Pros:
27 holes that cover a big chunk of a mountainside. The hike around the layout includes a lot of interesting hole designs, and the landscape provides nice changes in elevation and density of trees. Some easier holes are sprinkled in among many consistently demanding tee shots. Very tough in a couple of spots, but only one par 4, and fairways are usually generous enough to allow some room for error.
The first couple of holes are pretty flat, but there are bends around the trees that require solid throws to get near the pins. Hole 3 is when you begin to climb the hill and elevation change really starts to come into play. I enjoyed the middle section of the course that works up, down, back and forth across the slopes, with scattered pines and boulders. The drives are tough, but there are chances for birdies. If you don't make a perfect throw from the box, a recovery shot for par will usually be makable. Some of the rough is thick, but finding discs isn't to difficult in most places.
The signs are pretty great, I loved the route traced over actual photos of each hole. Tee pads are nice, level and solid, usually covered with swaths of artificial turf salvaged from a football field. The baskets don't have any major flaws.
Cons:
Parking near the first hole seemed a little limited, but it looked like you can park near the top of the hill and begin around hole 21 if necessary.
I did lose two discs on hole 26. It maybe the toughest hole on the course, and also maybe my favorite. My first drive went left into the thick trees down the steep drop down the hill. The second flipped and flew way right, with lots of rocky drops, tall grass and a big pile of tree limbs. Took an 8 at the end of the round, taking the shine off a scorecard that looked decent up to that point.
Other Thoughts:
Spearfish Canyon will definitely test every shot you have. Tough terrain and lots of sun made me glad I brought extra water. It isn't the most extreme physical effort, but no walk in the park to say the least.
Somewhere in between pro level difficulty and not beginner friendly. I scored a +9 (82), but could have been 4 or 5 over par if I hadn't lost the two drives on hole 26. Finished with two birdies, four bogies, a double bogey and the snowman 8, for five over on 26.
I played this on the second stop of a long road trip, after Pageant Hill in Custer. What a great way to spend the day driving around some gorgeous landscapes. Both courses are great, but Spearfish has more holes, and is closer to the interstate, so I would give it the nod if you must choose one or the other. Making time to play them both is well worth the extra driving. This part of South Dakota is truly amazing and beautiful.