Here is a list of the top public Sporting Clays courses around Charlotte, NC. There is a description of each from our perspective as instructors. We work closely with each of these facilities and give instruction at the one that best suits your goals and skill level:
North of Charlotte
- Hunting Creek Preserves – Phone:(704) 546-5400 Address: 300 N Meadow Rd, Harmony, NC 28634 You’ll definitely want a cart. This Sporting Clays course is for more experienced shooters. 90% of the stations are in the trees with a few at the top of the hill that look out over fields. No fuss – no muss course. They also have a skeet field for warm up. A member of ZZ Top (Ralph) is the owner and a classic NC legend who greets you upon arrival.
- Claybreakers – Address: 535 Rabbit Ridge Dr, Lexington, NC 27292. This is a fun course. Family owned and operated so you’re treated well from the moment you arrive. The presentations are always changing because Claybreakers hosts a lot of tournaments but they are usually fun for all skill levels and challenging at the same time. . Each station has 4 traps, so you can shoot a beginners course (A/B) or a more advanced course (C/D) just by choosing the presentation combo of your liking.
- Primland Resort – Phone:(855) 876-6593 2000 Busted Rock Road Meadows of Dan, VA. Primland is where you go for that extra special shooting experience. You are assigned a trapper that pulls and scores for you as you make your way around this wooded, pristine clays course. It is part of a larger resort that offers golf, spa, tennis, etc. for those who don’t want to shoot. You’ll want to treat yourself to Primland at least once because the experience is like a trip to England. Well worth the drive and you’ll be thrilled with the course. They also have 5-stand for warming up or rounding out your day.
- Deep River – (Towards Raleigh) Phone:(919) 774-7080 284 Cletus Hall Rd., Sanford, NC 27330. Beautiful treed course with 13 stations. The course shows a good variety of presentations and they get changed regularly, so there’s no getting complaisant. This is a good course for all skill levels.
East of Charlotte
- Four Branches – Phone:(704) 272-0833 Address: 425 Poplar Hill Church Rd, Polkton, NC 28135 They have a nice course and 5-stand. This is a course where a lot of tournaments are held so the presentations change often, but are usually stiff but doable. It’s a flat course set in expansive fields and presentations are intentionally reflective of bird hunting. We also have monthly clinics at Four Branches. Come join us!
- Hyatt Farms and Sporting Clays – Phone:(704) 826-6014 Again, worth the drive. They recently opened a X-country course that will challenge every Sporting Clays skill you think you have. They also have a less challenging course that’s super fun. They recently added a rifle range and pistol range, so lots of variety and beautiful location. They have an on-site casual restaurant (hot dogs, etc).
South of Charlotte
- Rocky Creek – Phone:(803) 482-2070 – They have 3 courses; Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced. This is a very popular course because it has something for everybody. We like to take beginner shooters here because the presentations are hitable and the beginner’s course is a lot of fun. You’ll want a cart to get to the intermediate and advanced courses, which are across the street from the club house. They also have a 5-stand for warm up. Then, on the way home, we recommend stopping at The Pump House in Rock Hill. Go to the rooftop bar for drinks and appetizers. If you choose this course, please follow these directions because the bridge is down on the other side of Rocky Creek and gps will take you 1 hour out of the way: 77 south to exit 62 * Left off of the exit – back under the highway – to the first stop sign * Right at the stop sign * Rocky Creek is 7 miles down on the right
- Cleghorn Gun Club – This Sporting Clays course is part of the Tryon International Equestrian Center and golf course. It is well thought out and maintained. Each of the 15 stations has 4 traps, so you can shoot an easier set of presentations (A & B) or their more difficult presentations (C & D) – or a combination. You shoot in treed, enclosed areas as well as open fields, so your ability to determine effective break points is tested throughout the course. This is a great course for team building and corporate events. Because it’s part of a ‘resort’ the prices are a bit higher than other local courses. They also have a nice 5-stand and covered gazebo area for meetings prior to shooting.
Each facility has rental guns and ammo available on-site.
All have different days of the week they are closed or potentially hosting tournaments or corporate events, so check their websites or give them a call before heading out the door.