Played in the last group of the GK outing with Jeff, Mark and Mr GK hisself. First, the course, which I found in overall excellent shape. Tees more le... » More

Played in the last group of the GK outing with Jeff, Mark and Mr GK hisself. First, the course, which I found in overall excellent shape. Tees more level than I am used to was a treat. On the occasions they weren't perfect, they weren't off enough to require any real adjustment and the coverage was always good. The fairways were very nice on the whole with good coverage and a good amount of runout. While rare, there was the occasional anomaly as evidenced by Johnny finding his ball in a four foot sandy patch surrounded by perfectly nice fairway. A low percentage fluke, but it happened. Rough varies from natural areas to thick grass patches to playable, so there is a lot of variety in the possible outcomes. As far as bunkers, given the long and intimate relationship I developed with one in particular, I'll let a more objective reporter fill you in on those. It was an "it's me, not you" relationship. The green-side areas were in nice shape, tending towards the tighter side for most chips. The greens were excellent — clean, good speed, visually interesting with the right amount of variety and challenge. Otherwise, the very local coastal layer burnt off as the event was commencing. So it was sunny, the temperature was comfortably cool with an ocean breeze that built to about 2.5 clubs and died off by round's end.

The event was well organized. The unlimited range balls was cool and something I needed to get myself right before the round. The practice facilities and options are very complete and the merchandise handed out beforehand was awesome and appreciated — love my LinkSoul shorts. Add in the excellent company and it made for a highly enjoyable all around experience.

Thanks to Johnny for putting this together. I loved it.
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Got out as a single with a few ladies from the Penmar women's club a bit after noon on 6/24. I noticed more dry patches than I think I've ever seen th... » More

Got out as a single with a few ladies from the Penmar women's club a bit after noon on 6/24. I noticed more dry patches than I think I've ever seen there, although this wasn't a problem. Mostly it was playable, closer to the teeing grounds and really not an issue. Maybe because of the marine air I've always found Penmar's fairways surprisingly green and full for the traffic it gets, even as other courses are stressed, so I noticed it. That having been observed, the fairways overall were fine and conditions were good. Rough could vary but was generally green and more on the full side. I missed the bunkers so no comment there. The greens were nice — clean and rolling medium quick. I underestimated the speed more than once but nothing tricky about them. Pace was sluggish but that is expected here. You don't usually hit Penmar for a "quick" nine which is actually a bit of the charm. Chill out — you have a nice ocean breeze, typically nice company, and an undemanding but fun layout. The open air character of the revamped restaurant makes it a nice hangout. Now that I think of it, while the layouts are very different, the vibe is a kind of west side equivalent to the scene at Roosevelt. Not a bad thing at all.
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I've actually been out at Altadena twice this week including this afternoon — a 5:00pm tee off with my buddy. It's been over a month since kmersola's ... » More

I've actually been out at Altadena twice this week including this afternoon — a 5:00pm tee off with my buddy. It's been over a month since kmersola's fine review for which I have only one correction (probably an auto-correct thing) that Altadena's sister course is Eaton Canyon, not Eagle Glen. Last time I reviewed the (grass) driving range had been down from wind damage but it has been back in service for a few weeks now. I thought there were several things worth noting in the current conditions. They were punching the tee boxes and fairways when I was out earlier this week, and when I was out today a worker was out throwing seed where needed. With the exception of the odd thinner patch, the fairways were generally lush to a bit shaggy. Similarly, the rough was thick in many places. I took these to be good things — conditioning maintenance that will hopefully enhance the conditions. It seems like they actually trying to give the course a little love and left me with a positive feeling of anticipation. With the current, predominant lushness around the course it feels like the course is getting healthier and that it will be better than usual conditions here when they trim it all down. As it is and on the day, there were some heavy patches in the fairways as well as mixed rough, much of it heavy. My buddy reported his bunker experience as very firm. The greens are in very good shape and have been since recovering from aeration. The surface is very consistent both as to visually and performance and the look is almost velvety. They are running a touch on the sluggish side of medium but smooth and I think the pace will pick up over time.

As usual, this is hardly a destination course and I agree with kmersola that Roosevelt is nicer, but for what it is worth, Altadena is a decent regulation nine with two par 5's, not an executive course. Getting out for $10 — less than a medium bucket — with plenty of daylight it was good deal and a lot more fun than pounding on the range. With a little bit of time for the conditioning to take effect and some sprucing up with the mower, there is a chance that in the near future the course could end up in as nice shape as it has been in several years — elevating from the dog-track state of recent memory to a serviceable little nine with quite decent conditions and very nice mountain views. I'll keep you posted.
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Got a Friday 4:00pm start with a buddy and were paired up with a middle-aged, husband/wife couple. I had been out at Woodley recently with a 3:50 star... » More

Got a Friday 4:00pm start with a buddy and were paired up with a middle-aged, husband/wife couple. I had been out at Woodley recently with a 3:50 start and managed to get 18 in and was cautiously hopeful of doing it again. For me, this course is the epitome of muni and as someone who frequents munis, that is not necessarily a pejorative. It's about basic golf, enjoyable but not always pretty. I was happy enough with the conditions. Teeing grounds were generally level with coverage. Fairways here are mostly generous, had reasonable coverage on the tight side and a fair bit of rollout. The grass quality is inconsistent visually and otherwise with occasional brown areas, but few actual bare areas. I found it all pretty playable with mostly good lies. The rough was almost, (how should I put this?) nurturing. Mostly grown in, rarely punitive and in some cases even teeing the ball up a little, so little stress there. I was in a couple of bunkers and quality was fine other than the lack of people raking the sand. Fortunately, I missed the footprints. The green-side areas were good for short shots. The greens themselves were soft, showed visual remnants of past aeration and ran at a good medium quick with the occasional muni bump but looked bumpier than they played, which was good.

Mixed skill levels in the group didn't prevent us from maintaining about a 4-hour pace. As dusk was encroaching the coupled peeled off after the 16th while my buddy and I finished out 18. Depth perception becoming an issue at the end, we got it done. A pretty straight forward and forgiving course currently, I was in the mood for it and enjoyed it. It's not pitch and putt and no course is without its challenges, but I wanted room to focus more on sorting out the quirks of my swing execution than those of the course and Balboa fit the bill. Basic stuff but enjoyable @ $32.50 total for both of us walking. Nice weather, good company, got it done. What's not to love? It's golf.
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Played Friday 5/20 as single joining a two-some, teeing off a little after noon. The guys I played with were pleasant enough. I hadn't been out to SA ... » More

Played Friday 5/20 as single joining a two-some, teeing off a little after noon. The guys I played with were pleasant enough. I hadn't been out to SA in a while and I thought the course was in good shape in terms of playability. Tee boxes here are pretty level on the whole with most having good coverage and a very few less so with some exposed dirt. The latter not an issue for me if it's level, I'm using a tee, and the thin conditions are exceptions to the general trend. The fairways mainly offered good, green lies with the rollout a little reduced by it being a little damp on the day. You could find the occasional brown hard patch if you looked around, but they were mostly random, small isolated spots and I don't recall dealing with a poor lie in the fairways. The rough was consistent and minimally punitive except where you caught the odd sandy or dirt area. Green side areas were good for short shots. I was in one bunker and it was on the firm side. Visually, the greens were less than pristine, but they actually rolled pretty true at a medium fast that is on the high side for this course and so seemed quicker.

It was a heavy, grey day with little wind and a few moments of mist, but nothing that required donning more the polo shirt I was already wearing. The pace was a little sluggish on the front and the par-3 eighth was a choke point with a two-group backup. The back nine moved a little better and the round probably took something over 4.5 hours. I wasn't in a hurry to be anywhere else. Bottom line, I enjoyed the course, the company and my less than stellar round. Recommended.
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