This beautiful alpine course lies in the Angeles National Forest, about 90 minutes outside of Los Angeles. 27 holes of the most variety you can ask for, with the best scenery nature has to offer are all found along this elevation-heavy course. A variety of trees from tiny to huge, and a mixture of open ground and inaccessible ground set a serene, casual mood. Unlike other ski-hill courses I have played, the disc course plays its own route, not along ski runs. The course is separated into 3 9 hole loops, each of which maintain their own personality.
This course has a serious variety of holes that challenge both the pro and the beginner. A beginner can theoretically par every hole, but with some skill, and a pro can theoretically birdie every hole. This is an older course, so the holes are shorter than newer courses, but you won't even notice that when you play here. Enough newer, longer holes exist to keep the big arms happy. There is no water on the course, but there is buckthorn, which will leave you wishing you threw your disc into water.
The pro shop deserves a mention: $7 for one day, $35 for a season pass. The course is closed Monday - Thursday, however you can play here whenever you want if you get a season pass. They sell discs, food, and beverage (and beer!). The burgers and dogs are grilled outdoors, and are great. Oh, and they also pump music outdoors.
The front 9 play in a part of the ski hill that is no longer in use. Because of this, they leave it open year round, giving us Southern Californians the rare opportunity to play disc in significant snow, just in case we need to be reminded why we don't live anywhere else.
The course starts out with a long downhill shot into a cool looking berm. Following this is a series of meandering woods shots, including hole 3; a short downhill shot to a basket perched at the top of an even steeper hill. The holes on this nine all require specific throws, and almost predictably switch between RHBH and RHFH friendly shots. Hole 9 is a big-arm friendly uphill fairway with protection on the right and a slope on the left.
The middle 9 begins with a downhill ace run, followed by their signature, mega-long downhill shot: hole 11 (which I'm sure you read about in other reviews). This shot plays down to the bottom of the ski hill, through a pair of trees that may intimidate the beginner, but actually steer them in the right direction.
Two flatter holes calm you down after the crazy long shot. At tee 14, you are presented with the 'sacrificial ledge,' where you can throw your disc into oblivion, never to be seen again...bring some old plastic, its worth it. At this point, the course works its way generally uphill, but not annoyingly so. The final two holes are cool, narrow tunnels. The first one is slightly uphill and requires precision, and the second one is downhill and more narrow than the first.
The final 9 work their way to the peak of the ski hill, generally uphill but once again, not annoyingly so. In fact, there are several long uphill walks to tee pads, and the hole itself is either flat or downhill. These, for the most part, are the longest holes, and have the least amount of ground foliage. While a shot may look easy, keep in mind that being at the top of a huge, unprotected hill, can result in some pretty epic accidental rollers. The only mandatory on the course is also found on this loop. Wind also seem to play its biggest role here, however it can pop its ugly head out anywhere on the course, usually when you have a simple 20 foot putt.
The course ends at 'bonus tee pad,' which used to shoot to a basket to the left of the pro shop. This basket was stolen several times, so they stopped replacing it. Nonetheless, their is a very cool slope to throw discs down for fun, so you can air out any energy you might have left. Be sure not to break any windows or kill people eating/cooking down there, because it is entirely possible.
This is the best course in Southern California. Some people say Lake Casitas is, and those people probably play 980 or better. For the rest of us (and some of those 980 players), Sky High is quintessential disc golf. Perfect variety in shots, from short to long, technical to open, protected, and confusing, you just can't get bored here. Combine that with the cool locals, the people that run the place, and the awesome fresh air and VIBE, you just can't ask for more. Camping is within walking distance of the course if you want to make a weekend out of it, which I recommend, because this is the best golf in the area!