Pros:
-Beautiful Mountain setting in desert short pines and sage.
-This course is on the Picuris Pueblo: it just FEELS outback and special.
-Great variety: Demanding shots & tough choices.
-Cool features: hanging and raised baskets. Lean-to benches, paths, stone totems etc. '
Cons:
THESE ARE MORE 'TIPS' THAN 'CONS':
-A real scramblers course. No grassy fairways!
-THere is signage but can be hard to get around.
-Watch your discs! You often can't see your drives land.
-Hard to get a clean look or an easy stance.
-Some of the sand or dirt tee-pads are uneven.
-Some very tough outs if your lie is inside the trees.
Other Thoughts:
PLEASE NOTE: I am updating this review due to the confusion that a certain 1/2 star review may be causing. This course is NOT 'unplayable' LOL. Both an Ice Bowl and a B Tier round are played there. Yes, it helps if you play with locals as nearly every review has stated. But if you MUST play it blind, the original 20 holes have a well worn path. The front 9 holes are clockwise from the parking area. The back 11 holes re clockwise just across the street. There are 10" round, gold directional signs in most places where you need them but you will have to do some searching for several holes.
Instead, try ANY of the following to hook up:
-Winter league is from about November-April on Saturday at 11am.
-Hook up on the NMDG or NNMDG or SFDG Facebook groups.
-Ask about playing Picuris at Sipapu's leagues from early May to late October. Thursday Dubs at 5pm. Saturday Singles at 10am.
-Play the Rio Pueblo Tournament in the spring. There are also more chances to find people playing in the days leading up to the tournament.
MAIN REVIEW RESUMES HERE: There are several layouts but the 'Original 20' is the main route.
-The 7 holes added to the west after hole 3 are not played much anymore. Since tee-signs are for BOTH layouts, hole 4/11 is the fourth hole on the 'original 20' and the 11th on the 27 hole layout. This is confusing but you get the hang of it pretty quick.
-Even those round, gold directional signs won't help you around the 'Phantom Course'. It has newer black tee signs but you will need a local to play it.
Weather for the Saturday Winter league at 11am is surprisingly good with many sunny cool days and even some dry terrain days too.
-The best way to find the course is to head west from Penasco. In about a mile, you will pass a store and a liquor store on the right. Take the next right into the Pueblo. The course parking is the first left, after a cattle grate. The course starts there and the last 11 holes are across the road.
-Bring water, be patient, watch your discs. Enjoy.
This is a special course with many unique features.