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Chico Hot Springs DGC reviews
15
0
Worth a visit! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 30, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ 18 Veteran baskets are in good repair and catch well.
+ Easy to navigate the layout. Can play all 18, or the front 9 and back 9 can each be played as individual loops that meet back near the parking area.
+ Course is set on rolling prairie with gorgeous mountain views sandwiching the Yellowstone River. Very Montana.
+ Some basic amenities at some tees such as stumps/benches to sit on.
+ Chico area has a certain rustic charm and lots of nice folks relaxing and doing fun stuff.
+ Easy to navigate the layout. Can play all 18, or the front 9 and back 9 can each be played as individual loops that meet back near the parking area.
+ Course is set on rolling prairie with gorgeous mountain views sandwiching the Yellowstone River. Very Montana.
+ Some basic amenities at some tees such as stumps/benches to sit on.
+ Chico area has a certain rustic charm and lots of nice folks relaxing and doing fun stuff.
Cons:
- Tee pads are mostly shoddy. Rubber mats were recently installed, but the ground beneath was not leveled and some rocks are still sticking up under the rubber. Harder to notice, but there are also holes in spots underneath that you will sink into if you step on them. Some of the rubber pads also hold water.
- Depending on the season, in places the foliage grows tall enough to swallow up a disc. Not a huge problem. Watch closely where your disc lands, and be prepared to spend a few minutes kicking through plants. Not sure if there are plans to mow/trim the fairways going forward.
- There are a few places where the layout would lead to safety hazards if the course was busy. (Tee pads near targets, with the possibility of blind throws onto tee areas.)
- Depending on the season, in places the foliage grows tall enough to swallow up a disc. Not a huge problem. Watch closely where your disc lands, and be prepared to spend a few minutes kicking through plants. Not sure if there are plans to mow/trim the fairways going forward.
- There are a few places where the layout would lead to safety hazards if the course was busy. (Tee pads near targets, with the possibility of blind throws onto tee areas.)
Other Thoughts:
Ask for directions at the Chico gift shop, where you can also buy your day pass to access the course. Course is located up the hill (past the Field of Dreams parking) and you basically stick to the right at every fork in the road. Park just before or just after the gate.
Overall the course is enjoyable, and it hits the goal of providing a fun and manageable course for recreation. More advanced players may find that the design lacks some challenges (trees, longer multi-throw holes, water/OB).
There is a lot of more technical terrain in the Chico area, and I think they could build a separate course to challenge more experienced players. Not sure if that's in the plans or not, but I would love to see what they could come up with on some of the steeper forested areas.
The course alone may not be worth the $8.50 day pass to play, but that day pass includes access to the hot springs pool. If you have time to play and soak that's a good deal. Restaurant, bar, and lots of other activities in the area as well.
A little more effort on the tee pads would go a long way. Removing a few more rocks and leveling/sloping underneath the rubber mats to provide adequate drainage would be a big improvement.
The Front 9 is all white targets. Holes mostly in the 150'-300' foot range, and almost entirely open. Some elevation in play. I'd say the front 9 is very manageable for beginners and families. Experienced players will be racking up birdies and hunting for aces.
Back 9 is all blue targets. More distance and even more elevation into play. There are a few more trees in play as well, although the layout is still very open.
Sturdy footwear recommended.
Bring your own water, or fill up at the front desk/gift shop when you check in. No water available on the course itself.
No garbage cans currently on or near the course; pack it in/pack it out.
Overall the course is enjoyable, and it hits the goal of providing a fun and manageable course for recreation. More advanced players may find that the design lacks some challenges (trees, longer multi-throw holes, water/OB).
There is a lot of more technical terrain in the Chico area, and I think they could build a separate course to challenge more experienced players. Not sure if that's in the plans or not, but I would love to see what they could come up with on some of the steeper forested areas.
The course alone may not be worth the $8.50 day pass to play, but that day pass includes access to the hot springs pool. If you have time to play and soak that's a good deal. Restaurant, bar, and lots of other activities in the area as well.
A little more effort on the tee pads would go a long way. Removing a few more rocks and leveling/sloping underneath the rubber mats to provide adequate drainage would be a big improvement.
The Front 9 is all white targets. Holes mostly in the 150'-300' foot range, and almost entirely open. Some elevation in play. I'd say the front 9 is very manageable for beginners and families. Experienced players will be racking up birdies and hunting for aces.
Back 9 is all blue targets. More distance and even more elevation into play. There are a few more trees in play as well, although the layout is still very open.
Sturdy footwear recommended.
Bring your own water, or fill up at the front desk/gift shop when you check in. No water available on the course itself.
No garbage cans currently on or near the course; pack it in/pack it out.
