Pros:
A course clearly designed for novices and better executed than most of its kind - but on the low end for a DiscGolfPark design.
-Amenities: Standard DGP amenities but on the shabby side. Concrete and turf pads, but slightly uneven and with some turf ripping. DGP baskets, but not the best-catching that I've played on. No issue with tee signs containing maps, distances, and pars. One practice basket. Holes form one loop of 9.
-Ambience: This course feels pretty secluded for a place in southern California. There is a decently busy highway running past the course, but you have nice views of foothills, train tracks with plenty of choo-choos, and nearby snowy peaks during the winter months. Some wildlife-dedicated area is adjacent as well.
-Novice-Friendly: Holes are all under 250'. White-level and higher players should easily birdie a slew of them. Also, only one hole has really bad trouble, so newer players won't get beat down.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: Decently interesting for the length, if not thrilling. The course is mostly open, which limits the amount of true shaping, but there are still 1-3 bushy trees to contend with on most holes. A novice could learn basic shapes, loosely taught with a large margin for error. I approached it as an ace race and was sorely disappointed by my failure to come anywhere close in nine tries.
Cons:
Short, open, and a bit untidy.
-Gameplay Limitations: Another course in the long legacy of novice-friendly locations that don't offer much for more advanced players. Bring a forehand and backhand putter and many players will be set. As I mentioned at the outset, this is better than many novice courses I've played, but it's not a brilliant example with elevation or shot-shaping.
-Flat: Despite the surrounding rolling hills, this park is flat. As in 0' of elevation change. If you wanted to teach your grandparents disc golf, this would be a pretty safe place to bring them.
-Maintenance: Tee pads are beginning to form lumps and lose turf. Tee signs have graffiti. Gopher holes proliferate and don't appear to be treated.
-Wildlife? Some pretty sternly-worded signs indicated dangerous wildlife can show up thanks to the untouched land next door. I wouldn't play here at twilight.
Other Thoughts:
Nicklaus is in the upper half of courses with holes entirely under 250'. However, I confess that its title of DiscGolfPark had me hoping for more - maybe a RenSke-style short shaping course. Hopefully it gets a little maintenance attention in the next few years to clean up the signs and pads; if so, it will remain a Reasonable place to stop for a short and easy round.
~Similar Courses: Springdale DGC (Lancaster, SC); Yellow River Park (Covington, GA).