Charlotte, NC

Pinewood Elementary

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1.325(based on 14 reviews)
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4 0
Qikly
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.7 years 181 played 148 reviews
0.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Pinewood Elementary's disc golf course is a kid-friendly layout in a mostly open field dotted with a few trees and bushes. The short tees are clearly marked and the circular layout is pretty intuitive to follow considering you can see virtually the entire course from any particular position. The short layout is an incredibly quick play - averaging around 125' a hole - making this a great bagging opportunity or place to lick your wounds after visiting the area's more prominent courses. Great for putt and approach practice or casual safari rounds when school isn't in session.

Conveniently close to Renaissance Park. Area is well-mowed and there is virtually zero chance of losing a disc.

Cons:

The short layout is definitely for kids, severely limiting its appeal. Even with this focus in mind I wish it introduced more line-shaping concepts: shots are almost all dead straight, and several are completely open. Even just a small hyzer or two around a tree would go a long way to introducing basic line shaping.

The black tees theoretically enhance the course's audience through significantly increased distance but I could only find one. It was hard to picture where an additional set of tees that more than doubles the short course's length would sit on a relatively small plot of land. There are so few obstacles here that whatever long tees do exist have little to work with. Course is completely flat.

Other Thoughts:

I visited Pinewood Elementary after a day of playing Hornet's Nest and Renaissance Park. It was a perfect 10 minute round after being exhausted by a full day of playing. I'd recommend it for just such a light round.
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3 0
dndelli
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16.6 years 134 played 131 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Pinewood Elementary 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 16, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This course is located next to Pinewood Elementary, in Madison Central Park. I assume it is an EDGE course designed to help introduce Elementary School aged kids to the game, which is pretty cool.

The course has 9 double-chained DISCatcher baskets, which is pretty nice when you remember it is a course designed for Elementary Schoolers.

There are actually two layouts for this course. The green tees has distances ranging from 75' - 220' and the black tees range from 183' to 427'.

If you are bring someone who has never played the game before or you want to work on your long putts while trying to sink an ace or two, the green tees are a great choice. If you are in the area and want a little more of a challenge try out the black tees.

Cons:

The tees are only indicated with signposts in the ground, and unfortunately, as of this review, the black tees do not have signs. I was running short on daylight, so I didn't take the time to decipher the course map to play the black tees. (But I took their existence into account when choosing my score.)

Located on a very compact tract of land, so be weary of this if you choose to play here and there are others occupying space in this park.

Other Thoughts:

I was honestly impressed with this course, considering it is essentially an Elementary School course. A lot of the small 9 hole school courses I have driven past look pretty uninviting, and not maintained well. But after losing a disc and Renaisance and then dropping my phone for an hour or so, I didn't have time to get in the round on the PPC I wanted, so I opted for a less exhausting play-through of Pinewood. If you are in the area for a round at Renny Gold, and need a place to unwind afterwards, this course would be a fun place for that.

I am giving this course a 1.0 instead of lower because of the existence of the Black Tees. I didn't have time to locate them, but doubt I would go higher than 1.5 unless a little more work was done to the course, which is unlikely. Hopefully they will at least put up tee signs for the Black Tees.

Favorite Hole: 4
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4 0
Mike C
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15 years 168 played 74 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Fits its audience, which does not include me 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

+ 9 baskets in good shape

+ There are tee signs listing hole # and distance

+ Seems like a safe neighborhood, the type of place you'd feel comfortable bringing your kid

+ Makes a decent course to bring a first timer to. It will let someone try out disc golf without ever feeling overwhelmed.

+ Plenty of ace runs. If you're one of those players that's gone years without hitting an ace and this frustrates you, play Pinewood once a week for a month and your problem will be solved.

+ Does a good job of catering to the elementary aged students, which I'm sure is the goal of the course. In this respect the course succeeds. Not every course needs to be a challenging & long 18 hole course requiring a hike through the woods.

Cons:

- Zero challenge. I'd expect to shoot under par throwing with my off hand, blind folded.

- Most holes are throwing straight in an open field 70-150'. Bring a putter or two, MAYBE a mid.

- Hole 8 has you throwing towards a road.

Other Thoughts:

My first time playing this course was on a date. The lady I was spending my afternoon with had never played before, and this course let her try out disc golf without feeling frustrated.

My second time was with a group of friends from out of town. We threw a standard 18 hole course (Winget), then I asked what kind of golf they wanted next. Epic and challenging (Renny Gold), something similar to Winget in difficulty (Kilborne / Sugaw) or pure ace runs for a fun and easy round of golf. They voted the latter, so we came to Pinewood where two of us walked away with aces.

I would avoid this course unless you fall into one of those following categories:

- You want to go for aces while not being challenged at all.

- This is your very first time trying disc golf.

- You go to Pinewood Elementary.


Other than that, there's no reason to come here. If super short and easy 9 hole courses are your speed, Lookout Park in Tega Cay and Springfield Elementary are both superior to Pinewood. They at least offer a few shots that feel like legit golf holes, whereas Pinewood does not.

This course is about as exciting as taking a practice basket to an open field.
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8 0
KenanFlagler01
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14 years 195 played 190 reviews
1.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 22, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

I don't like the "poor" adjective attached to this 1.0 rating. This course succeeds in its design to be a place to introduce kids to disc golf. I rate it a 1.0 because I have to compare to all other courses I've played -- and it's not designed for me! Pinewood is a "putt and putt" course located in a small park in front of an elementary school.

+ Perfect course to introduce elementary school kids to the game.

+ Easy navigation.

+ Good baskets.

+ Ace runs on every hole! The longest hole is 220 feet. All other holes are much shorter, 70 feet to around 160 feet.

Cons:

Again, great course for kids, but here are the cons for adults:

- Exceptionally short, wide open, and easy. No challenge whatsoever.

- A couple holes are relatively close to the road or parking lot. Not really problem because you're likely only throwing a putter (or even *putting* a putter off the tee), but I can see a newbie throwing an errant shot to the street.

Other Thoughts:

This is an easy one to knock out, if you're a course collector like me. I played it in 12 minutes. Don't worry about bringing a bag. Unless you need a different disc for 220 feet, all you need is one straight-flying putter. Go for the "perfect round" -- 9 under par. I hit 8 out of 9 bridies, but felt like I left a *few* shots on the course! Haha. Kind of disappointing not to get at least one ace. Play it a time or two, and you'll get one!
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4 0
nevets4433
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.1 years 62 played 60 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Elementary EDGE 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 21, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Situated in a small field adjacent to an elementary school, this course is exactly what it sets out to be - an introduction to disc golf for young students that might not otherwise get exposed to the game. It features 9 nice baskets and tee signs that form a very easy loop for even novice golfers, while still giving a feel of what an adult-sized course would look like. Hole 4 has a protected basket in the trees and 6-8 make use of a few trees and a telephone pole to put a few objects in the flight path without becoming too cumbersome. I thought those holes did a good job of emphasizing to new players the need to "see a line" without having punishing or frustrating obstacles.

It seems some work has also gone in to create a black tee for the holes, but as below, a little work is needed there still.

Cons:

The obvious: this is a short, 9 hole only course with an elementary skill level. Multiple 100% open holes at ~100 ft distance. Pars are quite demoralizing to the experienced player here.

Tees are natural - it appears there at one point may have been some circular concrete markers but we didn't find them on all holes.

I appreciated the little black signs on the baskets directing golfers to the black tees, but given there aren't markers in place for the black tees, that navigation is still a bit tough.

From a safety perspective, given this is an elementary school course, there is a entrance road crossing and a few holes that play a bit close to the parking lot.

Other Thoughts:

Rating school courses such as this is always difficult for me. I think this course is great for its target audience - that audience just isn't me. It is a great loop to introduce juniors, but not a lot of fun for the adults.

I would really like to see the black tees flushed out a bit, at least being given formal tee pads and a sign, as I think that would make this course a much more viable option.
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4 0
pmay5
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.8 years 480 played 245 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Nice EDGE course, add your own distance! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 17, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nine baskets in good shape.
Mostly open, if you want that, or just enough trees to make a challenge.
Great place for beginners or young ones to learn the game.

Cons:

I can see this park getting busy at certain times. It is right next to the Elementary school and is now a park, with gardens and a playground. BE CAREFUL WHEN BUSY!
There are tee signs, but they mark the extremely short EDGE holes this course was built for. No tee pads.

Other Thoughts:

This is an EDGE course, maybe my first! Courses like this are needed in our game to teach and bring up the little ones and newbies. It goes around the edges of the park, roughly following the walking path.
The course map shows the tees for the "Black" course, follow that if you want to throw more than just putters.
The last several holes do bring some trees into the mix and you can use the roads and sidewalks for tees. So, as long as its not busy, make your own holes and let it rip! Enjoyed these challenges presented on #6, #7 and #8.
Will someone now come and build an EDGE course at the Middle School behind my house?
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6 0
Harpo1989
Experience: 48 played 8 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Perfect for a quickie! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 17, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

If you want a challenge you need to look elsewhere. If you want to practice approach and putt, this is great! My friend and I have only been playing a few weeks and we hit this one up because we had a work picnic around the corner at Park Road Park so we stopped over here for a few rounds.

It was a perfect venue for us to work on controlled approaches and putting, which is where most people will make up a great deal of their game. If you can hit the green from 200 feet and sink putts you will have the makings of a better than average player and this course will fit the bill for that part of your game. We had the course to ourselves and played 3 rounds.

It would also be a great place to take small kids to play. Even the smallest of children might have a chance to ace the 75 footer hole!

Set your expectations accordingly and you won't be disappointed.

Cons:

Another reviewer mentioned some low hanging branches and the grass tee pads already. The only think I will add is that the baskets all had arrows for Black Tees but we looked around for them on several holes to no avail and were a bit disappointed we could find them. I love all the tees signs for the short course and wish they would have added sings for the black tees.

Other Thoughts:

Not a destination course by any means but if in the area and you have a need to get in a little short game practice...I say go for it!
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5 0
1978
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.6 years 392 played 48 reviews
1.50 star(s)

More than meets the eye 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 14, 2015 Played the course:once

Other Thoughts:

I'll leave a short review for a short course. Tee signs, discatchers and a relatively short layout are nice. Grass teepads are getting a little rutted,but I think the shortness of the course keeps most players away. Its almost too short for people to want to practice at. I threw stand still putters from every pad except one. 2 teepads have overhanging branches growing into the throwing space and this needs trimming. I think there was more opportunity for interesting shots but I dont know what the expectations and limitations were. I know the designer I think there are some neat holes that could have been exploited but werent, so I assume that those locations were off limits. This course gives you a bunch of options. If I were local, I would have a full 18 hole advanced level safari layout planned that would be moderately challenging. Neat to stop by if you are in the area but not worth driving out of your way, even if you are bagging courses. It is just too far from any other Charlotte course.

So I initially thought I would rate this .5 but gave it 1 additional disc rating because it is a GREAT safari course. If I lived near by there are throws back and forth around trees and through open fields that stretch my maximum and most people's maximum distance. Since the baskets basically rim an open park, you have your choice of 4-5 baskets for your next Safari shot. I think that you could practice for any skill level here and be able to get a full disc golf workout in. The course is way more valuable as a safari/make up your own hole course than it is a 9 hole course. Often short 9 hole courses are so packed in, there isnt much other option for play.
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4 0
jksenior
Experience: 16.8 years 214 played 16 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Just a putter - unless you play the blacks 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 8, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Good for what it is: "a practice your upshot and jump putting game."

- Take your new putters that you want to break in
- Only one or two holes where you can throw a full putter (or maybe a mid for some people)
- Navigation is easy - you can prety much see the entire course as yopu look around.
- the baskets are good - better tham many "big" courses.

There were Black tees marked for most if not all of the holes. There were signs to the black tees on the baskets - i.e. Black 2 on 1's basket.

These black tees were marked with little signs on trees. They added quite a bit a length to the course. So much so that you could throw mids and a fairway driver or two. No distances marked, so you have to wing it.

Cons:

- natural teepads
- no trash cans on the course, so if you take a dog (as I did) you have to carry their sh** around with you - assuming you pick it up.
- course circles a playground so you could be dodging kids as they come and go.

Other Thoughts:

Asd I said, this is not a course to go and play competitive golf. Know what you're going to get before you get there and it serves a purpose.

It is actually Madison Park which is adjacent to Pinewood elementary school.
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4 1
DavidNC
Experience: 15.1 years 57 played 10 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Great Surgery Rehab Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 6, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Someone has taken the time to lengthen the cource considerably using the existing baskets but placing the tees much further away than the original course. There are signs posted on the new tee locations (black wood with white paint) and signs added to most of the baskets pointing to the next "black tee."
Now, I do not think these tees are in the "black" tier, but it does lengthen the course considerbly; there are even some MANDOs on a couple of holes. Unfortunately, the distances are not posted on these new holes; but I will say 300s are in play on this course now and on many holes.

Cons:

Be cognizant of Fire Ants. Many colonies populate the course. Not so much a problem in January; but, come April . . .

Other Thoughts:

The course is what it is. Very Short and open. Just what one would expect. Rehabbing (I do not think this is a word) from shoulder surgery, this course presented a great opportunity to just get out and throw, two to three weeks earlier than I would have been able to for even Elon Park or Bailey.
Moreover, a great course to introduce a young one to the game.
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1 3
PhatPatW
Experience: 11.7 years 45 played 4 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Bring Your Putter 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 1, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

If you want to practice your long range putting or mid range you have found your course.

Cons:

All open holes with no obstacles

Other Thoughts:

If you have children that are leading to play DC then I would bring them here.
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6 1
BrotherDave
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.6 years 192 played 188 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Pinewood? Wood? 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Sweet tee signs, nice baskets, kind of nifty basket positions considering what they had to work with. Nice chill spot to air out the putters or if you want a little challenge a lid round. Ample parking. Flows well, easy navigation. Quick.

Cons:

Very short holes. Some of the holes are really just longish putts. Mostly wide open in a field but some trees do spice it up a bit.

Natural tees and some are angled funny.

Literally right beside a school (duh) so no double fisting Olde English probably.

Other Thoughts:

If you need to host an Ace Race or work on your putt & approach game, this is your course. Surprisingly more popular than I thought it would be. Great course for kids, uncoordinated women and complete n00bs. You could probably safari some longer, more interesting holes if have the course to yourself. The basket locations are better than just "baskets in a field" kind of 9 holers b/c they can punish you with road OB and trees if you're overzealous on a few of them. But it's a highly polished practice course and in the grand scheme of things I had to rate it harshly.
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4 2
albert8fish
Experience: 25 years 17 played 16 reviews
2.00 star(s)

easy lunch time putting 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 30, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Open nine hole putting course that is fun for some warm up putting from natural marked tees
Safari opportunity is great, I always like that
Good work for approach game, and jump putting
Tee signs are nice
Aces are the goal here, or teaching young ones

Cons:

Flat and wide open with very few obstacles
When it is grassy it will be more fun, mud makes it interesting and slippery

Other Thoughts:

I play Renny almost daily at lunch and weekends I play two or three of the other courses about town
I like this park for being a trainer for my long putting at lunch, and switch it up.I love Renny and it develops my long game, this is ace run central. For what it is it will do nicely. Nice walk at lunch, I like it.
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8 0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.8 years 584 played 536 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Nice beginner-friendly, neighborhood course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 15, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Madison Park at Pinewood Elementary is a short, pitch-n-putt course. This defines what a neighborhood course is about, and who it's targeted at.
- This is the ultimate beginner, introduction course. I picture a course like this getting a lot of play from people in the neighborhood looking to try something new. Holes average only slightly more than 130 feet, so it's clearly not aimed for the big throwers.
- For more experienced players, this course is going to be a birdie fest. There are a couple of safari hole layouts that will offer some more challenge and/or length. More experienced players will have to use some sort of gimmick (ace race, skins match) to make this fun.
- There are several interesting holes. After three uninspiring holes, you suddenly get a (somewhat) dose of reality on #4. It's the most challenging hole on the course, with basket protected by several trees, and the longest, at 220 feet. This is the only hole where you need to throw a good shot to be in birdie range. #6 is a dogleg right (165 feet) with the basket right under a tree. You can throw high, aiming for the tree, letting your disc fall close to the basket. #8 is a 160 foot hole with the basket protected by one tree, forcing you to throw around or over.
- Nice wooden tee signs. They only offer distance, hole number and par, but that's all that is really needed. It'd be great if other (18 holer) Charlotte courses had signs as nice as this.
- Holes #1 - 3 play in a decent sized field. It's at least 300 feet, which will allow people to practice drives or longer mid-range. This should be the only reason anyone will need to bring any disc longer than a mid-range or putter.
- Quick, easy play. It took me 30 minutes to play through twice, and that included time to right down all the course info for this site. Carrying multiple discs actually slowed me down.

Cons:

Too many short, straight holes. #1, 2, 3 & 9 all feel like long putts or layup shots - all range from 75 - 120 feet with no obstacles whatsoever. #5 & 7 at least have trees that could come into play, but still don't offer much.
- I thought it was weird that the walks from #1 basket to 2 tee & from #2 basket to 3 tee are longer than holes #1 & 2. Not that adding length would make them that much better, but why not make those holes 50 - 75 longer, if you're already walking that distance? It would at least make them longer than jump putt distance.
- General lack of challenge. Again, this course is at a neighborhood park, connected to an elementary school, so it's not aimed for regulars. Renny is only 10 minutes away, if you're really looking for a challenge. This was a mini-golf course when compared to a real golf course.
- Lack of amenities. There's a playground, and that's about it. When most of the play is coming from neighbors, there isn't need for many bells or whistles, so just be aware if stopping by for a quick round or two.

Other Thoughts:

I can't emphasize how much I enjoyed the "neighborhood" feel of this course. The main road (Seneca) is two-lanes with bike lanes and side walks, so you're already not having to deal with traffic. Add to that houses across and behind the course, and it just has that feel. I really think the course will get most of its play from locals who discover the baskets while walking by or at the playground. Madison Park, along with Fewell Park in Rock Hill, are the two courses that offer the most intimate, neighborhood feel.
- There isn't a lot of fun factor here, if you're more experienced. I think the fun factor will be in bringing newbies, or kids to the course, and watching them get a taste for disc golf. It'd be cool seeing lots of parents playing here with there kids.
- With this being a beginner course, it'd be nice to see more mention of other Charlotte courses or the local DG club. You would think once someone masters this course, they would want to try other courses.
- This is definitely a stat-padding course. There's not a reason to go out of your to stop here and play. Now, if you live in the neighborhood, it's great to have a practice course within walking distance.
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