Monterey Golf Trip: 10/6 to 10/8 Day #1 - Course #1 - Links at Spanish Bay.

We played Links at Spanish when we arrived on Thursday 10/6. We were able to take advantage of the practice facility at Pebble Beach and even stuck in brunch at Stillwater Grill. We had a 1:50 pm tee time. It was the 1st NGTF (Not Guaranteed to Finish) tee time. We were able to snag the tee time even though we did not stay at the resort. Sundown was 6:40 pm. We finished in 4:40 at 6:30 pm with about 30 minutes of sunlight left. Tee boxes in great shape. Fairways were in good shape; I just wished they would put divot mixes in the carts. Our forecaddie said they fill in the fairway divots nightly. Does not make sense to me especially if most groups have caddies. Was able to take carts on the fairway this day. This is my 2nd time playing this course. Views were tremendous and greens were running quick at 10 on my imaginary stimpmeter. Sand traps were well maintained. Customer service was excellent. The price including green fees, cart fees, forecaddie fees was quite steep, but u got to do it. Had drinks and appetizers afterwards at the fire pits outside the hotel lobby. A great start to our golf trip.

With cooler temps, we trekked out to Industry Hills IKE.

With discounted rate of $64 on the Babe, less folks were playing on IKE at $84.

POP was 4 hrs 15 minutes. Course is in decent shape. Greens were running at 9/10. The fairways had good coverage, but a little damp. The sand traps were terrible. Some of them had grass growing in them. I did see crews out trimming and doing maintenance. Snack shop and cart gals were pleasant. Layout is awesome here. If you bring out of towners here, they cannot tell they are in Los Angeles county. Check was efficient. Will return again soon!

Played at Trump National yesterday to escape the heat. Unfortunately, at 87 degrees and humid, we were still melting.

Played here before, so knew what to expect. Views were tremendous. Customer Service was good. Restaurant/19th hole is closed Monday/Tuesday. Also, no valet services. Course is in great shape. Greens were smooth and fast at 11. Fairways had plenty of coverage. Tee boxes in good shape. Sand traps were the weak spot of the round. This course is target golf and none of the holes are easy as there is lots of hazards everywhere. Most tee shots required 100% focus. The greens have crazy undulations. Watch them downhillers towards to the ocean.

Beverage cart made their rounds and the grill was open. Lots of goodies in the well stock pro shop. However, if you get politically bent out of shape by Trump, I would avoid pro shop because there was MAGA hats on full display.

Brave enough to venture out to Angeles National yesterday at 105 degrees at 12 pm.

Restaurant is closed upstairs as they are renovating the bar. Remember when they just had a trailer!

Snack shop was open and pro shop was well stocked and staff was pleasant. There was a big ice bucket for communal use and 2 bottles of free water per cart. POP was 3.15 hrs!!! Course was very dry, but despite water restrictions, the course did a good job of maintaining the fairways and greens. There is several holes where the blue and black tee boxes were being worked on and roped off, hence the tees all moved up. This was disclosed with signs. Greens were smooth and firm, running at 10/11. Fairways were dry, but had good coverage with tons of roll. Sand traps were in good shape and some temporary tee boxes were shaggy. Overall, a solid day despite the crazy heat.

Will return in the future with a discounted tee time.

Played Mile Square Park yesterday at 11:00 am. Course is in good shape. Despite tons of play, and a relative value compared to other Orange County courses, the greens were well maintained running at 9. The rough was not very thick, but there are dry patches throughout. Lots of construction in the back 9 as they are bulldozing the old holes. Sand was in average shape and fairways were mowed and the ball sat up nicely. We had to play preferred lies because there was several occasions we had bare dirt when we strayed from the fairways. Customer service was fine and snack shop was open. There is still some temporary tee boxes on the back 9 holes.

Out at Santa Anita last Friday for afternoon round. Pro shop was well stocked and staff was pleasant. I spoke to Jeff who mans the carts and the bar said the bar probably won't be open until next year.

Course was in average shape. The greens were good, but not great running at 7/8. The rough was non-existent and patchy. Lots of bare lies and uneven tee boxes. Sand was decent shape. Pace of play was 4.15 hours. Packed tee sheet and reasonable rates and location make it a pleasant day out of the office.

Worth a visit if you are in the area and cannot get a tee time at Brookside.

Epic day at Shady Canyon. Range attendant that carries your golf bag from your golf cart to the range stalls, cleans your clubs as you go through your bag. Check! Pro V 1x range balls. Check! Cart attendant that empties your ice bucket at the turn and makes sure your beverages are cold. Check! Valet that parks your car and loads your clubs in your car after round Check! Refrigerator with free cold water, fruit, sandwiches and candy at every bathroom on the course. Check! Greens ran perfectly at 11/12 all day long. Perfect fairways and tee boxes and rough. Layout was typical Tom Fazio. Lots of bunkering and unique green complexes. Layout goes through Shady Canyon area of Irvine. Saw Branden Steele in group in front of us. He is a member here. Owns course record of 59 from Black Tees. So is the big cat Tiger. If you get lucky enough to play here; do it!

Played today at 10 am. Customer service was fine as with many previous times here. I usually give them a little leeway because they are trying their best to help customers with packed tee sheets and a lot of new golfers. I have to mention that this is one of most single golfer friendly courses in the area. That is why a lot of single golfers come here. Green were a little shaggy running around 8. Sand was nice and fluffy! Rough was nonexistent with some bare spots throughout the course. Tee boxes were acceptable and pace of play was 4.15. Restaurant service was good food and good views. Will return soon!

Played last Friday at 12 pm. Have not played in over 1 year. Course was in generally good shape. Greens were bumpy and running at 8/9. Fairways had decent winter coverage and rough was not very penal. Traps had average sand and tee boxes were unlevel and bare. POP was 4.15 hours. Restaurant is still closed indoors. Outdoor patio available for post round libations and snacks. Customer service was fine. Still hard to get a tee time here, but easier than Brookside.

Ventured back out to Black Gold yesterday with a buddy who is a member. Been hard to get a regular tee time here in the last 18 months. Course is in good shape, very dry. Greens were the highlight running at 11 and putted smooth with occasional bumps. Fairways had good lies all day, but dry wind and weather makes for tight lies and tee boxes were above average. Rough was non-existent, but hazards are abundant on this course. If you are crooked off the tee, you guaranteed a bogey or worse. Starter and staff encountered was pleasant. Snack shop staff was overwhelmed with patrons. Cart gal was pleasant and carts were well stocked. Pace of play was excellent at 4 hr 15 minutes.

Wonderful day out at Desert Willows Mountain Course yesterday. First time playing Mountain Course after playing Firecliff Course last year. Spectacular golf facility with world class driving range, chipping green and putting green. Well stocked pro shop with full service indoor and outdoor restaurant along with nice breakfast snack shop. All employees encountered were friendly, interested, and ready to serve. Staff really took pride of their facility.

Despite a 1 hr 15 minute frost delay, operations were smooth and organized. Once we got called to tee off, Larry the starter was pleasant and gave great tips and explained their strictly enforced pace of play policy. Nice to hear because we had 5.15 min round the day before at PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course. The golf course is green and lush. Tee boxes were like perfect felt. Fairways and rough and traps pristine despite a packed tee sheet. Greens were rolling smooth at around 10. Unique variety of holes mixed with water hazards and amazing views of the southern and northern mountains. Snack carts came by several time. They were well stocked and we ordered double shot margaritas which were not cheap but we were happy to pay given the experience. Golf carts had coolers and precise gps to the actual flag.

Overall conditions were better than PGA West - Nicklaus Tournament Course and they just hosted the pros two weeks ago.

Such a wonderful treat to play here!

Cannot wait to tell all my friends and fellow GKers to come and play!

Out yesterday morning to Los Serranos South.

The greens have healed nice from the aeration a few weeks ago. A little bumpy, but very puttable running at 8.

The course was over watered and soggy and the fairways had decent drought coverage. The rough was a mix bag and there is plenty of dirt patches where your ball can roll into. Many par 5's on this course, so if u like those, feast away. Layout is a great mix of holes plus elevation changes. Snack shop was open and starter was super pleasant. We dined in the restaurant and the menu was limited, but glad to see people eating to support the golf course. Course was very busy as usual, and POP was 5 hours as tees times are back to 8 minutes apart.