Placerville, CA

Finnon Reservoir DGC

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3.375(based on 30 reviews)
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2 1
Scott Miller
Experience: 19 years 22 played 2 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Great Course for Advanced Skills 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 21, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Big Shots with Elevation Changes. Amazing property usually all to yourself. Bring plenty of fluids and a snack. They do have a Diner there but they do not sell alcohol. So BYOB as well.

Cons:

Can be very difficult to play in the summer bc of high weeds and extreme heat. Also it takes some doing to navigate on your first run through.

Other Thoughts:

You can really lose yourself out there for better or worse. Ive only had enjoyable moments so far.
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2 9
mikeberry
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Top NorCal course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 25, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Long holes with varying styles. Elevation, trees, just amazing disc golf

Cons:

Poison oak off the fairways, a bit of a drive to get here, but paradise!

Other Thoughts:

Working on concrete tees. This is on par w DeLaveaga in Santa Cruz.
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6 0
justdisc
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Wrong time of year 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 22, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is a challenge, in my opinion the best courses are. It is a long course with many par 4s & 5s. Not the most elevation change I have ever played, but there is still a lot. You will be required to throw a variety of long drives, and throw them accurately. Mistakes can be very costly here as the bush's are very thick and discs can be easily eaten up by them. Staying in the fairway is more important here, impenetrable bush and poison oak lurk around every corner. That being said the holes here are really cool and well put together. Every hole is so unique and a diffrent challenge. Really liked this course as a challenge, it was my first time here and it kicked my butt. I look forward to coming back here and figuring this course out. Putting up a good score here is now a disc golf goal for me.

Cons:

Biggest con for me has to be the time of year I played this course, it was pretty brutal out there. It is located on a hot country side with STICKER BUSHES WEEDS EVERYWHERE!!!!! I played here in late summer/ early fall and I will never play here this time of year again. Me and my friend were both COMPLETELY covered in stickers before we finished . The fairway is sticker bushes weeds, the rough is sticker bushes, they are knee/ waist high and they are everywhere. If you do play in late summer or fall wear long pants. Otherwise I will only be playing this course in winter or spring from now on, possibly early summer. But the time of year I played it was almost unplayable, it took a long time and a strong will to finish.

Other Thoughts:

Amazing course, but don't get caught in the sticker bush weeds in late summer or early fall
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6 0
Redline4j
Experience: 156 played 42 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Bring your big arm 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 7, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

I consistently drive 300 to 350 feet, thus each of the holes that was in excess of 600 feet required two solid drives to get within putting range. At the end of the round I was tired; however the energy exerted on this course was worth the play. According to the employees at the Mosquito General Store, formally the Rock Creek Cafe, the reservoir had to be emptied 7-8 years ago to fix the earthen dam and has not quite recovered since CA has been suffering drought conditions since then. The drought has contributed to the lack of water being an issue for this course; however there are seasonal creeks and marshes that come into play; which during my round were dry.

The holes were well marked by current signs which made navigation easy.

Poison Oak in the fairways was not an issue.

Cons:

$6.00 per car, for day use.

This course could play 27 if a couple of the 600 + foot holes were broken in half. However, as is, this course sets it self apart from many others in the Sacramento area in having the distant shots.

Poison Oak will become a factor during the late spring, summer and first part of fall. During dormant season, although still bad, the poison oak is not that much of a factor if you are able to keep your discs in the fairway.

Other Thoughts:

The Mosquito General Store employees were nice and friendly. The prices of the hot food were affordable; however I did not eat there, so I can't attest to the quality or the taste. The store also doubles as the check in for daily use and camping and sells various camping related items, snack food and candy. They DO NOT sell beer or any alcohol.
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7 0
adrianlandon
Experience: 8.8 years 4 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Tricky Fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 19, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course is not going to be for everyone but it has a lot to offer to the right golfer. It is one of the rare course that has distance, technical holes, and elevation throughout the round. Birds are hard fought and bogies are easy is you aren't careful. The holes are diverse and despite the difficulty are fair. Offers good exercise, solitude, and can be nice to look at in the winter and spring when things are green.

Cons:

The front ten holes tend to play much more difficult than the back ten (from my perspective and scorecards). This isn't necessarily a bad thing but the course might be even better with some of the birdie holes on the back mixed into the front and some of the challenging holes on the front mixed into the back.

A wild throw can definitely equal trouble and lost plastic. Some places aren't worth going into to look for a disc.

Summer get's makes the course hot, dry and deadly. Got to have some iron will and gators.

Not a bad idea to write a will before driving out.

Other Thoughts:

In a word this can be rugged which is going to make some people hate it. A good round out here feels like an accomplishment. I'm still aglow from my bogie free round early in the week.

I've played a lot of course in California and this is probably in my top ten or close.
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2 3
Par6
Experience: 12.8 years 17 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 10, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Long and challenging. Only made it through Hole 10 as I got tired. The shortest hole was 330 ft. The > 600 ft holes are extremely challenging due to the vegetation (tall grass, lots of bushes) and elevation.

Cons:

LOTS of Poison Oak. The tees are natural, and not very even. Not a lot of course maintenance.

Other Thoughts:

People should pack out their trash that they pack in. There are very few trash cans and people should be aware and pack it out.
The little cafe at the start of the course has good food, reasonable prices and a very friendly staff.
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8 0
cefire
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 24.8 years 1123 played 136 reviews
4.00 star(s)

WOW! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 3, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course totally took me by surprise. I'm actually still between a 4.0 and a 4.5 on this. The design of the course is EXCELLENT with a variety of challenging par 3's and 4's (and even a couple of par 5's thrown in!).

Punishing rough ensures that poorly thrown shots will actually cost strokes while the shrubs and trees IN the fairway are quite pruned back so unlucky shots will still have ample space for recovery.

Course mixes in plenty of RHBH and LHBH shots although it seemed a touch righty friendly on the whole.

My favorite aspect of this course is that there are myriad holes where several routes are plausible. This allows returning players the chance to "learn" the course and figure out which lines produce the best score output.

Cons:

Teepads are the main drawback here and when we played in early May, the course was already looking a touch scraggly with long grass and some overgrown trees. I'm sure to be back later this summer but I have a hunch this course is best saved for the late fall and winter months.

Other Thoughts:

Keep a heads up for ticks as my dog picked up several during our round!
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2 4
Fntsygamr
Experience: 8.8 years 62 played 27 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Black Friday outing 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 29, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Technical shots, long shots, weather, terrain, landscape. Baskets easily found; bright yellow. Water tower hole is AWESOME. Random wild horse running around toward the end holes.

Cons:

The drive in makes this a course to play on occasion. Wouldn't play after a storm or rain, could get muddy. Poison oak everywhere.

Other Thoughts:

Would play this course once or twice per year. Take water, $6 to play, easy to navigate from the pictures provided at each hole. Be prepared to hike, elevation can be taxing on a hot day.
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1 6
Gravediggerjason
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun course great mix of challenges 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 5, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Diverse holes with several different challenge a unique topography and a nice little restaurant with great service and course knowledge

Cons:

Some tee pads are placed a great distance from the prior basket.
(I'm reaching though it's great fun)

Other Thoughts:

Lake water was low a horse was wandering the course (take water it's along walk)
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13 0
Hazer
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18 years 168 played 53 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Very Challenging Beautiful Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 14, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

20 holes. New signs next to every tee with hole layout, pin positions, distances and par (different pin positions = different par on some holes). Some new rubber tees. Multiple pin positions on most holes. New well placed "next tee" signs and green flags next to trails leading you from pin to next tee. Tons of distance and elevation change throughout the course. Very challenging course with extremely unforgiving rough and danger lurking everywhere (yes, this is a pro in my book). Good variety of shot types required and most holes are quite long. Very beautiful landscape and surroundings with picturesque holes. Extremely secluded and peaceful. Lots of wildlife. Very, very low traffic. Great views throughout the course. Nice scorecards with updated course map. Cafe and camping on site. Some garbage cans throughout the course. Nice DiscCatcher baskets. Fairly easy to navigate (only recently has this been true). Good course design and flow. Little to no congestion. Hole 1: Long par 3 shooting over a low valley/ravine then up a hill to a basket between mature trees. Hole 2: Long downhill "top of the world" shot with trees in the fairway to weave through; longer than it may seem from the tee. Hole 3: Very long uphill par 4 or 5 (depending on pin position) that shoots through a tight window at about 300', then up a hill to the basket. Two fall away green pin positions on this hole. Hole 6: Long par 4 shooting uphill for about 250' to a row of tall trees and then it makes a sharp right downhill turn to a well protected basket. Hole 7: Long par 4 or 5 shooting slightly uphill to a row of trees about 350' out, then there is a little opening and from there tight lines are required to get near the basket which is still 200' to 350' away. Hole 8: nice 270' shot that plays slightly uphill and shoots over a ravine to a well protected basket. One of the few real birdie holes on the course, but still not easy. Hole 9: long uphill 430' par three shooting over a ravine to a basket atop a hill with a thick row of trees splitting the fairway. The trees are trimmed up to about 12' though so if you land in the middle you may still have an open shot to the basket. Hole 10: 240' downhill shot with very thick and unforgiving manzanita on both sides of the fairway. Hole 12: 240' left fade shot with tight window and low ceiling to basket. Hole 13: Signature downhill shot teeing from inside an old water tower that has been renovated and has a nice built in bench. The basket on this hole is covered with black spay-on truck bed liner which actually stands out great on the hillside (better than the yellow; this would not be true for other holes). Inside the water tower is a great place to take a break out of the sun. Hole 15: 670' par 4 with left and then right turns, but the pin is basically straight out from the tee. Very tight lanes down this fairway require you to hit your line. Hole 18: 640' heavily wooded par 4 shooting slightly uphill for the first 450', then slightly downhill to the basket. Hole 20: 690' par 5 with first 400' shooting over a ravine and up a hill with a narrow window to shoot through. From the hill at 400' the fairway slopes down and to the right to a very well protected basket with a fall away green. Eagle-able with a great drive and upshot, but potential for lost discs and very high scores with any mistakes.

Cons:

Mostly natural tees. Very little course maintenance. Long grass and lot of poison oak throughout the course. Little uphill hike from 1's basket to 2's tee. Pay to play ($6 per car per day). No season passes (yet). The drive to the course is intimidating if you're not familiar with backwoods mountain roads.

Other Thoughts:

This is a fantastic course in a very beautiful area that has recently been redesigned and had gotten some TLC. It is most definitely not a course for beginners. Eat your wheaties and bring your big boy or big girl arm because this course is huge. If you are allergic to poison oak, be very cautious of it if you play here because as of now (Spring 2013) it is everywhere, even in the middle of fairways. The recent course redesign makes it more appealing to the masses with more birdie opportunities and an easier to follow course layout, but it still is an advanced/professional caliber course. When arriving at the course, pay in the cafe if it is open or in the drop box if it is closed. Walk left out of the parking lot behind the cafe along the reservoir wall to hole 1.
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4 1
Hangtownie
Experience: 48.8 years 2 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Finnon update 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 10, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Course is improving - Tee signs are up and 4 tee matts have been installed on the worst tees. Baskets have been renumbered. Stolen basket 12 has been replaced with a new alt. pin placement. Maps/scorecards are in the cafe. Navigation should be much easier for new players. Course is better suited for experienced players. Plays best from October to about May. Hot as hell in the Summer and depending on how much weedwacking has been done - stickers and grass can get tall. Frank in the cafe cooks up some good after golf grub. Lake is about half refilled after the new dam but looks swimable. Last year the water looked like chocolate milk. As a local I would recommend a guide for first timers not just for navigation reasons.

Cons:

Not perfect yet - very large course which requires tons of work and only a handful of people willing to do it and all funds come from Hangtown Disc Golf Club. So thing like replacing stolen baskets takes away from things like new tees. Also Poison Oak is about everywhere so make sure you know what it looks like even in the winter. We've removed tons from the main part of the course but still need more work and if you land off the fairway good chance your near some.

Other Thoughts:

The parking fee is because they have to have a federal inspector inspect the dam every year at the sum of $6,000. - Why the Black Basket? Linex sponsered that hole. Unfortunitly The pictured hole had to be moved.
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11 3
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.8 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
2.50 star(s)

The Drive Here Is Epic! # 13 Is Epic! Course Is Not Epic! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 24, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Wow, This is another of those courses where the opinions are all over the place, everything from 0s to 4.5s. I'll be somewhere in the middle. The drive out here is memorable in the fact that I didn't know anywhere in California was that far removed from civilization! And when I finally arrived, the cafe was closed and the gate was closed. Luckily???? I had printed an on-line map. So I put my $ (in the wrong paybox on the wrong end of the cafe I later figured out) and drove through the gate.
Even with the map, I never really found # 1. I guess I started on # 6. As others have stated, this is not a course to play by yourself without spotters. I soldiered on. I found some little laminated signs without distances. Speaking of distances, # 6 was like 700'. Luckily the basket was an Innova with the yellow rim.

# 7 was a very cool toss over a valley. Then # 8 was a long but very interesting top of the valley shot through the trees. Close to an epic hole.
But the # 13 hole really stands out to me as the signature hole on this course and as one of the most unique holes I've ever played on my 475 + courses. You climb up into an old water tower approx 16' across. There are benches in here to rest on. It's nice and cool and shady. It's a great break from the elements. So you're throwing from this elevated water tower to a basket maybe 300-350' out in the distance. For some unknown reason, the # 13 basket is painted flat black, like a pick-up bedliner. It's makes it very difficult to see from the water tower. What's up with this? Kinda spoils the wonderful ambiance of this hole.

There are water and bathrooms available shortly after the water tower hole.

Cons:

The course is long, rugged, hot, dry, dusty,is poorly marked, has basically no teepads, and has acres of nasty rough to throw your discs into. Without ever playing the previous, seemingly easier, for lack of a better term setup, I think I'd like it better. On a hot August day, this course was a little overwhelming for me. I didn't find the hike particularly beautiful, I found it more hot, dry and on the tedious side.

Other Thoughts:

On # 12, I teed off into a horse and I had to shoo him away in order to play my second shot. A million acres out here and me and this horse get face to face. I imagined myself getting bitch kicked by this crazy horse out here in the boonies with no cell reception and lying here at night while the night critters feed on my rotting dead carcass.
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3 0
Blazer530
Experience: 14.8 years 39 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

The potential for greatness... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 4, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course has the potential to be a championship level course if someone would take care of it. There are par 4's and 5's, to go with the par 3's. There are some big downhill shots and some big uphills as well. There's a cool shot out of an old water tower, with nice benches instaled in it, making it a great spot for a break on the course. The cafe on site has good food and cold beer making it a good stop before or after a round.

Cons:

This course badly needs signs both on the tees and to show you where to go. With all the redesigns that have happend it makes it hard to find your way around. The tee pads are all dirt except for the shot out of the old water tower. Most of the course is so overgrown that finding your disc can be a pain in the butt. It seems like with the 6$ / car to park fee it seems like there would be some more care taken of this course.

Other Thoughts:

Spring is the nicest season out here in my opinion. Remember that right now the baskets are all not numbered corectly, so it's probably good to find a guide to play with out here. High fire danger in the summer. Make sure to stop in at the cafe for some food and to stock up on cold beers for the round.
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3 2
Leeb
Experience: 11.8 years 7 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 6, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Course has lots of room, makes for a very nice hike.
Excellent use of available terrain! Unique aspect, use of an old water tower converted into a tee pad!
Many opportunities to let fly with a variety of throws.

Cons:

More 'raw' than 'refined'.
Navigation was iffy in spots.
Stray discs can be difficult to find.

Other Thoughts:

Reaching the course is almost as fun!!
Excellent and friendly help available from the proprietor (Frank?) of the Rock Creek Cafe!
Other course local is Pinocchio, the long ago abandoned horse.
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2 4
swin21
Experience: 44.1 years 68 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Find Finnon 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 26, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Outrageous course. Just getting there is half the battle. Very diverse and raw terrain. Will take lots of work to tame this property. If you like a challenge you will love this course.

Cons:

Watch out for poison oak, and need spotter on certain holes.

Other Thoughts:

Camping right on site and great food at Rock Creek Cafe. It is quite the drive out to the course. Remote area but worth it!
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11 2
Shuie
Silver level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21.9 years 940 played 41 reviews
4.00 star(s)

DIAMOND in the ROUGH 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 10, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- nice innova basket with the yellow chasity belt.
- great use of elevation, almost every hole has at least a slight change, with the exception of two.
- awesome use to trees, boulders and the lake.
- Rough is punishing if u go off the fairway(disc placement and selection is key)
-Championship Caliber course(Has true par 4's and 5's)
- nice beautiful hike(bout 3 hours)
-Rock Creek Cafe is on site(bathrooms, refreshment and even grub)
-Camping is available on site(Holes10-13 are next to the camp grounds)
- 3 ace run( all are around 275')
-Usually have to whole course to yourself

Cons:

-No consistant tee pad(some have rubber pad or leveled off ground.
-Navigation is a bit tricky on ur first time(follow the home depot flags)
- its a course were pants/ lower leg protection is a must, a bit rustic(its in the foot hills of the Sierra Nevadas)

Other Thoughts:

Finnon is an amzing course, its hard for me to get lower than a plus 6 on the course and i have shot 9 over at Winter park from the gold and blue combination. u really gotta bring ur A game....
UPDATE(4/2013) Finnon has now been redesigned to 20 holes!!! Most holes have rubber tee pad but a few have very level natural tee pads. All holes have tee signs as well as a few next tee signs(green home depot flags mark the way) The course is finally getting the love it needs but with that being said they did take out a few really awesome holes but for the most part the layout is the same as the old. i really like the Water tower shot, i've played 447 courses to date and have yet to play another hole like that one. I know finnon is drive from any city but that what makes this course so beautiful, the epic drive to Swansbro and then you get up there and you got this awesome lake surround buy epic rolling hills and massive digger pines!!!!
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4 2
kombidude
Experience: 4 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Finnon reservoir 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 16, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great hiking course with pant's. nice views, great eleavation changes and drops.

Cons:

hard to find hole 11 and 15. lots of brush no tee signs.

Other Thoughts:

I will paly again. I heard they are going to start charging $6 bucks a car and that seams very steep for whats offered. but for free great course.
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7 5
cjskier
Experience: 20.8 years 69 played 8 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Play some where else. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 28, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Its has baskets.

Cons:

-No signs.
-No tee pads.
-No clear paths.
-Weeds 2-3' tall over entire course, which have stickers.
-Insane amount of Poision oak on each and every hole.
-Hornets/yellow jackets live in under ground nests.
-Mosquitoes when you get near the pond.
-Impossible to find your disc, even on great shots.
-Poor lay out.
-MILES of walking.
-Ugly area with insane fire danger.
-Terrible place to drive to.
-If you have even one bad shot, say good by to that disc. The "rough" are bushes that line what are supposed to be a fairways. These bushes are over 12' tall and IMPOSSIBLE to push threw.
-I have been to courses installed in a weekend the week prior to me playing it, and they are 100's of times better then this one.

Other Thoughts:

Its amazing how the term "not a beginner course" gets thrown around. This is not even an "expert" course. No real expert disc golfer would want to play here. You will find many of the previous high rated reviews for this course are from those who installed the course. They are WAY over rating this course. I play lots of course and ALWAYS review honestly. Honestly, avoid this course at all cost would be my suggestion. Only reason you would want to play here is because you just want another course under your belt. I give it a half star for the sole fact that they have baskets.
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7 1
GCroc
Experience: 24 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Finally 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 24, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

- The people who built this course have put a lot of work in. They should be proud and commended.
- A real challenge. Not for the beginner.
- Great use of terrain.
- WIDE variety of shots.

Cons:

- Unless it's well patrolled, this is snake territory in the summer.
- Some long holes seem repetitive.
- Not advisable to play solo. (Need a spotter)

Other Thoughts:

My friend told me I would either love or hate this course. I love it. Yes, it is easy to lose a disc but having cut my teeth on DeLaveaga this is nothing new. For those players that have not endured learning on a challenging course like DeLaveaga, this course will test your will and desire to play the game of disc golf. Yes, you need to be able to drive to play well on this course. Yes, there is a lot of rough including walls of thickets and poison oak. Yes, you need a spotter. Yes, hole 3 is a real challenge but by far not the hardest hole on this course. Yes, the drive is long and up a one lane mountain road at times. But you know what? It is totally worth it. So if you're an amateur or are happy playing a Rocklin type course for the rest of your life, then stay away. Come back when you're ready for a real challenge.

Other notes: The restaurant is decent, I recommend the burgers. The locals are very friendly but just remember they live in the mountains for a reason. PRIVACY. So respect the course and the surroundings. The campsites are of average quality and sit right on a Finnon Reservoir. Great spot to camp with friends and play a few rounds of golf. Scorecards available in the restaurant (closed Monday and Tuesday). If you do not get a scorecard you will need a map or guide.
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1 4
Skwirly
Experience: 14.4 years 88 played 9 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Monster course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 4, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice new DISCatcher baskets.
Beautiful hike around the lake.
Flags to guide you from hole to hole.
Not a simple Par 54 course.

Cons:

Thorns. Lots of them all over.
Dirt tees.
Some silly basket placements.

Other Thoughts:

This is a monster of a course. If you're not up for an actual hike I would avoid this place. I loved it. The scenery was beautiful even if the thorns got on my nerves.
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