Pros:
-This course winds its way throughout the campus of California State University, San Marcos. There's quite a mix of holes, from open shots without a worry in the way to short, tricky holes right in center campus.
-Excellent hardware: concrete tee pads, Innova Discatcher baskets, and full color tee signs displaying each of two hole locations as well as a QR code linked to the interactive course map.
-It's a nice walk. Holes 6-8 play next to the athletic fields, and holes 9-14 traverse the central part of campus. The center-campus holes are a great spot for a college student or a nearby resident to get in some quality short-game work.
-Holes 16 and 18 are the best holes on the course. Both are downhill RHBH hyzer shots in the back section of campus, behind the parking garage. They are great holes to run several times in hope of an ace.
-The first seven holes, while void of obstacles, range from 200-400 feet. Sometimes, having nothing in the way is a challenge in itself as there's no frame of reference to dial in your distances.
Cons:
-This university is only 30 years old and is continually evolving. After reading past reviews and then playing the course, it's clear that several holes have been re-routed and several more have been compromised over time. For example, hole 1 has been moved and hole 2 is currently closed due to construction of a new foot bridge over Barham Drive, hole 15 has been moved next to the parking garage, and hole 11 now requires a straight up and down shot due to the giant agave plant growing right in front of the tee.
-Holes 10-14 are serious safety concerns when college is in session. There's a rule against sharp-edged discs on these holes, but all it would take is a slight misfire or a concealed pedestrian to cause an accident. I was not particularly impressed by the awkward shots required on these holes.
Other Thoughts:
-I highly recommend using the interactive course map. Navigation is not intuitive and there are many long walks between holes (Parking garage to hole 1, hole 6-7, hole 8-9, hole 14-15). Thank you very much to whoever keeps this map up to date.
-The first seven holes could really be improved by planting a couple dozen trees. As-is, every hole can be attacked with a spike hyzer. However, the university may plan to eventually develop this property.
-Don't visit with the expectation of playing the full 18 holes. Holes 1-6 and 15-18 are the only holes that are reliably playable, and consequently play over rough, barren terrain. Holes 7 and 8 are probably off limits during sports games, and holes 10-14 play through areas with heavy foot traffic. Weekend evenings and school breaks are the best times to play.