Ventura, CA

Coyote Point DGC @ Lake Casitas

4.35(based on 55 reviews)
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Coyote Point DGC @ Lake Casitas reviews

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10 0
Doofenshmirtz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.8 years 121 played 72 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Navigationally challenged, but otherwise excellent.

Reviewed: Played on:May 23, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

As with most of my reviews, my perspective is of a traveling player. With this course, while staying in Ventura, I saw that this was a highly rated, nearby course that I could play in the morning before my family of late risers would even get up.

The course is in a nice setting. It was foggy the morning I went, so the views weren't particularly spectacular. When I started my round, I was the only player on the course. I saw two more groups out there before I left.

This is a mostly open course with a couple of tunnel shots and excellent use of the existing trees. I found the difficulty level of most of the throws to be spot on.

Elevation is the course's best feature with three downhill throws with significant elevation change - throw-a-mid-400-feet type elevation change. And, as fun as the downhill holes were, l think the uphill holes were really well done. I've played courses where the uphill holes can just be a slog - serving only to get you up the hill so that you can throw downhill again. Here the uphill holes have appropriate distances and utilize trees and other vegetation just as well as the rest of the course.

There are multiple pin positions for every hole indicated by a washer system on the tee signs. This is moderately helpful in determining where to throw your disc.

I had no trouble with the tee boxes although some were on the small side. Baskets are adequate.

The course is pay-to-play which I always consider to be a pro for a high quality course, and this is a high quality course.


Cons:

NAVIGATION. As much as the elevation change is the course's strongest feature, it's most frustrating feature, to me, is the lack of much-needed navigation aids and hole layout indicators.

The tee signs contain photos of the view off the tee that apparently hasn't been updated in years to account for the growing vegetation. After walking to the second basket, the B position was not visible as shown in the photo and I threw to the wrong basket. I discovered my mistake and re-threw. I was more careful after that, but there are several tee boxes where it isn't clear which basket to throw at.

Finding the next hole can be a pain. There are no "next tee" indicators and this course needs them bad in several places. I wasted a significant amount of time looking for the next tee.

If there are no navigation issues, I typically spend 1 - 1.25 hours playing an 18-hole course depending mostly on length. This course wasn't set up particularly long and it took me two hours with all of the extra time spent looking for the next basket and trying to determine which basket to throw to. I like to play quickly. I play better when I play quickly. I hate spending time looking at a not-particularly-helpful downloaded map on my phone and still not being able to find a tee pad.

Holes 7 and 8 cross fairways. I guess I have been lucky to not play courses with issues like this before, but this was a completely unnecessary safety concern. At the very least, this could cause delays.

Other Thoughts:

Lake Casitas is low. This course had over-the-water throws on what looks like three holes. Now they are over-the-thicket throws. The floating bridge is still in place to walk through the thicket.

Thinking back on this course, there are maybe two middling holes with the rest being very good or better. The downhill holes are incredibly fun. I'd rate this course higher if not for the constant frustration that came with the navigation issues and uncertainty of what basket to throw to.

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10 1
endermetal
Experience: 9.9 years 40 played 8 reviews
3.50 star(s)

High Expectations Not Quite Reached

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 16, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

Coyote Point DGC is situated on the sprawling Lake Casitas Recreation Area, which has water sports, camping, biking, and more.

The course begins with one of the signature holes: Hole 1 has you throwing to a basket far below with some spectacular views of the surrounding area; the course plays high above the reservoir, offering lovely views of the mountains and lake. The fantastic scenery is a recurring theme of this course, and perhaps the highlight for many.

The significant amount of elevation change is a defining characteristic of this course, resulting in a somewhat strenuous round, but I didn't find it to be overly taxing.

There are some really unique holes, such as hole 4 which uses a bent tree limb as a triple Mando (however, the pin position proved to be super frustrating--more on this in the Cons section).

The golf is generally well above average, with a nice mixture of wide-open bombs and tight, wooded shots. There are some really fun lines throughout and a nice variety of short, medium, and long distances; the aforementioned elevation change is also used to great effect.

Cons:

When I played in October it was extremely hot, dusty, and dry. Judging by the pictures on DGCR, it's much more lush in the Spring, but my review is based on the round I played, not what I envision the ideal conditions to be like.

Course navigation was extremely frustrating. After putting out hole 1, there are several teepads and baskets within view, all of which easily could have been the 2nd hole. I was constantly wandering around the course between holes to find my way; it would be hugely beneficial if there were navigational aids, but alas, there are none. The overall layout is somewhat substandard.

A few of the pin placements felt, well...kinda janky. As I mentioned in the Pros section above, hole 4 utilizes a bent tree limb as a triple Mando. I thought this was really creative and quite fun. The basket was in the deep position, I hit my line exactly as I visualized it, but to my disappointment, the disc dug straight into the side of the hill 60' short. I expected my disc to skip forward, but because the hill's angle is so steep, the disc was incapable of sliding. After the thrill of successfully visualizing my line, I felt immediately deflated at what I felt was a somewhat unfair basket placement.

Hole 11 is another example, with the teepad oriented to the basket at such an awkward angle that I'm wondering if either the hole was originally designed differently or if you're just expected to find an extremely creative way to the basket for birdie. Regardless, I hit my putter turnover line as best I could, only to roll out into the thicket of bushes down to the left. Pretty sure I'm never getting that disc back.

Other Thoughts:

Pay attention to the park attendant when they offer directions to the course because this place is absolutely enormous. I would have been lost without their help.

I felt compelled to write this review because I have a unique perspective on this course. Unlike many other disc golfers, I'm not particularly enamored with the views of the surrounding area... but please don't misunderstand me when I say this--the aesthetic appeal of the hole, the way it's shaped and flows together, the hole's flora and its natural beauty are EXTREMELY important to me and my number 1 criterion I use to rate a course. What I'm less interested in are scenic views that aren't directly integrated into the hole (e.g. far away lakes, mountains, etc.).

I have access to dozens of hikes within 30 minutes that offer amazing views, so perhaps that's affecting my perspective. Because when I play disc golf, I want to be focused on the hole; I don't play disc golf for scenic views when I can get them on a hike with my girlfriend. Don't get me wrong: I appreciate breathtaking views of the surrounding area when disc golfing, they're just much less important to me than the average disc golfer, which impacts my rating and makes it lower than others.

Hopefully I didn't come across as too negative in my review, as this is still a course worth checking out. After all, my rating of 3.5 is still indicative of a VERY GOOD course, but it fell well short of my expectations given that it's a top 10 rated course in California.
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8 0
Sharknado2
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 34 played 34 reviews
4.00 star(s)

This Coyote is Fearsome 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 31, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Incredible views from start to finish
- Great hole variety that demands many shot shapes. Certainly forehands, backhands, flex shots and dead straight tunnel shots. No use for rollers and you'll need overhands to get out of trouble.
- Excellent hole variety--some are long bombers (7,8,16) that are wide open while others are short but incredibly tight. Hole #10 is my favorite: you can literally put from the tee box and have an easy birdie but mess up the drive and you're in jail.
- Great for all levels of play. (Though novice players may struggle with accuracy and lose a disc or two)
- Handful of really scorable holes (1, 2, 4, 5, definitely 10, 13, 14,
- Massive parking lot and easy access from campsites
- The camp store has plenty of discs if you need some
- Good locals, I lost a couple discs and people always called me to return them
- Tournaments here are an absolute blast. Casitas Campout was crazy. Getting that many disc golfers together for a whole weekend is bound lead to some partying. But I hear Coyote Classic is even crazier somehow...
- Great exercise from all the hills
- Bathrooms in campsites and in parking lot (plus tree cover for #1)
- The water has dried up on whatever hole initially had water on it (thats definitely a pro for me)
- Good variety of basket locations to keep holes interesting
- Thick rough, bushes and grass make placement a premium

Cons:

- Layout on some holes is at best inconvenient and at worse dangerous. 7 and 8 criss cross each other so high potential of a slow down or hitting someone. Hole 3 you will very likely lose your disc without a spotter... also I just hate this hole because of the tunnel tee shot and I have yet to par it so I'm biased...
- If you have a cart bag or you struggle with hills, this is not the course for you
- The grass is so thick in many fairways that even you throw a dead straight shot you can still be searching for a while
- Not the most accessible course as you have to pay to enter the recreation area and there is not much in the surrounding area outside the park.

Other Thoughts:

Fantastic course--my favorite in the SoCal area so far in terms of both scenic beauty and course design. Could easily be a five star with a little bit more room to breathe between a handful of holes as well as some maintenance of the very tall grass. Whether it's a tournament or a casual round I would highly recommend stopping by coyote point.
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4 4
fastdds
Experience: 6.2 years 15 played 13 reviews
3.00 star(s)

disappointed and underwhelmed. so much potential. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 23, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

T-PadsSignsAmazing view and location Bathrooms. Everyone we met was friendly. Not much trash.

Cons:

Short repetitive holes in distance and environment. Course needs to be longer and use more of the seemingly limitless space available at the recreation area. 40 mins from Santa Barbara $10 entry in winter.

Other Thoughts:

Maybe we played on a day where the baskets were all purposely using mostly short locations (?). For the 2 rounds we played we never needed anything beyond putter and midrange. (My max with driver is ~325' , so I am no bomber). A few more open and long drives would help. The park encompasses a vast area surrounding Lake Casitas, but the DGC has a tiny footprint far away from the lake. They have so much real estate, I wish this was an expansive course incorporating the available variety of terrain. Poison oak. Course is confined to a very small area, so it zigzags and crosses itself. Much better options in SoCal I feel (see Mohawk...)
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6 4
The Katana Kid
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 8.3 years 183 played 56 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Well worth the drive and the $10 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 3, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Great setting with views of mountains and lake.
The shots are nearly all challenging.
The signage is good at each tee.
Flags on the baskets are nice.

Cons:

When I threw down from the mountain top tee once I nearly hit some people at the 500 ft basket location. I yelled FOUR but I don't think they heard me. That was scary. That tee down to the left should be moved for safety.

Other Thoughts:

This is a great course to visit!
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12 17
JerryChesterson
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 29.6 years 186 played 42 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good Fun Course, Great People 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 10, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Pretty easy to follow the course
Some great elevation shots
It has tee pads and the targets are of decent quality
It's in a beautiful park
Good tee signs
Lots of tough putting on this course with the roll aways which the only real challenge.

Cons:

The tee pads are tiny
Course design is weak, there isn't a single long hole on the course, all par 3s

Other Thoughts:

For me this course represents the single biggest problem with DG course review. This course is rated at 4.5 stars, which for someone that's played all over the US, this course should crack a 3. Since it's mostly local people who have reviewed the course, they all think it's the best course in the world. Its a decent course, but if you look at places like NC or TX this course wouldn't even crack the top 20. The SoCal courses are so weak in comparison to the rest of the country. Not trying to offend anyone but it's just true. Still a solid course and I'd play it a lot of I lived here but a decent player can easily shot a 44 on this course and any course a 950 -975 rated player can shoot a -10 on isn't a great course. Its a fun course, its a good course, just not a great course. Also has an awesome group of players out there. All super friendly.
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9 0
BBB-SoCal
Experience: 26 played 17 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Difficult Course with Epic Views 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 22, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Tremendous Elevation Changes
Multiple shot types presented
Multiple Pin Placement (changed semi-monthly)
Relaxing Vibe

Cons:

Very easy to lose disc
Extremely challenging (NOT beginner friendly)
Hot in the summer (with little shade)
A few gaps in the layout in terms of finding next hole
Terrain can be tough to wade through if OB (some rough patches of OB)

Other Thoughts:

This course is definitely one everyone should play, but only after they have achieved a decent skill level. Also, you absolutely need to play as a group and have at least one spotter. It is incredibly easy to lose discs on this course. (Thankfully for the past year the marsh is dry because of the drought so that saves a few discs at least.)
This course is a challenge in terms of hole distance, mandos, use of terrain, several TOW shots, etc. An advanced player will love it -- I just recommend that rookies avoid this course.
Despite all of the challenges, there are a few ace runs possible (hole 10 for example) even with a weaker arm.
The layout is largely obvious, but I do recommend consulting a map beforehand just to get an idea of what to expect. There are a few "gaps" in my opinion between a few holes so you may have to search a little bit to get your bearings. Overall though an excellent layout.
I am rating this as 3.5 based on my 2 experiences here. The more you play this course the higher you will rate it. That also coincides with your skill level improving too.
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6 12
Mr72datsun
Experience: 10 played 10 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 15, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Challenging. Up and down. Windy.

Cons:

$15. Stickers. Not a beginner course.

Other Thoughts:

The stickers were really bad and discs would be super easy to lose. I won't go back in summer. I will definitely go back in spring.
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11 0
CIDG
Experience: 9.8 years 34 played 10 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Elevation. Wind. Rugged. Ruthless. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 15, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Unbelievably gorgeous area
- Immense amounts of elevation shots
- Reading wind is crucial
- Hole 1
- Mellow foot traffic for such caliber course
- Demands power (Hole 7 is up to 585 feet, flat w/ line shaping)
- Demands pinpoint accuracy (Holes 3, 4, 13, 14)
- All par 3's regardless of layout
- Bathrooms, benches, and trash receptacles very present
- Every shot in the book is required
- 2 to 5 pin positions for every hole
- Loaded shop for discs, snacks, and cold drinks

Cons:

- Infuriating roll aways
- Isolated
- Arid and hot much of the year (100F+ at peak Summer)
- Unpredictable gusts prevalent
- Perfect shots can be severely punished
- Gimmicky, forced holes (Hole 10)
- Dangerous due do lack of established trails/steepness
- Requires luck for a good score (luck swings both ways)

Other Thoughts:

Top 5 in CA.

It has everything. It's pay to play which keeps out a lot of the nonsense (not all of it, though.) Once you're there, it's usually just disc golfers relaxing in a great environment. All worries seem to vanish. Highly demanding and humbling course. Wind game is a must, tunnel shots are a must. 2 of the 3 longest holes are in a prevalent tailwind, robbing you of power. Power, accuracy, and disc knowledge are essential to play this course well.

The locals change the course layout very frequently, and from one week to the next you can experience a very different course. If it's all in the short pins then yes, you may be underwhelmed given the popularity of this course. But trust me, if the locals decide to go ballistic and lay it out in the all long pins, BUCKLE UP. You will have to throw so damn hard and accurate you'll get pissed in no time. Again, If they want to, you'll get a par 3, 585 foot flex line into a headwind. So yes, in all short pins it is a manageable course, but if you're fortunate enough to experience in all longs with the very common hefty wind, I guarantee you will be humbled.

It can be a love/hate day at this course, but thats what makes it such a high caliber course.
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6 4
flingding
Experience: 23 played 7 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Shazaam 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 5, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

I have played many many disc golf course in my travels and this one is pretty damn near perfect.

Come to Mecca sir!

Elevation is like the cilantro on my burrito and this course is loaded. But not too much...you know what i mean.

Medium to Large sized course
Flags on like every pin
Pretty natural flow
Landscape is perfect IMO
Like 6 downhill shots, probably 3 uphill.
Medium to Easy, never too technical

Cons:

Nothing to complain about here

Other Thoughts:

I skipped the service charge and just biked in ( yeah I travel with my bike )




Probably nobody into Krisnamurti here but he has a center in OJAI

He was a great inspiration to Bruce Lee


"the ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence"

beware your perched on the rabbit hole my friends
I dare you to approach this understanding...
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17 0
dreadlock86
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.9 years 382 played 296 reviews
4.00 star(s)

the pinnacle of SoCal disc golf 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 21, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

-excellent terrain for disc golf: rolling hills, big elevation changes
-design makes great use of the land available
-breathtaking views of the hills and the lake
-concrete tees, baskets, and signage are top-notch
-lots of signature holes and just straight up fun shots
-3 to 5 different pin positions on each hole, with indicators on the tee sign for the present position
-double loop design
-huge parking lot, tourney parking not a problem
-restrooms available, trash cans, benches
-general store in the park on the way to the course
-pay to play, keeps out the riff raff (per vehicle, easy to carpool and split)

Cons:

-some areas of the course are very open and lack any shade, can be oppressive during the summer
-there are a few holes that have crisscrossing fairways, notably 7 and 8
-there are also many fairways next to the long downhill shots that would be subject to errant throws. while the downhill shots are awesome, one really has to be paying attention on those tees. the same goes if you're down the hill on the holes below.
-some holes are close to camping areas that may be filled with people
-navigation can be tricky without a map or local guide, a few tees are hidden from view from the last basket, no next tee signs
-SoCal drought conditions mean the water is usually dried up. also, being so close to the lake and not having a better water carry is disappointing.

Other Thoughts:

Coyote Point is without a doubt the best course that I have played in California, limited as my experience is there. This course combines spectacular views of Lake Casitas, the Los Padres National Forest, and the coastal mountains with a fun variety of shots that make great use of the elevation and terrain, finished with top notch amenities: concrete pads, Mach 5's, and great tee signs that indicate which of the several pin positions is currently in use.

The course starts with a mouth-watering downhill drive across a (dried up) inlet of the lake. The rest of the front 9 plays up and down the rolling hills of a mostly open area but utilizing the few huge mature oaks as obstacles. Hole 4 features a steep uphill drive through a mando of arched branches and hole 5 has a great steep downhill drive. Hole 9 is another steep uphill across the inlet back toward tee 1. This completes the first loop and brings you conveniently back to the parking lot where you'll probably need to refill your water after all the steep hikes on the front 9.

The back 9 is more wooded and kicks off with a wild downhill tunnel shot. It's really tempting to run right at this hole but you'll think twice once you've had a bad rollaway or overthrow. Tunnels or low ceilings are featured on holes 10, 11, 13, 14, and 18, there are a few more open shots, and hole 16 is the signature top of the world shot.

The multitude of different pin positions on each hole is one of the biggest draws of this course beside the elevation changes. I'm not sure how often the pins are moved but the number of positions out there mean that you could return every few months and never play the same layout. The only drawback is that some of the different locations won't significantly change your shot, particularly on the open holes, but at least it changes the routine for the locals. Most the of the holes will not force a specific line since it is mostly open, except for the tunnel shots or hole 4's mando. LH, RH, and OH throws are all accomodated on many fairways. Dealing with the wind is also a major factor, especially on the open and/or downhill shots.

This brings up a few of the safety issues that could come into play here. There are some crisscrossing fairways, particularly 7 and 8, and holes near camping areas (again 7 and 8). Players on holes 2, 8, and 9 could be subject to errant throws from tee 1's downhill shot and 2, 3, 12, and 17 could be in the line of fire from hole 16's big down hill drive also. A windy day will exacerbate these dangers as downhill drives get blown off course.

Overall, this course makes for a really fun round with a variety of shots and distances in an incredibly beautiful and secluded natural setting. It is the perfect contrast to SoCal's many crowded park courses. Additionally, there seems to be a vibrant and dedicated community of local golfers who take serious pride in this course, keep it in great condition, and frequently hold great events and tournaments. This is absolutely a destination course and a must play for anyone in the Ventura/LA area or any travelers through SoCal.


**Like this review? Hate it? Message me and let me know why! I want to make them better!**
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3 12
xuaeded
Experience: 7 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

If you like Wrightwood ... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 20, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

You'll love casitas. It is a challenging course. It will demand your full attention and stamina. Has a shot for every disc in your bag (and then some). Top of the world shot is one of the best.

Cons:

Campers might get in the way, depending on how polite they are. There are many "tree caves", like Sylmar hole 10.

Other Thoughts:

Eat a full breakfast. Bring water. Wear high socks or pants. You will be walking through the haggard weeds. Back straps are better than shoulder straps for this terrain. Small pro shop in park store. They have beer.
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4 1
DJMisterG
Experience: 2 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Local course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 5, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great scenery & wildlife, there's a couple golden eagles and bald eagle that hang out in the trees.

Holes are challenging, lots of elevation, some tricky technical shots and a couple to let loose and bomb on.

Pin sets change often, and really change each hole drastically.

Fall /Spring/Wintertime is gorgeous weather, there's camping and a store for food and discs on the way to the course.

Locals are really nice, don't hesitate to ask your way around the course.

Because of the challenging terrain, not a lot of new players or young kids, people move fast through holes.

Cons:

Summertime is HOT!

10 dollar fee, 15 on busy holidays to get into the lake.

couple of huge disc eating oak trees.
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1 8
surefee
Experience: 14.8 years 10 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Tough course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 18, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice challenging pin placement. Elevation changes. Well maintained. Clean cut

Cons:

Thick brush. Lost three of my discs. One in a tree 30 feet in the tree too high to get down and 2 others in the brush.
Can get very hot
Pay to play $15 on summer weekends

Other Thoughts:

Overall a good course
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18 0
Ocelotl
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.6 years 40 played 18 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Scenery and wind. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 24, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Overall: located in a scenic, huge park with camping, boating and plenty of open space, an hour and a half north of LA, this really is the most scenic and complete course Ive played in SoCal.

Signature holes: #3 and #4 are low-ceiling shots that force you to think about disc and shot selection.
#1, #5 and #16(especially) big downhill shots that let you play with the wind, and really make you think about wind direction as your disc gets farther out into open air. #16 is a great 500ft downhill toss with a few different lines, I mostly went the big hyzer route that worked well and let you watch your disc fly forever.

Shot selection: As I mentioned above there are a ton of holes that force you to carve shots on lines a more open course wouldn't force you to attempt. A number of tees have trees very close and in front of them (#11!) forcing you to really concentrate on release points and angles.

Bomber Holes: #7 and #8 for anyone maxing out sub 500ft. of distance these will let you try and air it out as hard as you can after fighting your way through a few tight technical holes. Stress Relief.

Amenities: Camping, Clean bathrooms, Free water, tons of parking, decent signage, scenic views, aside from a pro-shop this course is pretty accommodating.

Cons:

Crossing Fairways. Especially finishing 17 leading to 18 pops you out right into 11's fairway (head on a swivel) Hole 16 depending on how badly the person is throwing can lead to a disc bombing down on 3 if not 4 holes, and with the wind whipping around yelling FORE doesn't always reach the people down below.

Hole 10, short gimmicky downhill hole that is just as liable to punish a great shot as it is to reward a horrible one, I got a 2 the last time I shot this hole after missing my line badly but getting hung up in a low tree, not a fan.

Other Thoughts:

Coming up from Los Angeles this is simply an awesome road trip, there is a market for beer/water on your way in. Bring some buddies as it is $10 to get your car into the park, but I wouldn't consider it a con, worth it if you carpool. Overall a great tiring day, hiking on the hills. Not a lot of shade so plan your headwear/sunscreen accordingly.
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3 8
cmoriarity666
Experience: 11.6 years 13 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Ozzy Dog Review for Coyote Point-Lake Casitas, CA. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 1, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Difficult course with lots of trees, blind shots, and elevation changes. Long holes with great views of the lake. Store in the park sells discs and the market right before the entrence has a great selection of beer and discs as well. You can bring your dog but it will cost you a couple extra bux.

Cons:

First timers maker sure to get a scorecard at the entrence with a map, some Tee's are hard to find for the first time. Very thick brush and trees which makes it easy to loose discs. 10$ per vehicle so it pays to carpool, and a couple extra bux for the dog.
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20 1
Hector Chain
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 222 played 189 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Hills 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 30, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The course begins with a tantalizing downhill ace run across a steep valley, and things don't get any less interesting after that. Elevation comes into play on every hole, and many of the pins are located on hills to maximize risk/reward. On the 8th hole I landed 20 feet from the basket on my drive but took a 5 after two clanged putts followed by rollaways. It doesn't feel great in the moment, but good courses punish bad putts.

There are some pretty unique holes here. Holes 3 and 4 have challenging shots under arching tree branches that provide an unusual challenge. Hole 5 was probably my favorite, a left-to-right cliff shot that will really test a RHBH player's turnover shot. If your shot flattens out and hyzers, you'll be nowhere near the hole. Turnover too much and you'll end up with an unwanted roller.

Hole 10 is a short but tough downhill tunnel shot where going for the ace is probably a terrible idea. Hole 11 is a tough left-to-right shot along a curving road with plenty of danger to the left (once again, if your disc hyzers out here, you're in trouble). This kind of hole exposes the gaps in your game.

The last hole worth mentioning is 16, another huge cliff shot.

All the tees are concrete. The tee signs are photographs with all of the pin positions and distances shown. If you want a little scenery to go along with your round, it doesn't get a lot better than this: rolling hills surrounding a beautiful lake.

Cons:

A couple times navigation wasn't great and took a little hunting around. In particular, finding my way from 8 to 9, 14 to 15, and 16 to 17 took awhile.

There are a couple places where fairways criss cross a bit, and while hole 16 is a blast, it really has the potential to be unsafe. You may need to throw well to the right of the hole just because of the massive fade you can get in the wind, but if it doesn't come all the way back you're landing on the fairway for another hole (#2, I think) where you won't even be able to see the people to yell "fore."

The footing on a couple of the hills, particularly on #1 getting from the tee to the basket, was a little shaky.

The flies were pretty bad here. No bug bites, just the annoying buzzing in your ear.

I obviously won't hold this against the course, but that lake sure looked inviting for a post-round swim. Unfortunately, it's a reservoir and swimming isn't allowed.

Other Thoughts:

The map shows several holes playing over water, but when I was there (late September) the area was bone dry.

Some people will complain about the $10 park entrance fee, but I don't understand this gripe. It's a state park; that is the fee that everyone (campers, bikers, hikers, kayakers) must pay. State parks are usually some of the most beautiful areas and thus the best places for disc golf courses, so we can't complain when we have to pay the price of a movie ticket to play there. I felt like this course was well worth the cost and even came back a second time on my trip.
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3 7
OOMAUMAU
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Home Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 25, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The views are great for SoCal. Elevation changes. Great signage with a picture of the hole from how you see it on the Tee pad instead of a top down view. Coarse changes basket locations monthly. Lots of signature holes.9 holes brings to back to the parking area. Camping right next to course.

Cons:

Hot in summer, lots of campers, not much shade on front nine. Entrance fee to the lake, more expensive on weekends during peak season.

Other Thoughts:

Avoid Holidays. Bring sun protection and good hiking shoes.Drinking water can be found on or near Hole #'s 6, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14 in campground I, top of 18. Picnic table or bench on every hole but 11. Restrooms near # 1, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15. You might have to walk a short way.
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18 1
lion
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21.4 years 1524 played 22 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A day in SoCal 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 10, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

1. I liked the fact that the course is like two 9 hole loops. This enables you to stock up on drinking and gives you a rare chance to use the bathroom again.
2. All the holes have multiple pin placements.
3. The concrete tee pads are good and have lasted the test of time since they were installed. There nice and flat and I didn't notice any dips, bumps, or inclines.
4. Nice mixture of elevation and hole lengths.
5. Course caters to right and left hand throwers.
6. There is some shade on the course and it's very welcomed in the summer. Nice to find benches around some teepads. It really helps with a few of the longer walks.
7. There are a few holes that have amazing views and have a chance for nice breezes.
8. Looks like maintenance on the course is performed on occasion and dramatically helps keep the course flowing.
9. Plenty of parking by hole 1!
10. Camping is on site and there are a ton of sites at Lake casitas.

Cons:

1. The price to get in is 10 dollars and that can be a lot if it's one person going to play a round. 15 dollars to play on holiday weekends is a lot and sometimes the course isn't even open on holiday weekends.
2. Some of the views from the teepad show multiple baskets and it can be confusing.
3. A few of the fairways can be crossed or are close which will slow play. (like 7 & 8)
4. A few baskets need signs close by pointing to the next pad. A few pin placements can make it confusing finding the next hole.
5. There are multiple holes where high grass comes into play and it can make it very difficult to find your disc like on the top of the world shot and others throughout.
6. With all the lakes I thought it was a con they didn't get used in the course design.
7. A few holes lack shade and really leave you out in the elements. We did notice a wasp or bee nest on one of the holes (10, 11, or 17.) in that area.
8. Need of more trash cans would be nice and drinking water would be nice if it was available especially since golfers pay to play either a lot.
9. It would be nice to see more bathroom options. The bathrooms by hole 1 are out of the way once you tee and a lot of people dont know of the bathrooms off of hole 6's teepad in the camping area. I also believe there is some type of bathroom by 15's pad but I don't know.
10. Small hike up the hill from teepad one to practice basket makes it feel like the basket is ment to be used after the round. Wish the basket was place in another spot. There was also some random graffiti.
11. The OB road on hole 14 wasnt really diffitive. Hole 15's brush was really high and hard to clear for the majority of players.
12. There was a few blind holes that could of used some flags on poles on top to help spot for first timers.

Other Thoughts:

Overal this course is definitely one of the top 10 is the southern California area. This course is pretty secluded and since there isn't another course close by its hard to justify spending the entire day to get there and play at just that course. I wish the club would try to get another course on the facility or in town to really make it more worth coming out. The courses that have been set up in past years for the coyote classic were epic and I wish that this course would evolve into two 18's or a 27 hole monster. The store on sight isn't bad and if you forget something you might want to pick it up there instead of driving a long way out of the way. In the summer bring lots of drinks and a good cooler. There isn't really any shade in the parking spots by hole 1.
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14 0
bradharris
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.9 years 90 played 46 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 5, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course was the highlight of my Southern California tour. The park is a massive campground and activity center on the lake. I would love to go back and devote an entire weekend to camping, fishing, boating, and disc golf.

By the time I got to the first tee, I knew I was in for a good afternoon of golf. The first hole has all the feel of a signature. It offers a nice vista over the course from the top of the hill. The mountains in the background make a perfect backdrop. The shot itself is not overly difficult. It's a simple downhill through a large opening in the trees. A perfect way to start.

After a couple holes in the valley, the course works its way back up the hill on the other side with a tricky mando shot under an arched tree branch. The top of this hill offers another spectacular view over the course with the lake in the background. After taking a minute to soak it all in, you get another fun downhill shot on the fifth tee.

The rest of the front nine plays over fairly open terrain, ending back up the hill near the parking lot. This makes offers an opportunity to stop after nine if you don't have the time or energy for all 18.

The back nine is a bit tighter than the front nine, with a lot more vegetation in play. Line shaping on the back is key. Hole 16 offers a final signature tee shot with a long downhill.

Signage throught the course is great, showing all of the pin locations with distances.

Speaking of multiple pin locations, there are plenty of different layout options, so each time you return, you're likely to see a slightly different course.

Cons:

There are a few crossing or very close fairways that can impede play a bit.

There were a few points that I had a little bit of trouble finding the next tee. Particularly hole 6. From the fifth basket there was no indication of where to go. After a little wandering I ended up at the seventh tee. Eventually I managed to backtrack my way back to six.

Other Thoughts:

I really wish I had more time here. I only had enough time to get one round in. I would love to play this place over and over again. This course provides everything: chances to crush big drives, tight line shaping shots, uphill, downhill, etc.
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