Pros:
-Many pin positions, changed regularly.
-Alternating red, white, and blue rimmed baskets make course navigation easy for newcomers. I honestly don't know why more courses don't do this.
-Variety of holes...3 grass pins at the beginning, dirt and woodchips for the rest.
-Practice basket with markers stating distances.
-Best Pro Shop I have seen in So Cal.
-99% DG exclusive. Non golfers are fully aware of the game if they are walking through.
-Pay to play. Yes, this is a PRO to me.
-Never gets repetitive. Easy, hard, and otherwise interesting shots are all spread out throughout the course.
Cons:
-Can get dusty and hot in the summertime
-Toward the end of the day, locals tend to bunch up into HUGE groups. That two-some you allowed to pass you earlier can magically become a group of 8 or more a few holes in.
-Can get busy, course is not the most spread out that I have been to but is professionally designed.
Other Thoughts:
Veterans Park plays on a sloping, wooded corner of a very large multi-use park. The first three holes play flat on grass, but following that, it heads down the slope into the rest of the course; a heavily wooded, always sloped, dirt/wood chip/natural grass DG exclusive paradise.
The $2 pay to play is chump change to pay at this course, where it is always evident that the money is being spent on the course. Besides, where else can you ask a pro of Steve Rico's caliber for advice on disc purchases? In just over a year, they have planted trees, added two long tees, rotate the pins very regularly, added new red & gold level pin positions, and created an awful but awesome double mandatory.
Signature hole 11 plays down about a 35 foot hill, and sometimes the pin is located on top of a man made pyramid. A very rewarding birdie...when you can make it.
Hole 7 is the most difficult on the course, with a vertical rise of about 20 feet and a long narrow tunnel to start it off. Often, the pin lies behind a large ditch that acts as an OB 'lake.'
Course flow is easy to interpret, but has a few areas that can become confusing to the newcomer. Maps and scorecards are provided in the pro shop. Also remember that they designed the course with red, white, and blue tee signs and baskets. It starts on a 'red' hole, followed by a 'white' one, and so on. Remembering this eliminates any confusion as to what hole the next one is when there are several in the vicinity.
Only one mandatory on the whole course, and most holes can be played exclusively RHBH. Some neat OB's add some challenge, especially when they put pin 9 on its 'island,' or pin 7 behind the planter. Hole 17 plays OB on the sidewalk and whatever side the pin is NOT on. OB re-tees.
Comparing to other LA courses, this one successfully combines distance and technicality. Wooded courses are short, park courses are long, but this one is both. Some wild elevation changes add to the challenge. The last three holes all play uphill, and I wish there was a more climactic ending, but there is nothing they can do about it based on their available land.
This is my favorite course to play in Los Angeles. The constant surprises, wonderful vibe, and always helpful pro shop make it a destination course in my mind, and the first one I recommend if you only have a few days in the area.