First time playing at Tijeras, 9:30am tee time. Unfortunately during booking I was notified of course overseed/aeration and CPO conditions from 10/31-11/15, so I didn't have the highest of expectation... Continue »

First time playing at Tijeras, 9:30am tee time. Unfortunately during booking I was notified of course overseed/aeration and CPO conditions from 10/31-11/15, so I didn't have the highest of expectations.

Check in was smooth, nice guys behind the counter. Starter was nice as well, young guy, helped me figure out where everything was. Pretty nice driving range with top tracer technology. Putting and chipping area next to it. All my interactions with the staff was positive so that was a plus.

Now onto the course....I'm sure when this course is in top shape and peak season it's worth the price tag, but right now I can't recommend playing here.

All the fairways were shaggy and wet, and even when I hit fairways I still had some trouble finding my ball as the fairway was basically the rough. Had to play lift/clean/place because of the mud balls mainly on the front. The greens are a week or two away from perfection but were also rolling slower and were overall shaggy. The course layout was pretty fun especially the back nine, had a good mixture of hazards to be mindful of. I only had one bunker shot today (thank god lol) and the sand was nice and fluffy so seemed like it was consistent with all the bunkers just from looking at them. Saw the cart girl about 5 times throughout the round which was nice, also lots of holes had water stations which was perfect for a warm 85 degree day. Pace was kind of slow at 5 hrs and had to wait 2-5min on several holes but otherwise was flowing okay.

It sucks they are still charging $100+ for these types of conditions honestly but understandable given the location and the demographics it serves. So my two cents is avoid this course until end of November or start of December. I'll definitely be back then!

I finally got to check off this course over the weekend. We participated in a work tournament with an 8 AM shotgun start on Saturday. The carts were staged nicely, and the TrackMan driving range was a... Continue »

I finally got to check off this course over the weekend. We participated in a work tournament with an 8 AM shotgun start on Saturday. The carts were staged nicely, and the TrackMan driving range was a great addition to help us warm up before the round. I didn’t encounter any staff, as it was quite chaotic, which is typical for a construction company golf tournament.

Regarding the course itself, I felt it should have been in better condition, considering the price they charge. The fairways were starting to brown out, which isn't unusual in summer, but there were many areas with insufficient grass. This issue also affected the rough. For a course with a rack rate nearing $200, I expected it to be in better shape. I have driven by this course many times, and it always looked green; however, it didn’t have the same appeal when I finally played it. The tee boxes were level but quite worn with many having severe divot issues. The sand traps were okay, with one having very little sand and another having plenty. Many low areas on the course were very wet, including some sand traps. I slipped a few times on the fairways that sloped up to the front of the greens. Although those areas had the best coverage, one misstep could send you tumbling.

The highlight of the day was the greens. They were immaculate, rolling smoothly, fast, and very receptive to all shots—it was a pleasure to play on them.

Overall, the back nine is the superior nine, but the front nine is also enjoyable. The carts were equipped with GPS, and the cart girl came around often. I’m glad I played here, but I was hoping for slightly better conditions. If you can find a deal, it’s worth playing, but at full rack rate, I would wait for improved fairway conditions.

Played Tijeras May 7th at 8:30 am as a two-sum -paired up with two singles for $107. Pre-paid online didn't even go into the pro shop just checked in with the starter and teed off right away.

The ... Continue »

Played Tijeras May 7th at 8:30 am as a two-sum -paired up with two singles for $107. Pre-paid online didn't even go into the pro shop just checked in with the starter and teed off right away.

The course was in beautiful condition and played great. I started off hot on the day with birdie, birdie on the front nine, which flowed very well. We only waited on the first hole for the group in front of us to clear, and the rest of the nine was basically open, only seeing the group in front of us on the next tee. We finished at 12:50 with a POP of 4:20, we did not see a single person behind us the whole day.

The course itself looked beautiful with lush fairways and manicured greens. The greens were rolling around a 9.5-11 and rolled true. I thought the rough was grown out pretty well which made it tough if you did not hit the fairway. I didn;t find any bunkers during my round but they looked good as well. The back nine at tijeras always kicks my butt - as it did today - however I really enjoyed pin placements/tee boxes for the day. Overall I think Tijeras currently has the best price for what you get in OC!

Played here this morning, 5/22, for the second time ever. Teed off before 7:30 am and played in a hair less than 4 hours. Played with three regulars from the white tees. While the scorecard on this si... Continue »

Played here this morning, 5/22, for the second time ever. Teed off before 7:30 am and played in a hair less than 4 hours. Played with three regulars from the white tees. While the scorecard on this site says 6198 yards, the scorecard at the course says 6206. It must have been re-rated recently as the slopes and rating were slightly different. Either way, I thought it played a little shorter than listed possibly because the fairways were relatively firm. I paid the public senior rack rate (with cart), $133.

The course was in really nice shape. Great coverage, lush fairways, consistent rough. Absolutely no complaints about the conditions. The greens were very nice, running at a fast pace. I thought a couple of the pin conditions were really difficult. The greens were pretty firm. My high ball stopped quickly but the lower shots by the others in my group had a lot of roll out. The rough was a factor even if not overly long.

I was in one fairway bunker which was in very nice shape. I was not in a green side sand trap but from the shots by other players, they were in equally good shape.

The course is pricey but the conditions are premium also. I would pay for the Creek Card to get a better rate if I lived in the area. Good customer service, the starter out by the carts was on top of it including going to get players on the range to keep the pace moving. Recommended.

Someone needs to explain to me how I've played so many SoCal courses but somehow always missed coming to Tijeras Creek. My goodness this course is a real gem and I'm so glad that circumstances conspir... Continue »

Someone needs to explain to me how I've played so many SoCal courses but somehow always missed coming to Tijeras Creek. My goodness this course is a real gem and I'm so glad that circumstances conspired to get me here. I am so enamored with this place. You've read it before I'm sure but this really is two absolutely different golf courses from one nine to the next. The front nine is a pretty wide-open and typical OC track with homes on either side of the ample fairways, water features and not too many elevation changes. Then you get on the back nine and you're suddenly transported to Cross Creek or Journey at Pechanga. It's narrow, it's hilly and it's spectacular fun. There's just not a bad hole on this property. Add to that wonderful conditions from tee to green and you're in for an unbelievable treat, and all for apparently better greens fees than many of its local contemporaries (not calling it cheap, but certainly lower than many others I saw at similar times). The fairways were in superb shape and the rough equally so. The bunkers have great sand in them, while the tee boxes (played the blues) were mostly good with some roughed up par 3 ones mixed in. The greens were really nice and quite tricky, but I would say they started much faster and then slowed down as the day progressed, so were they inconsistent or did they just change with the afternoon weather? I'm not well versed enough to know, but I do know I rolled my putts much better on the front than on the back. Nice little pro shop with a very competent staff, and the driving range is good but there are no ball collection things next to the mats so you have to keep reaching back and grabbing a ball out of the bucket - not ideal. There are also no club stands if you decide to leave your bag in the cart and only bring up individual clubs. So if there's one thing to be nitpicky about Tijeras Creek, I guess it's the range. I'll live. Overall though this was a tremendous surprise and really elevates up to one of my Orange County favorites at Ludicrous Speed. Playing from the tips here would be a massive challenge but the blues still gave us everything we could handle. Oh yeah, POP was really good and we finished with plenty of daylight, and cart service (and the snack shop at the turn) were really pleasant and fun. Just a great day all in all and I highly recommend it if you've never been.

My friend and I played Tijeras Creek Saturday morning, tee time 8:40. Paired with two singles, both really fun guys. Overall I'd say the course is in great shape. They are doing some work in variou... Continue »

My friend and I played Tijeras Creek Saturday morning, tee time 8:40. Paired with two singles, both really fun guys. Overall I'd say the course is in great shape. They are doing some work in various places, and I think they are getting ready to punch at the end of the month.
Tee boxes good, plenty of coverage. Fairways are green, lush, and very nice to hit off. Rough is thick in most spots. Sand traps are a little inconsistent, some with thick fluffy sand and others with hard packed sand. Greens were in pretty good shape, some with more ball marks than others. Cart service was late getting out, so didn't see her until late in back nine. There is food at the turn, and marshall came around with bottled water which was a nice surprise.
We finished in 4:20 with very little waiting. We weren't pushed by group behind, so we took a little extra time than normal. Was very pleasantly surprised by pace, especially on a Saturday morning.
One guy in our group from MD, first time playing here. He made several comments about how different back nine is from front. It is like playing two different courses in one here.
It's a little pricey, but what OC course isn't? Creek card helps make it more reasonable. This is one of my favorite courses, and it's in pretty good shape-recommend getting out before they punch.

Had the opportunity to play today. Found out that it was cart path only and the course has not been mowed since the rains started.

The rough was thick and hard to hit out of. Also your ball was har... Continue »

Had the opportunity to play today. Found out that it was cart path only and the course has not been mowed since the rains started.

The rough was thick and hard to hit out of. Also your ball was hard to locate in the rough. Fairways were almost as thick as the rough and your ball would stop where it landed, no roll at all.

Greens were slow due not being cut.

I would have wished that the course would've given a discounted green fee due to the course conditions. Would have not played and payed full price if I knew the conditions prior to playing. Made for a long day.

Never understood the low reviews. Everytime I play here course is fantastic shape. Always very playable, fairways great, bunkers Great. Greens a little slower than normal but still rolled true. Is it ... Continue »

Never understood the low reviews. Everytime I play here course is fantastic shape. Always very playable, fairways great, bunkers Great. Greens a little slower than normal but still rolled true. Is it worth $140+, probably not, but everything in OC is overpriced.

This course is way over priced and in horrible condition. I played on 9/21/22, the pace of play was the good thing about this course. The green fee was $143 with an online rate discount. For that m... Continue »

This course is way over priced and in horrible condition. I played on 9/21/22, the pace of play was the good thing about this course. The green fee was $143 with an online rate discount. For that much money; range balls should be included, there should be an ice box filled with water bottles and the course should be in better shape than my local muni. I haven’t played a course in worse shape since I stopped playing exec nine hole courses. The golf carts have the ability to order lunch before teeing off on the ninth, but when I got to snack shop, I was told that the snack shop is closed so the order was never received. I can’t believe people keep going back to this place when there are so many other choices in OC. I will never go back!