SPCC Polkton is a fun, 9 hole course that is suitable for beginners. The course works its way around the campus and has nice concrete tees and DISCatcher baskets. There was a single trash can between hole 6 and 7 right next to the small amphitheater.

While it's a course designed for beginners, and every hole is certainly birdie-able, the course does a great job making use of various trees around the campus to create a course that intermediate and even advanced players can find their rounds here enjoyable. The course also does a great job differentiating the hole design up enough that every hole feels unique, despite never needing anything bigger than a midrange to shoot well here.

I was honestly, pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this course. SPCC is doing a great job designing and installing courses on the campuses!

The holes don't really have proper tee signs, just a 4x4 stump with a number on it. While it is not overly important because you can see the basket from the tees, I think a proper tee sign, with at least the distance labed would help enhance this course.

Overall, this is still a beginner course. Most players would probably out grow it fairly quickly, but it is the only course anywhere nearby. Still probably makes for a fun way for students to kill time in between their classes. I am not sure if the school has enough land for a "back 9", but it did seem like there was enough space to at least add long tees to create a slightly harder layout for golfers who want an additional challenge.

Navigation isn't a huge issue here, but it could definitely be improved. The walk from Hole 3 to Hole 4 was pretty long and not obvious at all. I could barely make out what seemed to be a "trail" through the pine forest. The walk from Hole 6 to 7, while less problematic, was also a bit confusing for a short little bit. Putting arrows hanging below the baskets could help solve this.

This is one of the better 9 hole courses I've played so far. If it wasn't so far away from where I live, I'd probably take beginners here to learn the game. There is just enough variety and challenge to make the course interesting for them, but not so much that they are put off by the game. Plus there are plenty of ace runs here for better players. Maybe it's because it had been a while since I drew metal off the tee, but hitting off the chains, rim, and then basket on 7, 8, and 9 made my round here very enjoyable!

For now I am going to give the course a 2.0 rating, because I think the holes are designed well, features some of the better concrete tees I've played from, and the course seems to be in good condition. If the course were to get some improved tee signs and a second set of longer tee pads (or a back 9 somewhere) I could see myself bumping this rating up too.

Favorite Holes: 2 & 7

I think it's fantastic that community colleges are adding disc golf courses on their campuses to introduce new players to the game. The course at South Piedmont Community College has the bones to be an above average 9-hole beginner course. BUT there are a few issues which knocked it down a notch or two for me. The good news is, my cons are easily fixable. First, the pros...

+ Big, level concrete tee pads.

+ Good baskets.

+ Good variety in how the holes are laid out: hyzer, anhyzer, and straight.

+ The distances on the holes were very appropriate for a beginner-friendly course, but not so short that it's a "putt putt" course.

Again, the cons are fixable. The problem is that the solution requires a little money invested in the course.

- Navigation is an issue. There is not a course map, nor next tee signs. There's a pretty long walk between hole 2 and 3...and without any direction, it's very easy to head off in the wrong direction. (I did.)

- A second point on navigation: there are tee signs with the number of the hole, but there are no signs indicating hole layout or distance. You have to make a guess on distance, and on a couple holes, you have to walk up the fairway to find the basket and plan your strategy off the tee.

- I believe it's hole 2 (could be hole 3) plays to a basket in a small putting area carved out of a thick pine forest. I'd say it's about a 220-foot hole. If you miss the gap to the green, you're going to be in extremely thick rough. This was the only hole I'd say was "unfair" or at the very least "not fun."

- No trash cans or benches anywhere on the course, that I could see.

Nice little course. I hope they're able to add maps and signs. I feel sure that this course will introduce some new players to the game.