Pros:
Canaan's Sand Hills course is the perfect elixir to the punishment you'll endure at Riverbend. That said, it's one of the best 9-hole layouts I've ever played.
- This is an amazing 9-hole course. It's 10 baskets with 2 tee pads. Take away #3 - a pitch-n-putt 48-foot (#3) and 60-foot (#13) layout that probably shouldn't be a part of the course. The first time through (holes #1 - 10) are played from shorter tee locations. The second time through (#11 - #20) is played with (mostly) similar layouts, with the tee pushed back 50 - 75 feet.
- The second loop through (#11 - #20) offers a great 9-hole layout. ochets off a tree is ending up wet.Playing #10 (short layout) instead of #20 (long) is more enjoyable, so the stretch of #10 - #19 is even better.
- That 9-hole stretch averages 219 feet, so it's a series of holes that require accurate throws. You've got some straight holes - #1/11, #5/15; good doglegs - #2/12, #10/20, a fun, uphill layout - #6/16; and a ridiculously fun, challenging, risk/reward layout for a beginner-friendly course on #9/19.
- #9/19 is a dogleg left with the Catawba River on the right side, with the fairway sloping away from the basket towards the river (left-to-right downhill slope). A normal RHBH throw is starting close to the river, before curving back towards the basket. A shot that doesn't curve, or one that ricochets off a tree is ending up wet.
- #10 is a simple, yet fun layout. Short, slight uphill, dogleg right (134 feet) with a hanging basket between three big trees. Trees are wide enough that they provide a real chance for bankshots into the basket. I had a putt from 50 feet that hit off one of the trees, hit the basket and fell out. Provided a cool view and reaction from me and my buddy. On a normal course, this would be too much of a gimmick. On a short course, it somehow makes sense.
Cons:
The biggest negative is the lack of variety from the short (front 10) and long (back 10) tees. The overwhelming majority of the holes offers the same look, just a longer layout. Much of that is due to a lack of space, but it still feels a bit repetitive.
- #3 is a waste. Unless you're ace-racing, this isn't needed. I felt it's slowing down my round, having to walk up the stairs to #3's tee, 2-putt from 48 feet, and walk back down the hill to #4's tee. I'd prefer going straight from #2's basket to #4's tee. It's such a waste that I feel it drags down the overall quality of the course. Or, I guess you could look at it like a free-spin, bonus hole if you're a glass 1/10 full type of person.
- Course is a little cramped in spots. It's quite impressive there's such a good quality of holes in a small amount of space. If you're not careful, you can easily skip a hole. It's added confusing with the dual-tee pads per hole. Shouldn't be an issue for a normal disc golfer, but for first timers who aren't adapt at navigating a course, I can see someone easily going from #2 to 4, or #8 to 3.
- No benches or trashcans. You're playing a sub-one hour round, so it's not a real issue. Just a statement.
- There is a lost disc factor on the water hole - #9/19 and from the long tee on #20, with thick rough on both sides of the initial dogleg.
Other Thoughts:
My buddy and I played Riverbend first. Sand Hills was our relaxing, after-round round. And I was pleasantly surprised how good this simple layout plays.
- Course reminded me of Mint Hill's 9-hole layout in that both courses are simple, yet effectively designed. It's hard to picture either as a complete 18, but you could easily pull a couple of these holes and stick them on a real 18-holer, and they'd fit right in.
- I'll throw out #16 as the final good hole layout. The added length - 234 feet vs 168 - make the long layout far superior to the short - #6. #16 is a flat shot to a basket up on a hill, with a slight dip right before the hill. That depression is listed as OB on the tee sign. If you play it that way, you're having to throw around a curve to the left. The uphill basket presents roller options on all sides, with the risk of some ending up in that OB in the front right. This seems like a hole that will seem very birdie-able from the tee, yet leave many players wondering how they carded a bogey after having a putt roll away.
- I'll view this as a 9-holer with dual tee pads. That said, when I'm here, I will play all 20 tee locations. It doesn't matter how you view this course. This course has nine solid hole locations. Add to that it's a perfect warm-up or cool-down compliment to the advanced course on the island. Even with #3, this is a solid 2.0 course in my book - decent, especially as a second act.