it's still very aesthetically pleasing and peaceful.

+ Great layout. I really liked the par 4's. Good mix of hyzer, anhyzer, and straight throughout the course. Good mix of distances too. It's perfect for intermediate to advanced players.

+ Not much of a risk of disc loss.

Cons:

I have a few nit-picks, but not much at all:

- I forget the hole numbers, but right around the turn, several baskets are close together and you have to backtrack on a fairway (either #8 or #9) to get to the next tee.

- Some of the baskets are wearing down and they're hard to spot with the wooded backdrops. It'd be nice to get some new baskets with big yellow bands.

- I didn't see anything shady myself, but others have noted that there can be issues in the park itself. Probably best to be alert and aware of other people in the park.

Other Thoughts:

If you're visiting Charlotte, don't overlook Kilborne--especially if you're an intermediate player. I played RL Smith, RenSke, and Kilborne this week. RL Smith was the top course, but extremely demanding (physically and in terms of shots needed). The fun factor on Kilborne was right up there with RL Smith, for me. (RenSke was pretty good too, but closer to average.)
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7 0
Notverygood
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.7 years 76 played 34 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Classic Charlotte course. Fun, pretty, challenging 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 27, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Where to start? This course is a prime example of Charlotte disc golf, and has no doubt been played and loved by tons of players.

The course is mostly wooded, and well worn in. The fairways are worn in and leave no doubt where you need to throw. You can really tell this course has been around quite some time. For good reason

The tee signs are almost all new and up to date (thanks to the recent Masters tournament I assume) and really help a first timer on the course navigate each fairway as some baskets are not in view from the tee pad.

Challenging design! Not one hole is the same and it's awesome. Each new hole is a new challenge, and the course as a whole requires all kinds of tee shots.
There are Hyzer and Anhyzer holes. Holes with multiple lines, and holes with long winding lines to the basket. Bring your A game as a off line tee shot can make for a difficult par save.

The park itself is quiet, and the course wanders through most of the available real estate, making for a nice walk through some beautiful woods. A great place for DG

Along with the great mix of hole layouts, there is also a nice mix of hole lengths. Even though most of the course plays in the woods, you can, and need to power a few drives down the fairway for some of the longer holes. Then the next may be a shorter, tighter under 300ft hole where a mid range may be all you need.

Mostly adequate signage leading from one basket to the next tee.

Cons:

The older baskets don't seem to grab as well as the newer versions. Although not a major con as it adds to the challenge, but you'd better be dead center or not far off from it for it to stick.

There are several baskets near the turn that are all near each other. I don't remember the exact numbers of these baskets, but on a crowded day I can see this being a potential hazard, or distraction on those crucial putts!

Even though the tee signs have the direction from the basket to the next tee, and as mentioned in the Pros section most holes have some directional signage, there are still several holes with out any direction to the next tee pad. Just a minor Con as it's generally an obvious path leading to the next pad

Other Thoughts:

A great example of Charlotte disc golf, and one of the originals. Fun to play and full of challenging and rewarding golf shots.
The course requires accuracy, power and patience.

Bring your A game and enjoy one of Charlotte's prime courses. Highly recommended
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2 16
shinbone11
Experience: 12.6 years 28 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Needed Midrange and pitter 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

They had baskets and tee pads. Short course and can be played quick. Good lines. I would play this course again

Cons:

Not anything more than a Midrange and Putter is really needed, only holes 1,6, 15, 16,& 17 needed anything more than a Midrange, think throwing a midrange could have the same score or close to it. I have been told that I only played the shorts with no longs.

Other Thoughts:

Lock up you car, a lot of homeless looking people are in the park. I counted at least 4 when I got there in the morning to play. Not saying they would take anything but better safe than sorry
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1 2
ncbrett92
Experience: 8.9 years 96 played 8 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 6, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

All of the Killborne holes are in great shape. Baskets are all in proper working order. There is very little foliage you can't walk through so losing a disk is very unlikely. The course has a great mix of distances and left and right shots making you throw a good mix of shots to score well here. The fairways are far but if you miss the line it's a challenge on most of the holes to up and down for par which I like. Signage on all but 1 of the holes (11 I think). Clear indicators on most of the holes where to go next. No real chance of killing walkers or other golfers either one any of the holes.

Cons:

The Skillborne course is in rough shape. It must not get played much because some of the tee pads are almost overrun with underbrush and so too are some of the extra walks to the baskets that are in a difference location then the Killborne basket. No signage on any, and I mean any, of the Skillborne course either.

Back to Killborne. Only real con I have is the tee pads on 1 and 2 are way to short, to the point of unfair, on 1 especially, for the length of the hole. My other con is kind of a cheesy one in that I don't like the drop zone for the water hazard on 15. Just seams kinda silly to walk over to Gilligan's Island just to put to the basket then walk back around.

Other Thoughts:

I will be playing this course a lot as it is one of the best ones in the Charlotte area. Just wish Skillborne got a little TLC because I would love to try that course too.

I would love to see the basket on 15 moved from behind Gilligan's Island to on it! Think that would be a fun challenge.
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2 8
CStrider
Experience: 9.8 years 4 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 3, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great layout. The course was in perfect condition when I went yesterday and I loved the long tee shots where I could let the disc fly.

Cons:

Hard for Novices. Some of the holes I was like "How am I supposed to get a birdie on this 400 foot Par 3.
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9 0
BringBackTheBuzzz
Experience: 11.7 years 18 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Always a Treat to Play 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 19, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a great course. The "fun" factor is high as it's not especially difficult but features many holes that are a lot more tricky than they initially appear.

It's difficult to lose discs here; the course gets a lot of play, so there are multiple paths in and around many of the rough areas and the brush has been beaten back a good bit. Wider fairways give you a chance to shape shots without too much fear of getting kicked into the rough.

That said, while you can easily find your disc, your score will definitely suffer if you miss your line by a few feet here and there on many of these holes. I consider this a pro because it keeps the score challenging.

There are a few holes - 1, 3, 6, and 12 come to mind - that are much more tricky than they initially appear. On 3, for instance, you have a wide fairway beckoning you for a big hyzer shot but a well-protected green that can quickly turn your birdie into a bogey. I love holes like this because they make you stop and think what your approach will be instead of having an obvious strategy.

Benches, long tee pads, and trash cans are aplenty.

This is the only decent course that's located right outside uptown Charlotte.

There are multiple tee pads all over the park. In some cases, this simply provides a slightly longer shot, such as in the Skillborne layout. Other times this may invite a great chance to safari the course. For instance: for hole 1, there are three potential tee pads, none of which are close to the other - one at the edge of the nearby field; one way over by the road, with a direct line to the basket; and of course, the main one right next to the bulletin board. Hole 2 features a potential alternate tee pad at the edge of the field and the woods, to the left of hole 1's basket.

The locals who play here often are among the most friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled discers in the area. Meet some new friends here!

Cons:

For whatever reason, the park itself tends to attract some seedy characters. It's not enough to affect my rating too much, but it does make me pause before bringing my family around. Just be aware. Many disc courses are in bad areas but the crowd seems to be worse here.

The course doesn't quite have the length and variety to be true championship layout.

I don't understand the point of Skillborne; to me, it's just a slightly longer version of the same shot. The current regular layout is just fine for this course, and as stated above the random, once-used tee pads located in a couple places would be better suited for the alternate version.

Other Thoughts:

Overall, this is a fantastic course. Kilborne is my home course; I play here all the time and I am nowhere near tired of it. I have really learned a lot about myself and about how to play the game from the different shots this course forces you to take. This is a great place to introduce someone to disc golf and get him or her to continue to hone the skills of this great game!
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6 0
Hector Chain
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 222 played 189 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Aging well 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 18, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Set almost entirely in the woods, Kilborne has wider fairways than many of the other Charlotte courses. They aren't absurdly wide, but you won't necessarily get punished harshly if your shot is 3 feet off its line.

To score well, you need to be able to shape lines here, but the course allows you a reasonable berth to do so (on many holes you'll need a hyzer followed by a turnover or vice versa). This makes it a great intermediate course, even though it is a perfectly reasonable place to introduce someone to wooded disc golf.

As for advanced players, there are longer tee pads that usually force a tougher gap to hit. On top of that, there are longer baskets on many holes that are colored blue, so there is no confusion as to which you are playing to. I am a big fan of multiple baskets on a hole.

My favorite hole was 15, a 500-foot hole requiring a well-placed drive to negotiate the dogleg, and then an accurate approach to the basket next to a creek. There is a nice drop zone on a peninsula created by the creek.

Navigation was pretty easy, and I only consulted the map twice.

Cons:

The longer tee pads tend to be straight behind the shorter pads, so it's usually a longer look with a narrower gap, but it's not a completely different look.

There is some inevitable repetition with a course in the woods that has no elevation changes. All the holes were solid, but few were especially memorable.

Other Thoughts:

From the fairways, the walking paths, and the baskets, this course is showing its age. Not in a bad way, more in a Helen Miren-esque way.

One of the things I think about when reviewing is the re-playability of the course. This isn't always easy when you're playing a course once, but I know from experience that courses with dual tee pads and dual baskets are pretty tough to get tired of. I'd be very happy to have this as my home course.
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6 0
Bergman Bomber
Experience: 16 years 16 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Old School and Cool 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 16, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Kilborne is a very old school and is a blast to play. Most every hole is really open even being carved out of the woods with some obstacle trees to maneuver around. Every fairway is well worked in and you can really tell Kilbornes age. Not Left or Right hand dominate holes with some holes making you decide which way to fade. Even with little signage this is a relatively easy course to navigate. The thing I really liked about Kilborne was that is was not that challenging. Very very flat makes it a easy course to do in a big day of disc golf around Charlotte.

Cons:

When I showed up to Kilborne the first thing I noticed how old the pin are. They are double chains but a old school pin. I mean did they use these pins when Worlds was here 2 years ago? But they do the job. I think some of the upkeep could be a little better with maybe cleaning the course up and the benches. And if you are use to the hard, challenging courses that are around Charlotte this may not be the course for you, but you need that every now and then.

Other Thoughts:

I really really enjoyed playing Kilborne. I felt it was a great place to bring a group of golfers and having a close game and the end. Overall I can see why disc golf became so popular.
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10 0
pfpro
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 55 played 41 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Super-enjoayable round - I will be back! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 13, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

- This overall layout of the course is strong. It is not a killer course, but it was fun to play.
- Multiple pads (and pins on some holes) allows for variation. I don't think you could get bored if this was the only park you had to play (OK - if you knew Renaissance was 20 minutes away and had played it, you may consider this boring....). For the most part the blue baskets just make the holes a bit longer - they didn't really change the shapes - so when I thought I was throwing at the basket - I could see the blue basket for the approach shots.
- It was a wooded course with "fair" fairways. They are not punishingly narrow (actually, some may think they are a bit wide).
- It seems like it is in a very nice park - and the course seems like it is set apart from the other activities (for the most part). I actually like the fact that you see this big open field when you park, and then the course is tucked into the woods. It didn't feel too crowded, and there weren't a ton of long walks between holes. You could use the field for practice - I'm guessing
- Tee 1 super easy find, with full course map so you can snap a picture and practice basket for warm-up.
- The design is intelligent - for the most part, the shorter holes have some sort of dogleg that make them not be a pitch and putt hole.

Cons:

- Minor con, but the flow is sometimes non-intuitive. Many times there were arrows to the next tee, but sometimes there weren't. I had to refer back to the picture I took at the kiosk.
- The map and signs don't show the alternate pads or baskets. I'm guessing they were new from 2012 where people only cared about the specific basket they were throwing at. It would be nice if there was a map (somewhere, anywhere.... please) that showed the alternate pads and baskets along with the distances. Don't necessarily need it on the teepad (would be nice), but something to reference. If you are a regular, I'm sure this is not an issue.

Other Thoughts:

I am reviewing this as someone passing through the area. I played a brisk autumn round today and completely enjoyed may experience. I thought the course flowed nicely, there was an intelligent mix of long(er) (no 1000' footers here) and short, straight (which, most seemed to have a secondary long pin to keep it challneging) and dog-legged holes. It will challenge you without punishing you! I will definitely be stopping here again as I travel through the area. Not as "epic" as Renny, but I thought it was a fun, quick round. If I could have navigated the extra pads/baskets from a map, I would have bumped the rating up to 4.0 (*was reviewing my reviews and did bump this up to 3.5)
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1 4
doctharock
Experience: 13.7 years 25 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

One of the best in Charlotte 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 9, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course is very fun to play. You have long holes to let it fly (6,12, 15 if you are brave,16,17) and some great tight holes (2, 9, 13). What i love best is that you truly do need every shot in the bag to play this course, and it can be extremely rewarding as the short course is probably one of the easier to play for beginners. It is also one of the toughest from the Skillborne layout (hole 7 should be a par 4 from the long, by the way). Hole 15 is now a par 5 from long to long and a really fun hole to play.
The course is extremely well maintained by the Kilborne Krewe.
It is great fun to play no matter your throwing style or dexterity.

Cons:

It is usually one of the most used courses, so it can be slow playing when the weather is nice.
There are a lot of random people that meander the fairways and are oblvious to the rest of the world.

Other Thoughts:

Hole 1 is probably one of the worst holes in Charlotte to start on unless you have a big RHBH. Oh how I miss old 1 and old 2.
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