Conditions continue to remain decent at Madera. Everything from tee to green is your typical average muni course. Greens were a bit slower than usual but rolled true with only a few unrepaired pi... Continue »

Conditions continue to remain decent at Madera. Everything from tee to green is your typical average muni course. Greens were a bit slower than usual but rolled true with only a few unrepaired pitch marks here and there. It rained during the night (and for a few minutes while on course) so there were a few fairways that were soggy. Other than that most lies were decent. A few thin areas here and there exist throughout the fairways.

POP is always on the slow side at Madera, even when the course isn't too busy. This course seems to be the gathering spot for older retired golfers who take their time and are in no rush whatsoever. Most are friendly, just slow is all.

Needed an AM tee time and Madera fit the bill. Hadn't played here in a number of months and conditions are right on track as usual. Greens are the highlight with above average greens for a muni cour... Continue »

Needed an AM tee time and Madera fit the bill. Hadn't played here in a number of months and conditions are right on track as usual. Greens are the highlight with above average greens for a muni course. They slope back to front with several being two tiered. Being behind the pin on the wrong section of the green can up the degree of difficulty for this course quite a bit. Greens roll true at a medium pace.

Fairways are a decent overall but do have a few thin spots throughout. Tee boxes were in much better shape sans one par 3 that was pretty chewed up. Sand boxes.....let's just say you don't want to be in the sand traps and leave it at that.

The one odd design flaw of the completely flat track (other than the placement of some of the tee boxes) is the placement of the water hazards. Madera has several lakes throughout the course but most of them don't really come into play. They are off (sometimes way off) to the side and mid way down the fairway so any decent and semi straight drive stays way clear of the water. There are no forced carries or water at the end of a dog leg making club selection critical. I'm a huge fan of water features on a course but these seem to be there just for logistical purposes of watering the course.

Anyway, Madera is what I call a standard Muni course. It's $23 to walk rack rate and often you can find deals at that price with a cart. For the price combined with decent conditions, it gets a thumbs up.

Just a quick update from the other reviews. Have played Madera the last couple weekends. First weekend greens were still a little slow with sand and needed a mower. Last weekend, the course was were i... Continue »

Just a quick update from the other reviews. Have played Madera the last couple weekends. First weekend greens were still a little slow with sand and needed a mower. Last weekend, the course was were it usually is!! Two things to be aware of, first thing is the rough! The rough is thick in places and makes for fairways to be hit! It's not a bad thing about the rough but most courses have thin rough and can be easily played out of, but Madera you've gotta be in the fairway on most of the holes and not just rip it and not worry about where it goes. Second, bunkers, which are always a hot button topic it seems. Too many hard pan lies. But also you think you have a good solid layer under the ball but it's not what you may think. Too often than not, its a thin layer and then hard pan.
All in all, Madera is a good solid course. Golf Moose and GolfNow, always have deals. I walk, and it's a simple and easy walk.

Played 2-19-18

Ditto for everything Alex stated in his review LOL

The sand has been spread out in the bunkers leaving anything from a thin layer on hard pan to actual inches of playable sand dep... Continue »

Played 2-19-18

Ditto for everything Alex stated in his review LOL

The sand has been spread out in the bunkers leaving anything from a thin layer on hard pan to actual inches of playable sand depending on the individual bunker.
The greens were firm and quick with little to no damage.
Some green is starting to break through in fairway areas.

Ended up with a few hours of down time today so I swung into Madera for a quick(ish) round A quick update on course conditions since my summer post. Greens still remain the strong point of the course... Continue »

Ended up with a few hours of down time today so I swung into Madera for a quick(ish) round A quick update on course conditions since my summer post. Greens still remain the strong point of the course. They are a bit above average for a muni course. Fairways are thin but offer a good amount of roll. Tee boxes are hit and miss with several being below average, condition wise. Very patchy with several thin areas. Sand traps have always been the weak link of Madera and it looks like they are in the process of doing something about them. There were a few traps with mounds of sand dumped in them in preparation of being repaired. The fairways are fairly wide but there are a few holes with strategically placed trees in the middle. Also a number of tee boxes are placed on the extreme edge of the fairway up against the tree lines. Not sure if this was a design flaw or an attempt to be creative. To me it's the former. I've mentioned before how pace of play is always slow here. Well, it might not be the players after all. The carts are super slow! Overall, it's a decent course with average muni course conditions.

Played on 6-25-17 The course uses reclaimed water and most fairways and green complexes are lush, to the point that there were over watered areas with mud and casual water. Off fairway areas are dirt... Continue »

Played on 6-25-17 The course uses reclaimed water and most fairways and green complexes are lush, to the point that there were over watered areas with mud and casual water. Off fairway areas are dirt in/under/around trees. Tees are mostly good with areas of damage and/or unlevel. The greens are in very good shape right now and are nearly back to the once spectacular condition that was the course trademark for so long. Bunkers - GROAN - as with many Valley courses the warm temps mean hard traps. They basically have no sand and although a few were worked to soften them up it only made it worse as different traps played from soft and deep dirt to hardpan, not only from bunker to bunker, but from different areas of the same trap. It was a crap shoot guessing what the crusty look was covering. Deals abound on Golfnow and make playing here worthwhile.

Madera is the muni course I measure all other muni's against. It's an average course, but that's not a bad thing. Greens are solid now (they had a major issue about 18 months ago) and fairways are d... Continue »

Madera is the muni course I measure all other muni's against. It's an average course, but that's not a bad thing. Greens are solid now (they had a major issue about 18 months ago) and fairways are decent. Tee boxes fall a bit short and the "dirt" traps are the weak link. Track layout is nothing special yet not boring. Some water hazards to keep things interesting helps the completely flat course from being a snore fest.

My favorite hole is the par 5 17th which is reachable in 2 with a long drive but with water on both sides of the fairway, accuracy is a must.

Pace of play is always a bit slower even during mid week as this is the go to course for older retired players. Having said that, whereas Aviara and Quail Lodge have the friendliest staff, Madera has the friendliest players! Everyone I have met on this course is absolutely great.

Definitely worth the green fee and is easily a walkable course.

Played Sunday 4/23/17 on second day off northern trip. This is a Putnam designed golf course. I have played quite a few of their courses. They are all pretty similar in design concept. This is the bes... Continue »

Played Sunday 4/23/17 on second day off northern trip. This is a Putnam designed golf course. I have played quite a few of their courses. They are all pretty similar in design concept. This is the best one I have played. Tees some were crowned, some unlevel and most are beat up pretty well. You can find a good spot just have to look. Why on a 150 yard par 3 would the white tee box be a 10x20 foot area? No wonder it was tore up. Fairways as a rule are generally quite wide, but tree trouble is just off them. Good grass coverage with good lies. Rough a little bare spots throughout, cut short off fairways. Around greens grass was very thick combination of grass, clover and weeds? Greens are the highlight. Evidence of being plugged recently but healed nicely. Only could tell be little circles of greener grass in the holes that were punched. Rolled very fast downhill and very slow uphill. There are slopes in all the greens you really need to pay attention to. Putnam greens tend to be narrow and deep. Accuracy is the key. If you miss to the sides you will have tough up and downs as you are always hitting over something to a down slope off thick grass. Bunkers were mixed. They varied from so hard you cant leave a footprint to real nice. Fortunately you can tell the difference and plan for it. They had a fire in the restaurant so service is limited in there. A great muny course

Just a quick overview.

Course is mostly green from the rains. Tees and fairways are all lush. There are still many off fairway areas with dirt. The rough was consistent just off the fairways.

Th... Continue »

Just a quick overview.

Course is mostly green from the rains. Tees and fairways are all lush. There are still many off fairway areas with dirt. The rough was consistent just off the fairways.

The greens were recently worked and are probably another 2 weeks from being without sand/tine marks.
The previously empty "ponds" are now actually ponds with water which add to the aesthetics and challenge. Bunkers are as usual hard hard hard.

If my accompanying rating is low it will be due to the greens and bunkers.

Fun and inexpensive.