In Monterey for a few days. Played here this afternoon. Played here many many times when working in Silicon Valley. Had to come play it again. Wonderful layout and IMO a forgotten gem amongst all the... Continue »

In Monterey for a few days. Played here this afternoon. Played here many many times when working in Silicon Valley. Had to come play it again. Wonderful layout and IMO a forgotten gem amongst all the big names in the area. Challenging layout with a great assortment of holes with lots of fun elevation mixed in amongst the holes. Found the course in very good condition. No tee box issues. Fairways had good coverage with decent roll and lies. Avoided the bunkers myself but heard no complaints from my partners. Decent amount of rough and many OB areas along with the dreaded ice plant. Found the greens to my liking and having good putting memories from past rounds really helped. Great customer service in the shop. When in the area don't pass this one up. It won't disappoint you.

Weather on the peninsula lately has been gorgeous. I took the opportunity to get out around Noon on Sunday. I normally don’t like playing on the weekends but it was just too nice not to play. I opt... Continue »

Weather on the peninsula lately has been gorgeous. I took the opportunity to get out around Noon on Sunday. I normally don’t like playing on the weekends but it was just too nice not to play. I opted to ride (in order to rest my legs for the bike) and with having to wait on every shot it was nice to have seat available. The POP aside which was a little over 4.5 hours but felt closer to 5.5 hours, it was a great day. Conditions continue to remain steady at Laguna Seca. Fairways were excellent. They matched that of Poppy Hills from last week. Greens were smooth, but a bit on the slow side. Not sure if it’s because they are still recovering from recent aeration or it’s just the normal speed for here now. Greens at Laguna Seca are sneaky. they don’t look wicked but they can sneak up on you.

Tee boxes had good coverage yet there are a handful that need to be re-leveled. Nothing extreme but getting to the point that it needs to be addressed. Bunkers were the weak link on the course. Only 1 out of 4 that I was in had decent sand. The rest were hard packed dirt and one was mud.

It’s still a super fun layout and with prices the same (maybe even a bit lower) than they were 4 years ago, I have no problem recommending this track.

Played Laguna Seca yesterday afternoon on what was naturally and expected a busy holiday weekend round. Conditions have declined slightly but still overall not bad and much better than years past whe... Continue »

Played Laguna Seca yesterday afternoon on what was naturally and expected a busy holiday weekend round. Conditions have declined slightly but still overall not bad and much better than years past when everything was hit and miss. Greens actually rolled fairly smooth. Given it was an afternoon round finishing up at 6:30 PM the greens held up well (3 birdies on the day helps with the ratings). Greens rolled at a medium pace that I suspect wasn’t as slow as they seemed. But after playing Spyglass twice last week everything feels slow. Greens were a bit firm but held well struck approach shots.

Fairways remain consistent. Think of a typical average (but decent) muni course and that’s what the fairways are here. In fact the entire course could be considered your average muni course. Most of the fairways had decent lush coverage. Only a few thin spots here and there.

Rough seems to be growing in, as in narrowing the fairways. Not sure if it’s my imagination or if they are getting ready for a tournament. Anyway, the rough isn’t too bad. Only about 1-1.5 inches thick and the ball sits up pretty well. Only real downside is lack of roll out if you hit the rough.

Sand boxes were decent enough. In fact I played Spanish Bay last weekend and the bunkers at Laguna Seca were in better shape. Main issue was players not raking them. I was in three or four bunkers and all had multiple footprints. There are plenty of rakes for each bunker so please start using them folks.

The main downside to the course is the kikuyu grass surrounding the greens. It’s hard to be consistent with your short game trying to navigate this stuff. POP was just over 4.5 hours which actually isn’t bad for a holiday weekend. I walked and this is a stern walk for sure. Doable for anyone in shape but definitely a no go for those with knee problems, etc.

Laguna Seca has always been one of my favorite layouts and with the new owners the conditions match the price point.

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.