Pros:
Forty minutes east of downtown Charlotte, Rock Rest Elementary feels like you're in a completely different world than the metro region. The terrain here gives you more of a sense of farmlands than a typical Charlotte course. Yet, despite its simplicity, this is a fun layout.
- Exceeded expectations. The course is far better than it should be. Driving into the parking lot, I essentially saw a bunch of baskets in a field. The course designer (Jeremy Ryder, who's also designed two other school courses in Union County) seemingly used every single obstacle that was available.
- Perfect execution of the 'less is more' mentality. The few trees that are in the field seem to all come into play. That ranges from throwing around or under trees on #1 and 2, throwing through gaps on #6, 7, and 8, and throwing through a tree lined fairway (or throwing a wide sweeping shot) on #4. The minimal elevation also creates slight upshots on #5 or downhill on #7 and 8.
- This is an outstanding course to introduce beginners to the game, especially children. The trees present just enough challenge to make holes all seemingly different. This is a short layout with an average hole length of 183 feet. And, there's almost no chance of losing a disc, unless you throw a disc extremely far left on #9.
- Good course for practice and safari hole layouts. For example throw from #1 to 3's basket. Play #5 to #7's basket; play #6 to #9.
- Easy flow to the course. #9's basket isn't too far from the first tee. If you park in the front lot, just start playing on #3 and finish with #2.
- Good course for ace runs as well. Taking a bag of putters and mid-range discs, set up your tripod, and start firing at the basket. It shouldn't take too long to get one on tape.
Cons:
I played it shortly after the course was listed as open. At that time, there were no tee markers other than spray paint on the ground. The UDisc app was spot on so I found each tee without a problem.
- No bathrooms, water fountains, or trash cans. It is an elementary school, so be respectful when here. That also means the course isn't available until late afternoons on school days.
- The course is out of the way. For most locals, you're only heading this far east (on either 74 or 601) if you're headed to the beach. Otherwise, for the disc golfers, you're driving 25 minutes past Dry Creek or 15 minutes past Bearskin Creek to bag this one.
- For better players, course is overly simplistic. That's a sign this course wasn't built for you. Sure, a couple holes could easily have an additional 100 feet of length. Maybe long tees will be installed one day. In the meantime, enjoy what's here.
- Tee signs would be nice eventually. As would a basic sign at the first tee.
Other Thoughts:
Rock Rest is excellent for what it is. You'd be hard pressed to improve on its layout with this available land.
- This is a wonderful reminder of how you can have a high quality, simple layout course. Creating fake challenges, making each hole 100 feet longer, or trying to mess with the layout would actually take away from this appeal. If you know what you can offer, offer that. Some excellent restaurants only serve a handful of items. They know what they're good at and they stay in their lane.
- This is good for a quick round. I finished in less than 20 minutes and threw extra tee shots on a number of holes. I also had a long walk parking in the front lot, then starting at the first hole.
- I really liked holes #7 & 8. Both holes are flat for the first 2/3 of the layout. Once you're close to the putting circle, both have a slight dip towards the basket. Both holes have several trees creating options to throw over or around to make a run at the baskets. #7 is the better of the two, IMO.
- For short, kid-friendly courses, this is one of the best I've played. This layout could easily have gone wrong if someone tried to overcomplicate the design. A job well done.