Palmdale, CA

Desert Sands Park DGC

Permanent course
2.325(based on 19 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Desert Sands Park DGC reviews

Filter
5 0
Bluehills Drive
Experience: 3.8 years 30 played 14 reviews
2.00 star(s)

The only DG Course in the AV proper 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 14, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Desert Sands is a friendly little course and has not been crowded each time I have gone. All the tee boxes were solid as well as good baskets. Nothing too challenging on the course design with only one semi dog leg right on 9 and a few narrow fairways early on. There is an additional hole 10 with an oddly high basket height...no biggy!
The prevailing winds from the west make holes 1, 2 and 3 somewhat of a challenge depending if it is gale force winds of which it is sometimes. The opportunity to peg an unsuspecting pedestrian just before hole 1 is real (blind spot)....have someone check to see if its clear before you launch. Also, an arrant shot on hole 2 has potential to end up on the always busy basketball courts - again use caution. The only other cautions are on hole 5, 6, 8 and 9 all cross the pedestrian walking paths, granted it is not a super busy park midday but there are plenty of folks with kids, dogs or old folks walking on the pathways after 3pm. Fun course albeit a bit small... because Desert Sands is the only DGC in the Antelope Valley proper it will be what it will be and I will go whenever I am in Palmdale.

Cons:

Not the prettiest place to play view-wise but it's well appointed. Every time we go we find trash & a few times drug paraphernalia by hole 3 and there is always some of trash blowing around the tee boxes and fairways on holes 4 and 5. Maybe they cleaned that up by now, though I am not counting on it.

Other Thoughts:

There are plenty of local AV folks that go and play here. Tuesdays after 3 pm and Sundays 8:30 am I believe you'll get a competitive crowd to play with. Now mid-week / midday it's pretty empty but you'll find a nice man with his dogs always shooting around. I have seen him every time I go. Don't let this old guy fool ya...he's got some DG chops!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
Jewels
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Better than expected 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 8, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Short holes but overall better than expected. Some construction in the middle of the course but the workers were VERY nice & accomodating. Nice park area
Was this review helpful? Yes No
7 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.8 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Mostly, it’s a typical golf course money grab! Get the disc golfers to come out while collecting their money. And other than baskets and a map, they don’t provide much else, no tee pads and no signage. I would have to be really desperate to frequent th 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 27, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

The designers did a masterful job fitting this little 9 holer into the available space here. The course starts at the far end of the parking lot. There is a course rules sign hanging upside down. The tee pad at # 1 is a rubber mat. Following mats are rubber mat, natural and one broken up concrete one. The signs are nice metal, colored ones but a couple have disappeared. Most of them have a par for Rec and a par for Advanced players. Wow, I haven't really considered myself a advanced player lately! The baskets are older ugly Discatchers which are made worse by plethora of stickers adhered to each. Golfers, you are only making an below average looking course look worse by plastering your stickers on everything.


The course starts with four very similar holes. All play with the park's fence on your left. All are short and straight playing in the 200' range. All have a few trees you need to avoid. And they are all kind of enjoyable in their quaint little 9 hole park course way. # 5 was a nice disc golf hole, a 154' little mini-gauntlet hole with small trees in both sides. I never found the tee pad for # 6. The basket is way down near the street. 7-8 & 9 then play back to your starting point. Bonus! There is a # 10 hole on your way back. The sign has been ripped off but the hole plays about 275' with a slight fade to it.

The park is squeezed into some tight quarters. I played on a January day with very few other users in the park. I could anticipate problems on nice days when the park is busy.

The park is well used and kind of has the run down vibe going on. I think the people I saw kind of reenforced the urban feel. You're playing on dirt for much of the course.

Cons:

Even for this little 9 hole course, navigation was slightly tricky.

Every rubber mat was low in the middle and filled with water puddles.

Several missing tee signs.

The course has that slightly desert scrub grubbiness to it with a more dirt than grass feel.

Other Thoughts:

This is no destination course, just a acceptable little 9 (10) hole city park course. I imagine, like all these city park 9 holders, Desert Sands receives a fair amount of use. If I lived close, you'd see me here.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
Numbnuts
Experience: 23.8 years 10 played 7 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Kinda crammed in a municipal park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 19, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

*Free to play
*Quick access
*Friendly people
*Nice pins with dense chains
*Varied terrain
*Well maintained

Cons:

*No concrete pads on all holes
*Very tight quarters
*A very busy public park in a small space where the course was build around it.
*Vending machines and bathrooms always close
*Some VERY narrow fairways

Other Thoughts:

This course seems like and afterthought. It is easily accessable with no hiking or journey required to play. All 9 holes are all quite short, with I believe only one pin position. Some holes have a dirt or bark pad. Some pin locations are on concrete, some green grass, and some dirt, there are small trees, some buildings, and chain link fences as obstacles. No elevation changes. Very urban, you always see children on playgrounds, people playing basketball or walking their animals. A course for those who need a quick DG fix. To me, not a destination I'd seek out.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
bils247
Experience: 10.8 years 54 played 11 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Hope I don't hit anyone 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 13, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Close to my hotel
Easy to find
Easy play through nicely kept park
Nice course layout

Cons:

I was worried about hitting innocent bystanders on about half of my shots.....my fault of course, but people in the park become part of the obstacles.

Other Thoughts:

Met a great DG promoter at this course, free discs and all. Thank you M. Brayton!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
7 0
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.1 years 831 played 767 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Pretty bad 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 10, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course plays through a nicely kept city park. The baskets are in great shape and the signage is plenty adequate to follow the course. A couple of the holes offer some surprisingly technical shots with low ceilings and fairly narrow gaps to hit. For as short and open as the course is, it felt like I threw a bunch of different kinds of shots here.

Cons:

The safety issues here are pretty bad. The first couple holes play right on top of basketball courts and a picnic area. The rest play along or over walking paths and areas of the park that seem to get used for other activities. Some of the holes play right on top of one another as well. The last hole is longer, and brings multiple sports fields and a semi-blind section of path into play.

The course is very short. The design did a pretty good job of making it as interesting as possible but it's still not challenging. The tees are awful, wood frames with rutted out dirt inside that makes for terrible footing.

Other Thoughts:

Beginners will find this course a great place to learn some different lines without too much punishment for errant shots. Experienced players won't find much challenge here but it's a fun quick putter round if the park isn't crowded. I wouldn't recommend traveling very far to play this one, especially on a weekend when the safety issues are magnified.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 0
jasonclark.lancaster
Experience: 10.6 years 13 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Short Local Practice Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 21, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a small city park course that offers something for every level of player. All the holes are fairly short (good for beginners), and many are somewhat technical with tunnel shots or RH dog legs (good practice for more advanced players). All 9 holes are fun to play and I don't feel that there are any "wasted" holes (nothing interesting about them - boring).

-Course is clearly marked with signs, diagram, and distances at every tee box. It is very easy to follow.
-The fairly busy park and is well kept and clean.
-There are restrooms and functional water fountains at the park.
-Discatcher baskets are in good repair as of Oct. 2013.
-It's local (to me!).
-Good practice for your mid/approach game.
-DGC is hardly ever busy (although park sometimes is).

Cons:

-Hole 8 could be seen as a "boring hole" because it is across an open grass field with no obstacles, but at around 215' with a fence directly behind the basket, it becomes the "go for the ace" hole as there is little chance of overthrowing. I have fun with this hole.
-The course plays across or near several concrete walking paths throughout the park. This means you sometimes have to wait for people walking by to pass out of range before throwing. In the evenings when the park is busier, this can mean several minute waits, taking a less preferable line, or even having to skip a hole.
-Hole 2 plays very close to several busy basketball courts - be sure not to hit players.
-There are no long holes at this course that would let you bust out the drivers, but there are several wide open sports fields that can be used to practice driving when they are empty.
-The park is well kept and grass watered and green!.... which means you'll probably end up with a muddy disc at some point during 9 holes... not really a big negative, but worth mentioning.
-Tee pads leave something to be desired. They are wood frames filled with rubber mulch ("filled" means "used to be filled until it all got kicked out to show the uneven hard packed earth underneath"). A few backyard paving stones would go a long way in improving these.

Other Thoughts:

Most of the holes on the this course are either tunnel shots or prefer a LHBH or RHFH thrower (veer toward the right). It is by no means a destination course, but is a fun and quick play if you happen to live in the area or are passing through and need a disc golf "fix." It serves as a good place to play and practice for those who live locally, but don't go too far out of your way to visit.

2.75 (more than 2.5 - not quite 3) stars... err.... discs
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 0
nuttinbutchain
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 44 played 23 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Short 9 holer 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 7, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-wasn't busy when I went
-easy to navigate once you find hole 1
-plenty of parking
-discatcher baskets
-signage is accurate and easy to read

Cons:

-tee pads are garbage, its not just dirt, but its unlevel, sinking dirt
-short holes, which is to be expected but its still a negative. not many chances to air out your disc. you'll be using either your putter or midrange on this course for the most part
- some holes interfere with sidewalk pedestrians. i can see being in the way of pedestrians but i cant see the sidewalk being occupied to the point where u can't throw at all

Other Thoughts:

First off, the tee pads are the worst I've ever encountered. Do yourself a favor and tee off to either side of the tee pad, because the footing is more solid. This is actually a great place to work on your midrange/approach game. Hole 3 is the highlight of this course; it actually resembles a hole you'd find on a 3 star course. Apparently they have doubles here as well (I forgot when). I only busted my driver out on holes 3,6, and 9 but only really needed it for hole 9 (~273ft). I would have rated this 2 stars/discs if it weren't for the crappy tee pads. Worth checking out if you're near the area, but definitely not worth going out of your way for.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 2
Daniel Pratt
Experience: 11.7 years 15 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 5, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A lot of trees to to work on accuracy. all Par 3's
my understanding is that its designed for left's
It's my local course so it rocks.LOL
INNOVA baskets. Are local group try's to make sure baskets are taken care of.

Cons:

Trees and a lot of wind, short lengths to baskets, under 300'. people walking around a lot between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm
Dirt boxes for drive area. trying to get city to install a red dirt that they use on baseball fields.

Other Thoughts:

Its free to play and that is a great thing in these days.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
9 1
JR Stengele
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.9 years 251 played 191 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Desert Sands Park DGC 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 27, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Designed in 2008 by Tim Selinske, Desert Sands DGC is located in the Antelope Valley in the town of Palmdale. This course plays in a multi-use park which offers several amenities including multiple baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, playground, bathroom/drinking fountains, gazebo, and a walking path that runs through the majority of the holes. Holes range from 154 - 275 ft., making this course an ace and birdie fest. Tee signs are accurate, providing course par, distance, and OB's. Baskets, when they aren't being stolen, are all DISCatcher's and in great shape!

Favorite hole/s: #3

Cons:

Although some of the holes are very creative, they can be quite hazardous considering they are throwing over or near all the other amenities. Since this course is best suited for novice and intermediate players, safety is a major issue for nearby pedestrians due to erratic throws so please be courteous so that this course can stay intact rather then pulled. It is best to play this course in the mornings or evenings when the course is less crowded and the heat is more bearable. Tee pads are an issue as well. With the woodchips getting knocked out of the box, the dirt below has huge divots and can make it difficult to step and pivot when throwing.

Least favorite hole/s: #1 and #8

Other Thoughts:

Desert Sands DGC is a fun little nine hole course in the middle of the desert, and the perfect stop if traveling through AV. I stayed at Edwards AFB and quickly stopped by for a quick round on my way to LA, where I also played OG and Sylmar. Although I wouldn't want to have this as my home course, it does serve a purpose, and is the perfect course for those learning the sport. If I was a local, as another reviewer stated, playing safari holes to increase the overall difficulty would be a must.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
Jmart007
Experience: 15.8 years 8 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good short course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 8, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good short course for practicing your midrange and getting your drives tuned up for the shorter stuff. Nice baskets and good surfaces overall. Good for quick games cause your all alone most of the time.

Cons:

Short, short, and short. Dirt t boxes are tough to adjust to and could use some love as they are uneven and slippery. Not many people play it so it can be lonely.

Other Thoughts:

Overall a good fun course that can be played in 30 mins or less for 9 holes.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
10 1
DSCJNKY
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.6 years 682 played 129 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Tons of Birdies and a “Babe Ruth” Ace. 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 15, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

- That it's There. I suppose it's always a pro when there are baskets in the ground... but that's about where the Pro's stop for the serious golfer.
- Opportunity for Difficulty. With the walking path bisecting almost every Hole on the course and other park features (basketball court, tennis court, etc...) on other Holes, there is an opportunity to create some island greens, extra OB's, etc... and increase the difficulty of this otherwise simple course.
- Beginner Friendly. The course is short enough for beginners to not be discouraged about the sport. It's also easy to follow and almost impossible to lose a disc. However, the course is not beginner friendly for other park users (see below).

Cons:

- Dangerous. Never before have I played a course that was as dangerous as Desert Sands. The gazebo, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, walking paths, and playground all come into play (especially for beginners, which this course was designed for).
- #3's Basket was Missing. Someone had recently stolen the basket to Hole 3. While I was there, the park director was out there collecting evidence (the cut lock) to take to the Sheriff for fingerprinting. I heard it was the second time #3 had been stolen.

Other Thoughts:

- Overall. The course was filled with birdie opportunities for the advanced player, although some shots had to be thrown. In general, the Holes were more like upshots you might face at longer courses. Definitely not worth a special trip to play, unless you want to bag every course in your region or you happen to be nearby.
- Babe Ruth Ace. I ended up playing with a new local player (Damian) and on the 8th Hole I called my shot "Babe Ruth" style. There was a sprinkler that was circling and spraying the basket... I told Damian that I was going to wait until the water came back around and was spraying the basket so that I could time my disc so that it would go through the water and splash the chains... and it happened.
- My Score: A lot under Par. I didn't really take my score seriously at Desert Sands.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 1
DaKineSurfer32
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.9 years 577 played 57 reviews
1.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 9, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

- nice, new DISCatchers
- nice signs with accurate distances
- easy to follow
- lots of other park amenities (bathrooms, drinking fountains, playground, etc.)

Cons:

- the tee boxes are VERY small, and filled with woodchips instead of cement. Not a good plan. Natural tees are much better than chips
- all the holes are short... the longest being hole 9 at 275'
- no challenge except for the wind

Other Thoughts:

This course is a fun little course, and it's better than having nothing in town. It is VERY windy here, and a great place to practice your approach game in the wind.

It doesn't seem that anyone else plays this course, and you could design your own safari layout if there aren't any other park users. A couple of the holes play very close to the basketball courts and the baseball field, so be conscious of other using the park. Because the course is used so infrequently, the other park goers aren't watching out for discs.

It's a fun little 9 hole course, but not really worth a side trip. Any dedicated players in the Antelope Valley should try and get these baskets moved to another larger park where a more legit course can be put in.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 1
Smelvis
Experience: 14.8 years 14 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Best bet for the Antelope Valley 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 15, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Easy to find, Tee 1 right next to parking lot.
- Great baskets.
- Great tee maps, no course map reqd, distances posted.
- Flow is fine, no criss cross.
- Plenty of obstacles, trees, tennis courts, small buildings with high fence, baseball field.
- Park is well maintained.
- Favorite holes are 6 and 9 (good distance with tough obstacles)

Cons:

- No reg events or clubs
- Only 9 Holes
- Most holes are too short for my liking.
- Teepads full of lots of chips, I actually trip up in the teepad. I would rather tee in the dirt than the loose chips.
- Public is oblivious to disc golfers. I have often had to skip a hole due to park goers.
- No elevation change.
- Hole 4 and 6 have a small building with a very tall fence as an obstacle. I have thrown into this fence twice. I almost broke an ankle trying to climb the fence. Be Carefull!

Other Thoughts:

- I play this course often at lunch time during the week because it's next to my work. Its the only place to play near Palmdale.
- Bathrooms avail, but I have never used them.
- Water fountains may be avail, I always bring my own water though.
- Holes 4 and 5 are easy to throw over the fence. Look for hole in fence south of tee 5.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 1
Hans
Experience: 15 years 39 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

For a local course, its not bad drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 23, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

UPDATE: No more wood chip tee boxes, all concrete pads. New signs posted, and a 10th hole has been added. There is a 30 hole layout on U-Disc if you want to get real fancy with it.

-Nice, new baskets
-Usually pretty baren
-Good signage and easy to navigate
-Discs are available to rent in the office
-Close by for us Antelope Valley players!

Cons:

-Wood chip tee boxes make for unstable footing and wood in your shoes
-There are times when the wind can really get blowing, and when it does, this is a huge con

Other Thoughts:

This is a pretty good course for being only 9 holes. Living in the AV, its the only year round course we have without driving down to Saugus or Sylmar. Its generally uncrowded, and since its only 9 holes, this allows you to be able to improvise a bit without worrying about messing with someone elses game. The wood chip tee boxes can be annoying, but you can throw out of the dirt right next to them with no problems. A group of people I regularly play with have thought about going in one night with a few backs of self leveling concrete and just taking care of that problem. People are pretty nice, I've met several friendly golfers while playing here. If you live in the area, check it out, and if you're passing through, feel free to stop in! Unless its windy, then keep on drivin, the wind in the desert can really ruin your day. I threw what was going to be a beautiful hyzer on hole 3 that ended up almost in someones front yard due to the ridiculous wind that was out that day. That's been my only negative experience though, so give it a run.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 1
Danger
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.6 years 105 played 68 reviews
2.50 star(s)

...at least it's there! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 17, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Very, very nice brand new looking DisCatcher baskets.
-Easy to follow with very nice signs. They mark 'pro' and 'recreational' pars.
-Varies between dirt and grass.
-Good for beginners for the most part.
-Benches all over the place, but not at the tees.
-Saw at least 3 drinking fountains and a soda machine.
-Course layout seemed professionally designed for the plot of land it is in.

Cons:

-Wood chip tees. Somewhat short, but long run-up's aren't really necessary.
-No elevation changes, at all.

Other Thoughts:

This is a good course to stop by at if you are passing through Palmdale, being about 5 minutes off the freeway. It is short, fresh, seems new, and easy to follow.
First couple of holes appear that they may be difficult to play if its busy. Park was deserted when we visited.
Hole 2 is a narrow tunnel shot along the edge of a basketball court and the park border. A poorly thrown shot can easily enter the basketball courts.
I think the whole course is no more than par 3. Some tees indicate par 4 for pro and 5 for recreational. I am still a beginner and there is no way I needed 5 throws on any of these.
Either way, if you are passing through Palmdale, It's worth it to check the course out, merely to see those shiny new Innova baskets! It is obvious that some care went into this course when it was set up, and it appears to be maintained quite nicely.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 1
bguiniling
Experience: 14.8 years 5 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Desert Sands 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Quick course; well marked tees. Technical course makes it tricky if you don't think out your shot before hand, yet short distances to the basket keeps it simple for beginners.

Cons:

I'm used to playing off of concrete/rubber/grass/dirt tees, so the wood chip tees at Desert Sands take a little getting used to, and some tee boxes don't feel long enough.

Other Thoughts:

Baskets are generally placed in a hard packed sandy area, so your disc can end up skipping past the basket - keep it in mind when you're playing
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 1
howardb
Experience: 19.8 years 13 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Desert sands 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 14, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

very short technical course, lots of trees, makes you think about your shot before you actually throw, finding a path is the best part of this course, especially on hole #2...course well layed out and very good for a beginner.

Cons:

my con for this course would have to be the tee pads, they are wood chips or bark and im use to playing on concrete tees or rubber. when you step in or on these tee pads you feel like there isnt enough chips/bark and you feel like you are teeing off in a bunker. other than that nothing too bad about this course

Other Thoughts:

would like to see if maybe we could make this course longer or think of some alternate tees and make it an 18 hole course.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 2
lcowdray
Experience: 43.8 years 1 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Desert Sands 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 29, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good short course, very good for beginners. serval holes are very challenging because of trees.

Cons:

some very easy holes, and only a nine hole course. Do have problems with soccers players.

Other Thoughts:

it's about time the AV got it's only course...
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top