I’m happy to report that conditions continue to remain steady at Laguna Seca. As I’ve mentioned before, I absolutely love this layout, but conditions have always been so so (at best). Lately, the c... Continue »

I’m happy to report that conditions continue to remain steady at Laguna Seca. As I’ve mentioned before, I absolutely love this layout, but conditions have always been so so (at best). Lately, the conditions have been very solid. Not Pebble Beach/Quail Lodge great but definitely on the acceptable level and overall much much better than usual here.

Yesterday I played in early afternoon on a glorious peninsula day. Sun was out and very little wind. Fairways continue to remain in good shape with ample lush coverage throughout. Fairways, weren’t quite as nice as reported in my last review but they were close to it. There weren’t any set/soggy areas so the course has drained well this winter.

Green rolled on the slower side (medium-slow pace) but rolled smooth. Tee boxes were fine. A couple of the shorter Par 3 boxes had a lot of divots but the rest were fine and all were level.

Sand traps were the weak areas. Several had either standing water or mud at the bottom from recent rain/puddles. It also appears that everyone has stopped raking the bunkers here. Not sure if it’s because of the wet sand or what but it was annoying.

There isn’t really any rough at Laguna Seca. There’s a small area of slightly longer grass adjacent to the fairway but nothing penal. After that it usually no man’s land.

Pop was right at about 4 hours. Conditions are now starting to catch up to the price tag putting this fun filled track on the recommendation list for peninsula courses.

I played Laguna Seca Thursday morning with some friends on an absolutely gorgeous day. We originally were going to play Quail but changed it over to Laguna due to some logistical complications for a c... Continue »

I played Laguna Seca Thursday morning with some friends on an absolutely gorgeous day. We originally were going to play Quail but changed it over to Laguna due to some logistical complications for a couple of our players. I almost backed out but glad I didn’t. This might have been the best shape I’ve ever seen this course in!!

The fairways were awesome. I’ve played here a lot over the years and this is only the second time I’ve seen the fairways in this good of shape. Fairways were nice and lush with good coverage throughout. A couple fairways were a little soggy from overwatering but that’s about it.

Greens were also in better than usual condition. For the most part the greens rolled smooth at a medium fast pace. Greens showed no signs of the recent aeration. I was in one bunker and it was a little wet but otherwise ok. Tee boxes were ok. Mainly level with adequate coverage.

It was a great day to be out with my buddies and the course is in better than usual condition. Hopefully the trend continues as this is such a fun layout.

I took advantage of the perfect Monterey weather yesterday with a Noon tee time at Laguna Seca. As I've mentioned before, I absolutely love this layout. Unfortunately, it's usually muni conditions ... Continue »

I took advantage of the perfect Monterey weather yesterday with a Noon tee time at Laguna Seca. As I've mentioned before, I absolutely love this layout. Unfortunately, it's usually muni conditions at best. Current conditions are no exception. Somehow with all the rain in December and January followed by the abundance of sun the last couple of weeks, Laguna still has thin spotty fairways. Unlike Del Monte, the fairways at Laguna were all dry, so no issue there. Coverage was ok, but there were a number of thin and dead areas throughout the course. I did notice that they had quite a few areas roped off where new seed had been planted and in a few cases even some new sod.

Greens are notoriously bumpy at Laguna Seca. Yesterday was a mixed bag. about 2/3 were actually quite smooth and rolled fine at a medium pace. then there were the other handful of greens which had some disease areas, bumpy and on the case of 15, the pronounced drainage pipe line showing through. Which somehow they decided to place the cup right next to the drainage pipe?

I was in two bunkers. One had excellent sand, and the other was still a bit wet from the rains a couple weeks ago.

Tee boxes are so so. Some perfectly acceptable, and others are uneven and chewed up (especially 8 & 14).

Customer service remains below standard as well. I didn't have an issue, but the two guys I was paired up with on the front nine (who were playing the front twice due to an issue with the pro shop attendant) relayed a story about poor customer service. It's the same old guy (I've mentioned him before) that just doesn't want to be flexible at all.

Anyway. It was a glorious day to wear shorts and the POP was very pleasant (I played 30 holes in 4.5 hours). Also, the mid week prices have come down to a reasonable fare. Given the new prices and the fun layout of the track. I'd recommend Laguna Seca as a good warm up course (it's under 5 minutes from the airport) when visiting the Monterey Peninsula.

Sunday, played Laguna Seca GR for the first time. Went out as a foursome at 1:00pm with cart. Alex326, rgm2525, me and a single named Jeff that joined us. It’s a hilly course but certainly walkable ho... Continue »

Sunday, played Laguna Seca GR for the first time. Went out as a foursome at 1:00pm with cart. Alex326, rgm2525, me and a single named Jeff that joined us. It’s a hilly course but certainly walkable however my knee was sore and did not want to chance messing it up before our Quail Lodge & Golf Club round the next day. We finished in under 4 hours with no waiting.

I thought it was a great layout. Tons of fun shots to try there. Good views and challenging. I would play it again based almost completely on how much I enjoyed the layout. It came to my attention on hole #8 that hole #9 here at Laguna Seca GR is considered the second toughest Par 4 on the peninsula by Alex326. I escaped it with bogey. Check out the photos.

But the conditions are nowhere near Monterey expectations. Mixed bag but mostly significantly blemished turf irregularities on the putting surfaces. It was very difficult to figure out the speed and lines given the bumps. Some greens smooth and beautiful which gave a glimpse of the potential golf experience the course could provide. Fairways with mixed conditions from lush to thin. Overall good shape and decent roll out. Rough, basically the fairways but an inch or two longer. Easy to escape from. Bunkers, awesome designs and placements but sand quality lacking. Mostly thin lies with just enough sand to play your shots from. Tee boxes were mostly level, some divot damage and cut fairway height. No problem playing from them.

Fortunately had time to explore the driving range which thankfully we had a golf cart to reach. I did see the golf course bringing golfers back and forth which is appreciated. The range is very dry, rough around the edges but man I loved it. It’s a big grass range secluded up in the hill. Practice bunkers, terrible sand but that’s expected in the context. Check out my pics.

Overall, Laguna Seca GR as worth checking out for the first time, would be back soon if the greens were nice, super fun track.

Played 11-13-22 afternoon for $62 riding, and finishing in under 4 hours with hardly any waiting letting one twosome go through us on the front side. Tee boxes were mostly level but a little chewed up... Continue »

Played 11-13-22 afternoon for $62 riding, and finishing in under 4 hours with hardly any waiting letting one twosome go through us on the front side. Tee boxes were mostly level but a little chewed up. Fairways for the most part were in decent shape with good roll out and okay lies. Rough is not much longer than the fairways and about the same shape with some bare areas along the edges. Was in one greenside bunker that was a little firm but still playable. Greens were kind of a disappointment, they looked fine and played semi- soft but very bumpy throughout the course, not to many putts would stay on line. Have seen the course in much better shape, but right now just okay but still playable. Good thing about the course is it is very fun to play, and I have always enjoyed myself here even with sub-par conditions.

Played 11/12 Sat 7am tee time. Cold morning. 3:45 hr rd. Pretty interesting fun track in average muni shape. Short course, 6200 from the back (the tips were closed at 6500). A few holes that were... Continue »

Played 11/12 Sat 7am tee time. Cold morning. 3:45 hr rd. Pretty interesting fun track in average muni shape. Short course, 6200 from the back (the tips were closed at 6500). A few holes that were short but uphill, so were tough... and a few that had downhill tee shots, including the opening tee shot, which is pretty fun... so it played to the 6200. Greens about a 9 uphill, 10 downhill... bumpy throughout the course. I had a hard time getting the ball to the hole, so I wish I could have a do over on putting. Tee boxes were beat up. The rest of the course pretty playable. Driving range really beat up. It's one of the cheaper options in the area... and it's fun enough to play again. Just don't expect a vacation resort experience like the rest of the area. I'd rather play Poppy for the NCGA price... but this place is great in a pinch.

Been a few months since I’ve been out to Laguna Seca and first thing you notice is the remodel is done. The large pro shop has now been converted into a beautiful bar/dining area (separate from the b... Continue »

Been a few months since I’ve been out to Laguna Seca and first thing you notice is the remodel is done. The large pro shop has now been converted into a beautiful bar/dining area (separate from the banquet room) and the pro shop is much smaller. The construction on the bar area is spectacular.

We tee’d off around noon and SDF and I practically had the course to ourselves. We choose Laguna Seca because we both had errands to take care of nearby so it was perfect. The weather was a scorcher (high 80’s).

Fairways were in great shape. Best I’ve seen here in a long time. Naturally there were some thin brown areas strewn about on the course but for the most part the fairways were lush and a nice emerald green. A very pleasant surprise.

Greens didn’t look all that great, but they actually rolled smooth at a nice medium pace. Greens were a bit on the firm side with most approach shots rolling out. Most greens at Laguna have enough slope to make the break pronounced and challenging but not overly complicated.

Tee boxes had good coverage but did have some uneven areas. I was only in one bunker and it had decent sand. SDF was in a handful and said some were thin while others had a plethora of fluffy sand.

I always enjoy the layout of Laguna Seca and if conditions remain high like they were today, then I see myself playing here more often.

Definitely recommended with the course in its current condition.

Played Laguna Seca Wednesday afternoon on a cool and breezy day. I love this layout but stopped playing here a couple of months ago because the conditions were getting so bad. I decided to see how ... Continue »

Played Laguna Seca Wednesday afternoon on a cool and breezy day. I love this layout but stopped playing here a couple of months ago because the conditions were getting so bad. I decided to see how things are progressing under the new ownership. Greens were recently aerated so I will give them a pass for being super slow. They did look healthy and though they were very slow, I will say the bumps and jumps on the greens from past were gone. Hopefully once the greens heal they will be very playable and enjoyable.

Fairways were in decent shape. Especially the back nine which seemed to have better coverage throughout. Overall, the fairways were fairly lush with minimal thin areas.

Sand traps had decent amount of sand in them but no one seems to be raking the bunkers here. I encountered at least 3 bunkers that had foot prints in them. Tee boxes were ok. I did notice that a few of the tee boxes had all new seed and appeared to be re-leveled.

Clubhouse is being completely remodeled. For the time being check in is at a table set up in the restaurant entry. This track as the making of a super fun course. If conditions come up to what one expects for the Monterey Peninsula then this will be my go to course again. So far it looks like they are on track. I’ll give it another 2-3 weeks and go back out to see how things are shaping up.

I just realized that I haven’t done a review of Laguna Seca in a while. This place as had it’s ups and downs over the last several months including an ownership change. During the winter the green... Continue »

I just realized that I haven’t done a review of Laguna Seca in a while. This place as had it’s ups and downs over the last several months including an ownership change. During the winter the greens were so horrible that I didn’t bother taking a putter. I know I posted some photos on the GK app of the waffle like greens. Come spring, conditions started to improve and in May and June the course was looking nice. Fairways were filled in and greens were in decent condition after the spring aeration.

However, conditions are starting to slip again. Played yesterday afternoon on a typical Monterey afternoon, low 60’s dipping to about 58 degrees with a little wind. No issues with the tee boxes, including the short par 3’s which had appropriate covering.

Fairways are overall in good shape with every fairway mainly having good semi-lush conditions throughout. Most fairways have a few thin/brown areas but nothing too horrible. Outside of the fairway and it gets super thin to complete dirt. They are obviously saving water in these areas which is totally understandable.

Greens…. It’s a guessing game. Some where decent enough, others were borderline terrible in that they looked and rolled like cauliflower, and then the ones that seemed ok but had one or two bumps right in your line. Our group (which had 5 birdies despite the greens) had 3 birdie putts which were right on line until hitting a bump and taking a huge bounce off line. Frustrating.

But the most frustrating part of the course were the sand traps. They hadn’t been raked in weeks. I don’t get it, COVID restrictions have been lifted so there are rakes in the traps but neither the players nor the course are bothering to maintain the traps.

I will always love the layout at Laguna Seca and for that alone will recommend it (sort of) but being they charge a premium price (rack rate) and have substandard conditions, the recommendation comes with the “buyer beware” tag!