-Well thought out course
-A wide variety of shots
-cheap to play
-Well maintained
-Friendly staff and very knowledgable with a WHOLE lot of discs to choose from
-Great locals
-Cement Tees
-Easy to read Tee signs
-Pins change almost on a weekly basis with about 4 different locations on each.
-RHBH & RHFH friendly
-DISCatcher baskets

-Not too many cons but one of them is that a few Tees get super dirty and need to be swept often. Mainly, #13, but a few more can deal with the occassional sweep. This is just minor because I really can't think of too many cons to this course.

This is my local watering hole for DG so if you are a local or someone out of town who would like a guide please pm me on the forum and we can set something up. Locals, I go quite often, i'm in the learning part still but I love going out to practice so if you find yourself going alone please pm me and we can set something up as well.

I'm lucky enough that my favorite course is also the closest course to my house. What I really like about it is the diversity and the complexity of each pin.

I was reading some reviews here and I saw mentioned that the Tee signs were confusing because the color of the basket shown on the Tee does not correspond with the color on the Tee map. In actuality, it is far simpler than this. The color SURROUNDING the Tee sign is directly correspondent to the color of the basket. So say that pin #1 has a yellow surround Tee sign, this means the #1 basket will have a yellow top. This makes it super easy to identify each basket and not shoot towards the wrong one.

There is one main bathroom on site and it is by basket #5. You kind of play around it for the next few baskets so if you need to go to the bathroom you should do it there because after you leave that area there isn't one around. There is also a water fountain by the bathroom but I would still suggest bringing your on water.

The terrain is rouged, and a nice hike. I personally like hiking and I consider this a plus, YMMV however.

There is a good amount of height to some of the shots but for the most part you are on a somewhat level playing field. You do tend to go uphill once in a while and #11 is the best altitude shot IMO.

A few ace runs here and almost all baskets can be birdied, but more times than not I usually par, lol.

There is always a lot of parking, easy to find location. If you've been thinking of coming up here to play just get in the car and start driving.

-Easy to find, lots of parking.
-Proshop fully loaded, pay your $2, pick up a few legacy grinders and walk to tee 1.
-Speaking of the legacy guys, there are always super friendly helpful folks hanging out here. Always nice to have smiling locals around.
-Most holes are well marked, adequate signage, lots of shot variation, elevation changes, plenty of trees to shape lines around, overall really not any boring holes.
-Water and bathrooms are available and decently clean.
-My favorite hole is definetly 10 to the pyramid, great downhill 300 ft'er where you can just let fly.

-Only real complaint is occasionally pins are moved into very hard to find spots, forcing you to walk the entire hole and search for the basket...#9 was in the bushes down from pin #8 today , spent 5 of min. looking around until someone pointed it out.

A great course with lots of fun holes and a pro shop worth stopping at. The presence of the Ricos and legacy make this even more special.

Easy to find T-boxes and baskets with the alternating colors, red, white, & blue.
Friendly locals ready to point out the baskets if your lost!
Pro shop right in the parking lot with info, discs, etc right there!

Too many sidewalks and "NO FRISBEE THROWING" signs surrounding the course.

This course was the last course I got to play prior to heading back to Alaska. What a great course and killer weather!! I would love to play this course some more times.

Exclusive use course, great pro-shop, multiple pins and tees. I really enjoyed this course. The staff at the pro-shop were great!

It's not in Colorado!

This is a must visit if you're in the LA area. I can't wait to go back.

Well maintained. Plenty of trash cans and nearly litter free. Great more "rustic" setting then most SoCal courses. Great sinage was being installed as I played. Elevation changes, and a good mix bag of shots. It took nearly every shot in my bag. Most holes are birdieable if you are a moderate player. There are a few huge bombs and a couple tough uphill shots. Plenty of obsticals, and the rough is not too rough.
A good mix of distances. Well maintained and placed T-pads. Pro-shop on-site. Pro-shop takes Visa/Mastercard/Discover. Plently of cold drinks and snacks in stock at fair prices. Large selection of Innova and a moderate selection of Discraft. A good selection of rare discs, and X-outs. Small used stash. What is really great is that they have a lost and found section, though it would be tough to loose a disc here. Friendly staff.
Intuitive Red, White, and Blue basket system makes it very easy to navigate. Maps provided at proshop when you pay your entrance fee. Paths are worn in and easy to follow. Conrete tees poured throughout the course. Friendly locals always willing to let you pick up a game, or give you navigation directions. Multiple pin positions.
There is a putt practice basket that is very well set up. It contains a "confidence" ring made out of concrete blocks. Each block is labled with a distace to quite a way out. Great place to tune in your short game, start from the closest block and work out. Its truely a So-cal Gem.

There are only few small cons, and I have to dig to find them on this course.
Biggest drawback was there was kinda a creepy homeless guy looking for bottles and cans, but he kept to himself.
Although it is not an issue for me, some recreational players might get winded/tired out from some of the climbs.
As the same for all So-Cal Parks drinking is a bad idea on the course so keep yer beers low, if you fancy that sort of thing on the course.

So far this is the best year round course I have found in SoCal. Only course that tops it that I have seen here is Sunrise. If you are in the area, this is a must play.

• Elevation changes constant throughout the course - lots of tough uphill shots and plenty of epic downhills
• Weather proof concrete tee pads
• Great Pro Shop with a top of the line selection of discs, primary Innova. Some great hard to find discs here as well.
• Creative pin placements mixed in with man made rock outcroppings
• Red White and Blue Tee Sign/Basket markings leave the guesswork out of in hole navigation.
• Each hole seemed to have multiple pin positions
• Friendly locals, it definitely is a happening place on the weekends. Between 8:30 - 9:30am seemed like an ideal time to tee off.
• Amazing scenery with views of the Valley and beyond
• Seats and benches on almost every hole

• Tee pad lengths vary a bit - some are a bit shorter than others
• Not very many restrooms. Guess I shouldn't have drank a liter of water on the way.
• A map is probably necessary the first time if you don't have a guide - it is not always totally clear what the "next" basket is. I guess you could technically follow the Red, White, Blue colorcode but I turned the wrong way for the "next hole" a few times.
• It would be nice to have some tee signs with a map of pin positions, but at least they have the hole number and color

Veteran's Park in Sylmar is a beautiful, historic park tucked in at the base of the mountains. The top part of the park used to hold the grounds for Olive Crest Hospital, which was destroyed in the 1971 Sylmar Quake. The course went through a redesign in the last few years and its current state is better than ever. This course looks like a lot of man hours have been invested in landscape design and manicure.

There is a great mix of medium and long length holes here - intermediate to advanced players will feel completely at home. The angles all seem thought out, and nothing is an Easy deuce. The uphill shots tend to be killers, Like Hole # 12. Goes up about 100 to 120 feet in elevation and it is a 300 foot or so hole in length. The downhill shots make you think about your line, and the affects of the wind. Since there is so much elevation drop, if you get the disc up it will fade drastically.

You will also need a good mix of shots here, especially the "Get out of trouble" shot that comes in handy so much when you come in close contact with obstacles or rough. Bring your forehand and tomahawk game along with your hyzer and anhyzer rhbh shots. When you get tempted to "air it out", be conservative and stay closer to the ground and you will be rewarded on this course.

Sylmar is a must play in the L.A. area if you are visiting. The grounds that the course is based on are ideal for disc golf, especially with the drastic and sudden elevation changes. Signature hole seems to be # 11, boasting a walled in tee on the side of the hill shooting down to a basket at about 330 - 370 placed on top of a man made pyramid. It makes the bottom of the basket sit at about 9 feet off the ground. Truly unique hole, especially for Socal. Bottom line, there is nothing like this course in the Southern California area - it is in a league of its own.

Fantastic mix of technical holes with left, right up, down, long, and short options. This course makes you really think about your shot, not only are the lines carved through the trees tough but then you add elevation and you really have to take your time and plan your shot. Something that is lacking in most So Cal courses.

Plays near the bottom of a hill that can see about 75' (?) of elevation on a few holes with a cool "top of the world" hole with the pin on top of a man made pyramid. The flow of the holes is perfect as there is very little travel between holes; the course look shoehorned into it's spot but there is very little overlap of fairways and you never feel like you'll be throwing on anyone ever with the tighter feel.

Navigation is a breeze from tee to tee, tee signs are in great shape and the Red, White, and Blue basket/tee sign system needs to be implemented across the country at higher level courses. No guessing whatsoever to which basket to throw at.

Grounds are well manicured as well as trees and obstacles, mulch covers 2/3 of the fariways along with some undulating hills at the bottom of the hill with some rockey terrain thrown in. Cool gazebos at a couple tees which are all cement and of proper size for each hole. Shorter hole, shorter tee box, long hole, long tee box.

Pro shop has the most discs this side of Discovering the World and it's run by a true pro; Steve Rico. He looks a little sleepy in the morning but will gladly answer all questions. $2 per day to play and you can see that small fee being used to help the course.

Only 1 practice basket (pretty rickety at that) and a pretty small practice area around it. Could probably use 1 more long hole but I'm sure that's taken care of at tournaments with some different pin placements.

This is my favorite course in SoCal. I will gladly travel the hour+ to play this course.

You have to think so much more at this course than anywhere else in the area. Birdies are available but you really have to think about your shot and be able to shape a line to get to the pin.

The mix of elevation, natural obstacles, course amenities, and the technique required to score well make this one a must for all golfers.

$2 to play is a steal at this course, not a con at all when you can see exactly where the money is going and know it's being put to good use.

-Grippy concrete tees
-Deep baskets, changed regularly and in great shape
-Hole design. Excellent use of terrain and plethora of trees. Most of the holes have a ceiling and/or a tunnel to navigate. Hole 11 is an exception. Throw off a 25' ridge around some tree trunks and tree tops, waaaaay down to either the corner of the course or to the basket atop an elevated pyramid. Great, open shot to mix things up a bit. Most holes utilize a significant elevation change masterfully. Very little fairway crossover.
-Pretty clean park setting. A few bottles here and there, but overall very well kept.
-DG exclusive area. Crowds have never been a problem when I have played.
-Plenty of parking
-One of the best pro shops on a SoCal course. Go buy up all their DGA and Gateway stuff so they can restock with Lat 64. Jokes aside, very knowledgeable gentleman working the shop will help you find whatever you seek.
-Really innovative Red, White, Blue basket system helps finding the proper target a breeze (though the reds and blues are a little tough to see when they are shaded).

-Pay to play. But the tees are clean, baskets are rotated regularly and maps and scorecards are free, so the $2 seems a small price to pay.
-I can see people having problems navigating the layout. I had a guide the two times I have played this course since the redesign, and i recommend you do the same.
-Missing a few signs on tees.
-Last 2 holes are right along a fence with no holes. It's a long walk around the fence to get your discs back.

This is a course that has benefited greatly from the Rico's expertise. I played the old layout a handful of times and the newer, tougher layout is much more technical, with far more diverse lines to take off of each tee. Definitely an improvement in design.

They have also elevated the pro shop to an enviable level. The disc selection in the shack is unrivaled in the SoCal DG pro shop world. The busy bulletin boards around the pro shop are evidence of a vibrant local scene.

I really want to come back to Sylmar and spend some time there to get a better feel for the place and the people as their locals have a rep as being some of the friendliest around. I had a similar experience there. Stopped to let some guys play through so I could follow them and they insisted I join them. Incredibly friendly bunch who have my gratitude (thanks, Doug).

This is a tough course that will challenge every aspect of your game. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area.

***UPDATE***

The word is number 10 PDGA rated (as of 1/26/2010) Steve Rico gives lessons for $20.

That's like having Rob Machado give you dirt cheap surfing lessons.

God I love this sport.

+.5 disc for the course.

**UPDATE UPDATE**

Took a lesson with Mr. Steve Rico. What a cool cat. Call the 19th Hole to schedule your private lesson. 818 362 9499

-Many pin positions, changed regularly.
-Alternating red, white, and blue rimmed baskets make course navigation easy for newcomers. I honestly don't know why more courses don't do this.
-Variety of holes...3 grass pins at the beginning, dirt and woodchips for the rest.
-Practice basket with markers stating distances.
-Best Pro Shop I have seen in So Cal.
-99% DG exclusive. Non golfers are fully aware of the game if they are walking through.
-Pay to play. Yes, this is a PRO to me.
-Never gets repetitive. Easy, hard, and otherwise interesting shots are all spread out throughout the course.

-Can get dusty and hot in the summertime
-Toward the end of the day, locals tend to bunch up into HUGE groups. That two-some you allowed to pass you earlier can magically become a group of 8 or more a few holes in.
-Can get busy, course is not the most spread out that I have been to but is professionally designed.

Veterans Park plays on a sloping, wooded corner of a very large multi-use park. The first three holes play flat on grass, but following that, it heads down the slope into the rest of the course; a heavily wooded, always sloped, dirt/wood chip/natural grass DG exclusive paradise.

The $2 pay to play is chump change to pay at this course, where it is always evident that the money is being spent on the course. Besides, where else can you ask a pro of Steve Rico's caliber for advice on disc purchases? In just over a year, they have planted trees, added two long tees, rotate the pins very regularly, added new red & gold level pin positions, and created an awful but awesome double mandatory.

Signature hole 11 plays down about a 35 foot hill, and sometimes the pin is located on top of a man made pyramid. A very rewarding birdie...when you can make it.

Hole 7 is the most difficult on the course, with a vertical rise of about 20 feet and a long narrow tunnel to start it off. Often, the pin lies behind a large ditch that acts as an OB 'lake.'

Course flow is easy to interpret, but has a few areas that can become confusing to the newcomer. Maps and scorecards are provided in the pro shop. Also remember that they designed the course with red, white, and blue tee signs and baskets. It starts on a 'red' hole, followed by a 'white' one, and so on. Remembering this eliminates any confusion as to what hole the next one is when there are several in the vicinity.

Only one mandatory on the whole course, and most holes can be played exclusively RHBH. Some neat OB's add some challenge, especially when they put pin 9 on its 'island,' or pin 7 behind the planter. Hole 17 plays OB on the sidewalk and whatever side the pin is NOT on. OB re-tees.

Comparing to other LA courses, this one successfully combines distance and technicality. Wooded courses are short, park courses are long, but this one is both. Some wild elevation changes add to the challenge. The last three holes all play uphill, and I wish there was a more climactic ending, but there is nothing they can do about it based on their available land.

This is my favorite course to play in Los Angeles. The constant surprises, wonderful vibe, and always helpful pro shop make it a destination course in my mind, and the first one I recommend if you only have a few days in the area.

Great use of the terrain, has a natural flow. Losta elevation changes. Tight, Open, Long, Short, Lefts, Rights shots. Brings all the skills out. By far my favorite course in the greater LA area.

Ingenious use of alternating Red, White, & Blue Teesigns and Holes (makes following the course easier). Accurate and good signage. Excellent teepads, all concrete and large.

Has a excellent pro shop with really friendly, good people runnin' it. Great plastic for sale at reasonable prices. As well as the rest of the gear and refreshments and snacks. Restroom is centrally located in the course and clean. All holes have benches and trash cans. The Summertime layout (extra 18 added at park for tourney) is awesome

The Course Is Disc Golf Exclusive!!!

Not any that I can think of....... A must play if your anywhere near the course!!!!

Some rocky terrain that will chew up your DX plastic, my Star stuff does pretty good...... But that is just pouting, not a real con.

Can't say enough how great the people are that I met. From the shop to all the people playin'.

Favorite Holes:

Front, #1. Makes you use accuracy and textbook technique. I throw the Stingray LHBH and hope it makes it through the trees

Back, #11 Take it deep and to the left and let 'er bomb in. The pyramid, elevated placement is great fun and an extra challenge

Worth every dime of the 2 bucks they ask for to play

One of the best courses in Southern California. (and i played 20 of them, the week I was in the area)

Pro shop on site

This may be hard to understand but, each next tee sign was painted a different color, but once I figured it out it made finding the next hole alot simpler. The color sequence is red white and blue. So hole # 1 might be red, hole # 2 white, and hole # 3 blue, then hole # 4 red and so on. Only course that I know of that uses this method.

A lot of park/ club activity done to improve park.

Great Mexican restaurant at the bottom of the hill across the street from a school

A few of the latter holes run along a fence that seperates the park from the residential area, (i'm left handed so it didn't really come in play) but if a disc was thrown over the fence the 'old perverbial' climb or the fence retrieval method could be used, or a long walk around.

Lack of shaded parking spaces.

Not in the best neighborhood, but not in the worst either. Just be aware of your surroundings.

18 well groomed holes with maps at each tee to direct you to the basket. The course is mainly inhabited by disc players with the occasional jogger or couple passing through, which provides a pleasant tone. Every hole offers a unique challenge. The onsite disc center has discs for sale and the guys there are always friendly and helpful. Generally everyone encountered playing there is helpful and courtious.

A few holes run along a fence that seperates the park from the residential area, and I have seen a few throws make it to the street, which leads to fence climb retrieval, or a long walk around. Other than that, everything is great, and even the fence isn't that bad, as long as it isn't me who has to go get the disc that went over the fence.

Make sure you give yourself about an hour and a half to two hours to play before sunset, as the last holes seem to get real dark as the sun sets.

One of the best courses in Southern California. The course plays mostly on a gently sloping hillside covered with eucalyptus trees, pine trees, oak trees and even some palm trees. The first few holes do play across grass. There is a great variety of throws required to be successful out here. You will find a nice balance between tight vs. open fairways, right-handed vs. left- handed, short vs. long and flat vs. elevation. They do a nice job of rotating basket placements to make things a little different each time you play. When the baskets are in their short positions, a 1000-rated round could be a -11. However, when they are all long, then a 1000-rated round could be a -3. The variations in basket placements definitely alters the overall challenge of the course. Replay never gets old out here. Outstanding pro shop that is well-stocked and well-staffed. Great local scene with competitive weekly's on Thursday evenings and monthly's on the third Saturday of each month. This is the home course of Steven Rico and Bamba Rico. They are great about giving tips and advice. Another positive is that you don't have to worry about non-disc golfers on the course. There is very little foot traffic on the paths through the course so we have it all to ourselves.

Sylmar can get very hot! Make sure to bring water during the summer or if you planning a long day with lots of rounds. This is not really an issue for me, but just wanted to give some people a heads up in advance.

Gary Sandoval, Steve Rico, Bamba Rico and other locals do a great job putting on two PDGA tournaments every year. The Sylmar Open is a one-day, three-round tournament held during the Spring. It is definitely a test of your endurance and focus. The Summertime Open is held later in the year and it is by far one of the best tournaments I have played in. It is a two-day, four-round tournament that attracts the best Pros and Ams from all around because of the large payouts, nice players' packs and the near-legendary temporary Upper Course they put in for just a few days for the Summertime Open. If this course were permanent, I would rate it as 5.0 Discs. These tournaments just add to the overall experience of Sylmar.