Pros:
Torma is one of a kind in Charlotte: a private, disc golf only venue. With it you get a solid layout that uses practically every inch of land to create a fun play.
- To get to the course, you drive through a neighborhood, taking a series of turns. Finally, you come to the end of it, and you're there. From here on out, it feels like you're out in the country.
- Course has a very simple flow to it: front 9 is essentially the open portion; back 9 the wooded. Once every handful of holes, you have a real ace run/birdie chance - #4, 9, 11, & 15. Take advantage of the easier holes because there's challenging ones right around the corner.
- There's a tremendous risk/reward factor throughout the course, as some seemingly innocent layouts have much more challenge hidden beneath the surface. Take #4 for example. It's only 153 feet. It's slightly downhill. It should be an easy 2. Not so fast. Did I mention the steep drop-off 30 feet past the hole? So, if you do go for an ace run, and your disc sails right over top of the basket, there's an excellent chance it's a goner. Now, how aggressive are you going to play this hole?
- Then take any of the tight fairways on the back 9. I'll highlight #12 here. An uphill, 245-footer. Even if you have a decent tee shot, you're then left with a basket on a raised mound. An overly aggressive tee shot, an overly aggressive second shot, and you may be feeling relived to walk away with a 4.
- The best part of the course is its creativity. There are plenty of enjoyable, challenging hole layouts through the round. There really aren't any true 'filler' holes. You could argue that two of the four simplest/most boring holes are #1 & 2. Only others that are simple/quasi boring: #9 & 15. The common trait there is they're both ace runs.
- Tremendous use of the piece of land. Some fantastic elevation layouts; holes that weave in and out of the woods; the signature hole that uses the creek and peninsula to create an island green - #7. Of all 200+ holes in Charlotte, the approach shot and green on #7 is one of the top five or 10 best/toughest shots. I thought my disc landed hole high 20 feet from the basket. Technically, I was right. The reality is that it had to be fished out of the creek.
- To prove that the course uses every piece of available land? You come across fences and/or no trespassing signs on multiple holes throughout the course. Basically, you play to the edge of the land on all 4 sides, and then the fenced in piece of land within the course.
Cons:
You can tell there are aspects of the course that are still a work in progress.
- Signage needs to be improved in multiple aspects: hole distances vary between tee signs, scorecards and online. There're inconsistencies regarding long and short tees - which holes have them, which position they're in.
- At a couple of points in the round, more/better next tee signs would be a big help. I'm thinking the transition from #8 to 9, #13 to 14, #15 to 16, and when there are crossing paths. Mainly a first-time player issue.
- Last signage issue - have OB and other hazards better marked. Going back to #7, we couldn't tell from the tee pad or from our second shots about how close the creek is to the basket. It wasn't until our walk up that we realized my disc was in the creek.
- I'm not sure if #6 is a creative hole or a bad one. You're either throwing over the trees, or shooting the gaps, throwing low to the ground/rollers. In my group of three, I was the only to go high, and I cleared the trees. The other two went low and played Plinko down the fairway.
Other Thoughts:
Torma Town gets high marks for its creativity. Again, the idea of having a private course within city limits is incredible. As if we didn't have enough options already in Charlotte.
- The course leans more on the fun/creative side than it does challenge. Only two par 4s (#7 & 18), nothing longer than 491 feet, and an average hole length of 311 feet. That said, a solid round can unravel quickly if you're not careful - hit trees on consecutive shots on #13. Get a bad kick off a tree and a birdie-able suddenly leaves players scrambling for bogey.
- The course does require smart shot throwing. On holes #10 & 16, for example, you're better off having your tee shot land on the opposite side of the fairway than land short of your target on the correct side. You've got a far better angle for your approach shot if you leave enough room.
- For such a shorter, compact course, it's a demanding grind. Walking up and down the big slope on the front 9, I was feeling it by the back 9. Throw in the mental aspect of accurate tee shots, and the course will wear on you.
- If you want to break up the flow of the round, you can start on #14. That tee is right next to the main building. If not, this is a chance to get water or a snack for the final stretch.
- I must give the obligatory mention to the tee shot on #5. For a certain type of player, they'll want to throw a bunch of discs. After you throw your tee shot, it's a rather pedestrian hole.
- If you want an excellent downhill hole, the real challenge is #11. Anyone can throw on a wide-open layout. Real players seek to carve a shot around the trees.
- This is a very good course. Within the area, it's a step below the elite courses. Its best comp is RL Smith. I think this gives a better all-around challenge than Smith, but you can't go wrong with either. Well worth the $5 donation, if not more.