Pros:
Lake Montebello is a park surrounding a large reservoir with a cement path . Many walkers and joggers use this cement path .
There is no real parking lot . You will have to " take your chances " and park on the street . I did not see a bathroom here
when I played .
The Equipment - The tee pads are part carpet and many are natural . There are usually 2 tees per hole . The tee signs informative , but kind of cheap looking . The baskets are a mix here . I guess I expected some upgrades since 2011 .
The Landscape - The grass here was a little high , and branches needed to be cut back some on the fairways when I was here . The course starts in a far corner of the reservoir . The first hole is park style , but dips into the woods right away , then goes in and out of this woods . Don't let the semi flat reservoir area fool you . There are holes that have plenty of elevation . The first woods holes shoots over a creek and up a good sized hill in the woods . Plenty of trees , especially in the woods holes . Fair throwing lanes . This part of the course in the back has a kind of rough and sketchy feel . I would be on the alert when back here , and not think about playing at dusk . The nearby neighborhood might infringe on your fun . Once back out of there and a couple of early holes that shoot straight down a hill , then come straight back up . you should be safer ( I think McGruff the Crime Dog was mugged back here a few months ago ) . There are at least 3 top-of-the-world shots or straight down putter runs during your round . The last 7 holes or so follow a park style course and are within eyesight of the reservoir track .. You have to throw around or over cement on hole #17 .
The Highlights - not a lot of highlights , but some fun or solid holes . #2 ( 204' , 275' ) throws across a creek and up a large tree filled embankment . #7 ( 240' ) is a straight downhill putter/midrange run to a basket in front of a ditch . #8 is a drive back up the steep hill to a basket protected by a large rock formation . #10 is a downhill 261'doorway drive to a basket sitting under a grove of trees that's canopies can repel your disc . #12 takes you back up the hill , but much more open and longer at 450' , 633' .
Signature Hole - Maybe #15 ( 546', 672' ) It runs up a slope to a basket protected by some fairway trees blocking the green . Nice basket placement .
The Time - It took me about an hour and 15 minutes to play the course , with some of it climbing up and down the steep parts of the course , and looking for a disc . A group of 4 might get through in about 2 hours and 20 minutes .
This course has plenty of length and makes good use of the elevation . There were people playing at 9:00 on the Sunday morning that I was here .
Cons:
#1 Safety , not the park users , YOU . The reservoir and the course that turns into the woods can be seedy . Play with a group , or head for a safer course . Even though I was alone , I didn't worry about me , but I WAS nervous about my car on the street . The park patrons may walk across fairways or picnic in between the tee and basket . Skip a hole if you need to . The people using the park also seemed angry as a whole . Not sure , but since the riots were within a close proximity of this park , you might not be " well received " .
#2 Navigation - This course darts in and out of the woods , and there are not enough Next Tee signs to keep you on course . If not a returning player , you are going to be searching for tee pads a lot . I had a map and was Still Confused . A sign did show you where to go in a few needed spots .
#3 Equipment - Natural tee pads and the signs here ? Really ?! And the baskets ? Minor league equipment leads to minor league interest .
#4 Vibe - unless living close by ( very close ) , this course just won't attract many return players . Maybe they don't have chill areas because they want you to go check on your car .
Other Thoughts:
I may be playing the player safety up too much , but I really didn't feel welcome here . I give course designers Norm Eckstein , Rich Olson and Glen Hatfield a lot of credit for making something happen in the way of a disc golf course . Some fun holes that will challenge you and force you to either unload a drive , or shape a good angled approach . If you have a kid or a friend that tags along and you don't want to overwhelm them with this course , there is a short 6 hole course on the exact opposite of hole #1's regular course .
My Recommendation - Even though there are shorter tees , you may want to cut your teeth at Druid Hill .4 miles away . A group of intermediates , locals or pros living nearby may get some afternoon practice in . Travelers , this is too close to the city . Course Collectors , grab the 2 and head out . IMO , Pass this one by and concentrate on Druid Hill Kinder or Scarboro Hills .