Today, I wanted to take you guys along on a little golfing adventure I had at the Hickory Swing Golf Course in Great Falls, Montana. I’d heard a few things about this place, so I figured, why not give it a shot?
Getting There and First Impressions
So, I packed my clubs and drove out to 1100 American Ave. That’s where this course is tucked away. As soon as I pulled in, I noticed the place had a kind of laid-back, welcoming vibe. It’s an 18-hole course, which is pretty standard, but it’s a par-60, which means it’s a bit shorter than your typical course. I think the total yardage is around 3,371 or 3,581 yards, something like that. Anyway, it’s spread out over 86 acres, so there’s plenty of room to swing.
Hitting the Fairways
I grabbed my clubs and headed to the first tee. One thing I noticed right away was that this course is open to the public. You don’t need to be a member or anything, which is cool. The green fees were reasonable too, I paid like $18 or something around that.
The fairways are… well, they’re a bit challenging. They’re not super wide, so you gotta be pretty accurate with your shots. I had a few stray balls, not gonna lie. But that’s part of the fun, right? It’s definitely a course that tests your skills.
Using the GPS App
Alright, so I’ve got this golf GPS app on my phone. It’s supposed to help with distances and tracking shots and all that jazz. I used it a few times, and it was okay. It gave me a general idea of how far I was from the hole, but it wasn’t always spot on. I think it’s more useful for longer courses, to be honest.
The Overall Experience
I played all 18 holes, and by the end, I was pretty tired. It’s a good workout, especially if you’re walking the course like I did. I saw some folks using golf carts, which is an option if you’re not up for the walk.
Final Thoughts
So, would I recommend Hickory Swing? Yeah, I think so. It’s a decent course, especially if you’re looking for something a bit different from the usual. It’s not too expensive, and it’s open to everyone. Plus, the scenery is pretty nice. You get some good views of Great Falls while you’re playing.
I saw a few other people out there, some locals and some tourists, I think. There was even a guy trying out those old-timey hickory clubs. Looked tough, but he seemed to be having fun.
All in all, it was a good day out on the course. I might go back again sometime, maybe try to beat my score. If you’re ever in Great Falls and you’re into golf, you should check it out. Just remember to bring your A-game, ’cause those fairways can be tricky!
