Pros:
Hmmm...pros...pros. Little difficult to think of things that are actual pros here.
- There are no crowds and there is plenty of open space. Really nice tee pads (where there are tee pads), and nice baskets. Great practice basket. Incredible views down the canyon.
- Like "swinging with two weighted bats" then going to play your regular course. Play just nine holes here, then go play Ann Mo and it will feel like you can throw a mile in the park.
- when I purchase a new disc that feels stiff and needs to get beaten in I can either deliberately throw it against some rocks and trees to beat it up a bit, or I can play a round here once and call it done.
Cons:
This is an easier question.
- The holes are way too long. Some courses, holes over 500' are the exception. Here they are the rule. Holes under 500' are the exception instead. For the guys with the really big arms that can throw a putter 350+ I can see them enjoying it. Personally I get angry with courses where distance is the primary obstacle and find it difficult to get the peace of mind I normally get from a round because I am so frustrated by how long every hole is.
- Aside from distance, elevation is the only other real obstacle in play here. Sagebrush is not really an obstacle, just a constant irritant. There are no "fairways" to speak of, just throwing over a sea of sagebrush over and over and over again. You can look for a clear spot and try to throw there, but distance is deceiving here because of the many changes in elevation on virtually every hole.
- Walk up to throw down. Lots and lots of this. Then for some variety, there's "walk up to throw down and across, unless you can't throw 400' - then walk up to throw down to throw and walk back up again." I am in reasonable shape, and this course just kicks my butt to the point that I am just not having a good time.
- "Greasewood Goblins." This is the un-official course mascot. They hide in big clumps of greasewood/sagebrush and steal your discs.
- I have never once come home from this course without scratches all over my arms and legs, and socks full of burrs and cheatgrass. Just nasty. Sometimes if it rains, the stickiest clay/mud you have ever seen. In the dry heat of summer it's almost like Mars dirt in patches. Get it wet, it clumps on your shoes, adds weight and is just plain nasty.
Other Thoughts:
There are courses that offer positive challenge which make you a better player. Then there's Lydle Gulch Gold. This course just makes me tired and angry. I have played it through a few times, hole 20 is fun but still just brutal and just getting there without collapsing of heat stroke or exhaustion is a miracle for the casual player.
This is a course for big (huge) arm players with an iron constitution, in peak physical shape. Anybody else is just going to have a bad time. I play it from time to time to remind myself of these things. I had really high hopes for this course, but it's just not built for the intermediate or casual player. Halve the distance on half the holes and it would be more playable.