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The Boneyard reviews
17
1
Disc Golf on a Copper Mine 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:May 28, 2017
Played the course:once
Pros:
Definition of Boneyard:
1: Cemetery
2: A place where worn-out or damaged objects are collected to await disposal.
The Boneyard is a very long and physically demanding 9 hole course. It is set on the rock terraces of the Old Dominion Copper Mine. This is a very rugged western disc golf course that traverses up and down several steep rocky slopes. The exposure and thorny vegetation add to the challenge. After you are done with a round at the Boneyard, you will likely be dead tired.
I used bullet points for those that don't want to read the entire review.
Disc Golf on the Rocks
We will take it! And we will like it! Many disc golf courses are in park spaces that no one else wants. Some courses are next to freeways or power lines or in drainage areas. This park is all that and a giant pile of rocks. I guarantee you there won't be any picnickers on the fairways here. The only reason to come here is to take the self-guided copper mine tour or be a disc golf addict.
Desert Disc Golf
This desert course has same type of desert plants as Moeur, Red Mountain and Buffalo Ridge. The vegetation here is thicker, more thorny and mostly knee high. These are man-made mining terraces and the trees and plants haven't been here that long. Lack of shade and jagged rocky ground add to the physical demand. Wear a hat, use sunscreen and bring plenty of water. Play early in the day to avoid the heat.
Not your typical 9 Hole course
This is a giant 9 Hole course. For comparison, Mouer Park in Tempe is 5,700 feet for 18 holes in the desert. The Boneyard is 4,400 feet long for only 9 Holes in a much more rugged desert. The course is a giant loop. You will not return until after you play all 9 Holes and make the very long walk back to the car. At least it is downhill to the car at this point!
Scenic Geology and History
The course is mixed in with the self-guided mine tour and is filled with historic equipment and signs explaining the copper mining process, history and geology of the area. It is the only self-guided mining tour of a copper mine. The mine tour was a bonus for me as I enjoy history and geology.
Big Starting Hole
Play starts on the giant black slag terrace. This 859 foot hole has a completely different personality than the rest of the course. Black slag is a glass like by-product of smelting copper and it makes this plateau particularly hot and very exposed. It seems Hole 1 was designed so you don't have to walk all the way from the parking lot to start playing in the desert on Hole 2. To the right side of the first fairway is a large "bone yard" of equipment used in the mine. No need to go over there now, you will pass by this display on your way back to the car.
Turn Around and go back to the car
I don't normally do hole descriptions in my reviews, but I want to warn players of the rugged unforgiving terrain and thorny vegetation that is The Boneyard. If you are already hot and tired after playing Hole 1, head back to the car now. Hole 2 is a big 400 foot plunge down the hill. Hole 3 plays across the plateau and Hole 4 is short uphill shot.
Another opportunity to Turn Around and go back to the car
If you are bloody and tired after playing Holes 1 through 4, it gets even more physically demanding to play Holes 5 through 9. Hole 5 is up at the top of that steep hill in front of you. It is a tough ascent. Once you putt out on 5, you can see Hole 9 to your right as you prepare to tee for Hole the 696 foot long Hole 6. It is not too late to turn back now. Otherwise, you have four more very long, very rugged desert holes to play. The good news is, it is all downhill, back to the car. I was drawn to keep playing by the sweeping views of the town below and the wall of hoodoos above.
Tees, Signs and Navigation
Bring the map from DGCR so that you can know which way to walk to find the next tee. There is also a course map posted at the entrance. Parking lot curbs that have been painted bright yellow mark the front of each tee box. There is a also small info sign at each tee with the hole number, par, distance and sponsor information. The signs are less than 2 feet high, so they don't take away from the "scenery". Remember these are long holes and you may not be able to see the target from the tee.
Cover your shins!
Absolutely, positively cover your legs. Most of the thick thorny vegetation off the trail is only knee high. I saw the warning to wear long pants, but I played in the heat of day and didn't want to change into my lightweight long pants, before playing. I ended up scratched and bloody. However, by the time I got down to the basket for 2, I realized my grave error in my judgement. This is when I figured out I wanted my shots to land on the road to avoid the thorny acacias, even if it meant taking extra strokes.
Death March on the rocks!
I am sure that I am remembering this course much more fondly than the experience. We were literally dead tired, scratched and bloody as we dragged ourselves back to the car after the round. But now I can't wait to go back. I will be better prepared to challenge The Boneyard when I return. I will go in the cool of the morning (or Winter). I will bring really bright discs so they are easy to spot. I will bring lots of sunscreen and water. And I will take the time to view more of the mining displays.
Kids and beginners
I would say NO to kids because of the rugged terrain and lack of shade. Beginners are OK if they are physically fit and ready for the challenge. The only problem with beginners would be keeping an eye on where they land. There are very few obstacles to flight, mostly uneven rocks and bushes near your lie. If your child or beginner is not into desert hikes, don't bring them. There are some very steep slopes to navigate. There is a small playground at the entrance for kids. There is some shade and running water in that area. It is all rocks and no grass.
Carts and Strollers
Ha, Ha, Ha! No, No, No! Don't even think about it. You will have to drag your cart up and down super steep rocky slopes that are difficult to stand on. Only a three wheel all terrain cart could even think of tackling this course. However, if the tires require air, they will be likely be punctured by the acacias or sharp rocks before you get to Hole 4.
Park Rules
No Smoking and No alcohol allowed in the park. No removing plants, rocks or wildlife.
Restrooms
There were full service restrooms at the park entrance next to the playground.
1: Cemetery
2: A place where worn-out or damaged objects are collected to await disposal.
The Boneyard is a very long and physically demanding 9 hole course. It is set on the rock terraces of the Old Dominion Copper Mine. This is a very rugged western disc golf course that traverses up and down several steep rocky slopes. The exposure and thorny vegetation add to the challenge. After you are done with a round at the Boneyard, you will likely be dead tired.
I used bullet points for those that don't want to read the entire review.
Disc Golf on the Rocks
We will take it! And we will like it! Many disc golf courses are in park spaces that no one else wants. Some courses are next to freeways or power lines or in drainage areas. This park is all that and a giant pile of rocks. I guarantee you there won't be any picnickers on the fairways here. The only reason to come here is to take the self-guided copper mine tour or be a disc golf addict.
Desert Disc Golf
This desert course has same type of desert plants as Moeur, Red Mountain and Buffalo Ridge. The vegetation here is thicker, more thorny and mostly knee high. These are man-made mining terraces and the trees and plants haven't been here that long. Lack of shade and jagged rocky ground add to the physical demand. Wear a hat, use sunscreen and bring plenty of water. Play early in the day to avoid the heat.
Not your typical 9 Hole course
This is a giant 9 Hole course. For comparison, Mouer Park in Tempe is 5,700 feet for 18 holes in the desert. The Boneyard is 4,400 feet long for only 9 Holes in a much more rugged desert. The course is a giant loop. You will not return until after you play all 9 Holes and make the very long walk back to the car. At least it is downhill to the car at this point!
Scenic Geology and History
The course is mixed in with the self-guided mine tour and is filled with historic equipment and signs explaining the copper mining process, history and geology of the area. It is the only self-guided mining tour of a copper mine. The mine tour was a bonus for me as I enjoy history and geology.
Big Starting Hole
Play starts on the giant black slag terrace. This 859 foot hole has a completely different personality than the rest of the course. Black slag is a glass like by-product of smelting copper and it makes this plateau particularly hot and very exposed. It seems Hole 1 was designed so you don't have to walk all the way from the parking lot to start playing in the desert on Hole 2. To the right side of the first fairway is a large "bone yard" of equipment used in the mine. No need to go over there now, you will pass by this display on your way back to the car.
Turn Around and go back to the car
I don't normally do hole descriptions in my reviews, but I want to warn players of the rugged unforgiving terrain and thorny vegetation that is The Boneyard. If you are already hot and tired after playing Hole 1, head back to the car now. Hole 2 is a big 400 foot plunge down the hill. Hole 3 plays across the plateau and Hole 4 is short uphill shot.
Another opportunity to Turn Around and go back to the car
If you are bloody and tired after playing Holes 1 through 4, it gets even more physically demanding to play Holes 5 through 9. Hole 5 is up at the top of that steep hill in front of you. It is a tough ascent. Once you putt out on 5, you can see Hole 9 to your right as you prepare to tee for Hole the 696 foot long Hole 6. It is not too late to turn back now. Otherwise, you have four more very long, very rugged desert holes to play. The good news is, it is all downhill, back to the car. I was drawn to keep playing by the sweeping views of the town below and the wall of hoodoos above.
Tees, Signs and Navigation
Bring the map from DGCR so that you can know which way to walk to find the next tee. There is also a course map posted at the entrance. Parking lot curbs that have been painted bright yellow mark the front of each tee box. There is a also small info sign at each tee with the hole number, par, distance and sponsor information. The signs are less than 2 feet high, so they don't take away from the "scenery". Remember these are long holes and you may not be able to see the target from the tee.
Cover your shins!
Absolutely, positively cover your legs. Most of the thick thorny vegetation off the trail is only knee high. I saw the warning to wear long pants, but I played in the heat of day and didn't want to change into my lightweight long pants, before playing. I ended up scratched and bloody. However, by the time I got down to the basket for 2, I realized my grave error in my judgement. This is when I figured out I wanted my shots to land on the road to avoid the thorny acacias, even if it meant taking extra strokes.
Death March on the rocks!
I am sure that I am remembering this course much more fondly than the experience. We were literally dead tired, scratched and bloody as we dragged ourselves back to the car after the round. But now I can't wait to go back. I will be better prepared to challenge The Boneyard when I return. I will go in the cool of the morning (or Winter). I will bring really bright discs so they are easy to spot. I will bring lots of sunscreen and water. And I will take the time to view more of the mining displays.
Kids and beginners
I would say NO to kids because of the rugged terrain and lack of shade. Beginners are OK if they are physically fit and ready for the challenge. The only problem with beginners would be keeping an eye on where they land. There are very few obstacles to flight, mostly uneven rocks and bushes near your lie. If your child or beginner is not into desert hikes, don't bring them. There are some very steep slopes to navigate. There is a small playground at the entrance for kids. There is some shade and running water in that area. It is all rocks and no grass.
Carts and Strollers
Ha, Ha, Ha! No, No, No! Don't even think about it. You will have to drag your cart up and down super steep rocky slopes that are difficult to stand on. Only a three wheel all terrain cart could even think of tackling this course. However, if the tires require air, they will be likely be punctured by the acacias or sharp rocks before you get to Hole 4.
Park Rules
No Smoking and No alcohol allowed in the park. No removing plants, rocks or wildlife.
Restrooms
There were full service restrooms at the park entrance next to the playground.
Cons:
If you don't like rugged western disc golf, the cons are:
Very Rocky - Bring that durable plastic.
Very Rugged - No grassy fairways here. My feet were sore from walking on all the rocks.
Very Exposed - Bring lots of sunscreen. Play in cooler weather, avoid heat of the day.
Very Long Course - Including a long walk back to the car after Hole 9.
Very Thorny - Cover your shins! Cover your shins! Cover your shins!
Very Little Variety - Although designer did great job adding challenge given what he had to work with.
Very Extreme - Dealing with nature and surviving the elements provides more challenge than the disc golf.
Very Rocky - Bring that durable plastic.
Very Rugged - No grassy fairways here. My feet were sore from walking on all the rocks.
Very Exposed - Bring lots of sunscreen. Play in cooler weather, avoid heat of the day.
Very Long Course - Including a long walk back to the car after Hole 9.
Very Thorny - Cover your shins! Cover your shins! Cover your shins!
Very Little Variety - Although designer did great job adding challenge given what he had to work with.
Very Extreme - Dealing with nature and surviving the elements provides more challenge than the disc golf.
Other Thoughts:
I survived the Boneyard!
I loved this course! Cons listed above for the average player make this close to disc golf heaven for me. I enjoyed hiking in Arizona long before I ever became a disc golfer. Hikes like this are part of the appeal of disc golf for me. If you don't like hiking in the rugged Arizona desert, don't play here! I also love Geology and Arizona History.
Pro Tip:
Be sure to follow the trail back down the fairway of 5 to get back to the car.
Course Baggers Beware!
In retrospect, I should have played this course first in the early morning when it was cooler and we were fresher. On a day trip from Tempe, we played 9 at Greens in San Tan Valley, then 9 at Oasis in Florence first and then 9 at the Boneyard in Globe. If you are going to bag more than one course, you should start at Globe and then go to Florence (and San Tan). Although, you probably won't really want to play anymore courses after you get done at The Boneyard.
The Rating
I love rugged Western disc golf and this course lived up to the bill. I also enjoyed the unique experience of playing on an old copper mine. I understand that all that is ancillary to the actual disc golf. The course was not so exciting. Bottom line is, if you don't like rugged courses, don't play here. I want to give it a good rating for the fun, unique experience of playing on a copper mine, but have to be realistic about the disc golf. I would give it a 4 in my rugged disc golf world, but I realize most folks don't like it so rough. 3+
Review Update
The more I thought about it, the more I realized this 9 hole course should be rated a 4, even if YOU don't like rugged western disc golf. I think the fact that someone took a worthless piece of god-forsaken real estate and turned it into a 9 hole disc golf course for our enjoyment is worth a 5 rating. Extreme elevation changes and conditions means courses don't get much more rugged than this. The unique experience of playing on the first mine in Globe is also worth a 5. This challenging course earns a 4, even with only 9 holes. Can't wait to go back!
I loved this course! Cons listed above for the average player make this close to disc golf heaven for me. I enjoyed hiking in Arizona long before I ever became a disc golfer. Hikes like this are part of the appeal of disc golf for me. If you don't like hiking in the rugged Arizona desert, don't play here! I also love Geology and Arizona History.
Pro Tip:
Be sure to follow the trail back down the fairway of 5 to get back to the car.
Course Baggers Beware!
In retrospect, I should have played this course first in the early morning when it was cooler and we were fresher. On a day trip from Tempe, we played 9 at Greens in San Tan Valley, then 9 at Oasis in Florence first and then 9 at the Boneyard in Globe. If you are going to bag more than one course, you should start at Globe and then go to Florence (and San Tan). Although, you probably won't really want to play anymore courses after you get done at The Boneyard.
The Rating
I love rugged Western disc golf and this course lived up to the bill. I also enjoyed the unique experience of playing on an old copper mine. I understand that all that is ancillary to the actual disc golf. The course was not so exciting. Bottom line is, if you don't like rugged courses, don't play here. I want to give it a good rating for the fun, unique experience of playing on a copper mine, but have to be realistic about the disc golf. I would give it a 4 in my rugged disc golf world, but I realize most folks don't like it so rough. 3+
Review Update
The more I thought about it, the more I realized this 9 hole course should be rated a 4, even if YOU don't like rugged western disc golf. I think the fact that someone took a worthless piece of god-forsaken real estate and turned it into a 9 hole disc golf course for our enjoyment is worth a 5 rating. Extreme elevation changes and conditions means courses don't get much more rugged than this. The unique experience of playing on the first mine in Globe is also worth a 5. This challenging course earns a 4, even with only 9 holes. Can't wait to go back!
