Pocatello, ID

Bengal Ridge @ Idaho State

4.35(based on 10 reviews)
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8 0
nightwing
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.9 years 273 played 56 reviews
4.50 star(s)

A Severe and Sublime Challenge 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 28, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

-A true Championship caliber course!
-Gorgeous snow-capped peaks half the year.
-Stone block 'Greens' built up onto canyon sides.
-Big air that's smart! Not just hucking but crafting the shot.
-Strategy...risk vs reward...sticking approach shots etc
-2 sets of tees (though three would help)
-Both nines start fairly near the parking lot
-Very near town, college, freeway.
-Unique...no course I know of is like it at all
-Benchs, tee signs, clear pathways. Has 'The Love'.

Cons:

These are not really 'Cons', just realities to be aware of:
-Can be a real haul, especially for beginners or if windy.
-Unforgiving. Rollers, trees, wind blown shots etc.
-You could lose a disc or two, especially on the back

Other Thoughts:

Since this course has not been reviewed (or played?!?) enough, I will do my best here, though I could only play it once. First up, I straight up LOVED the tiger. It brought out my A+ game even though I was tired and that inspiration is hard to find on many 3 to 4 star courses.

Although the DGCR directions work, if you are in Pocatella, just go to the south side of town and go east on Terry. The unmarked course lot is on the left exactly where the sidewalk runs out. Both nines are about a minute up the path, with the front up left, the back is down a bit to the right.
I like this since the front took me 2 hours. i was ready for lunch before tackling the even longer and steeper back nine.

The front plays up both sides of a canyon that is remarkably rural for being just 3 minutes from town. There are only a few trees and many opportunities for roll-aways. The nine is mostly open air and turnover OMG shots can happen.

The back goes up higher on the ridge to the right of the canyon. There are many more trees and some holes could use some spotting. Although the tee signs are pretty good, this is basically an out back type of course. Downloading the map and paying attention will save you wandering. BTW: Where the trees don't offer wind protection, those OMG loose turnover shots could go a LONG way down.

However, at no point did I think the course design was unfair. If you stick your hyzer and play in control, you can make some hay here. I am a 58 year old, 922 rated lower end pro and managed to play a par 54 from the 'A' long tees. I shot 49 from the mid 'B' tees, but again, that was my A+ game which makes this one of my favorite days of Disc Golf ever. This course could easily have played 5 or even 10 shots higher for me.

About the scorecard, tees etc. The signs do not refer to Red, White and Blue at all and I would not bother with all that. They indicate a longer A tee and a shorter B tee. I would rate the A as Strong Advanced to Pro. The B would be Intermediate to Advanced. So this is a pretty tough course for new players.
But I think the climbing is at least half the challenge. Like any gorgeous hike, many may just forget about their score and enjoy this special place.

Bring strong shoes, plenty of water in summer and plan on 3 to 5 hours, though 2 hours could be done I suppose. Plan on some pain if you can't stick a hyzer in the wind or make an approach shot stop by the basket. This course is well worth the drive for serious road-trippers looking for a challenge.
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11 0
sillybizz
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 22.2 years 429 played 393 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Idaho State University - Bengal Ridge

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 30, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Bengal Ridge course has a ton of elevation and several par four holes with some being shorter and very steep with others having a lot more distance. You can see by the pictures of this place that there isn't a ton of trees but the ones they do have here have been mixed in very well with the varied terrain and elevation change to create some spectacular holes that you won't soon forget. Make sure you stop at the benches and take in the scenery, when I was there the surrounding mountains still had a lot of snow on them and they made for a wonderful picture so bring a camera. The front nine had a lot of the same RHBH hyzer in it but the back nine seemed to even this out and created much more of a variety of throws to combine with the variety in length. The baskets all sat on these bricks built into the side of the hill that made putting from below them a little bit harder but they also blocked your disc sometimes if it was rolling down the hill. The tee pads and signs are all really nice and I like the short and long tee pads to help out newer players just learning the game but us advanced players will be using the more difficult and more fun long pads. My review is of the entire course but my rating is based more on the long pads.

Cons:

Being so high up above sea level I found myself gasping for air even when I wasn't climbing a hill and then when I was it got even worse. Players that haven't developed control will be hunting for and losing discs. Really even if you don't play smart this can happen to you. There are seriously very few cons and I'm having a hard time nitpicking a couple.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a blast to play and teaches you how to control your disc in the wind and up and down hills. If you aren't a complete beginner then I say play the longer tee pads and skip the short ones and they are a little boring for my tastes. This is a great spot to play in town, I highly recommend it! Oh and bring some water and use the benches!
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2 2
Brad T
Experience: 19.9 years 8 played 7 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Very nice course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Awesome job on building this course! Very well designed and constructed. Very close to town but have the seclusion on the back side. Many of the tees and baskets are on the side of hills and are built up with pavers to make them level with brick pavers for the tee box. Nice instruction posts on ever hole. A lot of work went into making this great course. I will definately play anytime I come to the area!

Cons:

Maybe some trash cans at the parking area. Some trash around.

Other Thoughts:

Played on a Friday and met some friendly locals thanks for helping with a lost disc!
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1 6
domromer
Experience: 21.5 years 88 played 21 reviews
4.50 star(s)

One of the best courses in the West. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 15, 2007 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful scenery, incredible use of the terrain, lots of elevation changes, a wide variety of challenging holes.

Cons:

It's not in my home town...Seriously I can't think of any.

Other Thoughts:

There is a must play course if you are ever in the area. I've played over 30 courses and this is easily top 3.
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