Pros:
This is definitely a hidden secret amongst all the Charlotte courses. While you have all the big, tough courses in the area, this is the little engine that could. Nothing flashy about it, but always solid. This course has a traditional golf course layout with distinct fairways, thick rough and good variation. The more open holes, especially #1 & #9 have a distinct links-type course feel to them where you have to keep shots low and out of the wind.
- Good hole layouts and great use of land. With limited space, this course does a great job using elevation, as well as natural fairways.
- Elevation plays a big factor on holes #2 - 7. For example, on #3 - 259 foot downhill hole - I've thrown a Roc 50 feet past the hole with little effort, but on #4 - 204 foot uphill hole, I've had to throw an Eagle just to get to the basket. Granted, there are other factors in play - i.e. the thick trees on #4s fairway - but still, #3 plays a lot shorter than #4.
- Great risk/reward. Every hole is a birdie opportunity (assuming you play #7 as a par 4). But with thick, tree-lined fairways and/or windy conditions, every hole is also a bogey chance. Trees are thick, but fair, on most holes to the point of throwing short distance just to get back on to fairway, instead of advancing towards basket. Accuracy is of greater importance than distance on this course.
- Great course to introduce new people to the game. As mentioned above, this course isn't going to overwhelm people with difficulty, so there shouldn't be too much of a frustration/intimidation factor for newbies. Shorter holes will also appeal to the non-big throwers.
- Course is easy to navigate. There's a natural flow, and short walk, from one basket to the next tee. The only semi-long walk is from #1's basket to #2, and that has a sign. First-timers will have no problem navigating the course. With the way the course is set out, you can even jump holes easily, so if you only want to play the open/drivable holes, you can keep going back and forth from #1 to #9 without having to walk any further.
Cons:
The woods are thick, fair, but thick. If you land in the woods, be prepared to possibly spend some time searching for your disc. The only way you're really in trouble searching for a disc is if you land in an evergreen. They suck discs in, and rarely drop them to the ground, so make sure you look up when searching. The evergreens (naturally) remain full year around, so don't expect any relief in the winter.
- The fence that runs alongside #7 & #9 stinks. There's no opening in it until near the basket for #9. So if you throw a shot over the fence, especially on #7, you every can try to jump the barbwire or have a long walk up and back to retrieve a disc. It's an added problem on #7 because the fairway is narrow. At least on #9, there's a split fairway, so you can throw the side away from the fence.
- There always seems to be a crosswind on the fairways for #1 & 9, which comes from an open field next to the park. It's a right-to-left wind on #1 and left-to-right on #9. Of all the times I've played the course (at least 20+ times), I'd say there's been some crosswind at least 3/4 of the time. It's not always strong, but it can be enough that you need to adjust your shots accordingly.
- Other than that, just small, petty stuff. The baskets aren't perfect, a couple are slightly bent. It's not a major issue. Some people may have a problem with the trees on every hole. There isn't a huge variety in the holes, in that there is only 1 dog leg. The others are relatively straight with some variation based on the baskets.
Other Thoughts:
This is the best 9-hole course in the area, and the best one I've played so far. For only 9 holes, the course has plenty of personality. Holes #1 & 9 are good to practice driving; #2 is a great ace hole; #4 is always an interesting decision to throw through or over the trees.
- As with all 9-hole courses, you can play through in no time, and should be able to play through twice (for a full 18) in less than an hour. The course never gets backed up with players, but always has people playing. Even on a cold, blustery weekday afternoon, I saw 4 other groups playing the course.
- It's a great park with plenty of ammenties - ballfields, picnic area, playground, restrooms, walking trails,water fountain and drink machines. Good for th entire family.
- The course is set as a 9-holer, so don't expect expansion. That said, I've always wondered if it were 18, how it would compare to Reedy Creek.
- It is less to either Reedy or Scrapyard, so you can play both courses in an afternoon.
- Mint Hill has a distinct feel to it. You're not getting this feel anywhere else. Worth a round or two if you've never played before.