Golf Course Reviews
Golf Course Reviews: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Florida, Hawaii!A true hidden gem. This course reminded me very much of Quail lodge, only slightly more scenic and slightly less difficult. Blue/white combo tees of about 6,400 offered a fair challenge.
I really liked that each hole seemed to have an offset fairway bunker, one on the right reachable for the short hitter and the one on the left reachable for the long hitter. They were sculpted, deep and I assume penal. (luckily, I missed them all) You really had to plod and think your way around this course. You need to shape shots around trouble and possibly lay-up on some holes as a dry wash comes into play on many holes.
The first hole tees off at the highest point on the course and most of the rest plays along the valley floor. Course was built in the fifties and designed by Bob e Baldock. He is responsible for quite a few private courses in the central valley. I always seem to enjoy his layouts, but this one blew me away.
Great valley setting surrounded by green hills and sparkling white bunkers. Course was a touch winter thin but didn't affect play at all. Just a real treat to play if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it.
I really liked that each hole seemed to have an offset fairway bunker, one on the right reachable for the short hitter and the one on the left reachable for the long hitter. They were sculpted, deep and I assume penal. (luckily, I missed them all) You really had to plod and think your way around this course. You need to shape shots around trouble and possibly lay-up on some holes as a dry wash comes into play on many holes.
The first hole tees off at the highest point on the course and most of the rest plays along the valley floor. Course was built in the fifties and designed by Bob e Baldock. He is responsible for quite a few private courses in the central valley. I always seem to enjoy his layouts, but this one blew me away.
Great valley setting surrounded by green hills and sparkling white bunkers. Course was a touch winter thin but didn't affect play at all. Just a real treat to play if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it.
Tough,tough,tough. Might be the most immaculate course I've ever played. Not a blade of grass or grain of sand out of place. Greens were smooth as glass and speedy. 6,332 white tees might have been the longest 6,300 I ever played. Steady 10-20 mph winds pretty typical in the afternoons I was told. Course had the look of a rolling layout to it, but it was deceiving. I believe I read a review that said the grass was kikuyu and that explained a lot. With the wind and no roll, the course played long. Tons of deep, flash faced bunkers didn't help the cause.
If that wasn't enough the sticky grass coupled with being constantly short made the day a true chipping adventure. Bump and runs wouldn't run, lofted chips would hit the firm greens and run for miles. After only playing it once my best guess how to score here is either try sculling all your chips and maybe they get close or play as far up as possible and hit every green in regulation. LOL
I checked out the photos on Greenskeeper, and it looked like they added a ton more bunkers and took out the pond. It's a pretty course for sure. Decent amount of elevation change throughout. I saw plenty members walking but the course is surrounded by housing so they would disappear. I don't think I'd want to walk 18 especially in the wind.
One review was written over 10 years ago and I paid about 3X what SCGA charged which is probably why they don't run outings out there anymore.
If you get invited, I highly recommend it, a little pricy for a reciprocal.
If that wasn't enough the sticky grass coupled with being constantly short made the day a true chipping adventure. Bump and runs wouldn't run, lofted chips would hit the firm greens and run for miles. After only playing it once my best guess how to score here is either try sculling all your chips and maybe they get close or play as far up as possible and hit every green in regulation. LOL
I checked out the photos on Greenskeeper, and it looked like they added a ton more bunkers and took out the pond. It's a pretty course for sure. Decent amount of elevation change throughout. I saw plenty members walking but the course is surrounded by housing so they would disappear. I don't think I'd want to walk 18 especially in the wind.
One review was written over 10 years ago and I paid about 3X what SCGA charged which is probably why they don't run outings out there anymore.
If you get invited, I highly recommend it, a little pricy for a reciprocal.
Flat 10-hole par three course that was pretty green throughout. Small, elevated greens added a little challenge to a very green course in decent shape. Easy walk and a good place to practice short irons. Clubhouse is a temporary trailer, and it looks like they are working on the regular clubhouse, so money being spent. Nice warmup if heading somewhere else.
Had a 2:30 reciprocal time On the Ocean course which I had never played before.
Doubted I would finish but they charged me the twilight rate, so I figured maybe 13 or so holes. I have never seen a private golf course so busy. I don't know how many members they have but this place is an absolute golf factory. Full tee sheets on both courses and every stall on the range in use. The nine-hole course wasn't very busy, but I think that was only because it might have been closed earlier in the day for maintenance.
As expected, the course was in perfect shape, wasn't in any bunkers but I threw a few in on the short course and they had nice fluffy sand, so I assume the same conditions on all courses.
Just a solid old school layout that was really fun to play. Fairways short of the greens were a little thin (perhaps on purpose) and damp (probably always) so chipping was a real challenge for me. I was too afraid, so I used a lot of Texas wedges or bump and runs but the guys I played with seemed to be able to pull em off and spin some wedges.
Like the Lake course I think it was designed in the twenties by Willie Watson and has been redone many times due to storm damage. I believe originally it was on the cliffs by the ocean and the holes got washed away in a storm. Tom Weiskopf did a redesign, and you can see his handywork all over the course. Good mix of holes including a few drivable par 4'S for big hitters and some bunkers right in the middle of the fairways to be avoided.
Wasn't in any of the bunkers but they looked like no bargain, same with the rough.
Fairways are all treelined by huge cypresses but not overly claustrophobic. No water hazards and I was able to play with one ball. The guys I played with sprayed a bunch of tee shots that I thought were deadsville and we found them all. So, a fair test of golf. White tees were 6221 But 71.1/128 for a par 71. Didn't seem to play that tough but there was no wind. I will say not a lot of flat lies.
Been a long time since I played the Lake course, but this one seems to have much more elevation change. Lots of members walking but I would consider it a tough walk even though the tee boxes are close to the greens. We got in 13 holes as it was getting dark, and the guys I played with bailed so that's where the fun began. I had to wait for the foursome on 14 to clear the green and then everyone started bailing. I played 15 and 16 two long par fours with my phone flashlight and hitting the ball down the middle. 17 is what seems a really pretty par three that I played in the pitch black. Couldn't even find the tee box for 18 and was afraid of driving into a tree. So, I packed it in.
Obviously not the star that the Lake Course is, but a very good golf course on its own. Probably gets lost in the shuffle in the radius of so many spectacular courses, but like Del Monte not to be overlooked and a real pleasure to play.
Doubted I would finish but they charged me the twilight rate, so I figured maybe 13 or so holes. I have never seen a private golf course so busy. I don't know how many members they have but this place is an absolute golf factory. Full tee sheets on both courses and every stall on the range in use. The nine-hole course wasn't very busy, but I think that was only because it might have been closed earlier in the day for maintenance.
As expected, the course was in perfect shape, wasn't in any bunkers but I threw a few in on the short course and they had nice fluffy sand, so I assume the same conditions on all courses.
Just a solid old school layout that was really fun to play. Fairways short of the greens were a little thin (perhaps on purpose) and damp (probably always) so chipping was a real challenge for me. I was too afraid, so I used a lot of Texas wedges or bump and runs but the guys I played with seemed to be able to pull em off and spin some wedges.
Like the Lake course I think it was designed in the twenties by Willie Watson and has been redone many times due to storm damage. I believe originally it was on the cliffs by the ocean and the holes got washed away in a storm. Tom Weiskopf did a redesign, and you can see his handywork all over the course. Good mix of holes including a few drivable par 4'S for big hitters and some bunkers right in the middle of the fairways to be avoided.
Wasn't in any of the bunkers but they looked like no bargain, same with the rough.
Fairways are all treelined by huge cypresses but not overly claustrophobic. No water hazards and I was able to play with one ball. The guys I played with sprayed a bunch of tee shots that I thought were deadsville and we found them all. So, a fair test of golf. White tees were 6221 But 71.1/128 for a par 71. Didn't seem to play that tough but there was no wind. I will say not a lot of flat lies.
Been a long time since I played the Lake course, but this one seems to have much more elevation change. Lots of members walking but I would consider it a tough walk even though the tee boxes are close to the greens. We got in 13 holes as it was getting dark, and the guys I played with bailed so that's where the fun began. I had to wait for the foursome on 14 to clear the green and then everyone started bailing. I played 15 and 16 two long par fours with my phone flashlight and hitting the ball down the middle. 17 is what seems a really pretty par three that I played in the pitch black. Couldn't even find the tee box for 18 and was afraid of driving into a tree. So, I packed it in.
Obviously not the star that the Lake Course is, but a very good golf course on its own. Probably gets lost in the shuffle in the radius of so many spectacular courses, but like Del Monte not to be overlooked and a real pleasure to play.
Never been reviewed so here goes, A little slice of heaven sums it up nicely. 9 hole walking only par three course playing 1,432 yards from the tips. As the name suggests it sits on the oceanside clifftops thru a tunnel on the far side of the property just past the driving range.
Had a picture-perfect day (no wind, clouds, or fog) for these 9 fun par three holes.
Some mild elevation changes and some deep bunkers added to the challenge. They had just finished maintenance (perhaps that morning), so the greens were sanded and small punched
and many of the tee boxes were moved up.
I was charged $50 which I believe was the twilight rate. I think the twilight rate is the same for both members/guests/and others on all courses, but I could be wrong. I was an other, (reciprocal) and didn't expect to play it, but I showed up early and they squeezed me in before my round, way cool.
Was told there were some Sunday bags to borrow because they didn't have a pushcart to borrow. Didn't see any bags so I looked at the scorecard, grabbed four clubs and was on my way. With only the 4 clubs I got creative with the tee boxes, and it worked out perfectly. I hit a 7 iron about 130yds and there seemed to be a tee box somewhere in that range on every hole. I was also able to tee off at the back of some tee boxes and hit a 7-wood on a few holes.
Course holes are not numbered, and the layout is a little confusing, but some members were out there to show me the way. There is also a Billys Burger Shack (home of the famous burger dog) at the end of the range before you go thru the tunnel. Mighty tasty!
I hate practicing and hitting balls, so this is my preferred method of warming up. By the time I finished and for many hours later you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Just a real treat to play. I found it a similar experience to The Hay but much more of a golf course.
Is $50 too much for a 1,500yd course? Probably, but you can't beat the setting. If it were up to me, I might be able to fart around this course regularly and not get bored. Highly recommend it if you get the chance.
Had a picture-perfect day (no wind, clouds, or fog) for these 9 fun par three holes.
Some mild elevation changes and some deep bunkers added to the challenge. They had just finished maintenance (perhaps that morning), so the greens were sanded and small punched
and many of the tee boxes were moved up.
I was charged $50 which I believe was the twilight rate. I think the twilight rate is the same for both members/guests/and others on all courses, but I could be wrong. I was an other, (reciprocal) and didn't expect to play it, but I showed up early and they squeezed me in before my round, way cool.
Was told there were some Sunday bags to borrow because they didn't have a pushcart to borrow. Didn't see any bags so I looked at the scorecard, grabbed four clubs and was on my way. With only the 4 clubs I got creative with the tee boxes, and it worked out perfectly. I hit a 7 iron about 130yds and there seemed to be a tee box somewhere in that range on every hole. I was also able to tee off at the back of some tee boxes and hit a 7-wood on a few holes.
Course holes are not numbered, and the layout is a little confusing, but some members were out there to show me the way. There is also a Billys Burger Shack (home of the famous burger dog) at the end of the range before you go thru the tunnel. Mighty tasty!
I hate practicing and hitting balls, so this is my preferred method of warming up. By the time I finished and for many hours later you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Just a real treat to play. I found it a similar experience to The Hay but much more of a golf course.
Is $50 too much for a 1,500yd course? Probably, but you can't beat the setting. If it were up to me, I might be able to fart around this course regularly and not get bored. Highly recommend it if you get the chance.
19 Likes.
Played this course about two weeks before the pros, very cool experience. Course was immaculate as you would expect. They had us hitting off mats on the par threes and sections of the fairways that I assume were popular landing spots were roped off. I think if you landed in them you were supposed to move your ball or hit off a mat somewhere, never came up.
Great to watch it on TV as my pictures don't seem to do the magnificent setting justice.
Truly a once in a lifetime experience, which brings me to my caveat. It is now $350+forecaddy tip and I'm assuming once the whole complex is complete it will be more.
Hotel looks finished but there is lots of construction going on including a rock crusher that seemed to follow us sound wise for several holes. The course winds its way thru the red rocks and the black lava fields so it is definitely a unique experience.
The round comes with unlimited tasty food at two different comfort stations (don't think I could eat myself even) but it is a 5-hr. round at minimum, so the golf was a bit of a slog. The black lava is a ball magnet, but it can kick the ball back into play which is cool to watch.
The consensus among all the locals I played with afterward was that it was overrated and overpriced, I agree but still say it is worth it once, doubt I will be playing it again.
My favorite hole might have been the bonus 19th. 75-yard par three over water to a green surrounded by black lava.
Great to watch it on TV as my pictures don't seem to do the magnificent setting justice.
Truly a once in a lifetime experience, which brings me to my caveat. It is now $350+forecaddy tip and I'm assuming once the whole complex is complete it will be more.
Hotel looks finished but there is lots of construction going on including a rock crusher that seemed to follow us sound wise for several holes. The course winds its way thru the red rocks and the black lava fields so it is definitely a unique experience.
The round comes with unlimited tasty food at two different comfort stations (don't think I could eat myself even) but it is a 5-hr. round at minimum, so the golf was a bit of a slog. The black lava is a ball magnet, but it can kick the ball back into play which is cool to watch.
The consensus among all the locals I played with afterward was that it was overrated and overpriced, I agree but still say it is worth it once, doubt I will be playing it again.
My favorite hole might have been the bonus 19th. 75-yard par three over water to a green surrounded by black lava.
About an hour east of Redding and 15 minutes from Burney Falls lies this lovely course.
Lots of trees and mountain views await. 6557 from the whites with no roll made it one of the longer courses I've played, 7400 from the tips. Must have got here at the wrong time of the year. The fairways were very long which made it play tough and the greens were very slow, otherwise it was perfect.
The restaurant (tasty hotdog) is now closed for the season I think, and the course goes to the honor system at the end of the month. Great valley and mountain views and 4 fabulous and varied par 3's really made this course stand out. I would love to see it in season(summer?) and play it when it's rolling. Funny, most of the elevation change was downhill so that will help with the length.
Played late so the green fee was $24 but the cart fee was $34, don't know if that was because my wife rode with me. Despite the length and elevation change the course is walkable. Highly recommend if ever in the area.
Lots of trees and mountain views await. 6557 from the whites with no roll made it one of the longer courses I've played, 7400 from the tips. Must have got here at the wrong time of the year. The fairways were very long which made it play tough and the greens were very slow, otherwise it was perfect.
The restaurant (tasty hotdog) is now closed for the season I think, and the course goes to the honor system at the end of the month. Great valley and mountain views and 4 fabulous and varied par 3's really made this course stand out. I would love to see it in season(summer?) and play it when it's rolling. Funny, most of the elevation change was downhill so that will help with the length.
Played late so the green fee was $24 but the cart fee was $34, don't know if that was because my wife rode with me. Despite the length and elevation change the course is walkable. Highly recommend if ever in the area.
About an hour west of Redding lies this scenic 9 holer. Honor box, faded xeroxed scorecard and $15 walking rate greeted me at about 4PM. Couldn't make out the card but I think it was 1,700 yards from the tips with 4 short par 4's. Great setting thru the autumn trees with a nice mountain backdrop. Not a great amount of grass in the fairways or on the greens but it was still playable, and a fun and an easy walk. My wife loved that they had a bench on every hole as she walked with me.
Restuarant looked busy and filled with locals as I don't know what else is in the area, didn't partake. I'm trying to play everything, but this is definitely out of the way. Saw two guys in a cart so it serves the community's needs.
Restuarant looked busy and filled with locals as I don't know what else is in the area, didn't partake. I'm trying to play everything, but this is definitely out of the way. Saw two guys in a cart so it serves the community's needs.
9 Likes.
Finished so fast at Rhodes, I didn't know what to do with myself before a 9PM flight home. I've played most of the short courses. (Angel Park nine was closed, Palms was full, and they wanted $82 to play Eagle Crest Executive.) So, I trucked it across town to Chimera. I called and the woman in the proshop said it wasn't crowded that most folks were on the back nine. She said it was cart path only and $25 at 4:30, sold!
Course was wall to wall people I didn't even think I would get in nine holes. I bounced around and got in 16 holes, I skipped 2 and 3 and never got back to them before dark. 3 looked like one of the more interesting holes with a nice water feature short of the green.
Course was in solid shape all around a little extra plush from the overseed made things a touch longer and slower but nothing too bad. Two solid holes finish both nines and there was a good mix of pedestrian holes and interesting holes. I liked the back nine better.
Golf in Vegas is obscenely expensive for non-locals. I did a little research after I played; Chimera website offers the $25 rate after 2 during the week, it looks like they charge $140 before that, ouch. I also saw a $13 tee-time listed on golf now.
So, while not a top tier golf course it's still a fun layout in decent shape that is a steal at those discounted prices, I assume they will disappear when it is no longer CPO.
Course was wall to wall people I didn't even think I would get in nine holes. I bounced around and got in 16 holes, I skipped 2 and 3 and never got back to them before dark. 3 looked like one of the more interesting holes with a nice water feature short of the green.
Course was in solid shape all around a little extra plush from the overseed made things a touch longer and slower but nothing too bad. Two solid holes finish both nines and there was a good mix of pedestrian holes and interesting holes. I liked the back nine better.
Golf in Vegas is obscenely expensive for non-locals. I did a little research after I played; Chimera website offers the $25 rate after 2 during the week, it looks like they charge $140 before that, ouch. I also saw a $13 tee-time listed on golf now.
So, while not a top tier golf course it's still a fun layout in decent shape that is a steal at those discounted prices, I assume they will disappear when it is no longer CPO.
Got a 1:39 tee time on golf now for about $50. Giant shotgun tournament outing and I think I was the first time after. Nobody showed up so I got to go it alone. Had the course to myself, even lollygagging and snapping photos I finished in about hour and a half.
Course was lush and most likely coming out of recent overseed. A fun layout that was made a little challenging by a steady 2-3 club wind. I stink but I had some trouble getting over the mostly cosmetic desert areas between the tee boxes and the fairways. I don't think they usually come into play. 6127 blue tees very getable on a day with no wind, more of a challenge from the 6582 black tees. I enjoyed the layout, lots of water, palm trees and mountain views with some elevation change thrown in. Reminded me of some of the tamer courses in Palm Springs. I liked the course; I would consider it a perfect warm up if you are just getting into town and tackling some of the big names.
Course was lush and most likely coming out of recent overseed. A fun layout that was made a little challenging by a steady 2-3 club wind. I stink but I had some trouble getting over the mostly cosmetic desert areas between the tee boxes and the fairways. I don't think they usually come into play. 6127 blue tees very getable on a day with no wind, more of a challenge from the 6582 black tees. I enjoyed the layout, lots of water, palm trees and mountain views with some elevation change thrown in. Reminded me of some of the tamer courses in Palm Springs. I liked the course; I would consider it a perfect warm up if you are just getting into town and tackling some of the big names.
Teed off at 4:15 $51 rate from the clubhouse. Fun sporty course with not too much trouble.
Just coming out of overseed so course is super lush. Grass is a touch long, so not a lot of roll and greens are medium speed. I bet in two weeks the course will be absolutely perfect. Cart path only right now (palm course was booked up, but not CPO, 9 holer probably just opened)
Course was busy so I had to get creative to finish as it gets dark here at a little after 6:30.
Website has some daily deals that are very reasonable. Always wanted to play here and it didn't disappoint. Solid scenic layout that was very getable from the blue tees 6172.
Although short I'm sure it plays much tougher from the black 6593 tees. One of the more reasonably priced layouts in the area.
Just coming out of overseed so course is super lush. Grass is a touch long, so not a lot of roll and greens are medium speed. I bet in two weeks the course will be absolutely perfect. Cart path only right now (palm course was booked up, but not CPO, 9 holer probably just opened)
Course was busy so I had to get creative to finish as it gets dark here at a little after 6:30.
Website has some daily deals that are very reasonable. Always wanted to play here and it didn't disappoint. Solid scenic layout that was very getable from the blue tees 6172.
Although short I'm sure it plays much tougher from the black 6593 tees. One of the more reasonably priced layouts in the area.
Old school country club built in the 1920's. Supposably nine holes were laid out by Willie Watson and 9 were laid out later. Seemed like a pretty modern course to me but some of it reminded me of Mira Vista (now Berkeley CC) which Watson also designed. Solid layout with some nice elevation changes and intricate bunkering. Course in perfect shape with well sculpted greens that were medium fast. Bonus points because the tee markers were all little mini cannons.
6474 from the white tees 71.4/125 par 72. Fair challenge with not a ton of trouble.
Was surprised by the elevation changes here and at SJCC. really added to the enjoyment at both courses. For some reason I would have bet SJCC was the older course but not even close.
Both are solid options if you get the chance, I highly recommend both.
6474 from the white tees 71.4/125 par 72. Fair challenge with not a ton of trouble.
Was surprised by the elevation changes here and at SJCC. really added to the enjoyment at both courses. For some reason I would have bet SJCC was the older course but not even close.
Both are solid options if you get the chance, I highly recommend both.
12 Likes.
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