Makoshika DGC is such a unique course. At least from this midwesterner's perspective. I've never played anything like this. Nothing even close. The course plays through the Montana badlands in a beautiful, secluded park. The disc golf plays in an area dedicated to it. No outside interference. Heck, you'll probably be the only group there most of the time.

As the previous reviewer said, The baskets have been upgraded to nice new Discatchers. These are all mounted nice and level, are pretty easy to spot and catch great. One pin position per hole.

Concrete tees now at every hole as well. These are nice sized. Nothing too massive but plenty large enough for most players. Especially for the rec basket positions.

The tee signs are solid. They had the distances, pars, an arrow showing the shape of the shot required and a basic, albeit helpful, hole map. The map showed distances to the different mesas on many of the holes. The signs were also color coordinated to differentiate between the two signs. Blue for Pro, red for Rec.

There's apparently nice maps in the office where you register. The office was closed for lunch when we arrived. If that's the case, there's a nice course map at the parking lot, showing both the red and blue positions for all holes. Snap a picture on your phone if need be. Especially with the reception being kind of spotty. May not be able to bring one up on your phone. That being said. We had zero issue navigating this course our first time playing it. Many of the tees and signs for the next hole are within 10 to 20 feet away from the previous basket.

Not sure if this was the case before they upgraded the baskets and tees, but there's now a 9 hole Pro course or the 18 hole Rec course. Kind of a cool touch. And the Pro set up is definitely more challenging than Rec. Good way to make it appeal to more skill levels while using the same amount of space. Speaking of which, the designers used this space to great effect. Excellent job fitting these holes in this space and not making it feel crammed in. Well done.

The heat is intense out here under the sun. There's only a few places to find some shade. And that even depends on where the sun is in the sky. Early morning or later evening would seem to be the ideal times to play here.

Even with the maps showing distances between the mesas. It's hard to judge the distances. It's kind of decieving to the eye whether you landed on top of one or in the gulley below. Not so much a con, just an observation. But with how hot it can get out here, it'd be best to have a spotter if possible. Especially, actually mostly for the Pro positions. Less of an issue from the rec tees.

A few of the latter holes get a bit repetitive. Probably 5 of the last 6 are basically just RHBH shots. Shaping from right to left. One of them, 15 or 16 I think, is a comically shaped hole. Without teeing off from the tee sideways, up and over the hill, there's really no way to get that close. The hole plays as a U shape, with the basket probably being further back than the tee on one end of the U.

This course is going right into my favorites. I've been wanting to play this one badly since seeing it for a hole of the day awhile back and checking out the pictures. This one did NOT disappoint. In fact it exceeded my expectations. As others have said, if this one's not in your wishlist, it should be.

I'd recommend going substantially out of your way to play here. Even with it basically being in the middle of nowhere. This is one of those places where you spend more time looking around and admiring the natural beauty than you do worrying about you next shot. A true gem of a course.

+ Discatchers - Dont let the course photos fool you. This course has been upgraded from Mach 3's to Discatchers

+ Concrete Teepads - Again, dont be fooled by the course photos. The teepads have been upgraded from the odd wooden tees to nice concrete tees.

+ Teesigns have been upgraded and are not what you see in the photos. They give you all the basic and needed info.

+ One of the most unique and scenic courses you will ever play. I didnt really have expectations of this course when I first went here and was blown away with just how unique it is.

+ Fun Par 3 golf, with a few longer holes.

+ Disc golf in the badlands. Not sure if this is actually the badlands but it reminds me of it a lot.

+ The topography makes for some very unique holes. There are holes that the pin is placed on top of a little plateau so accuracy and touch are key. Some holes use the natural mounds as trees and have you almost throwing thru some mini canyons at times. Baskets are placed on the sides of hills making for some really fun ace runs. Overall, they used the land that they had to their best abilities and it shows in a positive way.

- A lot of teepads are next to the previous holes baskets. The two times I have been to the course it was a non-issue since I was the only one out there.

- As stated in other reviews, there is no shade. Bring an umbrella to shade yourself and bring a lot of water.

- Its in the middle of nowhere so make sure you come prepared with everything you might need for a full day.

I play this course twice a few years apart. The first time I was there it had Mach 3's I believe and wooden teepads. It was awesome to see that the course has been upgraded to Discatchers and Concrete tees. This isnt a championship level course. It is however and extremely unique and fun course to play. I would suggest that everyone should have this course on their wishlist imo. The first time I played this course I drove 8 hours round trip just to play it and I would do it again in a heart beat. Again this isnt the most amazing golf to be had but the fun factor is very high to me.

Super fun course. As far as pure fun factor, one of the funnest courses I've ever played. Some terrain you won't anywhere else makes for a lot of interesting shots, and holes that you will want to throw over and over again.

Solid hole variation. Some holes near the end get a little repetitive, a lot of just hyzer shots, but they did a good job using the terrain to create some very interesting and unique shots across the course, several of which could all be signature holes.

Hole #2 is hilarious. Very short, I threw a putter, but the tiny island you have to hit makes for a shot that is extremely unique, and is very satisfying if you can land it. If you make the island, it's almost certainly a two, if you miss it you will be putting almost 30' straight up just to get to the basket.

Plays very quickly. If you have a decent rate of play you can stop off the freeway on your way by and roll through this course in maybe an hour to an hour and a half with 1-2 people.

Very pretty scenery. In Montana's version of the badlands, with very interesting hills and gumbo column formations that you definitely don't see all the time.

Extremely beginner friendly for the whole family, especially if you play by the courses par.

Great scorecards you can get for free in the visitor center where you pay to enter the park, with a map that makes everything very easy to follow. No problems at all moving right along the course as intended.

There is no shade on this course unless you are willing to climb under the trees. If you are playing in the summer, it will be hot. Bring some serious sunscreen, and expect to be in the sun the entire time. It's a quick course, but there is no good spot to stop and rest in the shade.

This is not a very challenging course. I think it's extremely fun just the way it is, but even when played as all par 3's, it will not present a challenge to an experienced disc golfer.

There are some cacti out there, but if you keep your eyes open they aren't very hard to spot and avoid.

These are not your normal teepads. As you can see from the picture, they are created out of wood planks, and aren't very big. They are in good shape though, and the run up necessary on most shots on the course did not require me to use more ground than they provided. You can also tee off from the ground next to them easily if you don't like the teepads, and I think the fact that they took the time to build them and keep them in good shape shows the park really cares about the course, but be prepared for an interesting teepad experience.

If you're looking for a championship course and a challenge, this is not it. If you're looking to have a blast playing a unique course, it's definitely worth the stop. Tons of fun, and a whole lot of character. Anytime I drive back past Glendive I will be stopping to play this course again.

-Unique! So much terrain, such a pretty landscape all around!

-Signage was good. Took a little getting used to demarcations between the mesas and gullies.

-Some easier holes and some challenging holes. Quite a few bends and turns, and obstacles such as a giant gumbo column on Hole 12 that needs to be played around!

It's the badlands, so it is to be expected, but not really much in the way of shade would make this a very difficult course to play in the dead of summer.

A few cautionary points that will help you when you go out to play Makoshika:

- Pants are not required, but I would recommend them. A lot of sage brush, small cacti, and rattlesnakes in the summer. Your legs may get kinda torn up if you don't wear pants

- Have your ears open! In the summer, I hear rattlesnakes can be quite common on the course, as this is definitely rattlesnake country

- Wear really well built hiking shoes. There is so much climbing up and down, if you don't have a pair of solid shoes on, the course will be even more physically demanding and you may destroy your shoes.

- Just be ready for a really good workout! Bring plenty of water! I will definitely be back to play this, ideally while the snakes are hibernating

This is a great, VERY UNIQUE course that you really should play if you get anywhere near the area. It's set in Montana's version of the Badlands. ..... It's kind of a compact course, not very spread out. Not nearly the hiking that you might think. But it will physically challenge you. There's a lot of climbing up 'n down, going down into the gullies 'n washes. And back up to the mesas. .... Signage is pretty decent. Newer looking signs give the distance and possible routes. But you will still have to walk ahead and scout out a few. .... Most of this course is all about well placed drives. Any deviance will land you in tough positions to play out from.

Baskets and tee pads tend to be right next to each other. But yes that can be a good thing while you're trying to locate the basket. ..... A bit of trash on the course, kind of surprising.

If you're cruising by on Rt. 94, you really, really need to stop by and play this course!!! It is such a unique course! And so beautiful.

Beautiful and unique course. Easy course to play with good signs and trails. Love the topography. Spring flowers are just starting to pop up. Very pretty course. Great tee pads and basket placements.

Would not play it in temps above 70. No shade. Tee pads could be longer. Lots of blind basket placements. Four holes are very short, drove them with a putter and almost aced all four.

All and all a great course and I have told lots of friends to go play it.

This course provides an amazing opportunity to play in a Badlands type setting and requires players to use quite a bit of precision in their throws.

The teepads are nice and the hole maps are easy to follow once you figure out the topography facing you ahead. All pads are quite close to the previous holes chains so the course is pretty easy to navigate as well.

The topography is unique in that it's not hilly but because of all the mesas and buttes you need to climb up and down it can be some decent hiking.

The layout of the course was done really well, each hole provides different challenges. Some are a bit easier but others are long and many are blind. Take your time and find where you need to throw and having bright discs will help a lot! They will stand out if your disc disappears into some of the brush around this course.

Hole #18 is definitely the signature hole on this course, being placed on top of the hill. Have fun if your disc decides to roll.

Hole #2 also was one of my favorites, it's not a big butte to land on to get the birdie but it's fun to toss a few drives at to try making it.



As stated in every review, the scenery here is unmatchable and will leave you wanting more. It's a must play!

I have no real cons for this course, these are more of things to be aware of:

Fortunately, I didn't have any encounters but the presence of rattlesnakes are big on this course. Beware and don't play music if you can avoid it so you can hear their warnings!

Also, BRING WATER. Don't fool yourself, the course is in the Badlands and it is HOT and you will be thirsty!

There is cacti all over so be sure to wear good shoes and watch your step/ hand placements.

The fee to get into the park is $5 but it's definitely worth it.

Be sure to stop in the visitors center before you go! They have maps and scorecards available, just ask!

Also, they have XL drivers, BUZZ mid range and Magnet putters with the state park logo for sale in the center, only $10! I have to get a new Magnet, who can pass up a triceratops marked disc?

Unique badlands setting.

Heat. Glendive is warm from mid-June through August-- play early, or after 7:00PM

DO NOT MISS the EXCELLENT (longer, more treacherous pin placements) 9 hole course two to three miles away on the south side of Dawson Community College campus... more prairie, some badlands, creek bottom... Glendive has 27 world-class folf holes!!

Scenery is beyond description. The course has challenges different from any other course i've played. Most tees and pins are located on mesas with washes inbetween that you have to walk through and climb back up to get to the basket. The course was pretty easy for us to follow as most tee pads are directly beside the previous hole's basket.

The online map wasn't really helpful for locating the baskets, so we had to walk most holes first to get an idea where the basket was. But this was not a big con as everything is so pretty there a little extra walking is enjoyable.

If you enjoy disc golf, this course will not disappoint you. A challenging, fun and gorgeous course. Definitely worth the drive from Minneapolis!

This course is very beautiful in the spring time. A great mixture of holes. NO TREES. Tee pads are excellent wood tees. Baskets are top notch. This course uses "washes" and "mesas" as obstacles. Nice elevation changes.

Could use better Tee signs. The current ones are just a post with a # on it. Without a map might be a little confusing. I would say park entry fee is a con, but it's well worth it. Rain and Snow make this unplayable in those conditions.

PUT THIS COURSE ON YOUR WISH LIST. Overall this has been the best i've played. Enjoyed every second of it.

While the photos are impressive, you have to see this course with your own eyes to believe it. The terrain is unlike any other disc golf course that I have ever played. As the other reviewer Innovadude noted, the mesas come into play on almost every hole. Whether it be a basket on top of a mesa, a basket completely hidden on the other side of a mesa, or a blind basket below the base of a cliff, this course is intimidating and requires some precision shots. Adding to the risk/reward of your drives is the fact that if you through an errant drive, you could come face to face with a rattlesnake (seen on our way to Hole #2 and heard a few other times).

While the landscape provided many challenges, there were also a few shorter holes that were a welcome relief.

Some other pros:
- Walking through the course was spectacular.
- Most baskets were positioned near the next holes tee pad.
- Hole #18 is amazing with a basket being positioned at the peak of this rock formation, (see posted photo).
- Course easy to find off of I-94.
- I played at 11:00 AM on a Monday and was the only one on the course.

There was a suprising amount of trash on the course, especially considering the State Park location. It makes me kind of sad that people cannot even pick up after themselves in such a beautiful environment.

Blind shots were a bit difficult not having played the course before and without a map, I can see not knowing where you are throwing on the blind pin placements.

Other than that, if you don't like grasshoppers jumping/flying all around you and the potential to encounter snakes, this course is not meant for you.

$5 to enter course (worth every penny). I suggest printing the map off of this website as opposed to using the one at the ranger station as it is much more detailed and larger.

In my humble opinion, if you like disc golf and are ever near Glendive, you have to play Makoshika!

At the base of the mountains in the Badlands, this course should be on everyone's wish list. The 2nd hole features a basket on a small Mesa, with 10-20' high straight sand walls all around it except for the climb path up. You have to land on top to have any chance at a putt. There are shots over and around washes, valleys, foots of mountains, and giant sand stone towers 80' tall. It uses only landscape of rocks and mountains for obstacles, with no trees.

Long pants necessary due to snakes, cacti, ticks. Dangerous for a little kid, can't push a cart here. No trees. Not very well marked, maps are provided but not at 7:00 am when I got there.

Must play, if not must see pictures of at least.