Played Barona Creek last week on Sunday on an absolutely perfect day. I'd say it was about 60-65 when we teed off, no wind to speak of and just crysta... » More

Played Barona Creek last week on Sunday on an absolutely perfect day. I'd say it was about 60-65 when we teed off, no wind to speak of and just crystal clear. The wind did pick up slightly on the back nine but I think this course gets even better with some wind.

First thing I have to say is that I think this is the best layout in all of San Diego county. It had been about a decade since I had played here and I feel like a complete idiot for taking that long. I forgot how beautiful the place is, sitting in the valley with the expansive views. I actually like that each hole feels completely isolated when you're playing, but from a lot of vantage points you can see the layout spread out. It's really a cool feel.

As for the conditions, they are definitely coming out of the winter but absolutely playable. The fairways are probably the "worst" part of the course as they are pretty thin and the fairways do give you ample roll. That being said, there's plenty of cushion when you take a divot, you just have to take more of a compressing approach with irons rather than sweeping. We had a little rain through the week and as temps heat up that bermuda is going to get going and it's going to be really fun. I actually prefer the firmer, browned out look that goes with the terrain and strategy of the course, but that's just me.

Rough is exactly that here as it's not really lush, clumpy in places, but the fact that the fairways are huge here makes the quality of the rough mostly irrelevant. If you hit it there, you should be penalized. Past the rough are the native grass areas and that's always a crapshoot. If you hit it THERE, don't complain. Play better :)

Tees and bunkers were fantastic. There has to be a million bunkers on the course and they are visually awesome and the quality of the sand is perfect. In a lot of cases I found that greenside bunkers were better than being in the rough or fairway because you could hit softer shots onto the greens. Which brings me to the greens....

These things are INCREDIBLE. They finished a complete renovation of the greens last year I believe because over time all the bunker play and wind had blown sand onto them and they had lost their original shape and contours. Not only are the size and shape and slope of these things just a total trip, they were firm, rolling pure and super fast. I'd say these were in the 12-13 range on the stimp. You have to really pay attention to so much around the greens here to do well. It's just so much fun. For example, the third hole is a par 3 that was playing 240 to the pin. GPS on the cart (SUPER HELPFUL) had 175 yards to the front of the green. I landed it there and had it roll all the way to the back! My guess is the first time playing here you'd have multiple three putts, maybe worse as well as some chips and pitches that you'd likely get pissed at. You just have to take it with a grain of salt, maybe walk up to the hole and check out where mounds and back stops are that you can aim to to mitigate some crazy numbers.

The practice area here is fantastic and everyone we met was super nice and helpful. Pace of play was about 4 1/2 hours but it just felt like a leisurely day as we weren't really waiting much and no one was pushing us.

I could literally play this course everyday and not get bored. It's not often I say that but I can't wait to get back. I'd highly recommend anyone get out and play right now but if you're super particular about your fairways being immaculate I'd give it some time to fill in, that would be the only MINOR ding. Best layout around and just so much fun to play. I'll be back soon and often.
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Played 3/18 teeing off at 2:40 and finishing a four ball in about 3 hrs and 15 minutes. Love this POP!

Update: The range project is done and ... » More

Played 3/18 teeing off at 2:40 and finishing a four ball in about 3 hrs and 15 minutes. Love this POP!

Update: The range project is done and it's open. They have 5 Foresight stalls which are kind of fun. The range is on grass for the first half of the week and then mats on the weekends.

The tees on #2 and #3 are getting completely re-done (always something getting done here) so #2 is off a mat about 155-160 yards and #3 becomes a par three from 176 yards.

Greens are absolutely great right now. Highlight of the course. The tees have come back nicely and never had a problem finding a place to hit from (#5 is a bit chewed but I think that will change soon). Fairways were pretty good too. Lots of green coming in as the weather warms up and we had some rain. I kind of like when you get a little more rough here to mitigate some of the bounces.

All in all, the conditions of the course are pretty solid right now. This course continues to get more and more popular so expect a round at least 4 hours on weekends. Weekdays tend to be better. Definitely a unique course but a fun place to hang out.
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Had an 8:40 AM tee time Saturday 2/20. Weather was absolutely perfect.

The driving range project is done and it is sweet! They have it on gra... » More

Had an 8:40 AM tee time Saturday 2/20. Weather was absolutely perfect.

The driving range project is done and it is sweet! They have it on grass Monday-Thursday and then mats on the weekends. The final buildout of the Foresight Monitors/Simulators still pending but should be done soon. Will be a cool touch.

The course is in great shape right now with the greens absolutely pure. They just did a light verticut, double cut and rolled so they were just quick and perfect. Bunker project on 7 and 10 are complete and the sod faced, British Open style bunkers look super cool. Not sure how much they come into play on 7, but 10 is really cool.

Tees have grown in a little coverage over the past couple weeks so that's good. STill a little bare in spots (#3 is rough) but more than fine finding a spot. Fairways are pretty good. A lot of people walk the Goat so you get some divot damage in popular spots but the staff and volunteers do a good job going around and filling them as well as they can.

Most of my impression of golf courses center on the greens and green complexes when it comes to where I want to play and spend my money and the Goats are fantastic and tricky right now. Never a dull moment out there but good time to go out for a good challenge
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Played Saturday 2/13 in our GK Cup Match. We teed off a little later than our scheduled time (place was packed) but finished in about 4.5 hours. Consi... » More

Played Saturday 2/13 in our GK Cup Match. We teed off a little later than our scheduled time (place was packed) but finished in about 4.5 hours. Considering there were about 12 carts lined up while we were on the putting green, I'm very pleased that they had a couple marshals out really monitoring it. Good to see!

Second time I've played here, the first being in freezing, torrential downpour, so I feel I got a better sense of the course this time.

I played the Blue tees this time (whites last time) and this course sets up very different from that set. The front 9, while not easy, gives you a little more room to miss as there's a wash that runs through the course and while it's not ideal to hit from, there's a good chance you can at least find your ball if you spray it a little. It's definitely a classic Dye look with railroad ties and mounds everywhere, but where this course really shines in my opinion are the greens. They have some interesting slopes and features and even if they feel a tad spongy, they rolled really true, held shots and had a decent pace.

The back nine here gets a tad more interesting with elevation changes back into the hills. I'm not a huge fan of ending on a par 3, but I know why they had to do it. It is kind of interesting going par 5-3-5-3 to end, especially in match play.

From tee to green, the course is a tad rough right now. I think the combination of the winter months and my guess, years of this course being closed (I'm not turf expert) leave the fairways and rough areas a little sparse and patchy. It's definitely playable, just know that you're probably better off playing winter rules if you can. The good thing is, they ground is actually pretty good to hit from there are just little clumps and some bare spots around.

What I've been most impressed with is the customer service and crew out there. Super friendly and organized starters, people in the snack bar were great and the marshals I talked to on the course do a great job. I'm really hoping the course can keep moving in the right direction. If they can figure out the clubhouse (I'd blow that thing up) and maybe get a hitting net to warm up (no range) that would be cool. But all things considered I really dig Rancho del Sol and will continue to play there. For the price, the layout and for me, especially how good the greens are, it's worth the drive.
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Played this past Saturday, 1/23 in our GK Cup match. I was really looking forward to playing this course since I love the fact that a golf course actu... » More

Played this past Saturday, 1/23 in our GK Cup match. I was really looking forward to playing this course since I love the fact that a golf course actually made a comeback, with all the recent closings it was definitely a success story.

I had played Moreno Valley Ranch a LONG time ago, but didn't really remember much, so it was more or less a new course for me.

First off, the weather became brutal after the first 4-5 holes. Rain, wind and REALLY COLD. Definitely an adventure out there and one I wouldn't do again if I didn't have to :) That being said, it made for some good stories and after sitting in the heated car for an hour and a half on the way home I could finally feel my fingers.

The course conditions are a mixed bag right now. Obviously the fairways were dormant bermuda and didn't look all that great, but I did find that they provided a really good surface to hit from. Firm on top but give on divots. I like grass like that. We played winter rules in the fairway because of the rain but I didn't really have to move the ball more than a couple times.

Once you got off the fairway it could be pretty iffy. But like I always said, don't hit it there if you want a good lie. Tees were similar to the fairways as you could always find a decent spot to hit from.

I was in one fairway bunker and the sand was pretty soft. Seems like the greenside bunkers were the same but I didn't get in one.

The highlight by far for me were the greens. They were super healthy, held shots and ran at a good speed, even with the rain. Definitely some cool contours in them too. They gave me trouble but the condition of them was fantastic.

AS for the layout, it's a super fun golf course. Kind of your quintessential Pete Dye with mounds and lakes and then the back nine into the hills was super fun. Never a dull moment and lots of different shot options.

I really hope this course continues to improve because I think some of the design features would be accentuated with better conditions. I hope people make the trip out and support them so they get the chance to stay open and keep getting better.
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