I played both Squirrel Creek and Hanging Oaks for the first time today, and I was really impressed with both of them. I thought Squirrel Creek was the more scenic, fun course, and that Hanging Oaks was the far more challenging test of my disc golf game (a new player that is definitely still a beginner/novice).

-I really had to use every single disc in my bag playing Hanging Oaks. Every tee-shot was different. This is by far the most diverse course I've played as far as shot requirements go.

-The course has a lot of undulations. The hills aren't big, but they definitely come into play on several of the holes. Hanging Oaks also has a crapload of trees (as the name suggests). Because of this pretty much every shot you throw will be dictated by the trees. Off the tees (and on my upshots) I was throwing any and everything I could think of from rollers, overhands, forehands, big hyzers and annhyzers, skip shots, etc, etc..

-Because of the aforementioned hills, super tight windows and trees, i was left with some really long second shots. Even on a few of the holes where I felt like I really threw a good drive I still had a fair bit left to go to get to the basket. Because of this i really worked out my midrange discs. I am not a monster off the tee by an means---300-315 down the middle is a real, real nice big drive for me at this point in my game, and it doesn't happen nearly as often as I wish it did! So, if you're like me, a lot of these holes will play pretty long for par 3's (especially compared to the yardage on the tee signs).

-There is not only real variety on the shots required off the tees, but there is a tremendous variety of distances on the holes here. I was blown away at the variety the holes offered here as far as distance, shot requirement, and risk/reward.

-The course was a real challenge. I felt this was the hardest local course I have played yet by far (I haven't played a ton of courses). But, compared to the Sacramento courses I've played, this one was the biggest test. It's obvious that the course would get a easier after playing it a couple times, but even then I could see it remains not just just challenging but fresh and interesting. Especially with the tough shot requirements out here and the variety of basket positions.

-I had the entire course to myself (weekday early afternoon with perfect 72 degree weather and no wind). Unlike Squirrel that I played before coming here which was pretty darn busy.

-The baskets were in great shape. I didn't have any discs sneak thru loose chains. Also, the tee pads were nice, as were the benches at a number of the holes (I can't remember if they were at all the holes or not), and the colored tee signs.

-The big grass area up above the course looks like it would be a great area to practice at as well. If I lived around the course I'd definitely use it as my driving range.

The layout can be a little confusing. I was the only one on the course and I was having a hard time figuring out where to go after a few of the holes.

-Some of the baskets, fairways, tee boxes, etc...really can be close together. If it was busy out there with some of those basket positions it would get a little hectic, with discs flying everywhere. This also led to me having to walk around after a number of the holes trying to figure out where the next tee box was. I'd have to visit 2-4 tees on some occasions before finding the one I was supposed to go to next.

-I imagine for an advanced or pro level player this course would be a lot easier and less challenging than it is for someone of my skill level. If you have the distance and all the shots in the bag it would obviously play quite a bit differently. But, for me, and I'm sure for most beginner/novice/intermediate level players, it is a really fun, fair, exciting challenge that really makes you feel like you've earned your par (when you get them).

A really great course. Seriously, the Grass Valley area is spoiled with two great courses. I can't wait to drive back up to play them both again! What a great day it was in the valley.

1) Great mix of long/short, uphill/downhill technical shots
2) Restroom area near the main, larger parking area
3) Garbage recepticle at most, if not, every hole
4) Depending on where you park, you can start at 3 different locations which cuts down on wait time at the first tee
5) Minimal amount of golfers on course at any time, which means a round of 18 can be finished in a little over an hour
6) Multiple pin locations for each hole
7) Signs and basket location washers at most, if not at every hole

1) Very technical course, not for golfers just starting out
2) Grab a map or play with someone who has played the course or you may get lost
3) During the fall/winter seasons, the massive amount of falling leaves, along with the vegetation provide more than enough ground cover for your disc to get lost so watch where your shots go

-Don't let the short distances fool you, like hole 4. It's an uphill shot protected by the trees, a very challenging shot. Shots, on hole 4, are also prone to rolling downhill, unless the disc sits where it hits.

-Hole 6 offers a good challenge. When short, it's an ace run down an average size hallway of trees. When on a mound, it's the same hallway shot but right banking and up that mound.

-Most hole locations are anywhere from 175-350 feet, the longer pin locations seem to be holes that are more wide open than guarded by trees.

-For the most part, to play a decent round at Hanging Oaks, your shot has to be controlled, fit down hallways (mostly tight, but some wide) and you must be able to manage the course fairly well.

-There's a gas station down the street from the course on Penn Valley Drive or the Shell Station/Taco Bell immediately after coming off the CA-20, just in case you get hungry, thirsty or need gas. Both are east of the course.

-Another key point is when you're on the CA-20, cell phone reception is horrible and non existent in some spots so if this is your first time playing at this course, make sure you have printed directions already to go just in case.

1. Variety of shots required
2. Multiple pin locations
3. Other golfers on the course were helpful
4. Tee pads were in great condition
5. Signage was excellent!
6. Layout was challenging, but not difficult

Since the course has some signature holes, I would like to see the placement of the pins on those holes in those locations. The island hole was not in place and the "volcano" hole was not either.
Too many pin placements on some of the holes. I can see having 3-4, but some have up to 7.
Most of the holes were a little too short. The technicality of the shots made the shortness of the holes not that much of a challenge.

I would come and play this course again. I would tandem this course with either Auburn or Condon Park for a nice weekend of disc play. I would consider this the 3rd best course in the area. Condon being #1 and Auburn being #2 (or vice/versa). This is a must play if you are in the area.

Variety, variety, variety! This course has every type of shot off the tee. During my round I was throwing RHBH, RHFH, Thumber, several rollers all off the tee as well as plenty of other utility approach shots when I did get into trouble.

On top of shot type variety there was also plenty of variety in distances required off the tee. With 5-6 (or even 7!) pin placements per hole, its easy to see why this would be the case.

Finally, the park has plenty of natural beauty along with good tee pads and signage throughout.

First off, lets play it straight Penn Valley...that 'volcano' is nothing to brag about. Its just a plain ol' dirt mound. No biggie though, still a fun hole. The only other 'con' that I have is that there aren't really any true par 4 holes to speak of. Sure there are a few holes that might average more than 3 strokes even for a pro field, but this would be due to significant errors and OB versus a hole design that requires a full drive and approach to achieve a birdie three.

If you are on the fence about whether to play Condon or here - HERE!!! This course is everything that Condon is trying to be, less crowded, better cared for. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

Superb tee signs with washer system
Multiple pin locations on each hole
Elevation changes
Nice tee pads
Great baskets
No pedestrian traffic
Not crowded
Technically challenging
Pleanty of benches and trash cans
Course sits on a beautiful park
Couse flows nicely

18th tee pad needs to be replaced
No practice basket near hole 1
Hole 2 has some "unfair" pin locations

Played Hanging Oaks for the first time today, after playing at Condon park. The tee signs are amazingly detailed, and have the easy to follow washer on each pole. A very well kept park. Asked a local where to find the first tee when we got there and not only did he tell us where to go, but also gave us a map to follow. Although it wasn't needed, because the layout made sense and there were signs if it was even close to being confusing.

No pro shop. Seemed a little short. Most of the holes didn't need a driver, and if you're good with a fairway driver, birdies should be fairly easy. Signs to get to the park would be good, according to the gps we had arrived while still on hwy 20 at the back side of the park.

If only other parks would use the lettered washer technique that this park, and Shady Oaks, use, it would make it easier for first time course players. All together I will be making it back here soon, and making a day of hitting a couple of the others in the vicinity.

great layout.
good course map on each hole
most multiple hole options i've seen.
great park, nice trees.
not to many people.

a bit of the same drive on a lot of holes, straight. which i didnt mind, it let me work on throwing hard but straight aka it was forgiving.

bring a hat and or sunscreen.
plenty of water.
played 36-40 holes in about 2 hours on a friday around 1pm-3pm.

There is a sign at each tee. There are cement tees. Excellent intermediate course. This course is more user friendly then Condon by far. There are less tight oak areas and closer baskets.

Could use a few more signs to next tees as you play along.

heads up watch out for the other players as the tee's are often in the same throwing area as the next guy. If you do start on hole 17 clear down by the baseball field, the tee1 start is just behind tee 18 to the west. It is easy enough to follow the given directions on this site and find tee 1. Thanks to the locals for the great sign work for the visitors, and keeping the place clean.

Very well designed, and maintained, with some tricky basket locations, some real tricky water hazards, as well as some very long holes.

A lot of trees, and some interesting water hazards, but other than that, very nice course.

The park itself is beautiful this time of year.

Great course to throw long drives on,it has a lot of open tees. Good for distance driving. At the same time some of the holes onthe first nine are moderatly wooded and good for technical shots. I like this course because its layout is well designed, so props to the designers of this course for that!!! All the tees are well marked and te basket locations on the signs are accurate. It is a great course because it has multiple pin locations on all 18 holes and the pins are moved often(about every twoweeks or so) The people there are nice and will let you play through if you are a small/ single person group. Also if you lose a disc and other people find it they return it to you, great player ettiquete! Has everything from tight gaps to multiple water traps to a volcano on hole 6. All in all it is a fun course to play (thoguh I must mention I have only played three courses thus far)

Can be a little crowded on weekend afternoons but other than that I can`t think of any

This is the first DGC (disc golf course) that I have ever played on, I must say it is a good course to learn on because it has so much variety!

Nice course layout, excellent challenges but not too hard. Many multiple pin locations. New players can have fun and not be overwhelmed.

Perhaps too many pin locations.

This course is my new favorite next to Shady Oaks, Auburn, and Rocklin courses.