Uploaded By: DiscChainBasket18
Hole #16 (Taken 3/2009)
Hole #16 (Taken 3/2009) 
3 / 302ft. 3 / 302ft.
Par / Distance:
Hole #16 Approach
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Reviews: 64
Avg. Rating:
Details
Avg. Rating:
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Renny Gold!!!
Pros: Extremely challenging course that will make you think on almost every shot. There is a lot of risk/reward type holes, with hole 18 being the signature one (do you lay your second shot up to the left of the ravine, or do you throw over the gorge and risk an OB penalty?). It is truly a championship caliber course and will be one that you won't forget for a long time to come!
Cons: Not many...I guess the park can get a little crowded at times, but this has little effect on the disc golf course. Also, the layout can be a little hard to follow without a map especially because there are two layouts.
Other Thoughts: Bring your A-game because this course requires both distance and accuracy. As mentioned above, there are two layouts, but if you are a serious disc golfer and only are able to play one...don't pass up Renny Gold!
0 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Report this Review There were three major challenges to Renny (Beg/Interm. Review)
1 
1/20/2013 
1/20/2013
Review By: apparition 
Played: 29 Reviewed: 22
This review was updated on 1/23/2013
Pros: + All amenities in place: practice basket, some tee signs, all permanent tees, some trash cans, easy to see baskets in great shape, lots of consideration has been taken to ensure proper footing is possible (stones and wooden steps, bridges, etc.)
+ Lots of great landscapes are incorporated in one huge course
+ I never felt claustrophobic like they were limited in space and just tried to cram some holes in
+ Lots of great landscapes are incorporated in one huge course
+ I never felt claustrophobic like they were limited in space and just tried to cram some holes in
Cons: - Tee pads have a bumpy rock texture that I personally didn't like
- Course layout is confusing and inconsistently marked
- Baskets should be marked short/long or whatever, but especially for which layout the basket belongs to: gold or gray..
- Course layout is confusing and inconsistently marked
- Baskets should be marked short/long or whatever, but especially for which layout the basket belongs to: gold or gray..
Other Thoughts: The three major challenges to this course were as follows, in order of significance: 1) Following the course layout, 2) Avoiding the grand canyon, and 3) Hard putting.
Following the course layout was almost perfectly doable with the Gold map online. The line between doable and not really doable is very fine, however. I believe there are probably disc golfers out there who couldn't comfortably and correctly navigate Renaissance. Even with checking ahead to see if the pin placement is as depicted on the course map, it was still difficult to figure out transitions (15 to 16 and 16 to 17 specifically). Plus 14 was kind of confusing. Even 18 carried a sense of doubt until we got close enough to the basket to realize we were actually going to throw over the grand canyon to the basket. In hindsight, for the most part, we just had to follow our instincts (except from 15-16 where it seems like you should follow the path along the road). That's all just with the course layout as it is, that doesn't even take into consideration the fact that there are two layouts in place right now with signs for both. Sometimes you see a sign for one course, sometimes the other. Sometimes you'll see a basket 8 where you think basket 7 should be and realize you don't know if you got switched from Renny Gold to Renny Gray... It's kinda crazy.
**Update**: I've seen the new Renny signs that have since been put up and they are sweet!
Renny's grand canyon as well as the course's many little valleys are both treacherous and humbling. The difference between par and bogey gets small very quickly when you consider how easy it would be for a gust of wind to come right when you throw over them or even throwing next to them.
Never have I really had to weigh risk vs reward so much when trying to make a simple putt. If there's a small margin between hitting a putt perfectly and missing it with terrible consequences, you really start to slow down and put your all into each and every putt. This isn't true for all holes, of course, but I would say a significant amount of them. Bring your short game.
That being said, the huge holes are in the middle of the course where they should be. Perfectly placed to allow you to air out your drive after you've warmed up on the front 9. I really appreciated this. The beginners I played with found these holes tedious and too long. They were only throwing 250-275 max, though. Add the trees in and they were up to 7 and 8 shots for the big holes :D
All that being said, it was a very very fun course. I was challenged in distance and accuracy and enjoyed some great elevation change. The layout was creative and the landscape was really cool (especially holes 3 through 7). I appreciated the landing zones with boulders and rock structured greens. I also really enjoyed how the baskets were placed on man-made and natural structures. It's a good mix of all the various characteristics of other disc golf courses in Charlotte's blended into one really cool and huge course.
**Update**: After playing seven Charlotte courses, I also want to make sure I emphasize that Renny Gold is probably too much for brand new throwers. It will teach you a lot, but I don't think there's any one part of disc golf that Renaissance puts emphasis on that would amount to a good learning experience. If simply playing for pleasure, DO IT! In my non-expert opinion, new Charlotte players may want to work up to Renaissance with Hornet's (upshot accuracy), R.L. Smith (controlled putting), Bradford (overall accuracy), Eastway (distance), and Reedy for a good in-between course that blends all aspects.
Following the course layout was almost perfectly doable with the Gold map online. The line between doable and not really doable is very fine, however. I believe there are probably disc golfers out there who couldn't comfortably and correctly navigate Renaissance. Even with checking ahead to see if the pin placement is as depicted on the course map, it was still difficult to figure out transitions (15 to 16 and 16 to 17 specifically). Plus 14 was kind of confusing. Even 18 carried a sense of doubt until we got close enough to the basket to realize we were actually going to throw over the grand canyon to the basket. In hindsight, for the most part, we just had to follow our instincts (except from 15-16 where it seems like you should follow the path along the road). That's all just with the course layout as it is, that doesn't even take into consideration the fact that there are two layouts in place right now with signs for both. Sometimes you see a sign for one course, sometimes the other. Sometimes you'll see a basket 8 where you think basket 7 should be and realize you don't know if you got switched from Renny Gold to Renny Gray... It's kinda crazy.
**Update**: I've seen the new Renny signs that have since been put up and they are sweet!
Renny's grand canyon as well as the course's many little valleys are both treacherous and humbling. The difference between par and bogey gets small very quickly when you consider how easy it would be for a gust of wind to come right when you throw over them or even throwing next to them.
Never have I really had to weigh risk vs reward so much when trying to make a simple putt. If there's a small margin between hitting a putt perfectly and missing it with terrible consequences, you really start to slow down and put your all into each and every putt. This isn't true for all holes, of course, but I would say a significant amount of them. Bring your short game.
That being said, the huge holes are in the middle of the course where they should be. Perfectly placed to allow you to air out your drive after you've warmed up on the front 9. I really appreciated this. The beginners I played with found these holes tedious and too long. They were only throwing 250-275 max, though. Add the trees in and they were up to 7 and 8 shots for the big holes :D
All that being said, it was a very very fun course. I was challenged in distance and accuracy and enjoyed some great elevation change. The layout was creative and the landscape was really cool (especially holes 3 through 7). I appreciated the landing zones with boulders and rock structured greens. I also really enjoyed how the baskets were placed on man-made and natural structures. It's a good mix of all the various characteristics of other disc golf courses in Charlotte's blended into one really cool and huge course.
**Update**: After playing seven Charlotte courses, I also want to make sure I emphasize that Renny Gold is probably too much for brand new throwers. It will teach you a lot, but I don't think there's any one part of disc golf that Renaissance puts emphasis on that would amount to a good learning experience. If simply playing for pleasure, DO IT! In my non-expert opinion, new Charlotte players may want to work up to Renaissance with Hornet's (upshot accuracy), R.L. Smith (controlled putting), Bradford (overall accuracy), Eastway (distance), and Reedy for a good in-between course that blends all aspects.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Extreme disc golf
5+ 8/10/2012 8/16/2012
Review By: Steelo Played: 69 Reviewed: 8 Exp: 6 Years
This review was updated on 8/26/2012
Pros: The biggest, longest and most challenging course in the area (along with Charlottes Web).
If you like to throw long this is the course for you to test your long range accuracy.
If you like to throw long this is the course for you to test your long range accuracy.
Cons: More signage needed as new players tend to get lost on the back nine. Just print a map or play with some locals if it is your first time.
Erosion is a problem and it is muddy in the wet months
Erosion is a problem and it is muddy in the wet months
Other Thoughts: Use spotters when throwing in blind areas, like to the green of 18. Disc eating bushes and thorns are abundant
2 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Not for beginners or families 1 12/17/2011 5/25/2012
Review By: gfbrad56 Played: 10 Reviewed: 1 Exp: 3.7 Years
This review was updated on 6/2/2012
Pros: Course was relatively well marked, although not as good as most I've seen. Good that there were different sets of tees and baskets.
Cons: Not a course for relative "newbies" or for families. The back nine was not so well marked and seemed only marked for gold tees. The designer(s) were great and went out of their way to make it challenging. Basket placement was great for a championship level course.
Other Thoughts: Great for the 'pros', but not good at all for someone wanting to toss around or learn how to play. Stay away until you've mastered the game.
Revised review.
Revised review.
14 of 42 people found this review helpful.
Disc Golf or Hike?
5+ 5/6/2012 5/21/2012
Review By: Buschbacher Played: 14 Reviewed: 8 Exp: 2 Years
This review was updated on 7/16/2012
Pros: - Playing here is a combination of a foothill hike and a round of challenging disc golf, everyone definitely gets a workout with both their legs and arms at this one
- This course has both distance and tight holes to hone your accuracy
- Plenty of benches to take a load off
- Hole #18 - very cool hole, nice distance and across a couple ravines
- Great elevation - a few uphill for added difficulty and a couple fun elevated tee boxes
- This course has both distance and tight holes to hone your accuracy
- Plenty of benches to take a load off
- Hole #18 - very cool hole, nice distance and across a couple ravines
- Great elevation - a few uphill for added difficulty and a couple fun elevated tee boxes
Cons: - I would not recommend this course for starters unless you plan on taking many mulligans, but I think anyone can have fun here as long as you don't let yourself get frustrated
- This can definitely be a tough course to navigate the first time you play. Luckily there are usually other experienced players around to request directions from, and you can easily learn the route after one round, but the course could use some better directional markers and a printed map is not a bad idea
- If you are afraid to lose discs you might have to lay-up on a couple holes if you are not completely confident in your consistency. So far I have been lucky enough to always come home with a full set, but I know many people who have finished short a disc or two
- I last played on 7/11 and nearly all of the short baskets had been removed so you must play the longer course
- Like many courses it can get muddy with recent rain
- This can definitely be a tough course to navigate the first time you play. Luckily there are usually other experienced players around to request directions from, and you can easily learn the route after one round, but the course could use some better directional markers and a printed map is not a bad idea
- If you are afraid to lose discs you might have to lay-up on a couple holes if you are not completely confident in your consistency. So far I have been lucky enough to always come home with a full set, but I know many people who have finished short a disc or two
- I last played on 7/11 and nearly all of the short baskets had been removed so you must play the longer course
- Like many courses it can get muddy with recent rain
Other Thoughts: I admit that I am still somewhat a newbie when it comes to disc golf, only been playing weekly-plus for a couple months and have only played a handful of courses, but I cannot imagine how a free public course could be much better
- When I have played with my family we have yet to play all 18 in one day, but always have a great time just playing the front or back nine, so you don't necessarily have to completely shy away if you are playing with people who have a shorter game
- When I have played with my family we have yet to play all 18 in one day, but always have a great time just playing the front or back nine, so you don't necessarily have to completely shy away if you are playing with people who have a shorter game
5 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Not For Beginners
Pros: Challenging layout that will test your game.
Cons: Easy to lose discs.
Other Thoughts: I think this is a great course but definitely not for beginners like myself. I throw RHBH and immediately got into trouble on the first hole due to the tee box placement. If you're looking for a challenge, play this course. If you want something a little easier, somewhere where you can go just to have fun, RL Smith, Kilborne, and Hornets Nest are relatively close and not nearly as difficult.
1 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Beautifully Challenging
Pros: As other reviewers have said, the pictures don't do this course justice. The terrain winds up and down through the park's rolling hills, forcing you to use every shot in your bag and punishing you when you can't. I only played the Black course, and it was quite a challenge. Looking at the pins and sheer amount of length on Gold, its obviously a championship level layout.
The front nine has a great mix of holes, with some that are tightly wooded and others that start open and finish in the woods. What's great is how unique each hole is. For instance, #2 starts by having to split the gap between a large tree, only to have the gorge waiting behind the pin (across the gorge on gold!). #8 is a short dogleg left into the treeline, with the basket nestled on and around a couple huge rocks. Maybe you've caught on, but the theme here is pin placement! Almost every hole is protected by a steep drop-off, gorge, treeline, rocks, or OB. Sometimes, more than one. Its one thing to have the elevation change and terrain, its another to use it as well as Renny.
Signature Hole - Wow, so hard to choose. For Black, I'll go with the par 4 #14. It has a narrow but uncluttered fairway up to a clearing. From there, its a dogleg left, downhill shot to a pin tucked onto a peninsula settled back in the woods. Spectacular!
For Gold, it has to be #18. This long par 5 traverses the hilly left side of the gorge and crosses the deep gully cut out like a fairway bunker in front of the Black basket. From there, its a short approach across the gorge to a peninsula basket that is as unique as anything I've seen on a disc golf course. Even though I only played the Black course, I had to take a couple shots across to see if my nerves could handle it!
The front nine has a great mix of holes, with some that are tightly wooded and others that start open and finish in the woods. What's great is how unique each hole is. For instance, #2 starts by having to split the gap between a large tree, only to have the gorge waiting behind the pin (across the gorge on gold!). #8 is a short dogleg left into the treeline, with the basket nestled on and around a couple huge rocks. Maybe you've caught on, but the theme here is pin placement! Almost every hole is protected by a steep drop-off, gorge, treeline, rocks, or OB. Sometimes, more than one. Its one thing to have the elevation change and terrain, its another to use it as well as Renny.
Signature Hole - Wow, so hard to choose. For Black, I'll go with the par 4 #14. It has a narrow but uncluttered fairway up to a clearing. From there, its a dogleg left, downhill shot to a pin tucked onto a peninsula settled back in the woods. Spectacular!
For Gold, it has to be #18. This long par 5 traverses the hilly left side of the gorge and crosses the deep gully cut out like a fairway bunker in front of the Black basket. From there, its a short approach across the gorge to a peninsula basket that is as unique as anything I've seen on a disc golf course. Even though I only played the Black course, I had to take a couple shots across to see if my nerves could handle it!
Cons: Some of the holes on the back 9 didn't have maps on the tee signs, and navigation was occasionally an issue (though the may be a temporary issue caused by the redesign). I recommend printing out the map. It wasn't clear where the first tee pad was, and it took us a few minutes to find the tee for 16. Really, a couple more 'next tee' signs would make all the difference.
The walk between 14 and 15 crosses the fairway of 10 and is a bit blind, though I'm not sure how else this could be done without removing 15. 11-13 are long 600'+ par 4's, and while its nice to see some long open holes, having them all in a row was a bit boring.
The walk between 14 and 15 crosses the fairway of 10 and is a bit blind, though I'm not sure how else this could be done without removing 15. 11-13 are long 600'+ par 4's, and while its nice to see some long open holes, having them all in a row was a bit boring.
Other Thoughts: This course has everything one could want. Tight woods, constant elevation change, wide open holes, and true par 4's. I can't give it a perfect 5, as it had some navigation/signage issues, and didn't quite have that magical, hallowed ground feel (e.g. Flip City).
FYI, some of the hole numbers listed on the pictures of the back 9 are a little off because of the redesign, and I used the hole numbers as they were when I played.
I know there are a lot of great courses in Charlotte, but don't miss out on this gem.
FYI, some of the hole numbers listed on the pictures of the back 9 are a little off because of the redesign, and I used the hole numbers as they were when I played.
I know there are a lot of great courses in Charlotte, but don't miss out on this gem.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Brutally fun!
Pros: This course has almost everything that an experienced player as well as a newcomer could ask for.
First of all, there are really two courses in one, allowing both a green player as well as a seasoned vet to pick their flavor. Gold has some of the longest, most wooded and precariously placed pins that I have ever seen.
I found myself needing to drive with nearly every possible shot in my arsenal, which is to say that there is a great mix of uphill, downhill, left, right, long and short holes. The short holes are a select few, however, on the Gold course, but interestingly enough they are among the most enjoyable to play.
The local club puts a lot of time and effort into the tee pads and general upkeep around the park, much less could be said about Hornet's Nest in my opinion. I have always been a fan of your plain old concrete pad, which they have. I would say the ratio of wooded to mostly open holes would be around 1.5:1.
As previously stated, they really were creative with pin placements as some were teetered precariously on boulders while others on a sheer cliff face. Those holes, although sometimes frustrating, prove to be memorable and always add to the enjoyment of the round.
They make great use of the "unnatural obstructions" , most importantly of which would be the high tension cable towers. Hole 18 requires you to play with those guys as well as a rather annoying ravine. Side note: Bracket's bluff (RIP) pulled off something similar with similar towers.
First of all, there are really two courses in one, allowing both a green player as well as a seasoned vet to pick their flavor. Gold has some of the longest, most wooded and precariously placed pins that I have ever seen.
I found myself needing to drive with nearly every possible shot in my arsenal, which is to say that there is a great mix of uphill, downhill, left, right, long and short holes. The short holes are a select few, however, on the Gold course, but interestingly enough they are among the most enjoyable to play.
The local club puts a lot of time and effort into the tee pads and general upkeep around the park, much less could be said about Hornet's Nest in my opinion. I have always been a fan of your plain old concrete pad, which they have. I would say the ratio of wooded to mostly open holes would be around 1.5:1.
As previously stated, they really were creative with pin placements as some were teetered precariously on boulders while others on a sheer cliff face. Those holes, although sometimes frustrating, prove to be memorable and always add to the enjoyment of the round.
They make great use of the "unnatural obstructions" , most importantly of which would be the high tension cable towers. Hole 18 requires you to play with those guys as well as a rather annoying ravine. Side note: Bracket's bluff (RIP) pulled off something similar with similar towers.
Cons: There are only a couple of negative aspects about this course in my mind.
First of all, navigation would have been a huge issue had i not printed off the map which is available on this site. You probably want to remember to do that!
Secondly, I can never say that a course was absolutely perfect if it does not somehow incorporate a water hazard into the design. Sure thick woods can be taunting, but there is no risk/reward setup quite like throwing over a large body of water. Had they utilized this in the design (I don't recall any being readily available so they would have had to construct said water hazard), this course would have been awarded a 5/5, joining Bud Hill as the only perfect score I have reviewed thus far. Keep in mind, my reviews may be slim, however I have played a fair share of courses and none that I have not currently reviewed are better than Renaissance.
First of all, navigation would have been a huge issue had i not printed off the map which is available on this site. You probably want to remember to do that!
Secondly, I can never say that a course was absolutely perfect if it does not somehow incorporate a water hazard into the design. Sure thick woods can be taunting, but there is no risk/reward setup quite like throwing over a large body of water. Had they utilized this in the design (I don't recall any being readily available so they would have had to construct said water hazard), this course would have been awarded a 5/5, joining Bud Hill as the only perfect score I have reviewed thus far. Keep in mind, my reviews may be slim, however I have played a fair share of courses and none that I have not currently reviewed are better than Renaissance.
Other Thoughts: I enjoyed the location, as civilization was literally out of the parking lot if one needed to grab lunch or some more liquids.
There are facilities other than disc golf at the park, which brings in sometimes unwanted patrons who sunbathe on the fairway, however, this also means there are water fountains and restrooms nearby!
This course (GOLD) is quite simply the hardest course I have played as of yet. When I played it for the first time (had been playing DG for 2 months at the time) it almost made me score my only triple digit score as well almost making me score my only double digit hole. Thankfully, in all my green glory, I was able to save myself from said heartaches, but I am sure others have not been so fortunate!
There are facilities other than disc golf at the park, which brings in sometimes unwanted patrons who sunbathe on the fairway, however, this also means there are water fountains and restrooms nearby!
This course (GOLD) is quite simply the hardest course I have played as of yet. When I played it for the first time (had been playing DG for 2 months at the time) it almost made me score my only triple digit score as well almost making me score my only double digit hole. Thankfully, in all my green glory, I was able to save myself from said heartaches, but I am sure others have not been so fortunate!
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
One of the best tests of a player's game
Pros: -There are two tee pads and two baskets on several of the holes so that players of all skill levels can enjoy the course.
-This course has a nice mix of holes that go through the woods that require an accurate tee-shot placement and open holes that require a decent roller shot.
-This course has several elevated greens including ones at 2, 8, 14, and 16.
-Course is located in a park that has full facilities such as a restroom and a water fountain.
-This course has a nice mix of holes that go through the woods that require an accurate tee-shot placement and open holes that require a decent roller shot.
-This course has several elevated greens including ones at 2, 8, 14, and 16.
-Course is located in a park that has full facilities such as a restroom and a water fountain.
Cons: -Erosion problem along the ravine near the 18th fairway.
-Some of the holes border a parking lot and a road that can create a safety issue.
-Some of the walks between the basket of one hole and the tee of the next are a little lengthy.
-The walk to the 15th tee crosses the 10th fairway.
-Some of the holes border a parking lot and a road that can create a safety issue.
-Some of the walks between the basket of one hole and the tee of the next are a little lengthy.
-The walk to the 15th tee crosses the 10th fairway.
Other Thoughts: When playing this course you may want to bring hiking boots because they will come in handy when you climb on the boulder greens at 8 and 16 and if you need to go into the ravine to retrieve a disc. This course is also one of the most popular in Charlotte and is well worth the drive to play it. Despite a couple of minor issues this course is one of the best in the world.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Very cool course.
Pros: Great for experienced players. Very difficult and will give the average player a run for their money. This course is far from boring. It has great basket locations and fun terrain. It is very long. I hit a 120 footer across the gulley on hole 18. It was sick. Fun course!
Cons: Some spots could be a little more well kept. There are opportunities to unintentionally hit cars on the hole near hr parking lot. This course is very difficult so not great for beginners.
Other Thoughts: Great to bring large groups because of size. Plenty of driving practice.
1 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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