Pros:
-Rubber tees on most holes
-Very popular course, friendly locals
-All around FUN to play
-Natural and easy to navigate course flow
-Area is essentially DG exclusive
-Baskets numbered
-Well manicured grass
-Alternate pro tees on most holes
Cons:
-Only 13 holes, would be fun to be a full 18
-Tee signs exist, but no info is on them. Just a blank post. Some have a number sticker on the pole
-Mud in a few of the tee pads made the intended tee-off area impossible to use
Other Thoughts:
So this is the disc golf course in Billings that is under threat of being removed due to 'gang and drug activity.' Well, that being said, we found the locals at this park among the most friendly we have encountered. The course was also ALWAYS busy, with no less than five groups playing each time we went. It would be a shame for the city to take out this popular course. It will remain until June 2011 until another 'decision' is made. . . .
Anyway, this is a fun, typical park course that occupies a corner of a large city park behind a High School. Rolling hills, trees (including these evil disc-eating pines), and a small creek shape most of the holes here, each with its own challenge or lack there-of.
This is a very re-playable course, being only 13 holes, 12 looping back to hole one. A round takes less than 45 minutes. The park is open till 10 PM and there is enough lighting (or light out in the summer) to continue play until this time.
Without sounding like another blah blah blah review, this course had uphills, downhills, around-the-hills, flat bomber holes and shorter technical ones that brought the creek into play. Hole two plays particularly close to the creek and it seemed like every group that played it had at least one disc end up in the water.
The other nice thing about the layout of the course is that there were usually multiple lines to the basket. Its the first course I have played in this region of the states that is not blatantly designed for the forehand thrower. Different lines for each type of throw kept the course interesting.
This course is a great compliment to Diamond X because it is the complete opposite type of course. After you are done torturing yourself out in the desert you can come back to Pioneer Park and remind yourself that you can, indeed, play disc golf. Good for casual play, quick rounds, and practice. A good variety of players were here too; families, teenagers, some seniors, and really everything across the board. Most players had good etiquette, letting faster players through through, allowing those ahead of you to hole out, and so on. I really am not sure why the city wants this course gone, but I hope to see it stay for a very long time.