-18 portable DISCatcher 28's set mostly level. Bright orange bands that are easy to see and a nice distinction from the Yellow bands on the West course.
-Natural tees that aren't perfect but get plenty of love to keep them serviceable.
-Good use of some of the very few treed areas of the course. This side of the property has a bit more tree growth than the West. It creates a nice change of pace and helps force lines. Certainly not a wooded course but bringing this element into the design really adds a lot of value on a fairly open property.
-Elevation galore. The course will have you navigating the varying degrees of ups, downs, acrosses, and overs of the canyons, ridges, and boulders that make up the East course. Multiple precarious greens.
-Stunning views of numerous mountain ranges around SW Montana. Pretty much doesn't matter which direction you look, it's gorgeous out there.
-Much like it's predecessor on the other side of the property, the East course has a multitude of epic rock formations. They are a large part of how many of the holes play and truly help shape the identity of the course.
-Benches at key tees are a great touch with the hike that is this course.
-At around 5,500', just under 2000' shorter than the West course, East offers a wonderful balance of play on the property. With 3 par 4s and only a couple longer par 3s, this course lends itself more the shorter side where touch and range are key elements to scoring well.
-Private and remote. Pretty dang magic out there.

-The golf just isn't that difficult unless you can't manage elevation changes. For the most part the holes are rather straightforward with little challenge getting off the tees. Changes in topography and wind are the main element to battle with.
-A couple "sea of sage" zones make for spotty disc locating and spottier lies. Getting worked on but it's a slow & difficult process.
-Very hikey. Not really a Con for me as I don't mind courses that are a workout but man do you walk up and down A LOT of hills and valleys. Despite being 2000' shorter than the West Course, this one is a harder workout.
-Hole 9. Necessary evil of getting from Point A to Point B but it's pretty meh. Wide open uphill to sidehill 2-throw hole that's blind covered in sagebrush. At least the tee box is one of the better ones out there.
-Navigation would be tough without guidance. With how private the course is this shouldn't cause much of an issue as players will have a host or good tourney info. Tee signs are only small rectangles with hole number and distance.
-A little repetitive with cross canyon holes. None are quite like another and they're super fun throws so I don't weigh this "Con" too heavily.
-Difficult to get access and the road in is heck.

Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to play a small part in the design of this course back in 2018. I also TD the annual Montana Point Series Tournament at Swards Ranch and am one of a small group that takes on course maintenance and updates.

I absolutely love the Sward's Ranch property in general. The East Course is such a fun and appropriate addition to an amazingly unique piece of disc golf property. While not the most quintessentially challenging golf, it certainly isn't a cakewalk. The East Course is far more wooded than the West but that still isn't a substantial number of trees to contend with. Boulders, valleys, ridges and drastic elevation changes are the teeth of this course.

The views around the property itself are only outdone by advancing your gaze to the multitude of mountain ranges that surround you in Southwest Montana. Swards is like nowhere else I've golfed and is a truly magical place to walk around and throw your discs. Add it to your bucket list and come find out for yourself what the experience feels like.

The new East course is the 2nd course added to Swards Ranch.
It is shorter than the original (West) layout but has much more elevation change.
This is saying a lot because the West layout is a grunt!

It plays through an area called Revenue Flats west of the tiny Montana town of Norris - Home to Norris hot springs.

The Course winds its way through towering rocks and deep valleys/ravines.
Substantial Vertical rise/fall will be had either by the disc, the player, or in most cases, both.

It is steep, mountain golf to say the least.

This layout is a par 57 which is the same as the West layout, but it is attained with shorter, more intimate holes that cozy up into the rock upthrusts.

There are ace runs all over the place and the three par 4's are all legitimate 2 shot par 4's.

Simply stated, Swards Disc Golf is like none other.

Even though you will be hiking up and down over rocks constantly, the course plays almost even for Uphill, Downhill and Flat shots.
It does favor the downhill shots a touch, which is a great!

Because its hard to get, when you do bag either of these courses, you will have the course and it would seem, the World to yourself.

Big Mountains, Big Rivers, Hot Springs, and seriously Big Mountain Golf are all things that can be said for Swards Ranch.

Montana!

Link to PDGA event page for Swards Ranch Classic:

https://www.pdga.com/tour/event/36451

1 - This is very difficult course to bag.
It is open for a short period of time leading up to the annual Swards Ranch Classic (third weekend of May) and is on private property!
A guide is necessary to find the ranch as well as find your way on your first lap.
If you find your way to Montana during this short window, reach out on the facebook page: Headwaters Disc Golf Club to try to coordinate a round on West, East or both.

2 - Natural tees.
I personally would rather throw off concrete but I am not afraid of natural tee pads as long as their flat and fair.
These tees are just that.

Some people take points off for not having multiple pins.
In this case, that point is moot.
Both courses are very different.
If you want the short shots, play East.
If you want the long shots, play West (original)
In addition, the courses being only up for a couple of weeks means you never really get the pins offered locked down,

Revenue Flats is a high desert area surrounded by multiple huge mountain ranges including:
The Tobacco Root Mountains loom overhead directly West and dominate scenery.
The Bridger Range is 40 miles NE and are in view for much of the East Course.
The Madison Range including the Spanish Peaks is directly South East of the ranch and also demand your eyes attention.
On clear days you may also get a view of Lone Mountain 11,166' which is a dormant volcano and home to the biggest ski area in the lower 48, Big Sky Mountain.

The views are stunning in every direction!

On the way to Swards (from any direction) you will have to drive along the mighty Madison River. A great place for a float.
If you are into fly fishing, the Madison is truly a World Class Fly Fishing destination.

After Long rounds on the ranch, a soak at Norris Hot springs awaits to relax your tired body. They have food and serve beer and wine.
https://norrishotsprings.com /
Norris offers camping on their property for a fee.

Camping opportunities both free and fee are abundant on every direction and extremely easy to find.