American Falls, ID

Massacre Rocks - Long

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3.615(based on 9 reviews)
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Massacre Rocks - Long reviews

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10 0
sillybizz
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 22.2 years 412 played 393 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Not Your Momma's DGC!

Reviewed: Played on:May 28, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Massacre! This is course blessed with plenty of elevation changes and some of the best trees that act as disc golf bunkers I have ever seen. The front nine starts with an uphill shot followed by a nice downhill shot and both are well done and fun to play. The tree bunkers act as a score filter by weeding out non accurate drives. Trying to pitch out of these things is a nightmare and rightfully so, so of course accuracy is much more important than distance. Tons of variety here as far as doglegs, hyzer and anhyzer throws and on some of the more downhill throws landing zones need to be identified and hit off the tee. Hole 9 is a little RHBH hyzer putter throw with serious danger if you hyzer too much and your disc may fall or roll a hundred feet into the snake river.The back nine is a little more 'wild' than the front and the canyon shot early one kind of tells you that. The canyon shot isn't very far and most disc golfers can reach it but it's always fun throwing downhill. The next hole which the tee pad is right on a cliff and a little freaky for those of us with a fear of heights is a really fun albeit short straight shot on top of a ridge that acts sort of like an island green. When you reach the top of all these little peaks and ridges you can see the snake river and all its glory including the mountains and trails around it.

Cons:

The footing here is not ideal as it's very uneven and you find holes, roots, branches, sticks, rocks, etc. all over the course and twisting an ankle out here would not be a fun experience, not that it is anywhere but you know what I mean. The walk down the large hill down into the canyon is what us old school hikers call a goat trail and not in a good way; bad footing, very steep, no steps or switchbacks, almost scrambling steep wise and when you're carrying a bag and/or a rolling cart it's quite difficult to maneuver. Speaking of rolling carts this is NOT a cart friendly course. Although we managed the cart if I were to do it over again I would have brought one bag instead of a bag and a cart for the two of us. The tee pads are dusty, gravel and many times slippery or just plain uncomfortable to throw on. There are a few fly pads out here but only on the holes throwing off near a cliff IIRC. By the way it gets really windy here and there is a wind farm just across the freeway from here so keep that in mind.

Other Thoughts:

Certainly not a course for the faint of heart or just getting into disc golf. Luckily there is another course on site that is a more friendly to n00bs short 9 hole course that wraps around the information center. If you're gonna play this course it's $7 day use or $10 for a seasonal Idaho state parks pass that is available at your local DMV - don't worry it's Idaho the DMV takes 10 minutes to get through most of the time. This is a fun course that has a mountain golf kind of feel without being in the mountains. I recommend it if driving by or camping and you should check out the cool history information at the center or drive to the end of the gravel road near the Lewis and Clark trail and check that out too.
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3 1
DuBose
Premium Member
Experience: 4.9 years 137 played 16 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Great stop 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 27, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

GREAT signage. Every pad has a map showing the hole. Every basket has a number on it so you know your playing the correct basket. I really liked how every hole had a sign by the basket showing you the way to the next pad. VERY easy to navigate, lots of trash cans and benches. Great design for hole 9 to bring you back to parking lot which has picnic tables and bathroom. Course doesn't play too tough, but has a good mix of long, shorts, hyper, anti's, and not to forget the uphill and downhill shots.

Cons:

Not too much here. The wind can come into play, especially on some of the back 9,

Other Thoughts:

Important. Took me a bit to find course. After you pay at booth, turn right. The first parking lot you come too is the short original course. Don't stop there, keep going straight parallel with highway until you get to the next parking lot,
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12 0
brentjacobs
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 22.6 years 659 played 59 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Massacre on the Snake River

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 20, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- 18 permanent baskets that are all well mounted.
- 18 tee pads with rubber mats. All the pads are level however some could use a little repair around the edges.
- Excellet mix of shot shaping. The trees aren't huge but they're substantial enough to force lines and thick enough to require accurate landing zones. The angles of the hillsides also plays into favoring certain disc angles.
- Great use of elevation in the design. All of the up, down, over, and across you can ask for.
- Signage and navigation. Next tees signs and the hole tee signs make getting around the course a breeze.
- The front and back 9 start and finish at the same parking lot. Really enjoy when this can be implemented in a layout.
- ID State Parks do Disc Golf right. Super friendly employees, little "pro shop", printed maps, and good course maintenance. Playing a rough prairie course that actually has mown fairways is awesome!
- The views and scenery are incredible. Huge rock formations little the area and the course is on a bluff overlooking the Snake River.
- 9 Hole pitch n putt on site.
- Only $5 to play
- Great location on that ID corridor that makes an easy add to a bagging trip.

Cons:

- This is a very natural area and thus off the fairways is rough, pokey and can eat some discs. Gaiters recommended when the grasses dry out unless you're good throwing your socks away.
- As mentioned before, there are a number of blind tee shots. Excellent course to enact the buddy system and do some spotting.
- Course is fairly exposed high desert. There are a number of trees but they can only do so much to keep you cool. Personally, this makes me feel at home but I'm sure many average park going golfers would be in for a bit of a shock.
- The trees, while a number are fairly substantial, aren't exactly what you think of when looking for disc golf land. Most are as wide as they are tall and few are what I'd consider very tall. I'm perfectly ok with this but list it here so people will know what to expect.

Other Thoughts:

Absolutely loved this place. We played Three Island Crossing, Lake Walcott, and both Massacre Rocks courses(among some other non State Park courses) for only $5, total bang for your buck. The employees at every park were very nice and really helpful.

Massacre Rocks Long was my favorite of the Southern ID State Park Courses(not quite AWOL/Wreck level from up at Farragut). Challenging but not demoralizing with a wide array of shots and hole types. Playing through the rocks and getting views of the Snake River makes for an amazing golf experience. Definitely come prepared to hike and deal with Mother Nature, whether she be windy or blazing heat. This is a unique gem of a course so give it run if you ever get the chance. I know I'll be back!
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2 2
Grok Lobster
Experience: 37.9 years 20 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

If you're in Idaho - GO! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 18, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful location that happens to have a challenging course for your enjoyment. We were time constrained and only got to play the front 9. With the ~10 mph wind, it was reasonably difficult. The rough is very unforgiving so accuracy off the tee pays back big time.

Cons:

Would like to have seen more players on the course

Other Thoughts:

I was able to play in my Teva sandals without much trouble but most people would probably prefer boots.
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3 0
redbaron88
Experience: 8.7 years 5 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Got Hiking Boots! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

- great workout, be ready for a hike, especially the back nine
- beautiful scenery, really like holes 13, 14 and 18!!!
- elevation change on most holes, some extreme
- has some really cool over the canyon throws that are unique and challenging
- the tee pads are now covered with rubber matting

Cons:

- I could see how wind would make this course down right mean

Other Thoughts:

- this course is a gem and is rightfully nicknamed
- as a beginner with a month of playing, I shot a 15 over, driving distance and accuracy a must to lower scores
- will drive the two hours to play this course again and again
- the park staff was very friendly and informative...I really want to put a thanks out to the park ranger who took a few minutes to give a few instructions on how to get more distance to my wife and I who just picked up the game
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8 0
markmcc
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12 years 278 played 254 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Hillsides Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 13, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is built on a great area of rolling, rocky hillsides and juniper/sagebrush vegetation. Many holes have a view down in the Snake River, and several holes drive across small canyons.

Notable holes on the front nine were 5 which is an uphill dogleg left, and 9 which plays to a small peninsula which will leave you with big problems if you overshoot it.

The back nine is even better, with a big downhill drive on 11 followed by an uphill drive on 12. Hole 13 drives across a small canyon with Hole 14 also driving across a canyon to a basket on a raised ridge. Don't miss the ridge!

The final hole is a nice downhill which brings you right back to the parking lot.

There is a good variety of hole lengths from 172 feet to 422 feet. Most holes include an elevation change which impacts your driving distance quite a bit.

While the trees are not tall, they are thick with branches all the way to the ground. You won't get any breaks if you hit a tree as these will knock your disc down immediately and you'll often find yourself in among the lower branches trying to escape.

Large paved parking lot, restrooms and water available at the first/tenth tee area. Separate course maps for front nine and back nine with a great "It Ain't your Mamma's DiscGolf Course" Logo. Maps available here as well.

Flat, level rubber teepads are in great shape (these seem new since the 2011 reviews). Painted tee signs with Hole number, distance, par, and a decent hole map. Whoever painted these has a good eye.

Very near each basket is a large sign pointing to the next tee box, and on some holes an additional sign along the way. In addition to the signs there is a clear mowed path between holes.

Given how rough the terrain is here, I found this the easiest course of navigate of any that I've played. I didn't look at my map even once.

Cons:

Many of the drives are to blind baskets, so you'll either need to walk up the first time or have a spotter along. In some cases locating your drive can be a challenge as the juniper and sagebrush can get thick. Again, a spotter helps a lot.

This course is a long ways from anywhere, and is pretty isolated. Gas up before you head out and bring a snack. I didn't see any other golfers on a beautiful Saturday morning.

Other Thoughts:

I found this to be a really well designed course. While it doesn't have the lush green grass and tall trees of some park courses it offers a fantastic assortment of uphill, downhill, and crosshill shots in an interesting area.

This course reminded me of Diamond X in Billings, Montana with less challenging terrain but much better tee pads and navigation.

There is a Pitch&Putt 9-hole course installed at the Visitor Center which is a nice warm-up for this course.

Visitor Center has a small assortment of discs, mini's, and tee shirts. Also cold drinks and snacks.
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4 0
idahooldguy
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 40 played 36 reviews
3.50 star(s)

I got massacred! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 31, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

*Beautiful scenery and nice campsites.
*Elevation change on almost all holes.
*Has some really cool over the canyon throws that are unique.
*Great workout.
*There is a nice short 9 hole beginner course (all holes <200') near the gift shop that also has some impressive high-desert scenery.

Cons:

*Heavy brush, so you should take turns spotting if you're playing with others. You will probably spend alot of time hunting discs if you are alone.
*Several blind tee shots.
*The wind can be strong here, so check the weather forecast first.

Other Thoughts:

This is a very unique and challenging course. I shot +6 and felt pretty good about it. If you can shoot under par here, you've got some skills! Players who are used to well manicured park settings will be quite surprised when they drive up to tee 1. Definitely plan on stopping by if you're passing through.
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7 0
Valktastic
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.9 years 66 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Massacre Rocks 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 26, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Easy to Navigate
- Course map and scorecard at #1
- Here is a link to the course map
- Lots of elevation changes and obstacles
- Great design
- Good mix of technical and distance
- Mowed fairways to direct you to the baskets
- Picnic area in between front and back 9
- Good signs and directions at every tee and basket
- Restrooms, water, river access, and camping
- The blind drives are challenging but easy to figure out

Cons:

- Can be VERY WINDY check before you make the drive as this course is death in the wind
- Loose gravel for tee pads??? This is my biggest con. Hard dirt, road base, or most other surfaces are better then tee boxes filled with loose gravel. On some holes we just threw from the side. I will give this course a higher rating when this is improved.

Other Thoughts:

This is not a beginner friendly course. The layout is links style and a good mix of technical and distance holes. It plays longer than the numbers on the sign due to elevation and obstacles. The large tree/bushes can eat discs so bring whatever you like to throw to retrieve discs. My baseball worked great. There is not a "park" like Walcott. This course is more similar in terrain to Bengal Ridge or the back 9 at Sister. Wear good shoes and earlier in the year when the weeds and grass are high you might want pants.

Here is a link to the course website

It is exit 28 and then turn right at the booth after paying $5 then go the parking lot and you can't miss the first tee box and sign.
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3 2
Crash207
Experience: 13.8 years 8 played 3 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Massacre 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 26, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Front 9 is well laid out and easy to follow. New back 9 has some of the coolest shots I have thrown. Hilltop to hilltop over a canyon, uphill and a few downhill bombers. Easy parking and restrooms. Discs are surprisingly easy to find. Highly technical due to landscape and foliage. You will never throw the same game twice here.

Cons:

Several blind tee shots. Wouldn't be near as much an issue 2nd round. Discs can be a bit tough to find but we only lost 1. Wind was up and this course would be quite hard to par even without the wind.

Other Thoughts:

Totally worth the Drive from Twin Falls. 5 mins off I84. Stop and play it if you are driving by. Definitely not your mamas disc golf course.
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