Diamond X

Excited to play this highly rated course, Phipps Park Diamond X. Rockslide Open ... Was going to be a Trilogy Challenge ...no the same qualification thing Kelly and Chris put on in Humboldt at the C ... show more ›

Excited to play this highly rated course, Phipps Park Diamond X. Rockslide Open ... Was going to be a Trilogy Challenge ...no the same qualification thing Kelly and Chris put on in Humboldt at the Curtain last month ... but there wasn't enough reg so it's just a c tier with an open and am division.
I'd say the course is epic with big elevation ... Bigger, longer holes, than Delavega or BOP the rock . It's definitely not cart friendly with climbing up and down boulders. Amazing action along the cliff faces on the upper 18 (front and back 9) of 27. A recreational or beginner player would have problems. Some of the teepads are set back from the edge of sheer cliffs with chalk. They could sell the teepad dirt as Diamond X grip dust.
I played with the course developer -- trailing the lead open card -- Colby, a UPS driver with connections to obtain business sponsors for the baskets. .. don't know what kind but like Stafford or GGDGP. He showed me where the guy who developed the Fairfield Oregon course I played last Tuesday fell 40 feet and walked off with fewer scrapes and bruises than Erica, who slipped off a tee during the second round. Started round one off with Erica and Allison, this former softball player from Kansas who throws as good as a par infinity Goddess... 3rd in todays division and she's only been playing for two years and had excellent spotting ettiquette, making mental notes of where everyone's disk went and being able to accurately locate discs. She finished each round under par and like 20 fewer strokes than me.
Wind is definitely in play here, but it's generally only a problem during another season. I think the smoke (Most of Montana is covered with smoke) has had a local effect of reducing ground surface temperatures ... It only peaked at about 83 deg. F in Billings when it is has been hotter this time of year. But, sister who gave me steak for dinner in Bozeman disagreed with me.
This would be a tough course to strike out on your own because some of the baskets are so far away downhill that you would think they are for other holes. It was really nice playing with the course developer and people who know the Montana Disc Golf Scene. For the reasons that be, Montana disc golf is organizationally centered in Missoula with www.gardencityfliers.org being the place to go for tournament and course info across the state.
Bohart Disc Golf Course in Bozeman, MT is said to be the other of the top courses in Montana.
I'm tempted to start learning about using something to control my grip -- maintain more control of the tactile surface -- because I think my grip slipped a few times and I felt it could be prevented using a little dusting up. Erica had one of those fancy refillable flower themed disc golf grip pouches and I think most of the open division players I followed behind were dusting up. Sweaty hands is not something we need to deal with in Humboldt. Sorry I forgot to grab a bag of Organic Diamond X Grip Dust.

Great challenging shots. Some long throws and hillside shots. No cement teepads. I played with wet launch area, very muddy and slippery when wet and wouldn't suggest playing when wet. Course up to the ... show more ›

Great challenging shots. Some long throws and hillside shots. No cement teepads. I played with wet launch area, very muddy and slippery when wet and wouldn't suggest playing when wet. Course up to the right after going up was alright but hard to follow course without someone who knows the course. I'd suggest a guide for your first round for each of the three paths.

This is one of my favorite courses ever. I was sore for a week after the first time I went. Don't let that intimidate you though. It's huge and beautiful. Just don't fall off the giant cliff at the la ... show more ›

This is one of my favorite courses ever. I was sore for a week after the first time I went. Don't let that intimidate you though. It's huge and beautiful. Just don't fall off the giant cliff at the last tee. I've only seen one rattlesnake there. Bring some friends and make a day out of it, don't rush.

I have been so excited to play this course, However, having played nine, and walked the property, I would call this a novelty course. Not, technically difficult, but absolute "iron-man" conditioning ... show more ›

I have been so excited to play this course, However, having played nine, and walked the property, I would call this a novelty course. Not, technically difficult, but absolute "iron-man" conditioning is required. Great care needs to be taken to prevent injury, and if it's summer, Do Not Attempt to play here mid day, you will most likely suffer heat exposure. Beware, rattlesnakes and treacherous walkouts. It is definatedly a"bucket list " course. Just be safe. Lastly, signage is terrible, tees are loose, slick and uneven, ( granted it would be nearly impossible to construct real tees without a million dollars). Play it once at least for the experience.