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Sward's Ranch - East reviews
2
0
Mtn Huckin
Experience:
30.7 years
226 played
18 reviews
Another Hard to get Gem 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 15, 2018
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
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
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
Cons:
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,
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,
Other Thoughts:
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.
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.
