Pros:
- Literally the best signage I've ever seen.
- Very clear trails with wood chips, rock lined.
- Tee pads are often huge and all are very grippy.
- Tons of elevation shots without being burdensome.
- Rewards rightys/leftys fairly.
- Semi-variable terrain.
- Shorter ace runs and massive par 5 bombers.
- Brooms at most if not all tee pads.
- Bag hooks on sign posts.
- Beautiful old vegetation (Lots of Pinyon Pines and some Junipers I think.)
- Awesome views of the Sierras when looking West.
- Easily accessible (you can see some baskets off the 50 when looking south.)
- Tons of nearby gas stations etc to load up drinks/whatever before a round.
- Lots of trash cans in the parking lot.
- Plenty of places to sit while on the course (flat boulders.)
Cons:
- Only one port-o-potty for restroom (in parking lot.)
- Course is prone to wind.
- No benches (tons of nice flat boulders to sit on at tees though.)
- Navigation/which basket to throw to can be slightly confusing sometimes (but uncommon.)
- Losing discs is a reality due to sage brush and canyon.
- Could be more challenging, but a windy day takes care of that.
- No trash cans once on the course.
Other Thoughts:
As far as desert environments go, this course is tough to beat. Thanks to the Pinyon Pines and Juniper Trees there are plenty of obstacles to contend with, and they very often force you to shape lines here. This course really seems to like flex lines, where a pure hyzer one way or the other won't quite do it, and I like that. The course starts without asking too much from the thrower, but is immediately followed by a huge bomber slightly downhill. It then meanders right up against a ridge with a very punishing drop-off, plays through an awesome canyon, then along an uphill slope, and finishes with a nice slightly challenging shot that needs a good execution to get the birdie on.
Overall this course is pure fun, but maybe not so much if you can't throw more than 330' or so. Even then that doesn't matter because there are a few ace runs/very reachable baskets depending on pin position. One super fun hole is an island hole marked by stones, with a clear delineation also marked by a different soil type the designers put on the "island." The basket is often wedged between a couple trees, and it's super downhill, actually making for a strikingly tough shot to nail for how reachable it is! If you miss the island, you go to a drop zone with throw in potential.
The designers put an incredible effort into the details here. The trail system is amazing, and if in doubt as to where to go next, just follow the wood chip lined trail and it'll take you there!
The signs are mind blowing, with Google Earth style overhead views, all elevation, topography, hazards, landing zones, drop zones, and pin positions clearly labeled. They even have nice pictures of local flora/fauna to educate yourself! The baskets all have a metal arrow at the bottom of them pointing your way to the next tee. By the way, I really dig the Veteran Baskets, they look good, sound good, and catch very well.
It's not the most demanding course in the world, but is still far from easy also. Once the wind is cooking, this course turns into a different beast. If you're driving through Carson City and have time, jump on the 50 real quick and play this course! You WILL be impressed with how well maintained and thought out this course is. Please honor the space and remember DON'T CRUSH THE BRUSH!
To the guys maintaining this course, you're awesome, I've never seen so much attention to detail, not even close actually. Thanks!!