Billings, MT

Pioneer Park - Summer 9

2.715(based on 12 reviews)
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19 0
brentjacobs
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 22.6 years 641 played 59 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Summer 9 at Pioneer 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2021 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- 9 Blue-banded DISCatchers Pros that were well mounted. Each hole has a short and a long pin location which are swapped out through the courses open season. Some pin changes are drastic and maximize the terrain while others are less so.
- 9 appropriately sized concrete tees. Good texture, telescope front to back. Pretty well level.
- Elevation change in play on most every hole. Nothing crazy drastic but certainly a couple-few holes with fairly substantial change from tee to pin.
- The creek comes into play on 3 holes, more so for certain pin locations than the others. When the water is running high there is a decent chance to lose a disc, particularly on Hole 8.
- The course plays through a well manicured park with a good number of old growth trees that will force shot shaping but generally allows multiple lines to each basket. Not a heavily wooded course but not wide open like many MT courses.
- Depending on pin locations, the course offers somewhere between intermediate to advanced level challenge. Pretty spot on for the main course in Billings that gets about as much use as the other 5 courses combined.
- Free to play.

Cons:

- Lacking in infrastructure outside of tee pads and baskets. No course kiosk/map, tee signs, directional aids, or practice basket have been installed.
- Navigation and layout are a touch wonky. The above mentioned lack of navigational aids exacerbates this issue. Hole 1 to Hole 2 has you walk down a hill and cross a creek. Hole 5's basket is in plain view from Hole 4's tee. After holing out on 4 you walk most of the length of Hole 5 to get to the tee.
- Two pin locations per hole is neat except without signs you'll have to look for which spot they're in and have no distance measurement available.
- Some safety issues with other park goes as well as golfers. Some walking paths and city sidewalks border a couple holes(6 & 9). A few holes play awfully close to each other(4 & 5, 5 & 6, 6 & 7, 1&9). The severity of some of these issues will depend on the pin location of each hole.
- Hole 7's green/approach for the long pin can get soggy/marshy. Really too bad as this is an excellent hole design.
- No true multi-throw holes. At this level of golf challenge, a couple-few per 9 holes would be nice. Hole 4 in the long pin would play as a two-throw hole for intermediate golfers and lower.
- Can be very busy on nice weekends/evenings and after school hours. One local high school is right on the other side of the block and it's just a really popular local course/park.
- Only public restroom is on the opposite side of the park. Closest you play is Hole 2's tee which is about 300 yards away.

Other Thoughts:

This is a really fun and pretty diverse park style 9-holer that just lacks the proper infrastructure it deserves. The BIllings Parks and Rec Department is pretty much hands off outside of regular park mowing. The layout/safety issues are obvious to well traveled golfers but really aren't terrible, just noticeable. The local club usually keeps the pins in a nice mix of long and short which I enjoy. For first time users the course can certainly be frustrating without any signage. If you can get past that, the actual golf is quite enjoyable from atmosphere to moderate challenge as the terrain is rather varied through the course with the smattering of old trees, good use of elevation, and the water coming into play. Bit of a tweener on the numerical rating for me, I'll call it a strong 2 that would easily be a 2.5 with complete infrastructure because the actual golf is solid. Of the various 9 holers in Yellowstone County, Pioneer Park Summer 9 is far and away the best.
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4 0
Agarner14
Experience: 3.7 years 10 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Exactly What You'd Expect from a City Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 13, 2020 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Overall layout and hole diversity is satisfactory for players of variable skill levels. Beginners won't find anything too daunting.
- Decent elevation variability with some throws uphill and some throws downhill.
- Trees, particularly on holes 3-6 create nice gaps/tunnels to throw through and complicate what would otherwise be fairly simple holes.
- Tee boxes are nicely sized with good traction.
- The Discatchers are in good condition and generally quite visible.
- Pioneer Park is clean and well kept. Not too much litter or weird stuff going on.
- Fun creek/OB that comes into play on holes 7 & 8.

Cons:

- Parking is restricted to about 10 cars, otherwise you might have to park on a nearby side street.
- Some pedestrian traffic on or through the holes at times.
- Tee pads and baskets are not numbered and there is no signage or direction in general. The layout is easy to remember once you've played it, but it might be a little confusing at first glance.
- The course does get some higher traffic in the evening and on weekends. Not necessarily a "con", but just something to be aware of.

Other Thoughts:

Overall an enjoyable nine holes that is easy to access and relatively well maintained.
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5 0
mtor
Experience: 16.9 years 43 played 6 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Solid Beginner course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 8, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Pioneer Park (summer course) is the most beginner friendly course in the Billings metropolitan area and is bag and cart friendly. It's themed by mature trees, elevation changes on most holes, and well-maintained grounds. This is a great place to practice rollers. There is a parking lot on the west side of the park (Virginia lane) next to a red brick building across the street from Blanco Blanco.
-Very nice Tee pads
-Elevation changes on 5-6 holes (sidehill, uphill, downhill, down and up)
-Creek on #7 (throw across), and #8 (flick throwers be aware).
-Can practice shaping throws without big penalties for mistakes. More experienced players may want to look for unusual lines through the widely spaced trees.
-Holes were well spaced.
-uncrowded (although I did play in the middle of a hot summer day. The course is located next to a high school, so I imagine that during peak times it will be crowded and that high school shenanigans will take place).

Cons:

This was a nice course located in the city with mature trees.
-No signage
1. Signs at each tee; with ob, hole length, and pin location would greatly improve the course.
2. Arrows on the basket pointing to next tee would improve play and flow of course (making it easier for beginners).
3. Course map at the red brick building or tee #1 would greatly improve the course for out of towners.
-Need bridge for hole #7 to cross the creek
-Outdated map (the dgcr map posted on this site 11/10/12 has several errors(directions are from standing at the concrete pad for the current hole); #3 basket is about 150 feet longer and to the right of map location (behind several trees), #4 basket is about 200 feet (to the left of basket #5), #7 basket is across the creek.
-The overall flow is pretty good, but the walk from hole 8 to hole 9 is long
-Players should be careful of pedestrians on all holes especially when the course is busy.
-A few pine trees that like eating discs (I'm looking at you Hole #3).

Other Thoughts:

Who would like this course: Pioneer Park is a great beginners course, but most of the holes are long enough for intermediate players. Advanced players would likely view the course as easy and may be better served by Diamond X (if mobility and weeds (tall grass) aren't an issue). Also, high schoolers will love it...it's right next to one of the cities high schools so I would imagine that it is quite busy after 3 pm and after work gets out at 5 pm.

Possible Improvements: Signage would be the nicest addition to the course. A course map would be good. Further, changing hole #7 basket location or putting a bridge to go across the creek would be nice (please see cons).

Overall: This is Billings' beginner course, it plays a bit long for a beginners course but the length is much appreciated for more experienced players. It is a great place to practice shots around trees and rollers. It needs a few improvements in signage to help new players and grow disc golf in Billings. New players may need some coaching (not to throw in on people). I like this course for beginner players or a quick nine. It is not a destination, but if you're in the area it is a good course to play during none peak times. While I would give this course a 3 out of 5, I went with a 2.5 due to no signs and possible overcrowding (entertaining players) at specific times.
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8 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Sweet 9 In A Nice, Green Park With Lots Of Elevation! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 7, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Pioneer Park summertime nine offers up lots of elevation changes. There is no such thing as a level hole here. The park is split in half by a small creek, which comes into play on holes 7 & 8.

The course starts right behind the Zimmerman building. There are no tee signs but navigation is fairly simple, and it seems like there are always other groups to follow. The concrete tee pads are trapezoid shaped and plenty big.

To score well here, you to first and foremost, be able to hit your line off the tee. Because every hole has multiple trees in play, avoiding them is the key. You might be able to roll under some of them but there is always a fair route.

Favorite hole: # 7

You tee off from a far corner of the park. The fairway is a natural looking (maybe 325 to the creek) slightly hysering throw. The basket sits maybe 50' past the creek. There is lots of bushes and trees lining the creek bank. Players with the better arms will put their drive over the creek. Us mere mortals, will probably lay up before the creek. The creek is small with little chance of losing your disc. It might be more dangerous other times of the year.

Cons:

Everyone speaks of the crowds of players here. The course was busy today on a Sunday afternoon but presented no additional problems. You might want to avoid the busy times.

No signage. I prefer knowing the distance.

The holes are all similar distances, probably 280 to 400'. I would like to see at least nice little ACE run here.

Other Thoughts:

A strong accurate arm is needed here. But that's probably true of most courses. Because there is almost no rough, other than the creek, it's pretty easy to recover from a poor tee shot. I think, because of the overall lack of danger here, beginners might also enjoy their round here. There are other more challenging courses close by, but I can certainly understand the popularity of Pioneer Park.
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10 0
ThrowBot
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.8 years 312 played 23 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Worth a Quick Toss Around 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 23, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

+ Nice "City Park" Atmosphere: Green Grass, Rolling Hills, Large/Older Trees, and a Small Creek that can come into play on a number of holes.
+ Two Pin Locations for each hole
+ Mix of mostly-open to heavily-wooded fairways.
+ Pretty fair from a Backhand vs. Forehand perspective. Good balance between Right-to-Left, straight, and Left-to-Right shots. (Often multiple options per hole.)

Cons:

- Can get crowded, especially on days with nice weather. Mix of casual players can lead to long waits and some dangerous situations (i.e. getting thrown in on)
- Typical "Par 3" Course: all holes are reachable from the tee pad by an advanced player. Not many "golf shots" unless you've already messed the hole up.
- Lack of Signage

Other Thoughts:

If it's your first time playing, you can show up at 5:30 pm on a sunny day and just follow the flow of other players to figure out the course.

If you want a faster pace of play, try to make it out earlier. (Ideally when school is in session!) Also, a little bit of precipitation and/or wind really keeps the casual folks out of the way. Montana weather is not always a bad thing!
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10 0
markmcc
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 278 played 254 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Pretty Little Park, but Really Crowded 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 17, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a typical park type course with lots of mowed grass, tall trees, and very little brush.

The course is on rolling terrain, so there is some element of up/down on many holes. Decent variety of hole lengths and enough trees to make you consider your line. Nice little creek cuts the course in half and adds an interesting element.

Good concrete teepads and baskets.

Cons:

Incredibly crowded. I tried to play this course on a nice weekday afternoon in April, and almost gave up. There were easily 25 - 30 other folks playing, mostly teens. The amount of yelling, cursing, and throwing on other folks was amazing. Chaos, plain and simple.

This is not a large course so many of the holes are close enough together for poor driving to become an issue quickly.

Not a sign on the course, so you get to sort of feel your way along. I was able to watch others to get a sense of course navigation, but some folks were obviously playing whatever holes they were close to.

Other Thoughts:

I only got a chance to try this course once, and would like to go back on a weekday morning before school lets out. It would still be an average park course, but would be much easier to play.
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4 0
Caveman1829
Experience: 13.7 years 8 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 5, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Nice use of elevation, scattered trees, and water.
-Nice concrete tee offs
-The course is situated away from other park features that attract walkers, kids, etc. so no people in the way.

Cons:

-Can get very crowded
-Not marked well, but ask a local and you'll quickly pick up on the layout.
-Quick course, leaves you wanting to maybe even take a 2nd round of it
-The one creek has an undercurrent and will hide your disc so some digging may be necessary to get it out if you hit the water.

Other Thoughts:

Time it to avoid the crowd and you'll love it. Great for all level of players. Nice mix of pars. Very family friendly, can definitely bring the dog or stroller.
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2 2
windsurf17
Experience: 15 played 10 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Fun course in the middle of town 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 29, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This isn't a destination course, but it's fun if you are in Billings and want to golf. I bet it gets crowded now and then.

Cons:

I only play when I'm in the area visiting family. I've played mostly summer mornings. There are a couple of holes that I worry about clobbering someone on a run or walk. I had to skip holes where there were other park users using. It's their park too, so I don't have any issue with that, other than there may be times when the round will be a tad staccato.
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1 4
toucan2306
Experience: 13.7 years 52 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 25, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Enough trees to make it tricky
-Distance was not the only factor for scores here.
-Course is away from the rest of the park making it lest crowded.

Cons:

-There was not a single sign on the whole course.
-Followed a local crowd to lead us through.

Other Thoughts:

I enjoyed this course as a quick 9 on the way home for the night. I would play it again if I find myself in Billings.
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7 0
sillybizz
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 22.2 years 407 played 392 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Diamond X Warm Up Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 9, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Pioneer Park is a course built in a nice city park with small rolling hills, perfectly green grass and a two foot wide stream running through. The course plays up, down and around the hills with lots of low ceiling throws. There are a number of holes out here that are fairly challenging par three holes for intermediate players and a couple of shorter ones as well. This is a good place to practice rollers and skip shots depending on the condition of the grass but when I was there it was green and not too long. Lots of little hills both up and down to add some flavor to an otherwise vanilla set up. The course is easy to find and navigate, just look for the cement tee pads and all but one of the baskets are visible from the pads, even with out tee signs or a map it is easy to find your way

Cons:

The course was a little bland with little obstacles and the same kind of shot on most of the holes. Since everything is low ceiling the easiest/best way to get to the hole is a roller and after throwing five or six in a row it gets a little boring. Also since so many holes are so similar once you master one of these holes you have mastered the course. A RHBH thrower on this course really has nothing to worry about and will never be forced into throwing a FH.

Other Thoughts:

We used this as a warm up to the big boy that is Diamond X. We left pretty early in the morning from Bozeman so it was nice to get the body warmed up in the morning before we went out and started climbing. Overall nothing special here but it is beginner and family friendly. You're playing Diamond X so you might as well stop in here and bag a quick nine hole course while you're at it.
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2 2
DiSCRoCKeR
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.9 years 204 played 43 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Lazy Summer 9 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 6, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nicely manicured city park. Good cement tees. This course plays pretty quick with a round lasting about 30 - 40 minutes. Beginner friendly.

Cons:

No tee signs. Most of the holes feel as though not a lot of thought went into the design/layout. It's almost impossible to have a bad round as every hole is easily attainable in 2 or 3 strokes. No multiple pin placements or alternate tees.

Other Thoughts:

A decent course if you're looking for a quick round with not a lot of challenge. The winter 9 hole is a bit more fun and definitely better than the summer 9.
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6 0
djjeremiahj
Experience: 16.8 years 7 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Enjoyable Time 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 7, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Nice Grassy Layout. Set in the middle of a city park. Uses Natural terrain to create challenging holes. Very nice residents - very friendly and willing to be impromptu course guides.

(On the day i played)
No short or gimme holes.
Decent balance of FH & BH shots. - Each hole could be played either way, but some did present easier lines with one or the other.
Concrete teeboxes.
Challenging for players of all levels.

Cons:

No course markings. - No distance markings, no direction markings.
(On day i played)
All holes threw 300' or longer.
9 holes.

Other Thoughts:

Very nice course and "ambassador" to the sport for the surrounding community. The layout was in a slightly open park space. The only course sign mentioned that there were alternate pin positions. The course, at first was a bit tricky to figure out, but after playing once, (and with the help of a local player) it was quite easy to figure out. It's a compact course and i played quickly in 35-40 minutes.

On the day i played -
Holes can be played either BH or FH (i did both), but -
BH - All were very long lines that felt closer to 400' (or better) than 300'. The option was either a laser straight 325'+ line through a tiny window, some crazy almost 400' hyzer, or a "shoot through the trees and pray. " - Very technical, long and advanced as a BH course. I saw no extreme hyzer/hook holes. Long straight controlled discs (with turnover capacity) would have been best on the day i played. (SL, TL, Buzzz)
FH - I played with a local who threw FH and it was a lot easier. In fact, it almost seemed a bit too easy. The FH lines are open, long, but absolutely do-able. They also throw a lot shorter and feel more like 300'-350' shots. (A full array of FH shots was beneficial on the day i played - turnover, long & straight finish, hyzer/hook)

Be careful of wind - it will be there the day you play.

In short, this is a fun course and worth playing if you are in the area playing Diamond-X. It's a compact, fast layout that after the first round or 2, you will get it dialed in very quickly. Outside of errant shots off trees, i cant say that i needed a full arsenal of mids and/or approach. Most guys i saw, and played with only carried 2 drivers. (I carried 5). Very playable with a "traveler's bag" of 3 discs.
If you are in the area (or anywhere within 500' miles) Diamond-X in the same area is a must! This course is sufficient, but not necessarily worth a special trip. But if you are passing through, it's worth the 45 minutes (to play atleast one time around the 9).
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