The Willits KOA now charges the same $12 as the neighboring Brooktrails Golf Course and the difference between the two experiences is miles apart.

The KOA course at Willits plays up and around this big mountain before finishing with an epic Top of the World hole on # 18. For those players seeking a adventure type round, this is probably it. The course features a rugged workout, lots of baskets placements perched on scary ridges, uphills and downhills, and finishes with two amazing holes. And the ever-present winds can greatly add to your challenge and probably heartbreak, too. I can see many a player throw an amazing shot here only to see the strong winds carry it down, down, down into valleys below.

I was disappointed when after paying my $12, I was handed a map, ..........of their campground? I was kinda hoping for a course map. So off I drive looking for that designated parking spot. I spy some baskets, see a sign that states "This way to disc golf", open the gate and walk to the first tee only I can't find any first tee. I do, however, find a # 1 basket and a concrete pad nearby which must be the # 2 tee pad. Now, I'm a little bit miffed that for my $12, I've already missed 1/18 of the course. I figure out 2 and 3 near the fishing pond and stupidly, I think # 4 might be up this big hill somewhere. I trudge up the hill only to find 17 and 18. I've gone the wrong way.

Back down the hill and I head to the fishing pond. # 4 is there in plane sight. It's 251' over the pond with probably a 225' water carry. Signs says, "No swimming." Thank you very much. I had no intention of swimming in this murky water.

From there you start up the back side of the mountain sans map. There seems to be a picnic table at or close to most of tee pads. That helps with the visual. I'm able to piece together the course, most of it. I missed a hole here and there. The views from up here are panoramic and lovely seeing the whole surrounding area. The wind is also pretty epic up here, too.

I think # 's 10 and 12 both play to baskets on steep hillsides. Errant misses, and or rollaways could both send your disc pummeling way down into steep values below.

A basket awaits far off into the distance with steep hills and valleys on it's side. It's kind of an epic hole but with epic consequences if you should misfire or if the winds shall take your disc away. I'm not sure of it's number as I don't have a map. Another basket awaits near here. That would be the next hole. They might be 15 and 16? Or 13 and 14?

I do know that 17 is next. It's a tricky, nifty downhill to a basket perched right on a ledge with dangers surrounding. I think if you are an disc golfing, adrenaline junkie, this might be the course for you!

And this brings you to 18 with it's empty your bag finale to the course. It's a 485', wide open hole, with an aerial views of the mountains in the distance and the campers on the tight. I'm sure every player's dreams of seeing your drive glide on the wind and then, it has a chance, and then it crashes into the chains! Your shot of a lifetime!

No course map. Navigation is difficult indeed.

$12

Lots of climbing involved.

Nasty basket placements on ridges and hillsides.

Big winds.

For young, strong confident players seeking an adventurous round with lots of physically exertion, this is probably the course for you. Especially, after you have the layout down. I definitely see this as risk/reward type course. With risks come rewards and this course is all about taking risks with drives over windswept valleys and putts on treacherous hillsides. You could be rewarded with some amazing throws. You might also be severely penalized with gut wrenching decisions, horrific rollaways, drives being swept away down into the abyss and possibly just some back throws that leave you way down looking way up there at the basket.

So I see the appeal here. It would probably be a better idea to play this course with a group and have it be your only course of the day. Playing it on a road trip as one of four courses in a day might not be the smartest move in the world.

Beautiful course, not too much water and hard to lose a disk, would be wonderful if I played it regularly.

No map or signage, lots of horse droppings, person at check-in didn't know much about it.

Wife saw it had disk golf in the KOA book and we were in the area anyway.

- good use of the land, lots of elevation change
- some fun tight shots through the trees
- most of the course plays through a beautiful area of red woods
- hole 6 is an awesome tunnel shot over a pond
- hole 17 and 18 have pretty huge elevation change to offer some pretty unique shots

- Course is now advertised as a 16 hole course starting at hole 3.
- Hole 3 is an incredibly short shot with a basket 3 feet from a 4 foot tall fence
- tee signs only have hole number
- some baskets are only single chained and most are pretty seasoned baskets
- most tee pads are concrete but they also are very seasoned
- some navigation signs would be helpful
- flow of the course kind of leads you back and forth a couple times
- staff at the front desk didn't have course maps and didn't know a whole lot about the course

Considering this is a pay to play course I was slightly disappointed but also wasn't expecting too much. But there is quite a bit of potential to the land but it doesn't seem like anyway at the KOA is interested in making it better.

Nice and quiet. Played on a Saturday..maybe 2 other groups on the entire course.
Decent signs on both tee and basket location which were generally challenging to find otherwise...even with the map.
Awesome top of the world shot on 18.

First hole is #3...so not really 18 holes.
I can handle the really steep hills....it was the wind that killed us. The first 14 holes were windy but once you get to the top of the hill...around hole 15, the wind comes whipping from the next valley up and over the hill making #15 and 16 super tough to control. 15 goes across the top of the ridge with steep drop offs on both sides...I throw a RH backhand and all 3 of us had our discs take off down the hill to the left.
Plenty of large animal feces all over the course....horses mostly.
Hole 6 is the water hole. All 3 of us hit the trees that are on both sides and 2 of us lost our discs that dropped in close to the middle. The water is too deep and muddy (and just plain nasty) to consider stripping down and wading in.

We all agreed that the hills, trees and especially the wind made this one of the toughest courses we've played (similar to Napa for those that have fought that course). A tremendous challenge in the sense that it's unique enough that we are glad we played it but would HATE for this to be our home-course.
BTW> KOA must have changed their policy on hours since they said it's basically open all day to anyone...not just campers as was posted in earlier reviews.

3'x7' cement tee pads on every hole. Some of the baskets are new and very nice. Hole 6: 270' shot over a large pond; need to throw 250'+ to clear it or lay up on the left. Hole 7: nice uphill shot into a grove of young redwoods. Hole 8: baby (100') uphill ace run, but it throws like it's maybe 225'. Hole 9: slightly downhill shot with a late right turn around some really thick manzanita. Hole 15: long shot along the top of a ridge with huge hills rolling down both sides of the fairway (and some intense wind). Hole 17: nice downhill 300' mini 'top of the world' shot. Very beautiful scenery all throughout the course. Good variety of hole types and shots required. Great elevation change on many holes. Clean and well maintained course. At a very nice campground with a pool, hot tub, wi-fi ($), and lots of other amenities (a lot for kids).

Course is closed to non-campers between 11AM and 3PM, everyday. $4 per person pay to play. Holes 1&2 have been permanently removed. No signs. Holes 3-5 (the first 3 holes) are pretty wide open and not very challenging. Varying basket type, which wouldn't bother me, but some are old mach 1s with only one set of chains. Confusing layout; I had to consult the map after a lot of holes. Holes 12&13's fairways cross each other. A couple baskets are very close to one another. Only 1 trash can on course (hole 14). Hole 18's basket is way too high off the ground. Available land could have been used much better.

This is a fun course, but I think with some alternate pin locations it could be a lot better. It also is now a bit restricted for disc golfers: THE COURSE IS ONLY OPEN 8-11AM & 3-6PM, EVERYDAY, UNLESS YOU ARE CAMPING. I'm guessing this is just their winter hours, but I am not sure. There is a sign on the door to the office/store stating the "New Disc Golf Hours". The sign did not say these were seasonal hours, but I can't imagine it will be this way in the summer. Call ahead if you want to make sure: (707) 459-6179. I was disappointed to hear that holes 1&2 had been removed, but they added a 15b which is a decent downhill shot. I also saw a 7b indicated on the map, but it is not there (yet?). Overall I had a very enjoyable experience playing this course. I wish I had known they had restricted hours for disc golfers. I drove up one day and arrived just after 11, so instead of waiting 4 hours to play (the bathrooms by the entrance are locked and require a key-code) I went back the next day. I also noticed that the showers cost money even for campers.

I really enjoying playing this course. It's my home course so it's special for me in that sense. The $4 it costs is cheaper for me then driving 25 miles to the next nearest course. Many of the holes give you a chance to put some 2's on the scorecard. Once you get to #9 and beyond the back side of the mountain invites lots of unpredictable wind that can really change a game. The putting on 13 and 16 can get really tricky since both are open and the wind is moving. There is a ridge line on 15 that makes a horse shoe shape and the wind gets magnified in this shape so it really move on this hole. If you don't use the wind it will definitely punish you.

Unfortunately the new owners of the KOA campground just don't like disc golfers. I've been going to this course very consistently for the last 2.5 years and whenever I deal with the lady that owns that place she is always very very rude and comes across like she would rather remove the course and not have to deal with us golfers.
In the summer time it can get very busy here and sometimes the campers will overflow into the DG course. When this happens you end up not being able to play some of the holes. The owners refuse to work with you on any kind of discount when this occurs. The owner has actually told me that I should just stop coming on the weekends. There are many names that I would like to call here and I'm sure you can imagine some of them but since DGCR asked us to not use any profanity I'll just call her very very rude again.

#1 and #2 have been removed from the area. They have been relocated to the back 9 and are now called 15a and 15b. 15a is a sharp down hill shot that is probably 170' away and 150' less elevation then the pad. 15b is the exact opposite going back up the hill you just went down.

Interesting layout, some nice holes.

Pay to play, and during the summer, campers and people fishing will take some holes out of play. In addition, the new management NEVER mows the grass on the course, so the conditions can be brutal during the high grass seasons. I have had a monthly membership here, and I have also made them refund my money, as they don't want to keep the course in decent shape. There are no discounts for lack of holes or bad conditions, customer service is seriously lacking here.

We have many great courses in Mendocino County and Northern California, don't waste your time and $$$ here.

Well maintained, easy access. Good terrain changes, mix of open and timber.

All the holes are short. Never played a tournament here but the holes are crowded and it seems dangerous.

Not my favorite by any means, but it's a great stop on a road trip. Played this as a foursome and we all enjoyed ourselves.

-awesome rural setting with many great views.
-i liked the progression of the course. 1 and 2 were just open space from tee to basket only 2something hundred feet out. 3 and 4 were longer with few obstacles, then you hit the massive hills.
-lots of elevation practice.
-16 is a pretty awesome signature hole. basket is set on the saddle of a ridge with big slopes on either side. 18 was a nice long blast off from above on a hillside to a basket set on a mildly sloping circular hill/mound
-fair amount of obstacles
-i really liked that they would usually put a sign near the basket that you can see from the tee box to help you find your next target...

-swirling winds were messing with my head all day
-$4 per person, but that does keep it less crowded, i guess.
-a couple demoralizing rollers.
-some teepads are leaning way up/downhill. all concrete or rubber, but not flat.
-some baskets were tilted, too high or low, loose. none too bad, though. just being picky incase someone cares.

the setting was up there with the best. we had a great, relaxed time. better players might not get the kick i did out of it, but i'll go back. only 2 miles to town with a very rural feel.

-was pretty unpleased today (7-5) when they charged full price to play when people were camping on 4 of the first 5 holes. expect this on

crowded weekends. they also have picnic tables and walking paths on the course, so its easy to get oblivious non-DG foot traffic when crowded. also had to skip the water hole dur to people fishing.

- amazingly beautiful vistas! Rolling hills dotted with old deciduous oaks drenched in dripping lichens, fog lifting from the valley below... (insert your own poetic prose here...)
- lots of birdie/ace opportunity. Holes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11... just make sure you take advantage because there's....
- lots of opportunity for punishment. There are a lot of steep hills and the baskets are perfectly placed to take advantage of those errant drives/upshots/putts. pond and creek shots also a bonus.
- holes 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are awesome!

- some holes too short!
- tee pads were too short
-14's tee pad is right next to a tree... and smacking your hand on the follow through would suck.

It is definitely worth the two mile detour off the 101 and the four dollar entry fee. even though it is on the shorter side, the strategic hole placement keeps you on your toes.
my score: -4

-Concrete Teepads.
-Good variety of shots, Lefts, Rights, Uphill, Downhill, Long, Short.
-Water hazard on one hole.
-Fake town is an interesting obsticle.
-Good mix of open and wooded holes
-Friendly locals.
-Not crowded.

-Hole 17 has a tree that is fully in front of the tee and makes it a real downfall on the course.
-Holes 1-3 are realy open with the only obsticles are a fake town.
-Signs could use maps and distances.
-Map distances not accurate.
-Pay to play.
-Some holes feel way too short.

This is a fun course if your in the area and its free to play if your staying in the KOA. The concrete teepads were put in this year and are quite nice. This course is great for night golf, the open holes alow you to throw at night with confidnce. The locals that play on a daily basis are friendly and willing to show around visters.

the pros to this course are as follows... differing holes. there is short flat open. long tight and wooded. down hill, up hill. windy as heck, no wind at all. the staff is usually very nice. new concrete tees. garbage cans. you can drink. shade on hot cali. summers after hole 5. and a water hazard.

you have to pay. but as a local you can get a monthly pass and it is well worth it if you can make it 7 or more times in a month. 4 bucks a day or 30 for a month. and a water hazard.

i play here everyday. me and a few friends have been playing for a few months and we all love the course. hope you all check it out. and hit us up if you would like a light hearted game at the koa.
or if you want to start some sort of weekly there that would be great as well. i can get down with some competition. have fun. peace.