Golf Course Reviews
Golf Course Reviews: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Florida, Hawaii!Played on the GK event at Desert Willow. Course was in great shape. Layout of the course is great with many tees to challenge every type of golfer and amazing Mountain views frame most holes.
The pin placements that day were brutal. On ridges or tucked in corners. It’s a fun course on a Saturday there is no need to set it up in a way that would naturally slow down play.
The bar overlooking the course would a a great spot for after the round. The pro shop was nicely stocked. Thanks to linksoul for the shirt. With so much negativity in golf these GK plays really are the best part of the game for me right now.
The pin placements that day were brutal. On ridges or tucked in corners. It’s a fun course on a Saturday there is no need to set it up in a way that would naturally slow down play.
The bar overlooking the course would a a great spot for after the round. The pro shop was nicely stocked. Thanks to linksoul for the shirt. With so much negativity in golf these GK plays really are the best part of the game for me right now.
Play native Oaks on Saturday 5/29/2023. Overall, course is in very good shape. Premium on driving accuracy as many holes have out of bounds or native areas.
We had a tee time for 1130 and check-in went smoothly went to the grass and driving range was able to hit some balls.
From fairways to the greens you can really see the improvement native oaks has undergone under Troon management. The fairways fairways had a decent amount of runoff while still feeling soft enough during wedge strikes. The greens were a little bumpy but that might be due to the late day and play in the tournament that was going on.
The tournament really did slow down the course the round took over five hours, which was probably the only downside of the round.
Would definitely recommend native oaks. This is the perfect time to play. It will get too hot later in the summer.
We had a tee time for 1130 and check-in went smoothly went to the grass and driving range was able to hit some balls.
From fairways to the greens you can really see the improvement native oaks has undergone under Troon management. The fairways fairways had a decent amount of runoff while still feeling soft enough during wedge strikes. The greens were a little bumpy but that might be due to the late day and play in the tournament that was going on.
The tournament really did slow down the course the round took over five hours, which was probably the only downside of the round.
Would definitely recommend native oaks. This is the perfect time to play. It will get too hot later in the summer.
Played Temecula Creek on Saturday. Course is attached to a hotel. The driving range is a little short if you were a long hitter, I don’t think you could drive more than 260. There are three sets of tee boxes. Course should consider creating a combo between the red and white and blue and the white to allow more options for play. Course is in a nice area; no residential buildings come in to play, but there are a few holes where you can hear the nearby 15 freeway.
Course is in overall good shape but the rough is way too severe for play currently.
As other reviewers have noted, the rough will completely hide a golf ball. When looking for a golf ball in the rough, you’re more likely to find another persons ball who has been lost in the rough. This was encountered even 5 feet off the fairway. Spoke to the person and they stated they got behind on mowing, but should be able to catch up within the next month or so.
To the positives, the fairways here have been particularly thin in my previous plays but today they were a lot more carpet like and much better to play from. The greens were rolling fast and true. They held well struck shots appropriately and allowed and allowed poor shots to run through. Was in a few bunkers, and overall they are not very difficult to escape from, but they are true hazards in the respect that no raking or manicuring was done prior to the day.
Overall pace of play was slow adding up close to five hours. This was due to the time spent looking for lost balls, not just our group but the group in front of us.
I do believe TCI will be able to get back on a mowing schedule now that the rains appear to have settled down. Would like to come back in about a month and hopefully it should be in good shape before it gets too hot in Temecula.
Course is in overall good shape but the rough is way too severe for play currently.
As other reviewers have noted, the rough will completely hide a golf ball. When looking for a golf ball in the rough, you’re more likely to find another persons ball who has been lost in the rough. This was encountered even 5 feet off the fairway. Spoke to the person and they stated they got behind on mowing, but should be able to catch up within the next month or so.
To the positives, the fairways here have been particularly thin in my previous plays but today they were a lot more carpet like and much better to play from. The greens were rolling fast and true. They held well struck shots appropriately and allowed and allowed poor shots to run through. Was in a few bunkers, and overall they are not very difficult to escape from, but they are true hazards in the respect that no raking or manicuring was done prior to the day.
Overall pace of play was slow adding up close to five hours. This was due to the time spent looking for lost balls, not just our group but the group in front of us.
I do believe TCI will be able to get back on a mowing schedule now that the rains appear to have settled down. Would like to come back in about a month and hopefully it should be in good shape before it gets too hot in Temecula.
I played Old Macdonald on Tuesday, August 8, 2022.
Old Mac is another amazing course at Bandon Dunes. Based on the “template” holes there are some exceeding difficult shots that reward precision and blind faith. You play out to the ocean near and old dead tree called the ghost tree and you can see that tree from a lot of the holes on old Mac because that is one of the few trees on the windswept course. There are pot bunkers and very large sand dunes ready to eat any wayward drive or iron shot. Caddie was really valuable here due to the numerous blind shots and angles of approach not to mention that this is one of the hilliest courses at Bandon.
Heard of people skipping Old Mac when they go to Bandon and I would say if you skip Old Mac you are missing out on an amazing test of golf, amazing views and holes types that you don’t see anymore. 100% recommend.
Old Mac is another amazing course at Bandon Dunes. Based on the “template” holes there are some exceeding difficult shots that reward precision and blind faith. You play out to the ocean near and old dead tree called the ghost tree and you can see that tree from a lot of the holes on old Mac because that is one of the few trees on the windswept course. There are pot bunkers and very large sand dunes ready to eat any wayward drive or iron shot. Caddie was really valuable here due to the numerous blind shots and angles of approach not to mention that this is one of the hilliest courses at Bandon.
Heard of people skipping Old Mac when they go to Bandon and I would say if you skip Old Mac you are missing out on an amazing test of golf, amazing views and holes types that you don’t see anymore. 100% recommend.
I was lucky enough to play Bandon Dunes on Tuesday, August, 9, 2022 and again in Thursday, August 11,2022.
The first day the sun was shining and the course opened up to the ocean beautifully on hole 4. On Thursday the fog was so thick you could not see the flag let alone the ocean. This is the amazing variety of conditions you find even in the summer in Bandon Dunes.
Course hosted the junior Am championship a few weeks ago and was still in immaculate shape. Greens were very firm basically impossible to make a pitch mark. I took a caddie since I was playing 36 that day. They have green reading books and yardage books for sale at the pro shop. I don’t think you need a caddie if you are only playing 18 that day, buying the green reading books or were not that concerned about the score (this whole place seems more than just about the birdies and bogies).
The course has amazing Pacific Ocean views and great challenging golf holes. My favorite hole is a driveable par 4 that sits on the side of a cliff over one hundred feet from the shore below.
I stayed at the Chrome lake cottage I would recommend this for anyone that wants a bath (all/most of the other rooms do not have a bath). Also on-site the steak house has been renamed into the forge. Steak and baked potato after the round was great.
Bandon is kinda like golf Mecca everyone has to make a pilgrimage there it was a great a special treat for me to be able to go and experience all it has to offer.
The first day the sun was shining and the course opened up to the ocean beautifully on hole 4. On Thursday the fog was so thick you could not see the flag let alone the ocean. This is the amazing variety of conditions you find even in the summer in Bandon Dunes.
Course hosted the junior Am championship a few weeks ago and was still in immaculate shape. Greens were very firm basically impossible to make a pitch mark. I took a caddie since I was playing 36 that day. They have green reading books and yardage books for sale at the pro shop. I don’t think you need a caddie if you are only playing 18 that day, buying the green reading books or were not that concerned about the score (this whole place seems more than just about the birdies and bogies).
The course has amazing Pacific Ocean views and great challenging golf holes. My favorite hole is a driveable par 4 that sits on the side of a cliff over one hundred feet from the shore below.
I stayed at the Chrome lake cottage I would recommend this for anyone that wants a bath (all/most of the other rooms do not have a bath). Also on-site the steak house has been renamed into the forge. Steak and baked potato after the round was great.
Bandon is kinda like golf Mecca everyone has to make a pilgrimage there it was a great a special treat for me to be able to go and experience all it has to offer.
I played Lake Shastina Golf course on Sunday, July 7, 2022.
Mountain golf course with really great views and good tees and fairways. You are playing playing at elevation so adjust iron distances accordingly. There is a lot of elevation changes to account for as well. Course is very well maintained but there were a few brown/bald spots on the greens. The greens were very receptive and still had very few pitch marks. Fairways provided alot of roll out and we’re still enough cushion for the approach shots. Highlight of the course is definitely the views of Mt Shasta and they don’t short you in that regard. Most of the holes have a view of Mt. Shasta.
The course is connected the the Lake Shastina golf resort where I stayed for the night after the round. The rooms are great with a full kitchen, deck with view of the golf course and mt Shasta. Only issue is that there was no ac in the room and it was hot during the day but cooled at night.
I teed off as a single around 4 and was finished a little more than 2 hours later. I only saw one other group and they insisted I play through. Walking the course would be difficult given the heat and the distance between a few of the holes.
I would recommend this course to anyone in the area looking to play some golf at a mountain course with nice views.
Mountain golf course with really great views and good tees and fairways. You are playing playing at elevation so adjust iron distances accordingly. There is a lot of elevation changes to account for as well. Course is very well maintained but there were a few brown/bald spots on the greens. The greens were very receptive and still had very few pitch marks. Fairways provided alot of roll out and we’re still enough cushion for the approach shots. Highlight of the course is definitely the views of Mt Shasta and they don’t short you in that regard. Most of the holes have a view of Mt. Shasta.
The course is connected the the Lake Shastina golf resort where I stayed for the night after the round. The rooms are great with a full kitchen, deck with view of the golf course and mt Shasta. Only issue is that there was no ac in the room and it was hot during the day but cooled at night.
I teed off as a single around 4 and was finished a little more than 2 hours later. I only saw one other group and they insisted I play through. Walking the course would be difficult given the heat and the distance between a few of the holes.
I would recommend this course to anyone in the area looking to play some golf at a mountain course with nice views.
Played the GK plays event at San Vincente Golf Resort On Sunday, July 24, 2022. Weather was pretty hot but a nice breeze made it feel much better. Great prizes from link soul and Golf moose the course also really did a good job of hosting us.
The range is a little short and the balls are a little old but other than that it’s good place to warm up. Putting area close to the first tee hast raised cups and a rather large putting green.
We played the course pretty quickly around 4 hours.
The tee boxes were a little chewed up. Fairways for this type of course, at this rate, at this time of the year, (summer) it were in pretty good shape. Course has nice routing taken you uphill and downhill with some good views of the mountains.
The greens and the closely mode areas around the greens were really the highlight for the course for me. They would receive well struck shots but if it was not struck well it would run through the green. The areas around the greens were closely mowed and provided ample chipping opportunities no bald spots or anything.
This is my first time playing San Vicente golf resort and I’m probably gonna try to come back again.
The range is a little short and the balls are a little old but other than that it’s good place to warm up. Putting area close to the first tee hast raised cups and a rather large putting green.
We played the course pretty quickly around 4 hours.
The tee boxes were a little chewed up. Fairways for this type of course, at this rate, at this time of the year, (summer) it were in pretty good shape. Course has nice routing taken you uphill and downhill with some good views of the mountains.
The greens and the closely mode areas around the greens were really the highlight for the course for me. They would receive well struck shots but if it was not struck well it would run through the green. The areas around the greens were closely mowed and provided ample chipping opportunities no bald spots or anything.
This is my first time playing San Vicente golf resort and I’m probably gonna try to come back again.
Played Arrowood on 1/10/2021. Overall course is in good winter shape. The fairways are dormant and somewhat thin but provide a lot of roll. Greens are a soft and therefore a little bumpy with some pitch marks but still roll fairly true (greens here are hard for me to read). Rough is inconsistent some spots fairly deep but mostly thin. Overall the course has very large fairways and greens and not alot of rough before the ball is unplayable/out of bounds.
Happy to see they have re-installed sod on number 13 (the only back nine par five). It has been flowers/cactus stuff but that is now removed and there is sod. Currently playing as ground under repair while it grows in.
Fairly routine Covid check in and masks required in doors and main hub areas (not so sure on how strictly this is being enforced). Cart person came around a bunch. Bring your AirPods unless you like classic rock while you warm up.
I definitely recommend but very hard to get weekend tee times here.
Happy to see they have re-installed sod on number 13 (the only back nine par five). It has been flowers/cactus stuff but that is now removed and there is sod. Currently playing as ground under repair while it grows in.
Fairly routine Covid check in and masks required in doors and main hub areas (not so sure on how strictly this is being enforced). Cart person came around a bunch. Bring your AirPods unless you like classic rock while you warm up.
I definitely recommend but very hard to get weekend tee times here.
Played Arrowood on Sunday 8/23/20 with my dad and a twosome we were grouped with. Overall the course is in very good condition considering the heat wave that had been hitting San Diego county over the past two weeks.
The tee boxes are nice and level with only a few of the par threes having divot damage. The fairways have really improved their lushness rating. While not providing the same level of rollout as before the extra cushion is a trade off I am willing to make. The greens are soft and are getting a little beat up with the ball marks. The bunkers have nice sand and have also improved over the years from the dirt they used to be.
The practice area could use a few more tees for the mats I had to wait for someone to finish before I could grab a mat with a tee. I would recommend bringing your air pods unless you like “classic rock” music which they play on the driving range. The practice putting green only has sticks with a metal pole about the size or maybe smaller than the flag stick (no holes). The cart person came around a few times.
It was very hot and normally I walk but this time I used the cart because it was just so hot out. Overall I would recommend this course it’s a great layout with wide fairways and a focus on the second shot.
The tee boxes are nice and level with only a few of the par threes having divot damage. The fairways have really improved their lushness rating. While not providing the same level of rollout as before the extra cushion is a trade off I am willing to make. The greens are soft and are getting a little beat up with the ball marks. The bunkers have nice sand and have also improved over the years from the dirt they used to be.
The practice area could use a few more tees for the mats I had to wait for someone to finish before I could grab a mat with a tee. I would recommend bringing your air pods unless you like “classic rock” music which they play on the driving range. The practice putting green only has sticks with a metal pole about the size or maybe smaller than the flag stick (no holes). The cart person came around a few times.
It was very hot and normally I walk but this time I used the cart because it was just so hot out. Overall I would recommend this course it’s a great layout with wide fairways and a focus on the second shot.
Played Mt. Woodson on 8/16/20 as part of the GK plays event. It was a great time despite the heat.
Overall the course is in very good shape and I would recommend for anyone trying to get an honest assessment of their ability to drive the ball very strait. The course is not that long but it’s difficulty comes in the fact that the fairways are narrow, the greens are small and there is minimal rough. There is a lot of out of bounds areas on almost every hole.
The course was in really good shape despite the heat wave that has been rolling through San Diego county. The tee boxes were a little shaggy for my taste. The fairways were pretty good with minimal bare spots and nice cushion. The bunkers were not overly sandy and provided enough lose sand to get your club through. The greens seemed pretty good despite being a little slower than I was used too.
We had a great time at the GK plays and the nachos I had After the round were worth the money. Can’t wait for the next GK plays at Dessert Willow.
Overall the course is in very good shape and I would recommend for anyone trying to get an honest assessment of their ability to drive the ball very strait. The course is not that long but it’s difficulty comes in the fact that the fairways are narrow, the greens are small and there is minimal rough. There is a lot of out of bounds areas on almost every hole.
The course was in really good shape despite the heat wave that has been rolling through San Diego county. The tee boxes were a little shaggy for my taste. The fairways were pretty good with minimal bare spots and nice cushion. The bunkers were not overly sandy and provided enough lose sand to get your club through. The greens seemed pretty good despite being a little slower than I was used too.
We had a great time at the GK plays and the nachos I had After the round were worth the money. Can’t wait for the next GK plays at Dessert Willow.
Played Arrowood on 7/5/2020 teed off at 11:20. Walked the silvers in about four hours and fifteen minutes. Staff was very friendly and ensuring COVID 19 safety (masks required in central area, starter, and in side the pro shop.)
Course was in pretty good shape. The greens were smooth with minimal marks. The fairway was a lot softer than normal. Rough was thick in some areas (backside of most fairway bunkers). There is still no solution for bunkers in COVID other than to just use your foot to clear a flat spot. The cups have a cut pool noodle in the bottom (Over a month past reopening I would have thought to see more adoption of the lever contraption that Rams Hill uses).
I really enjoy the layout of the course that puts ball striking at a premium. I can’t wait to go back.
Course was in pretty good shape. The greens were smooth with minimal marks. The fairway was a lot softer than normal. Rough was thick in some areas (backside of most fairway bunkers). There is still no solution for bunkers in COVID other than to just use your foot to clear a flat spot. The cups have a cut pool noodle in the bottom (Over a month past reopening I would have thought to see more adoption of the lever contraption that Rams Hill uses).
I really enjoy the layout of the course that puts ball striking at a premium. I can’t wait to go back.
I played Arrowood on 3/7/2020. Course is in good shape heading into maintenance on 3/31. Teed off around 10:30 and finished around 4:30 with some waiting on a few holes. This is pretty regular on a weekend round here. Took the cart but the course is totally walk-able. Fairways are in pretty good shape but this course overall does have what I would consider to be thin fairways. Greens were in good shape fairly receptive and quite fast. This course has made alot of improvements over the bunkers in the past year or so. The bunkers that I were in had some nice fluffy sand.
Course is constantly making changes. Months ago they removed the bunker in the middle of the fairway on hole 4. Recently it they have added a small bunker on the middle right side of the hole along the fence where the slope runs down.
I really enjoy the course and the shot making required. I would recommend this course.
Course is constantly making changes. Months ago they removed the bunker in the middle of the fairway on hole 4. Recently it they have added a small bunker on the middle right side of the hole along the fence where the slope runs down.
I really enjoy the course and the shot making required. I would recommend this course.
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