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High Sierra reviews
13
0
But where are the trees?
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 3, 2022
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
- 18 yellow-banded DISCatcher pro baskets, all squarely mounted. 2 Pin locations per hole. Some of the alternate Pin locations really change holes but a number don't make a ton of difference. The bands have the hole number which is helpful when you can see most all 18 baskets at any given time.
- 18 concrete tees of reasonable size. They're level and have a good texture.
- Elevation change. This is hands-down the best aspect of the land. Very few holes that are level from Tee to Pin and many greens that slope and/or have drop-offs.
- Good variety of hole lengths for an intermediate/advanced course with a range from ~210' to ~475'.
- The front 9 and back 9 loop back to the same parking lot so you can start on either side, get drinks/snack at the turn, etc.
- Good sized landscaping rocks at most tees serve as "benches" or bag rests. These also help with navigation.
- Hole 16 has a cattail swamp to throw over on the tee shot.
- Some neat, smaller rock formations come into play on a handful of holes.
- Some of the holes bring the massive power line poles into play. When there aren't really any trees it's better than nothing. A couple have mando signs up for certain pin locations.
- Free to play
- 18 concrete tees of reasonable size. They're level and have a good texture.
- Elevation change. This is hands-down the best aspect of the land. Very few holes that are level from Tee to Pin and many greens that slope and/or have drop-offs.
- Good variety of hole lengths for an intermediate/advanced course with a range from ~210' to ~475'.
- The front 9 and back 9 loop back to the same parking lot so you can start on either side, get drinks/snack at the turn, etc.
- Good sized landscaping rocks at most tees serve as "benches" or bag rests. These also help with navigation.
- Hole 16 has a cattail swamp to throw over on the tee shot.
- Some neat, smaller rock formations come into play on a handful of holes.
- Some of the holes bring the massive power line poles into play. When there aren't really any trees it's better than nothing. A couple have mando signs up for certain pin locations.
- Free to play
Cons:
- No course kiosk/map, no tee signs, and no directional signage. The flow is pretty decent and most tees have the large rocks around them but not having tee signs with distances, particularly when every hole has 2 Pin locations, isn't great.
- So. Wide. Open. I think there are about 7 trees across the roughly 38 acre property. Mostly small, some recently planted and dead, a few evergreen shrubs hopeful of reaching tree status some day, and a handful of small Russian olives that will likely be removed(invasive species). No line shaping required other than what the wind and angle of the hills demand(which can surely force your hand).
- Course can get overgrown in the summer and is generally not mowed. This results in some serious disc eating tall grass and causes socks to find the garbage bin after a round.
- The course is surrounded by barbed wire fence so retrieving discs that find the other side can be a bit of a hassle.
- Nothing for multi-throw holes. Maybe a 3.5 or two depending on a player's distance abilities. Since there really isn't anything to force lines, any multi throw holes would be purely based on distance so it kind of is what it is.
- So. Wide. Open. I think there are about 7 trees across the roughly 38 acre property. Mostly small, some recently planted and dead, a few evergreen shrubs hopeful of reaching tree status some day, and a handful of small Russian olives that will likely be removed(invasive species). No line shaping required other than what the wind and angle of the hills demand(which can surely force your hand).
- Course can get overgrown in the summer and is generally not mowed. This results in some serious disc eating tall grass and causes socks to find the garbage bin after a round.
- The course is surrounded by barbed wire fence so retrieving discs that find the other side can be a bit of a hassle.
- Nothing for multi-throw holes. Maybe a 3.5 or two depending on a player's distance abilities. Since there really isn't anything to force lines, any multi throw holes would be purely based on distance so it kind of is what it is.
Other Thoughts:
This is a fairly strange piece of land resulting in what I can only call a links style disc golf course. From a topography standpoint, it's a great chunk of frolf land. But when reality hits and you have almost zero trees it's a not so great a chunk of frolf land.
For what's available, the course design is fairly entertaining. Multiple varying elevation elements forcing uphill, downhill, sidehill, and even one cross-gully throw are what makes a round worth it. Localized elevation changes around the greens add a good deal more teeth. Top it off with the regular steady winds and nothing to hide behind and you might face a rather challenging round.
I wouldn't go out of my way to play here but when I lived 6 minutes away, I'd hit it up quasi-regularly. It's a relatively quick spin and has its virtues from a skill sharpening standpoint. For baggers, there's no quick in-and-out of Billings to snag this one. If you're in town with time, it's a pretty quick bag at just shy of 6,000', but unless you just really want it or have that much spare time, there's no need to go out of your way. Plenty of cacti and yucca so wear appropriate shoes/boots and pants and be ready to deal with being exposed to whatever weather elements the day has in store.
For what's available, the course design is fairly entertaining. Multiple varying elevation elements forcing uphill, downhill, sidehill, and even one cross-gully throw are what makes a round worth it. Localized elevation changes around the greens add a good deal more teeth. Top it off with the regular steady winds and nothing to hide behind and you might face a rather challenging round.
I wouldn't go out of my way to play here but when I lived 6 minutes away, I'd hit it up quasi-regularly. It's a relatively quick spin and has its virtues from a skill sharpening standpoint. For baggers, there's no quick in-and-out of Billings to snag this one. If you're in town with time, it's a pretty quick bag at just shy of 6,000', but unless you just really want it or have that much spare time, there's no need to go out of your way. Plenty of cacti and yucca so wear appropriate shoes/boots and pants and be ready to deal with being exposed to whatever weather elements the day has in store.
9
0
Wide Open Spaces 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 21, 2016
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
+ All targets are DisCatcher 28's in good condition
+ 2 pin placements for all holes
+ Good layout & flow through course (can easily start on front or back 9, tee pads not at risk from errant shots)
+ Some elevation in play and a few interesting greens
+ Some paths & greens are mowed, which is nice
+ Good mix of hole lengths, ranging from short ace runs to a few bombers (all par 3's though)
+ 2 pin placements for all holes
+ Good layout & flow through course (can easily start on front or back 9, tee pads not at risk from errant shots)
+ Some elevation in play and a few interesting greens
+ Some paths & greens are mowed, which is nice
+ Good mix of hole lengths, ranging from short ace runs to a few bombers (all par 3's though)
Cons:
- No trees, just wide open holes
- Uncompacted gravel teepads are deteriorating
- Plant life can be obnoxious: yucca & cacti will poke you, long prairie grasses get seeds in socks & shoes, some of the denser areas can even swallow a disc
- Uncompacted gravel teepads are deteriorating
- Plant life can be obnoxious: yucca & cacti will poke you, long prairie grasses get seeds in socks & shoes, some of the denser areas can even swallow a disc
Other Thoughts:
This course is on a wide open piece of prairie. There are hardly any obstacles and on many days the most significant hazard is the wind. Even with A+ amenities this course would probably max out at a 3 disc rating.
That having been said, the course is decent considering the boring landscape. Some fence OB's, optional islands (with mowed greens), and power pole mando's make a few of the holes interesting. There's even a water hazard on Hole 16.
In the summer & fall I'd suggest wearing ankle gaiters to keep grass seeds out of your socks and shoes.
No water on site--bring your own.
This course is a good addition to the Billings scene overall. It's a less crowded alternative to Pioneer and a stepping stone to the more hardcore terrain at Diamond X.
That having been said, the course is decent considering the boring landscape. Some fence OB's, optional islands (with mowed greens), and power pole mando's make a few of the holes interesting. There's even a water hazard on Hole 16.
In the summer & fall I'd suggest wearing ankle gaiters to keep grass seeds out of your socks and shoes.
No water on site--bring your own.
This course is a good addition to the Billings scene overall. It's a less crowded alternative to Pioneer and a stepping stone to the more hardcore terrain at Diamond X.
