Golf Course Reviews
Golf Course Reviews: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Florida, Hawaii!OK, what do you expect when you pay only $25 and it includes a cart? The tees were OK, at least from the blues. I suspect that the blue tees don't get much action during the week. The fairways were a little shaggy due to the recent overseed and you will not get any roll off the tee. The greens were OK, not real fast, not real slow, but held every shot during the round. Why have bunkers if you are not going to put any sand in them? All of the bunkers were only filled with dirt. I do not believe that this is acceptable (at any price). If the course is not going to properly maintain the bunkers with sand, why not just let the grass grow in them. Lastly, I found the staff to be friendly and helpful.
I played Sun Mountain on 9/10/09. There was no wind that morning so it was pretty easy scoring. I thought that the course conditions were great, especially since many other LV area courses were shut down for overseeding or punching greens. The fairways were fully covered. The greens were a little difficult to read, but that is really one of the challanges of the Paiute courses. I was able to reach two of the par 5s in two shots so it was a fun round. When the wind is up this course can offer quite a defense, but without wind it might be a little easier than you would want. Drink cart came by about 6 times during the round. Service was great all around. As for Vegas, I had a great time at the Santana concert at Hard Rock, but can clearly see the LV is suffering for lack of business during the week. Very easy to get into any restaurant, always space at the blackjack tables.
I was lucky to get out this morning before 7:00AM and finished the round before 11:00AM at which point the temp was 100 degrees. I thought that the condition of the greens was below what I normally see at this course. The held fine (mainly due to all fo the watering) but were really bumpy, due to some really bad patches on most all of the greens. The fairways had a few bad spots, but I anticipate that this time of year. They are repairing most of the bunkers. I was only in one bunker today, on the front of the 15th hole. This is not one of the bunkers that is currently under repair and I do not know if the super intends to make any improvements to some of these old bunkers. I found out that below the thin surface of sand is nothing but hard compacted dirt. All of these old bunkers have deepend over time (this is a very old course) and really need to be improved. I don't know the conditions of too many of the other courses in LA as I typically play in Ventura County these days, but I would give Santa Anita a bit of a rest until it corrects some of these problems. I don't think that the heat and water shortage can be blamed for all of these problems.
I played Olivas Links a couple of weeks back. Contrary to my previous review that was provided just after the course opened, I think that the conditions for this course are great. If and when they ever get a clubhouse, this will be a first rate facility.
My only complaint was the pace of play. We started at about 6:30am. After two holes the group in front of us was already behind an entire hole and this increased over the next few holes. The marshall thankfully discussed the problem with the group in front and there was some improvement. However, we waited on every shot the entire round. If I was playing the course late in the afternoon, I might be more forgiving, but when I book an early Saturday tee time I don't expect to have a slow round.
The greens were great. Every putt went where it was aimed. The fairways were greatly improved. The issues that the course experienced when it first opened are no longer a problem. I find that this course presents a great alternative to the other courses in Ventura County.
Course experience counts. Your score will improve with each round becuase you will know what areas to avoid. On course service could improve significantly, especially since there is hardly any service at the turn.
Overall, I am favorably impressed by the quality of golf at this course. I would hate to see it become popular as this will only bring more players on the weekends when I want to play.
My only complaint was the pace of play. We started at about 6:30am. After two holes the group in front of us was already behind an entire hole and this increased over the next few holes. The marshall thankfully discussed the problem with the group in front and there was some improvement. However, we waited on every shot the entire round. If I was playing the course late in the afternoon, I might be more forgiving, but when I book an early Saturday tee time I don't expect to have a slow round.
The greens were great. Every putt went where it was aimed. The fairways were greatly improved. The issues that the course experienced when it first opened are no longer a problem. I find that this course presents a great alternative to the other courses in Ventura County.
Course experience counts. Your score will improve with each round becuase you will know what areas to avoid. On course service could improve significantly, especially since there is hardly any service at the turn.
Overall, I am favorably impressed by the quality of golf at this course. I would hate to see it become popular as this will only bring more players on the weekends when I want to play.
I played Santa Anita Wednesday morning and the conditions were nice, especially this time of year. Typically the crew pours a lot of water on the course early in the morning during the summer. However, I did not find much standing water anywhere. I arrived on the course at 8:45, and Ed got me out with the next group off the first tee. The tees were in good shape. The greens were a little on the slow side, but held all iron shots. They are creating new bunkers on the 9th and 18th holes. On the 9th there will be a new fairway bunker on the left side at about the 200 yd mark. The bunker on right side of the 9th green will be improved and made bigger. On the 18th green there will be a new bunker on the back right. I think that the new bunkers on the 9th hole make a lot of sense. I am reserving judgment on the the bunker on the 18th green. For most golfers, the 18th hole does not need additional problems to avoid.
I finished my round in under four hours which is pretty good for Santa Anita. Most of the bunkers on the course have been improved with new sand (it was about time). The staff was very nice (as usual).
I finished my round in under four hours which is pretty good for Santa Anita. Most of the bunkers on the course have been improved with new sand (it was about time). The staff was very nice (as usual).
I have played Santa Anita for many years. It is my favorite "public owned" golf course in LA. I got the chance to go out on Wednesday morning. Ed got me on the course in about 30 minutes which was really great.
The greens were a little bumpy as other reviews have indicated. Some of the tee boxes were a little chewed up and covered with sand in an effort to revitalize them. Some of the fairways were a little shaggy as if the grounds crew were afraid to mow them low because of the summer heat.
My only complaint is the condition of the sand traps. All that I saw were just dirt. The course really needs to keep the traps supplied with sand as a regular par of course maintenance. This seems to be a common problem at most LA area public courses. Of course, it would help if they would change the watering schedule for the sand traps so that the sand would not get compacted.
I made it around the 18 in about 4.5 hours which for this course is really good, even for a weekday. I saw the course marshall about 5 times during the round and I'm sure that his presence helps the pace of play.
The greens were a little bumpy as other reviews have indicated. Some of the tee boxes were a little chewed up and covered with sand in an effort to revitalize them. Some of the fairways were a little shaggy as if the grounds crew were afraid to mow them low because of the summer heat.
My only complaint is the condition of the sand traps. All that I saw were just dirt. The course really needs to keep the traps supplied with sand as a regular par of course maintenance. This seems to be a common problem at most LA area public courses. Of course, it would help if they would change the watering schedule for the sand traps so that the sand would not get compacted.
I made it around the 18 in about 4.5 hours which for this course is really good, even for a weekday. I saw the course marshall about 5 times during the round and I'm sure that his presence helps the pace of play.
I played Camarillo Springs for the first time on Sunday (9/9). I was impressed with the design of the course and the condition of the greens. Our group finished in 4.5 hours, but that may be due to our 7:00 am start. We waited on a few holes, but typical of public courses on the weekends. The group in front of us got a little behinid (they were hitting from the wrong tees based on observed ability) and the marshall asked them to pick up play (which they did). Good job. I know that there have been some previous comments about the golf carts, but it appears that they are all new, so maybe someone is paying attention to our comments???? The greens are really in good condition, and I am a sucker for good greens. However, the fairways are another thing. It is so thick (in the middle of the fairway no less) that I felt as though I had to hit down on the ball as though I was playing out of the rough. In discussing this with my playing partners they stated that the course cannot mow the fairways low because of the underground springs. If they can't, then I guess then we just have to adapt to the conditions. The tee boxes were uneven on almost every hole. How tough can that be to repair? Every review mentions this as a real problem (along with the former condition of the golf carts) so why not take care of the problem? I loved the par 5s and they really make you think about going for it in 2. There was no beverage cart on the course, a real drag when you throat is dry and your stomach is growling. Clubhouse is not available until the 12th hole. Speaking of the clubhouse, it needs some serious attention, especailly in light of the other facilities in the area. Everything looked really old and not very inviting. Overall, I'd play this course again, but not regularly. There are just too many other courses in the area for the same price that provide a better experience.
I played Olivas Links on Sunday, Sept. 2nd. I typically play on Saturday mornings at River Ridge with my regular group, but since my wife was entertaining her friends on Sunday I decided to try to walk on at Olivas. I arrived at 10:30 am and to my surprise was able to get to the first tee at 10:45, great job starter. The greens are really great, however, typical of new greens they do not hold any approach shots (gee, maybe that's why all the yardage markers are to the front of the green and not the center). The course is very interesting, and on many holes it is hard to pick a target off the tee. Some holes have OB on the right and water on the left. Many tee shots bounce severly to the right or left even though initially landing in the center of the fairway. The summer weather could not have been better as temps were in the high 70s.
Now for the bad. I took 5.5 hours to play 18 holes. Now I know that in LA on weekends that may not sound bad, but in Ventura anything over 4.5 is just plain awful. Worse yet, the marshals never did anything to any of the groups causing the problems with one or more holes open in front of them. Management needs to learn how to deal wit the public when there is slow play. When my group got to the fourth tee, we were the fourth group standing on the tee. One of our players droped out at that point, and later I heard that he received a refund. I continued to paly because I had heard so many good things about the course. Later, after the 13th hole, the other twosome I played with also called it quits so I ended up playing the last five holes on my own. Most of the holes had two and three groups on each tee and I waited on every shot to the green.
The fairways are quite bare so if you're not accustomed to hitting on thin lies you will have a real problem on this course. The course also requires controlled tee shots. Big hitters using the bomb an gouge method off the tee will have a bad day, assuming they can find any of their tee shots. There is lots of algae in the water hazards. Isn't there some concern regarding West Nile Virus?
I only saw the beverage cart twice on the first 10 holes. After that, the cart was MIA. The management is very nice and pleasant, but they do need to learn how to manage a public course so that everyone has a good day.
I enjoyed the course, but with the competition in the area, I am not sure that I will play here in the future, despite those great greens. Maybe when the staff becomes more experienced I will give it another shot. I played well, shot a 79 with a birdie on the 18th hole so I do have some good memories of my experience.
Now for the bad. I took 5.5 hours to play 18 holes. Now I know that in LA on weekends that may not sound bad, but in Ventura anything over 4.5 is just plain awful. Worse yet, the marshals never did anything to any of the groups causing the problems with one or more holes open in front of them. Management needs to learn how to deal wit the public when there is slow play. When my group got to the fourth tee, we were the fourth group standing on the tee. One of our players droped out at that point, and later I heard that he received a refund. I continued to paly because I had heard so many good things about the course. Later, after the 13th hole, the other twosome I played with also called it quits so I ended up playing the last five holes on my own. Most of the holes had two and three groups on each tee and I waited on every shot to the green.
The fairways are quite bare so if you're not accustomed to hitting on thin lies you will have a real problem on this course. The course also requires controlled tee shots. Big hitters using the bomb an gouge method off the tee will have a bad day, assuming they can find any of their tee shots. There is lots of algae in the water hazards. Isn't there some concern regarding West Nile Virus?
I only saw the beverage cart twice on the first 10 holes. After that, the cart was MIA. The management is very nice and pleasant, but they do need to learn how to manage a public course so that everyone has a good day.
I enjoyed the course, but with the competition in the area, I am not sure that I will play here in the future, despite those great greens. Maybe when the staff becomes more experienced I will give it another shot. I played well, shot a 79 with a birdie on the 18th hole so I do have some good memories of my experience.
I played on Sun., Jan. 15th. Fairways were in good shape, although a little hard to take much of a divot. The greens were all brown due to the cold evenings, although I would not call the days warm in January. The greens held most shots that landed on the green. We lucked out (again) and played on a day without much wind until the last few holes. Course is interesting and presents some interesting opportunities for players of all skill levels. I always feel as though I've received value when I play this course. The service for our group was very good.
Played this course for the first time on Sat., Jan. 14th. It is a fun course to play, but not too difficult for the longer hitters. Greens were tough to read especially from above the hole. All of the greens were brown due to the cold nights. There is really not much they can do about that until Spring. Putts tended to wander whatever direction the grass had died. Even though I changed to a softer ball mid round it was almost impossible to get any iron shot to hold. I've seen softer pool tables. However, it was a nice day of golf playing with my friends. I am not sure I would pay what they are asking given the quality of some of the courses that are in competition in the Las Vegas area.
It has been over a year since I last played Angeles National. I was a little surprised that there has been very little construction (clubhouse, restrooms) on the course during this time. I am guessing that most of management's attention has been focused on the repair of the course following the rain damage from last winter. I had a great time, finished well under 4 hours, although we were the first group out that morning. It is a shame to see a beautiful new course suffer because players do not repair divots on the course. Maybe they can train the coyotes to repair the greens each evening. Even though it is expensive on the weekends, I always get my monies worth when I play this course.
Even though Brookside is almost in my back yard, I seldom play either of its two courses. On Tuesday I was the guest of a good friend, and we got out promptly at 10:00. I have always thought that course #1 is very challenging (a 466 yd. par 4?). However, the greens have to be as bad as I can recall. I guess that I should be thrilled with the lack of ball marks (for once), but there are so many varieties of grass on each green that is hard to tell what direction your putt will take. The greens need some serious work if this is to become a quality course. Other courses in the local area do not have the same problem (at least to that extent). The pace of play was great, finished in 4 hours, which is ahead of schedule for that course.
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