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Listing 1 to 6 of 69,394 Course Reviews
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Played here 1/25. Rate was $120 for a morning tee time. Our 4th wasn't able to make it at the last minute and the staff was understanding and didn't charge us for the missing player which was really nice.

Really nice practice facility. This course is one of the "must plays" for AZ golf trips. Tons of elevation changes from tee to green. Course was in really great shape. You have to credit OB Sports for the job they're doing on the properties they manage right now. Last 4-5 holes wrap around a mountain on the way back into the clubhouse and give you the opportunity to BLAST some drives. If you put a good swing on #17 and #18 you can hit it about 330 yards. That will put you on the green on #17 and about 60 yards out on #18. Good opportunity to post some low scores.

You can't go wrong if you decide to book a tee time at this course.
3 Likes.
Was really happy to get back out to this course after having not played it in about 10 years. OB Sports is now managing the property and you can definitely tell they are returning the course to the reputation it built back in the last 90's early 00's. The service was fantastic. Very friendly guys working outside, knowledgeable staff inside and really cool food and beverage girls. Save yourself some time to grab a bit inside when the round is over, good food in the restaurant.

Great practice facility to get warmed up with a very large range, large putting green and chip/bunker area. Everything from the greens-fairways-rough was in comparable condition to the rest of the AZ courses right now. Bunkers were a bit thin (my only complaint). I recommend playing the Raven and will play this course again on another trip to AZ.

My rate was $159 which included a $10 food/beverage credit and $30 merchandise credit for an 8:30 am tee time.
3 Likes.
Before I start with my review, it should be known that I strongly dislike Johnny Miller. I don't like his analysis on NBC and I'm sick of hearing about how everything in modern golf pales in comparison to his 63 at Oakmont in 1973. So, I was worried that somehow, someway Johnny Miller, who designed Maderas, was going to ruin the experience for me when I eventually got to play it.

With that out of the way, I finally had the opportunity to play Maderas and last played 6/22 and 6/15. Thanks to the recent livingsocial promotion the club put together, I'm not paying the whole $140-$160 greens fee that you see on a normal day. However, when I run out of the livingsocial deals I will gladly return to this course and pay their normal greens fees in the future.

Credit is really due to Troon for their management, they do a fine job. Outside service met me at my car both days and loaded up my bag in the parking lot. Nice grass driving range with short game practice area. Two practice putting greens. Incredible clubhouse with great food and drinks. The course sits on some beautiful land alongside multimillion dollar properties. Lots of elevation changes from tee to green.

The greens are very difficult. I found myself thinking that a chip would be preferable to a long putt if you're not in the right position after your approach. I played the blue tees both rounds and it's not the longest from the blues, but still a challenge. Lots of places to get in trouble too if you're not accurate off the tee. I would suggest only hitting a driver 1-2x on the front nine (holes 3 and 5). The back 9 seems to be more forgiving from the tee and you can grip & rip.

In short, it's worth the money. It's about a 4:30 round and it seems management is really focused on keeping that 4:30 time, which is nice. The only thing that bugs me is hole 8, which is a par 5. The design pretty much takes the driver out of your hands due to a tree on the right side that blocks a shot at the green in 2 after a great drive -- typical Johnny Miller.
7 Likes.
I played Barona Creek this past Saturday (3/2). I agree with all the previous GK'rs about what a special course this is to have in SD. You cannot beat their twilight rates starting at 11:00. Course is playing very hard and very fast right now. I last played here in July and was really excited to play during a more wet time of the year but found the course to be just as dry. I imagine that with the high level of wind and hotter temperatures out in east county it's tough to get a lot of water on this course. Of course, this has it's positives and negatives as you can bomb a drive and get a ton of roll but then not be able to get your approach to stick on the green.

Of note, I would suggest you stay out of the greenside bunkers right now as the sand is really matted-down hard and you can't get the bounce of the wedge under the ball. I consider myself to be a good bunker player and am comfortable out of the sand. I wasn't at Barona Creek this past Saturday.
9 Likes.
Played Balboa 18 this past Sunday (3/3), course is in good condition. I'm still amazed at how well the investment in new irrigation has paid off here. My only complaint would be the pace of play as it took about 4:45 for the entire round. Fairways were good, greens were rolling well, tee boxes could always improve and sand in the traps is getting a little thin, but overall another great round at Balboa.
4 Likes.
I played here this past Sunday (2/24). When you play resort golf, you pay a resort price. While I had an overall positive experience at Monarch Beach, I do not think it is worth the $210.00 (weekend prime) greens fee. The course does have some outstanding views and #3 which is clearly the signature hole is really spectacular right on the water. The back 9 also has some great views looking west into the Pacific and on a clear day presents some great views of Catalina. So, while I understand the price because of the location I think the price should also reflect the golf and at $210 you can find better a better course to play in the area.

I agree with a lot of the previous GK'rs who opined the greens were really tough. They are really difficult. I thought they rolled particularly well, but the slope of the greens is intense. I would suggest that anyone who considers playing here in the future put a premium on approach shots staying below the hole. Since this was my first round here, I didn't know the greens and found myself to be at the mercy of the slope for a lot of downhill putts. The downhill putts won't stop unless they hit the cup. Overall condition of the course was good. Tee boxes, fairways and roughs presented fair lies throughout the round.

The course presents a lot of blind shots from the tee, so I would suggest you pay attention to the GPS. The following holes are sharp doglegs where you may want to think about keeping driver in the bag: #2,#3, #12, and #18. #14 is also a blind tee shot, but it's a par 5 so fire away! I also noticed that the wind was constantly changing. Where I'm used to westerly winds off the pacific in San Diego, this was not always the case at Monarch Beach.

No driving range, but they do have a hitting bay. Valet parking is available at no charge, but not required as my playing partners just pulled into the lot and parked their own cars if you're not into that sort of thing. The service was outstanding from the valet attendants, the pro shop, outside service and cart girls/snack shack.
10 Likes.
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