Day Two of a Two-Day Getaway…

Moving further North, Black Golf was next on the agenda. Probably my favorite Orange County course, it’s been some 20 years since I last played here…and I’m so thrilled I returned.

It’s the type of course where a look at the scorecard may lull you into thinking it’s a pushover…Black Gold is not all that long by modern standards…yet ... » More

Day Two of a Two-Day Getaway…

Moving further North, Black Golf was next on the agenda. Probably my favorite Orange County course, it’s been some 20 years since I last played here…and I’m so thrilled I returned.

It’s the type of course where a look at the scorecard may lull you into thinking it’s a pushover…Black Gold is not all that long by modern standards…yet is a true shot-maker’s delight. Multiple elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and some wickedly diabolical, yet fair, greens will demand your best if you hope to score well here. Rarely do you find a perfectly level lie…and throw in some 20 MPH gusts for good measure; well, you get the idea.

This is such an outstanding layout: it asks you to work the ball both ways, demands restraint on certain holes while allowing an aggressive mindset on others, requires precise approach shots in order to score well, and is just an absolute blast to play. I really don’t feel there’s a weak hole to be found on the course; each one possesses its’ own unique characteristic.

Conditions were top-notch…

>Tee Boxes: Good Shape
>Fairways: Plush and Tight Lies
>Rough: Thick and Punishing
>Bunkers: Firm and Well-Maintained
>Greens: On a Different Level

I’ll devote my attention to the greens: I can’t recall playing greens where approach shots…regardless of length…stuck like darts on a dart board yet rolled so fast. It’s not often I’m able to back up a 7-Wood. With that being said, I found myself fixing at least 10-12 ball marks on every green…and they were fresh. Shame on you ignorant idiots!

I have no idea what the Stimp reading was but the greens were definitely quicker than the ‘12s’ I encountered at Rams Hill last month. Took just one putt on #4 to realize what I was up against and was able to adapt fairly quickly.

The putting surfaces are generously large with many subtle slopes so as a general rule, you simply cannot afford to be putting from above the hole. And the greens seem to break a little more than your initial read may tell you so speed and start line have to be spot on in order to give yourself a chance at converting a few putts.

Teed off as a foursome @ 12:20 and finished in four holes flat despite a slow down over the final three holes. Was treated to a fantastic rate of $66.00 thanks to a friend who secured the tee time and I must say it was a steal. Cannot wait to return; if I lived close by, no question Black Golf would be my home course.

I do want to add that the Par-3 10th hole is still impacted by the sinkhole issue that took place in 2023. Delays in permit approvals kept things at a standstill until this past November, when the reconstruction project finally got under way. Bureaucracy…go figure.

As a result, a temporary tee box has been set up along the cart path adjacent to #18 fairway, where you approach the green from East-to-West, as viewed from the clubhouse patio. Hole plays about 100-110 yards and this is the only blemish as far as I’m concerned yet I feel management addressed the issue as best that could be expected.

I was told they’re hopeful the project will be completed by July of this year; let’s hope things proceed without any further delays or issues as it is quite an extensive operation. I’ll also add that the driving range continues to be impacted by the Solar Panel Project, although much closer to completion.

Still, I would not let either of these caveats impact your decision to play Black Gold. While some courses in the Orange County region may carry a little more ‘cachet’…and much steeper price…Black Gold checks all the boxes when it comes to presenting a challenging, fair, and fun test of golf at a more than fair price.
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Day One of a Two-Day Getaway…

Played Temecula Creek (Stonehouse/Oaks) for the first time in ten years and found it to be well worth the $40.00 Walking Rate. Despite running up against a few delays between holes 7-11 and again on 14-18, I still managed to complete the round in under four hours (teed off @ 1:00PM)

Conditions were pretty solid but the golf course is... » More

Day One of a Two-Day Getaway…

Played Temecula Creek (Stonehouse/Oaks) for the first time in ten years and found it to be well worth the $40.00 Walking Rate. Despite running up against a few delays between holes 7-11 and again on 14-18, I still managed to complete the round in under four hours (teed off @ 1:00PM)

Conditions were pretty solid but the golf course is lacking a good mowing at this point. Fairways were a bit ‘glitchy’ in spots…turf level in the landing area on Stonehouse #9 was extremely uneven…and I noticed way too many divots on some fairways that need attention.

To be fair, the recent heavy rains gave the course a good soaking, thereby hindering the regular mowing schedule. Tack on the warm weather we’ve experienced since then…which has accelerated the turf growth…and it’s easy to see why things are a bit ‘scruffy’. I expect the playability issue to fall back in line as things dry out even further in the next few days.

In addition to presenting a challenge to play from, the rough makes it d%mn ed near impossible to locate one’s ball…even in the fringe areas around the greens. In addition to the problem it caused on my behalf, I noticed other groups dealing with the same issue, spending WAY over five minutes attempting to locate their tee shots, approaches, etc.

As far as the greens are concerned, they were in outstanding shape. Given the soft conditions, I would have expected a ton of ball marks to contend with but that simply wasn’t the case at all. Surfaces were smooth and rolled true at a medium-fast pace. I was very impressed with how well they held shots and rolled.

Had dinner on the bar patio following the round and it was quite good; a perfect way to end the day where the temperature managed to creep into the low 80s. All in all, couldn’t have done much better for such a fair rate…and having the option to walk/carry is an added bonus.

Also want to give a ‘shout out’ to Jay in the Pro Shop: the absolute epitome of the most pleasant and welcoming staff member you could ever hope to interact with. I stopped in for a brief chat following my round and was greeted by name as soon as I entered the Pro Shop. It was a perfect way to bookend a great day on the course.
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Played 1/15 on a beautiful 85 degree day. The course is in excellent condition all around. After all the rain and now warm sunny days things couldn't be better. This is a resort course at public prices. Fairways and greens were surprisingly firm so you had to play for that.

Played 1-12-26 mid morning shotgun in the Vivid/GK outing with nice sunny skies on a semi windy day. Tee boxes were in great shape, good coverage, cut tight and level with minor divot damage on the par threes. Fairways were in really good condition, wall to wall green with good roll out and semi-tight lies. Rough was playing 1-3 inches, in great shape, very lush and thick. Was ... » More

Played 1-12-26 mid morning shotgun in the Vivid/GK outing with nice sunny skies on a semi windy day. Tee boxes were in great shape, good coverage, cut tight and level with minor divot damage on the par threes. Fairways were in really good condition, wall to wall green with good roll out and semi-tight lies. Rough was playing 1-3 inches, in great shape, very lush and thick. Was in a couple of greenside bunkers, both of which were nicely groomed with a good amount of semi-firm sand. Greens were in really nice condition, rolling smooth, medium/fast and playing semi-soft. Always great to get out at Saticoy with very friendly helpful staff on such a wonderful course.
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Started my three day golf trip on 1/11 at heaven on earth, Soule Park. My first time here and will not be my last. I chose this course over Olivas Links because of all the reviews I read on Greenskeeper.org and other forums.

10:30am tee time. POP 4.75hrs. The course is in amazing condition right now, weather was ideal all day with high at 75*F and virtually no wind. I... » More

Started my three day golf trip on 1/11 at heaven on earth, Soule Park. My first time here and will not be my last. I chose this course over Olivas Links because of all the reviews I read on Greenskeeper.org and other forums.

10:30am tee time. POP 4.75hrs. The course is in amazing condition right now, weather was ideal all day with high at 75*F and virtually no wind. I walked it along with another single walker and definitely recommend, only a couple hilly parts but overall manageable. No real complaints of playing conditions honestly, this course is a real treat and the worst thing about it is how far I live from it. Staff interactions were all friendly and facilities were clean.

Layout is fun with plenty opportunities for strategic shots, greens were rolling true and had good coverage with few if any ball marks.

Put this course on your bucket list.
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