California University of PA reviews
3
1
Lots of potential, but needs some TLC 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Apr 24, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
*UPDATED 4/27/2019*
You get a workout here. No doubt, the hike from 5 to 6 is a monster. The uphill shots make for good challenge. I played in a ridiculous crosswind off of #1 which was very tricky with the OB. This course has been updated. Last year, I played it and rated it 0.5 because it was nigh unplayable for someone unfamiliar with the layout. This year, I was pleasantly surprised and I'm upping it to 2.5 for several reasons:
1. There is a map at the parking lot that directs you to the #1 tee.
2. The map also shows you the revised layout of the course.
3. There are some additional markers and arrows along the way to direct you.
4. The grass was nicely maintained, and the goat path to 6 was findable
My PROS from last year are as follows:
"Terrain is hilly. The uphill shots are a good challenge. The other side of the mountain is supposedly picturesque. It's conveniently located near Cal U. The brush adds a technical challenge that is welcomed."
You get a workout here. No doubt, the hike from 5 to 6 is a monster. The uphill shots make for good challenge. I played in a ridiculous crosswind off of #1 which was very tricky with the OB. This course has been updated. Last year, I played it and rated it 0.5 because it was nigh unplayable for someone unfamiliar with the layout. This year, I was pleasantly surprised and I'm upping it to 2.5 for several reasons:
1. There is a map at the parking lot that directs you to the #1 tee.
2. The map also shows you the revised layout of the course.
3. There are some additional markers and arrows along the way to direct you.
4. The grass was nicely maintained, and the goat path to 6 was findable
My PROS from last year are as follows:
"Terrain is hilly. The uphill shots are a good challenge. The other side of the mountain is supposedly picturesque. It's conveniently located near Cal U. The brush adds a technical challenge that is welcomed."
Cons:
*UPDATED 4/27/2019*
The baskets are mislabeled. This isn't a problem if you know which basket you're going for (which you now do because of the new maps and signage), but it was a problem last year without those amenities.
There are no permanent pads; I came across a rubber mat near the #7 tee but well in front of it (red tee maybe?). I don't think the Udisc app was matched up with the current layout, but maybe I'm wrong there.
My CONS from last year are as follows:
"There is no map, there are no tee markers, and certainly no tee pads, and the baskets are largely unlabeled. Cell service is a little flaky as well, so if there is a map, make sure you get it before you go because you might not be able to download it on site."
The baskets are mislabeled. This isn't a problem if you know which basket you're going for (which you now do because of the new maps and signage), but it was a problem last year without those amenities.
There are no permanent pads; I came across a rubber mat near the #7 tee but well in front of it (red tee maybe?). I don't think the Udisc app was matched up with the current layout, but maybe I'm wrong there.
My CONS from last year are as follows:
"There is no map, there are no tee markers, and certainly no tee pads, and the baskets are largely unlabeled. Cell service is a little flaky as well, so if there is a map, make sure you get it before you go because you might not be able to download it on site."
Other Thoughts:
*UPDATED 4/27/2019*
I almost didn't come back. And I was disheartened by the 50/50 feedback I got on this review because I was trying to be fair. Last year, this course was un-navigable. It's very different now and I was impressed with the amount of effort that went into sprucing it up over the past year. It's a little tricky because of the labeling on the baskets, but if you look at the map (I took a picture of it and used it for reference) you can see where to go. There is real challenge on a lot of throws and you will do some serious hiking. The front 5 are visible from the road to the parking lot. But then you follow a path straight up a hill that gets narrower as you get higher, and looks like you're going straight for someone's fenced yard, and then you end up following the property line a bit before snaking around. You finally get to the top of the hill all out of breath. Fortunately, 6 is a short hole. You get a whole different view as you play 6-16 before descending back through the brush over to the 17 tee which is back on the front side again. Beware of grabby trees that are covered in vines that won't ever let your disc free. Having never played hole 7 before, I laid up my drive to the tree barrier and attempted a thumber over the trees to the basket... forgetting the aforementioned wind and watched my new zone turn over and fly off into the clutches of those trees and get nestled deep into a nest of vines, only getting deeper entrenched the more I threw things at it to jar it free. Word to the wise, those trees and that brush sit upon spongy, muddy, earth and a brook flows through it. A high retrieval is... well... good luck. I finally gave up; the first time I've ever lost a disc that I could see. But besides that, I was very pleased with this course's improvement over the past year and look forward to coming back (with oxygen).
My OTHER THOUGHTS from last year are as follows:
"I was very excited to come play here. It took a while to find where the actual course was, but it was a nice day so it didn't matter much. There's a map in the parking lot that is also a little hard to figure out if you're not from the area, but that's not a fault of the course. However, good luck finding any tees. From the farmhouse and parking lot, you can see a few baskets, but aside from 1 and 2, the baskets are also unlabeled. So really, good luck finding your way around.
This course could be very good with a few tweaks like markers and directions. But as is, I couldn't progress beyond hole 4 and I quit in frustration. I'd happily give it another chance because it has a LOT of potential.
Incidentally, everyone who keeps downvoting reviews that have something negative to say doesn't help this course to get any better. Examine courses with real teepads, real markers, and regular maintenance and you'll see that around here, many are only rated at 2.5 to 3 stars. The current rating of this course at 2.5 is very misleading."
I almost didn't come back. And I was disheartened by the 50/50 feedback I got on this review because I was trying to be fair. Last year, this course was un-navigable. It's very different now and I was impressed with the amount of effort that went into sprucing it up over the past year. It's a little tricky because of the labeling on the baskets, but if you look at the map (I took a picture of it and used it for reference) you can see where to go. There is real challenge on a lot of throws and you will do some serious hiking. The front 5 are visible from the road to the parking lot. But then you follow a path straight up a hill that gets narrower as you get higher, and looks like you're going straight for someone's fenced yard, and then you end up following the property line a bit before snaking around. You finally get to the top of the hill all out of breath. Fortunately, 6 is a short hole. You get a whole different view as you play 6-16 before descending back through the brush over to the 17 tee which is back on the front side again. Beware of grabby trees that are covered in vines that won't ever let your disc free. Having never played hole 7 before, I laid up my drive to the tree barrier and attempted a thumber over the trees to the basket... forgetting the aforementioned wind and watched my new zone turn over and fly off into the clutches of those trees and get nestled deep into a nest of vines, only getting deeper entrenched the more I threw things at it to jar it free. Word to the wise, those trees and that brush sit upon spongy, muddy, earth and a brook flows through it. A high retrieval is... well... good luck. I finally gave up; the first time I've ever lost a disc that I could see. But besides that, I was very pleased with this course's improvement over the past year and look forward to coming back (with oxygen).
My OTHER THOUGHTS from last year are as follows:
"I was very excited to come play here. It took a while to find where the actual course was, but it was a nice day so it didn't matter much. There's a map in the parking lot that is also a little hard to figure out if you're not from the area, but that's not a fault of the course. However, good luck finding any tees. From the farmhouse and parking lot, you can see a few baskets, but aside from 1 and 2, the baskets are also unlabeled. So really, good luck finding your way around.
This course could be very good with a few tweaks like markers and directions. But as is, I couldn't progress beyond hole 4 and I quit in frustration. I'd happily give it another chance because it has a LOT of potential.
Incidentally, everyone who keeps downvoting reviews that have something negative to say doesn't help this course to get any better. Examine courses with real teepads, real markers, and regular maintenance and you'll see that around here, many are only rated at 2.5 to 3 stars. The current rating of this course at 2.5 is very misleading."
4
0
When in Rome(or California, PA) 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Mar 6, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
18 nice DGA baskets with some multiple natural tees. Decent tee signs and navigation was fairly easy. Challenges are mostly the elevation changes and wind or tall grass/rough in summer. Tons of elevation and nice scenic views from the top. In case of emergency, there are signs everywhere to contact.
Cons:
Lacks trees, but not necessarily nasty brush. Tall grass in the summer, I can only imagine the amount of mowing required. Hole 2 was missing due to construction, and I'm not sure how it would fit into the flow of the course without a complete backtrack.
Other Thoughts:
As an open level player from out of town passing by, the course is enough to scratch the itch. I love the elevation changes throughout the course, but the variety of other challenges are lacking as there's only two holes that really play through any kind of woods. There is some nasty brush near some of the baskets you don't want to go in. I'd consider this a decent beginner course. If you like wide open elevated tee shots varying from mostly short to a few longer par 3s, then this is the place for you.
3
6
dsmdave
Experience:
6 played
3 reviews
OK to get a round in 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jun 27, 2013
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Nice DGA baskets
Very scenic.
Great for a good hike to get a little exercise.
If you live south of Pittsburgh it is one of two courses in the area.
Very scenic.
Great for a good hike to get a little exercise.
If you live south of Pittsburgh it is one of two courses in the area.
Cons:
NO teepads and some of the angles of where you tee off make it nearly impossible to get power behind a drive.
Course is very unreliable as the upkeep in the summer seems to be void and it is nearly impossible to play without loosing a disc.
Cal construction seems to be taking over the course.
Course is very unreliable as the upkeep in the summer seems to be void and it is nearly impossible to play without loosing a disc.
Cal construction seems to be taking over the course.
Other Thoughts:
This place eats discs in the summer but worth a play in the fall or early spring.
5
0
An Entire Course to Yourself 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Apr 30, 2013
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
-Nice, newer tee signs
-Pretty, scenic view from the top of the hill
-Course is easy to find and easy to find successive holes
-Nice hike with the changes in elevation, but nothing strenuous
-I have only seen a few other people play while I was there, so it often feels like I have the course to myself
-Peaceful, course is entirely set off on it's own (minus one house between holes 6 and 7)
-Course map if you need it
-Recent additions of many benches and trash cans
-Great course for beginners
-Pretty, scenic view from the top of the hill
-Course is easy to find and easy to find successive holes
-Nice hike with the changes in elevation, but nothing strenuous
-I have only seen a few other people play while I was there, so it often feels like I have the course to myself
-Peaceful, course is entirely set off on it's own (minus one house between holes 6 and 7)
-Course map if you need it
-Recent additions of many benches and trash cans
-Great course for beginners
Cons:
-Ample amount of thorn bushes in the rough
-Tees are natural, and not at all established. Someone made an effort to spray paint tee lines a few weeks ago, but those quickly faded away. Tee areas can get muddy
-Holes are open and repetitive, so not a lot of variables or challenges
-No bathroom, so you'll have to go in the woods (if that bothers you)
-Only really two throws that I can completely gun it. But one of them (18) is downhill so I sometimes overthrow it. Even the more open shots, I can't exactly let them rip.
-Tees are natural, and not at all established. Someone made an effort to spray paint tee lines a few weeks ago, but those quickly faded away. Tee areas can get muddy
-Holes are open and repetitive, so not a lot of variables or challenges
-No bathroom, so you'll have to go in the woods (if that bothers you)
-Only really two throws that I can completely gun it. But one of them (18) is downhill so I sometimes overthrow it. Even the more open shots, I can't exactly let them rip.
Other Thoughts:
Hole 1- You have to throw over a little stream, which you can't perfectly see from the tee, making it more interesting. Hyzer (RHBH) shot.
Hole 2- Wide open straight-ahead shot that throws through a line of trees right before the hole.
Hole 3- Anhyzer shot that throws back over the stream. Again, you can't see exactly where it is, causing some challenge.
Hole 4- The tee position was recently changed. Straight up a hill, boring shot. Used to be an anhyzer around some brush, making it a little harder.
Hole 5- Once again, a shot over the little stream. Short hole, throw straight and you're fine, easy hole in two shots. Throw to the left or right and you are in the thorn bushes.
Hole 6- Typical open hyzer, hole is behind brush.
Hole 7- Slight uphill shot.
Hole 8- Anhyzer shot, with a thick treeline/shrubline to the right. A small opening which you throw through.
Hole 9- Another open, uphill shot.
Hole 10- Open straight shot with hole surrounded by a few trees.
Hole 11- Open shot with hole on the downhill. Tree line to the right.
Hole 12- Open anhyzer shot.
Hole 13- Open shot with massive tree lines to the right and right before the hole. There is an opening in the corner of the two tree lines. Best chance to lose a disc on this course is here, with the thick thornbushes to in that bottom corner, toward the right.
Hole 14- Open shot.
Hole 15- Another open shot, longest hole on the course. Says a par 3 at the course and on here is a par 4.
Hole 16- Anhyzer shot, probably the thinnest line on the course, along with 17.
Hole 17- Two different lines to throw.
Hole 18- As previously noted, this hole could have been placed a lot further away from the tee, making it a great challenge. However, I love the top-of-the-hill shots, so I still enjoyed in.
Favorite holes for me are 1, 2, 3, 7, 15, and 18. A lot of repetition in this course though.
Hole 2- Wide open straight-ahead shot that throws through a line of trees right before the hole.
Hole 3- Anhyzer shot that throws back over the stream. Again, you can't see exactly where it is, causing some challenge.
Hole 4- The tee position was recently changed. Straight up a hill, boring shot. Used to be an anhyzer around some brush, making it a little harder.
Hole 5- Once again, a shot over the little stream. Short hole, throw straight and you're fine, easy hole in two shots. Throw to the left or right and you are in the thorn bushes.
Hole 6- Typical open hyzer, hole is behind brush.
Hole 7- Slight uphill shot.
Hole 8- Anhyzer shot, with a thick treeline/shrubline to the right. A small opening which you throw through.
Hole 9- Another open, uphill shot.
Hole 10- Open straight shot with hole surrounded by a few trees.
Hole 11- Open shot with hole on the downhill. Tree line to the right.
Hole 12- Open anhyzer shot.
Hole 13- Open shot with massive tree lines to the right and right before the hole. There is an opening in the corner of the two tree lines. Best chance to lose a disc on this course is here, with the thick thornbushes to in that bottom corner, toward the right.
Hole 14- Open shot.
Hole 15- Another open shot, longest hole on the course. Says a par 3 at the course and on here is a par 4.
Hole 16- Anhyzer shot, probably the thinnest line on the course, along with 17.
Hole 17- Two different lines to throw.
Hole 18- As previously noted, this hole could have been placed a lot further away from the tee, making it a great challenge. However, I love the top-of-the-hill shots, so I still enjoyed in.
Favorite holes for me are 1, 2, 3, 7, 15, and 18. A lot of repetition in this course though.
4
2
Going to California 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 11, 2012
Played the course:once
Pros:
I liked the property that the Disc Golf course inhabits, Very hilly with baskets placed in very strategic positions (Though I only saw one basket placement per hole).
trash cans present throughout the course.
For whatever reason, there we're plenty of signs with Emergency contacts thru out the course.
What little liter there was, I picked it up along my way
trash cans present throughout the course.
For whatever reason, there we're plenty of signs with Emergency contacts thru out the course.
What little liter there was, I picked it up along my way
Cons:
Some of the fairways are only 8 foot wide ( 0ver 150 ft long, playing for the first time here by myself presents major issues) if that with tall thick grass/weeds "el natural" being the rough.
The path leading to hole # 7 was filled in with briars/ thick overgrowth (Go around to your right and follow brush line to tee # 7 instead of trying to find path)
uneven, Dirt tees
Most of the holes we're short in length, and some back tracking from basket to the next tee is present (but not a major issue).
Not enough benches.
The path leading to hole # 7 was filled in with briars/ thick overgrowth (Go around to your right and follow brush line to tee # 7 instead of trying to find path)
uneven, Dirt tees
Most of the holes we're short in length, and some back tracking from basket to the next tee is present (but not a major issue).
Not enough benches.
Other Thoughts:
I really thought that if this course had decent/ fair fairways it would get more play, but the day I was there was no one was around, and the weather wasn't all that bad to keep someone away from playing on a Saturday afternoon. Not a whole lot of parking, but since there isn't many players I guess that's not an issue. I didn't see any portable restrooms, So I guess one might have to use the woods. Beautiful park, Beautiful scenery. I had to pay toll charges to get from Pittsburgh to California, but the turnpike roads we're near perfect for traveling conditions, so I don't have any issues paying a toll charge, and wouldn't mind paying a toll charge or entry fee to play this course if the fairways we're wider.
