Hopefully, my brother and I will be Charlotte in a couple weeks to do some disc golfing. We are both intermediate level players. Here are the courses we are looking to play -
Nevin Park
Robert L. Smith
Bradford Park
Dry Creek
Robbins
Here are some questions I'm hoping locals can help us out with. We will be there over a Fr,Sa,Su (March 31-April 2). Are some of these courses a lot busier than others? Any suggestions on which ones (or alternate suggestions) might not too bad on a Saturday or Sunday?
Since our time is limited, which of these are close to one another if we try to bag two a day?
Finally, any courses not on our list that we shouldn't miss? I've purposely left off Renaissance Gold, since its length and our skill level makes me think it wouldn't match up all that well.
Thanks for any help!
No comment on Robbins or Dry Creek, I have not played them.
RL Smith is a good course with a lot of variety. Bit of a hike compared to your typical course, just a heads up. Good time of year to play it, the bugs get bad later on. Its not an easy course, but its not really difficult either. Should be a fun challenge.
Bradford is pretty solid. It didn't really have anything terribly memorable to me but I remember enjoying myself. Couple of open holes but mostly wooded Charlotte holes. Bit easier than RL from what I remember.
Nevin is a beast. I don't know if they have shorter tees (I always play the longest option) but I think its pretty difficult. I'd put it up there with Angry Beaver and Renny Gold...its definitely more wooded than the latter. I haven't played it in a while so my memory is fuzzy, but I don't ever remember it feeling unfair. Its just punishing if you miss your line, and wooded throughout most holes.
Courses that are good to hit up back to back?
RL & Renny or Winget.
Eastway & Sugaw.
Bradley Center & Rankin Lake.
Winget & Winthrop.
Chester State Park, Elon Park or Renaissance Park (All three have multiple courses on site that are all worth playing).
Courses I think you should consider:
Renny. Yes, Gold is a tough course. But, for me, its easier than some of the other tougher Charlotte courses. Most other hard Charlotte courses are long and heavily wooded. Renny gold is long and half open, half moderately wooded. That makes it more forgiving than Angry Beaver or Nevin. It's a very diverse course and in my opinion its Charlottes most well rounded. Too many Charlotte courses are 18 holes in the woods, and it get repetitive. Renny breaks that mold while staying away from feeling too open and boring like Frank Liske can. I would give it a shot. Plus you can play Renske. Its a fun 18 hole course that for me is all putter and midrange holes. If you get frustrated at the Gold course you could ditch it for Renske at hole 11...you'll know whether or not Gold is for you by the half-way point.
Winget. I think Winget is the best short 18 hole course in Charlotte. Most holes are 200-300' par 3's. They're pretty much all wooded save for 2 or 3 more open shots. Couple of ace runs. Lots of diverse lines...left right and straight. Not many hidden pins, mostly flat and very simple navigation....its very quick to play and next to a lot of good courses. Its also next to one of the best BBQ restaurants in town, Jim N Nicks. Head there for a double decker and mashed potatoes after your round :thumbup:
Goat Island. I've only played here once but it was a very ideal disc golf experience. Moderately wooded, well defined fairways in a picturesque park setting. Good mix of length and lines, with a moderate challenge throughout the entire course. If you play Winget or RL, its close to both.
Chester State Park Technically not Charlotte, but less than an hour away. Gorgeous State Park with two courses on the property. The longer courses is less challenging than Charlotte's toughest courses, but not a whole lot easier. Its definitely one that calls for a wide variety of lines, so its good if you throw both BH and FH (True for most charlotte courses). The 18 hole course is very good, and very pretty. The 9 hole short course was a little lackluster. Some holes just weren't that great, but then a few were really fun for the type of course it is.
If you go to my youtube channel I have videos of a lot of charlotte courses. If you type in a course it should pop up.
www.youtube.com/thediscgolfvids I don't think photos always give you enough perspective on how a hole plays.