Yesterday was my first time playing here. I read that Tecolote Canyon Golf Course is the only Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Sam Snead-designed golf cou... » More

Yesterday was my first time playing here. I read that Tecolote Canyon Golf Course is the only Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Sam Snead-designed golf course in San Diego. The photos on the website looked nice, I wanted to play an executive course and it was a beautiful day for a drive.

Arriving at the course, the first thing I encountered was about zero available parking. Much of the lot was taken over by construction trucks and large gravel piles. Cars were parked in every available inch in crazy angles. Vehicles then were parked along the entry road narrowing the way to one lane for 2-way traffic. I was conflicted at that point as to leaving right then due to inconvenience vs. thinking the place must be really great because it certainly seemed popular!

There is a decent driving range but half of it was closed. There were people lined up waiting for a hitting stall. Check in was fast and friendly and I headed to the putting green. I was surprised at how nice it was. I didn’t see a chipping area but later found it down the hill by the 18th green.

It was at this point that I changed my mind about walking the course. I had been looking forward to walking but my first look at a couple of holes made me reconsider and I was glad I did. Every bit of the course, with the exception of the greens was shaggy, rutty, bumpy, rocky- a sprained ankle just waiting to happen. I don’t believe the messy conditions were all rain related.

I was paired with 3 guys and played from the blues with them. I love short courses where I can score well from something other than the forward tees. The course is set in a very narrow canyon with steep hills on both sides and a creek down the middle. There are plenty of elevation changes and forced carries to make this short course fun and challenging. I didn’t land in any bunkers but they looked clean other than just a few little stones here and there. The greens were really great – smooth, fast, and plenty of crazy breaks.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. I think if I hadn’t played with such fun people I would have a very different opinion. If American Golf can improve the conditions, I wouldn’t hesitate to return.
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I played Saturday, 2-18-19. I had a Hot deal for 12:38 tee time. Check in was easy and friendly as always.I was paired with 2 friendly guys who have b... » More

I played Saturday, 2-18-19. I had a Hot deal for 12:38 tee time. Check in was easy and friendly as always.I was paired with 2 friendly guys who have been playing only a year or so. It was really fun being the most consistent hitter in my group for a change lol.
I always enjoy this course as it's short enough for my game but still challenging with the many greenside bunkers and very undulating greens. I really like the par 3s here.
The tee boxes were good as were the bunkers which had plenty of soft clean sand. The fairways were really ugly- all brown speckled with small clumps of green sprouts- but overall not a problem to play from. The greens were excellent- smooth, medium fast and hardly a ball mark to be seen. There were only a few wet areas but it was CPO on the front 9. Carts were then allowed on the fairways when we got to the back.
The only bad part of the day was the weather. It was WINDY and COLD !!!
I know I'll be back but will wait for warmer weather and greener fairways.
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I was so excited for the chance to get back to my favorite course in the area. Thanks, Tim, for sharing your birthday golf. The weather was perfect- 7... » More

I was so excited for the chance to get back to my favorite course in the area. Thanks, Tim, for sharing your birthday golf. The weather was perfect- 79, sunny and no wind.
It was the first time I’ve used the driving range there. It was sufficient with grass stalls and there is a small chipping area and bunker. There is a nice putting green next to the first tee.
The course was in good shape- not the very best I’ve seen but really pretty good. The fairways were green and had only a few thin spots. (Thanks to all the players before us who filled their divots.) The rough was very nicely trimmed down. Some other times I’ve played there it’s been deep, clumpy, and very frustrating. This was a very pleasant improvement. The bunkers varied. Some were damp and heavy but still easy to hit from. Others had some mud and water.
The greens are so challenging here. It’s hard to read some of the breaks and I had a tough time judging the speed at times which got me 3 (or was it 4?) 360 degree lip outs. The guys had a couple between them as well. Really crazy…
When out on the course, it feels completely isolated and so peaceful. There are no homes to be seen. There were sounds of coyotes and I always get a kick out of seeing the mutant-sized jack rabbits and roadrunners.
Once again, I didn’t break my course-best score, so I will be back very soon to try again. I never seem to tire of this very fun and challenging course. Definitely recommended.
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I played The Dunes course on Christmas morning. This was my first time here. Check in was efficient but not overly friendly- it seemed pretty obvious ... » More

I played The Dunes course on Christmas morning. This was my first time here. Check in was efficient but not overly friendly- it seemed pretty obvious the man at the desk wasn’t too happy to be working on a holiday.

The grass driving range was stocked with balls and the carts appeared fairly new with ice chest and good GPS. My tee time was 8:30 and I was paired with another single. The starter, was very friendly and gave us some handy hints about the course and warned us not to go in the long grass after a lost ball as it’s full of fire ants.

The fairways were great- lush and deep green. Tee boxes were small, but level with minimal damage, at least on the reds. There was adequate sand in the bunkers. Everything other than tees, fairways and greens was dormant brown, cut very short. The greens were really disappointing and more than a little frustrating. They were extremely firm with very thin coverage, causing many balls to run away. Some of the pin positions seemed a bit unfair where they were placed on the slopes.

I usually enjoy links-style courses and the challenge of Pete Dye designs. After seeing photos, I really, really wanted to love this course, but I just didn’t. The first 8 holes, I thought were ugly. It got a little wider between the houses from 9-13, then opened up away from houses for 14-18. My own photos make the course look much more appealing that it really was.

POP was good at 3.5 hours. Overall, I was just disappointed. There aren’t many courses that I have no desire to play a second time but, unfortunately, this is one of them.
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I played Maderas for the first time yesterday, 12-23-18. I’d wanted to play here for quite a while. I got a great price of $56 with a TeeOff deal + p... » More

I played Maderas for the first time yesterday, 12-23-18. I’d wanted to play here for quite a while. I got a great price of $56 with a TeeOff deal + promo code. I was joined for the round by Gk’r 1PLUS1 and we were paired with a very nice father and young son.

All the staff at bag drop and the pro shop were very friendly and welcoming. Check in was very easy. We spent a little time warming up on the range (balls were included with the deal) and the starter gave us some good info about the course, including the advice to be sure to roll a few putts before heading out as the greens were very fast (oh yeah, he wasn’t kidding!)

The course conditions were good. The fairways had good coverage and the bunkers had nice sand although it was quite thin in the few I was in. The rough and fringe were cut down extremely short so many balls went rolling off the fairways and greens. The only long rough I encountered was on a hole on the back (don’t remember what one). I was grateful for it as my shot up to a very elevated green came rolling back down and was stopped halfway down the hill. The forward tee boxes were in great shape but I did notice other ones were pretty chewed up. The greens were very challenging with all the undulations and fast speed. Needless to say it was not one of my better putting days.

Overall I really enjoyed the course layout and beautiful views. I absolutely want to play here again if I can get another great deal.
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