Bengal Ridge is the bomb. Tony the Tiger would call it GRRREAT! My main focus is always on the quality of holes from tee to pin, and the full 18 is a trying circuit. I liked the hillside pin placements with "greens" terraced in using landscaping blocks. The ups and downs are steep and constant, very fun and challenging. The front 9 is a bit more open, with some evergreen variety trees that are not very tall. The back 9 has a higher density of trees, while still utilizing a fair amount of elevation.

Most of the holes have long and short tees paved with brick. Nice and level, with signs that are pretty solid. The DISCatcher baskets are still in nice condition. The layout of the course is well done. There are not too many long walks between holes and the transitions are not really hard to figure out. The front and back nine are loops so you can trek back to the car midway if you need to.

As always, my favorite holes are the ones that throw off of an elevated tee, and carry downhill a long way. Hole 3 and hole 8 give this look, and do it well. Holes 5 and 10 are the inverse, with fairways that climb, and the rise feels almost equal to the run. I also enjoyed a lot of the holes that didn't play with much elevation, instead going across the hillsides laterally. The great landscaping will often leave a small, flat space under the pin, and a lot of putts that are uphill or downhill if you miss. The brush will stop the roll aways sometimes, but I did get one or two.

The last several holes are pretty tricky, with some blind drives, and potential to go a long way the wrong way if you misplace a tee shot. On 17 I let one go too early, and it faded left hard. That is not the direction you want to miss. I ended up with a second shot that added a lot of unnecessary hiking down to find the disc and a tough throw to get most of the way back up. 18 is a finisher that can be cruel too. It is a straight shot, but long, and it crosses a gentle rise and fall that takes the basket out of sight from the tee. There are some trees you need to avoid, and the slope falling off to the left side again.

I wouldn't change a thing. If you can't do big climbs on sometimes rocky footing, this one is not for you. Is not cart friendly. Also not a great one for newbies, but the short tees will give a bit easier option for the brave ones that take it on. There is a lot of brush that could easily hide discs if it were much thicker, I played after a dry summer and did not have problems with it.

The par is listed as 70 for the advanced (long tees), or 54 for expert (long tees, all par 3). I think a number in between would be more reasonable.

This is my favorite of the 5 courses I played in Idaho on this road trip, and one of the best from of the 19 total. I admired the scenic mountains and the amount of work put in to install this wonderful course. I camped nearby at a KOA, and wish I could have stayed in the Pocatello area longer to explore other courses. I'm going to have to come back to it later, because they have a few more I want to play. This one is worth stopping for by itself.

I shot a 63, and the scorecard says that is 7 under. Too generous if you ask me, but I'll take it. Using the listed pars I had 3 eagles, 4 birdies, 9 pars, a bogey and a double bogey. It felt like a decent round, but 7 down is ridiculous. I think the three par 5 holes could fairly be called par 4, and a some of the par 4's could be cut by a stroke as well.

At any rate, Bengal Ridge was in the favorites list right away, and would be an awesome home course. If you are are anywhere close to Pocatello and have the time, think about playing this one for sure. If the weather is right, you should have a good time here.

very challenging course. great exercise, a ton of fun. the locals are willing to show you the course and help you find discs if you loose a disc! Best course i have ever played on

Not a good beginner course. easy to loose a disc.