Pros:
Scotts Valley High School Circuit is four holes located around a track. Tucked in along the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and just minutes from highway 17, this instructional course was intended as a place where teens could be introduced to the sport, but not overwhelmed.
The holes, although lacking much challenge, do a wonderful job incorporating both elevation and distance for the space available. Holes ranged anywhere from 150-225 feet, and could be easilly reached by an advanced player using just a Buzzz. The pins and the asphalt tee pads however are positioned in a way that adds to the course difficulty, requiring players to throw their disc using both a hyzer and anhyzer. Sometimes the wind blows through the valley, which can make putts more challenging. Bottom line, Scotts Valley Circuit is perfect for practice, course baggers like myself, or for those new to the game.
Cons:
When first arriving, it was fairly easy to locate both the track and pins, but trying to spot the tees amongst all the tall dead grass was confusing. With no tee signs the only way to find them is to either ask a local or have the printed directions on hand.
Since it was the weekend, the gates surrounding the field were locked, so I had to climb over. For me it was no big deal, but if you come with children or someone who might have trouble, getting over might be an major issue. However, I might have missed an entrance somewhere but I don't think so. At least there was a shorter fence toward the right side of the track.
Last, the course is closed during school hours and/or during events, so accessing the course can be problematic. This I imagine would probably be the biggest issue but who are you kidding, I would just skip this place and go straight to Black Mouse or De LaVeaga to play some great disc golf! Both are no more than 10 minutes of here.
Other Thoughts:
Compared to all the other courses out there in the world, this course ranks pretty low. It is a wonderful addition to the physical education department at Scotts Valley High School, but cannot realistically be considered an actual course. The four holes in which they do have however, are well thought out and seem to incorporate enough elements to make these holes interesting. It would have been great growing up to have something like this at my high school, or any school for that matter. It introduces students to the rules and teaches respect for the sport at a much earlier age.