THIS YEAR’S seen major gains for the sport of disc golf. Its visibility was most recently elevated with the first-ever airing of the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s Dynamic Discs Open on CBS Sports Network. This year, stories on MSN and Golf.com noted that the sport is particularly conducive to this new era of social distancing. After all, you’re only touching your own discs as you move between a course’s holes—and it’s open format allows you to keep your distance from your friendly combatants.
All of this considered, we’ve decided it’s time to conduct a new survey of the city’s courses. For some expert perspectives on each site, we asked the co-owners of Another Round Disc Golf And Tap Room (1200 E. 36th St.) in NoDa—Kyle Deck and Joseph Phillips—to offer their takes on the 12 courses featured below, organized by location relative to uptown:
Courtesy of Jonathan Elyea and Another Round
NORTH
Hornets Nest Park
6301 Beatties Ford Rd.
18 holes
Designed in 1996 (Redesigned in 2017) by Mark Huether and Stan McDaniel
Another Round’s Take: Hornets Nest is the crowned jewel of the Queen City. This course is extremely challenging but quite rewarding when you play well. You’ll need every kind of disc in your bag to tackle this 20 hole track.—Kyle Deck
Robbins Park
8430 Westmoreland Rd., Cornelius
18 holes
Designed in 2014 by Mark Huether
Another Round’s Take: Robbins is unique among our Charlotte courses. It has a a small creek that’s in play and has some very fun elevated shots. Make sure you’re warmed up before jumping right in for a round, Robbins demands every shot in your arsenal.—K.D.
Nevin Community Park
6000 Statesville Rd.
18 holes
Designed in 2009 by Stan McDaniel, Mark Huether, and Matt Keatts
Another Round’s Take: Nevin park is often the answer to the question “what is the most difficult course in Charlotte?”. The long tee pads offer a challenge that can leave even the most seasoned player defeated. But when you’re playing well, it’s hard to beat the feeling of conquering this course.—K.D.
Bradford Park
17005 Davidson-Concord Rd., Huntersville
18 holes
Designed by Stan McDaniel in 2010
Created in 2011 by Stan McDaniel, Pat Bowles, and Robert Shelinsky
Another Round’s Take: Bradford is a meticulously manicured course that is friendly for all skill levels. There’s a little bit of everything here. Elevation changes. Wide open shots. Technical tight fairways. It’s a beautiful course worth making the drive for.—Joseph Phillips
EAST
Kilborne Park
2600 Kilborne Dr.
18 holes
Designed in 1991 by Steve Lambert and Alan Beaver
Another Round’s Take: Kilborne is one of the oldest and most beloved courses in Charlotte. It’s my home course (I live in the neighboring Windsor Park neighborhood), and in my estimation it’s the best disc golf course on earth. It’s challenging without being unfair. With multiple baskets and teepads on each hole, there’s enough variation here to never get bored. It’s a gorgeous and holy place for me.—J.P.
(Ed. Note: Kilborne is also my personal favorite.)
Sugaw Creek Park
939 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
18 holes
Designed in 2005 by Stan McDaniel
Another Round’s Take: Sugaw is a challenging but rewarding course. Even without a single par four, it’s a course you really need to be hitting your lines on. There are several signature holes that you’ll only find there. It’s a gem and it’s just a couple of miles from our shop in NoDa.—J.P.
Reedy Creek
2900 Rocky River Rd.
18 holes
Designed in 1989 by Alan Beaver and Steve Lambert
Another Round’s Take: Set in one of the most beautiful parks in Charlotte, Reedy Creek is a terrific blend of shot shapes and elevation changes. The short tee pads are terrific for newer players, while the long tees can provide a challenge for more experienced arms.—K.D.
WEST
Plantation Ruins at Winget
12235 Winget Rd.
Designed in 2012 by Sam Nicholson
18 holes
Another Round’s Take: This course is a throwback to the short hole designs of the early days of disc golf. A premium is placed on being able to hit very tight lines. A great place to practice with just putters and midranges.—K.D.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDpm6Bwp_2i/
Renaissance Gold
1200 W. Tyvola Rd.
18 holes
Designed in 1992 by Stan McDaniel
Another Round’s Take: Renaissance Park is home to three courses. Renaissance Gold is a monster of a course that you better pack 3 meals before you play. It has somewhat of a legendary status from the players of yesteryear as one of the best courses in the world. Renaissance Grey is a tightly wooded course that’s quite challenging but not unfair. Renske is a perfect course for beginners that’s even fun for more seasoned players. You can play 18 holes on your lunch break.—J.P.
SOUTH
Scrapyard (Idlewild Park)
10512 Idlewild Rd.
Designed in 2011 by Rob Kelly and Ralph Vickers
18 holes
Another Round’s Take: Scrapyard is quintessential North Carolina disc golf. The tightly-wooded short par threes. The shot over the lake on hole 8. There has been a ton of work done to the course and it has quickly become a favorite of mine.—J.P.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB-5VgtJz0A/
Eager Beaver
11401 Ardrey Kell Rd.
Designed in 2008 by Stan McDaniel
18 holes
Another Round’s Take: Eager Beaver is a great course to take first-timers. The holes are short enough that most people can reach the basket in one throw with the right disc. If you’re looking to take your kids to a course—my 4-year-old is obsessed—go here or Bailey Road Park.—J.P.
Angry Beaver
11401 Ardrey Kell Rd.
Designed in 2009 by Stan McDaniel
18 holes
Another Round’s Take: After a round under par at Eager Beaver, you don’t have to go far to be brought back to earth. Angry Beaver lives up to its name in every way. Bring your A-game for this monster. There’s been a ton of work done to this course in recent months, and it’s in phenomenal shape.—K.D.
Additional data on courses from Charlotte Disc Golf Club.