Pros:
Castle Height's nine-hole layout is a quick, beginner-friendly layout aimed at appealing to beginners. With this design, we can hope that students get a positive introduction to the game.
- This is a simple, easy to navigate layout. It's great for beginners, students or for a little work on the short-to-mid-range game. Between this and Rock Hill HS up the road, you've got two good spots to practice if you live close by.
- This is a good course if you only want to carry two discs with you. I played through in less than 15 minutes.
- They take the Rock Hill concept literally. Holes #2 - 4 all have baskets placed in or around rock formations. Seeing as these holes have no other obstacles, it at least presents some obstacle.
- I enjoyed a couple of the layouts, simple as they may be. Hole #5 is a decent, long hole on the course (at 297 feet) layout. This was the only hole where I had to fully unleash my mid-range disc, and still came out short. This is the only reason you might need to carry a disc with a little more distance.
- #6 was a fun, slight dogleg right layout around trees. At 255 feet, another good-length layout. The other enjoyable hole was #7, a slight downhill, 220-foot hole which forces you to throw around a couple possible obstacles.
- This is a birdie fest for more experienced player. I had a birdie putt on every hole except #7, and that's because my drive smacked the light post.
- Course is in a relatively small space. You can see almost every other hole the entire time you're on the course. It's an ease to navigate as each hole has a tee sign.
Cons:
There isn't much challenge here. I know it's aimed at beginners, so more advanced level players should skip.
- There also isn't much variety. Other than the rocks on hole #2 - 4, listed below, there's very little to work with in terms of obstacles. Add in the lack of elevation, the slight incline on #7 notwithstanding, and this is a simple design.
- # 1, 8 & 9 all play in the same island of grass that have a combined two skinny trees as obstacles. In their place, it would be great to see baskets in the front, left wooded section of the school property. It would take little to no effort to create a far superior layout than what currently exists.
- I wasn't a fan of having holes #2 - 4 all in the rock formations. It really was the only obstacle unless you count throwing alongside some trees on #6.
- Course is obviously closed during school hours. Not that that should have much impact over one's decision to play here.
- Natural tees. Also two tee signs were on there sides - #2's is completely broken, but on its side. #7 is leaning against the fence or it too would be on its side.
Other Thoughts:
Castle Heights is another York County school course that's aimed for the beginner level. Some of these courses on school property are pretty enjoyable, others are quite simple. This is the latter.
- The course does get longer after #4. The first four holes average 145 feet; the last five, 241 feet. At least there's more effort, or wrist snap, required to see some birdies.
- Nothing stands out about this course, good or bad. It's close to about what you would want a beginner friendly, school course to look like.
- It's hard to even view this as a practice course. You could be here working on putting and wide open approach shots. There isn't enough room to practice drives or challenging approach shots.
- This could easily be a better layout by simply incorporating the woods in front of the school. Eliminate #8 & 9 plus one of the rock holes, lengthen several existing holes, and add three baskets into the wooded section. Now, you have a solid course.
- There's no reason to play this course unless you live within 5 minutes or are stat-padding. If you had to play one on this road, Bearcat is a step above with much more challenge. It's hard to justify anything above a low rating for this one.