Where should we play?
I was out in Southern California a few months ago and played many courses for the first time. While I've posted full reviews on my web page of the disc golf courses I've played, here's a brief synopsis and ranking in my order of preference: <ul type="square"> Whittier Narrows, Whittier, CA – Despite warnings that this course would be long, open, and boring, this was my actually my favorite course in the Los Angeles region! Course designer Dave Dunipace even once described the Whittier course as “a fairly dry test of skills” but it had almost everything I look for in a disc golf course. While it was mostly pancake flat and didn’t have the elevation changes of La Mirada, the Whittier course had appropriate hole lengths for skilled golfers. Most of the holes were in the 300-450 foot range through scattered mature trees that forced honest drives. Additionally, with low ceilings and manicured short grass, this course was a rollers delight. I was thrilled to deuce some 350-375 foot holes with a backhand roller that I would have never reached with an air shot through the trees.
Emerald Isle, Oceanside, CA - Disc golf on a ball golf course done right. Loved the experience, even if I found the OB greens way too often.
La Mirada Regional Park, La Mirada, CA - Loved the elevation changes and the opportunity to throw rollers. Thought most of the holes were a bit shortish though and played way too close to walking paths, sidewalks, city streets, baseball fields, parking lots, etc.
Riverside Golf Club, Riverside, CA – Play the short tees on this course. From the long tees, I loved the idea and design of the course through about 12 holes. Got to the point on the back nine though where you have two 1000+ foot pro par five holes in a row that are almost completely wide open. While I’m obviously a fan of the trend to move to higher par golf, I think having 1075, 1083, and 1105-foot holes in the same layout that are basically long for the sake of long is dumb, imo. A better balance is found on the short tees, which alternate 550-675 foot pro par four holes that usually tee off in the trees and play to protected pin positions, with par threes. The par fives are also a lot more interesting.
Veterans Park, Sylmar, CA – Driving to this course through the foothills surrounding Los Angeles is stunningly beautiful, with lots of cool views of the surrounding mountains. I liked the patriotic theme at this course, with tees and poleholes that alternate in color, in order, from red to white to blue. With really nice cement teepads and brand new tee signs and poleholes, this course has a professional touch, and worth the nominal $2 daily fee. The first three holes play over some lovely rolling grass, and the 2nd hole has neat brickwork around the polehole position that is reminiscent of the USDGC. It’s too bad that the lower portion of the course can’t hold grass like the upper three holes, because it makes for a dry, dusty, dirty disc golfing experience.
Oak Grove, Pasadena, CA – Like Sylmar, the views of the foothills on the way to this course are awesome. Once arriving, there’s something to be said for being able to play the very first permanent polehole course in the world. To bang chains where Frisbee throwers first did so 30+ years ago and ignited our sport is really cool! The first hole starts out with a low ceiling shot that almost demands a roller – that’s probably the only time I’ve ever thrown a forehand roller off the first tee. There are a few fun downhill holes, including a neat one that throws over a basin that I’m told once held water. On a sad note, the course is very poorly marked – good luck finding your way around without a tour guide. [/list]
