Have company from E Coast visiting and wanted a course that would not be too difficult, as they have not played much recently. Was able to secure the first spot this AM. POP was 2.5 H riding (but an e... Continue »

Have company from E Coast visiting and wanted a course that would not be too difficult, as they have not played much recently. Was able to secure the first spot this AM. POP was 2.5 H riding (but an easy course to walk as well). Course conditions are improving, but the course is still trying to dry out and some areas still need more assistance. As stated before, the management is now under Billy Casper Golf. They now also control the maintenance staff, which previous management did not. It is making a difference IMO. Today, all the greens were mowed ahead of us as we made our way around the course. Never had to wait for anyone cutting the greens, as in the past. And the greens were very good. It looked like in addition to cutting they were also rolling them? Very pleased with the way they chipped/putted and with good speed (unlike my last round). Fairways have good grass coverage and provide good lies IMO. Not in any traps, but some looked good, others not, so perhaps they will work on those? No issues with any rough. Course does have numerous OB areas that can cause issues, if one is not careful. Tee boxes were all clean and playable (unlike my last round). Found the customer service to be excellent. Conditions are very good at present to have an enjoyable round of golf. Nice to come back an play a course that had some issues previously and to see them taken care of. Good signs IMO.

After returning from East coast, just wanted something to stretch the legs. This course fit the bill just right. Found a mid morning time and was able to enjoy the sunshine and a leisurely 4.5 H round... Continue »

After returning from East coast, just wanted something to stretch the legs. This course fit the bill just right. Found a mid morning time and was able to enjoy the sunshine and a leisurely 4.5 H round. Course was very crowded but because it is a relatively forgiving course, 4.5 H was not too bad. Found the course has dried out relatively well from past storms, but fairways and greens were still soft. Tee boxes seemed to be beaten up some from no doubt many holiday golfers. And there were many divots in most of the greens that needed repairing. In one trap and the sand was very thin and others looked like they needed work? Greens all were very slow but playable. Customer service excellent at all levels. Great course if you like to walk. New management of the course under the umbrella of Billy Casper Golf. Will be interesting what (if any) changes will occur in the coming year?

Having played nine at Altadena on Saturday, but realizing the rain wouldn't arrive until later on Sunday, I headed down to Alhambra Sunday morning, 12/22, to squeeze in a (another) last round before t... Continue »

Having played nine at Altadena on Saturday, but realizing the rain wouldn't arrive until later on Sunday, I headed down to Alhambra Sunday morning, 12/22, to squeeze in a (another) last round before the onset. Caught up to another single on the second tee and we finished as a twosome. Alhambra rarely disappoints in that it is pretty consistently maintained, and so it was on the day. No issues with any tee boxes and could always find a level grass patch. With the exception of an overly juicy approach from the fairway on the first hole, the fairways had good winter coverage — fair bit of rollout but not overly thin grass, providing a good hitting surface. Rough varies here but I always seemed to end up in a spot that allowed a good chance at recovery. Bunkers could be thin-ish and firm-ish, but in the end were reasonably playable. Greens were in good shape with a nice quickness to them. The foursome two groups ahead of us had no one in front of them and were slowing down the string of two and threesomes following, but the perception was probably a bit worse than the reality since we finished in something just over four hours. Not worth stressing over and it was an enjoyable round with good conditions. I'm officially ready to accept whatever rain is coming over the next week or so.

Joined a friend yesterday for a rare mid day round. Went off at 11:30 and done by 2 PM. Was disappointed with the conditions for the whole round. Since the last review, they have been aerating many of... Continue »

Joined a friend yesterday for a rare mid day round. Went off at 11:30 and done by 2 PM. Was disappointed with the conditions for the whole round. Since the last review, they have been aerating many of the fairways. So not only were many ripped up, but they were very very soft from a lot of water. Tee boxes were a mixed bag of good/bad. In one sand trap and that was playable, so hopefully the rest were playable? Greens were soft and putted very slow all round. Customer service was excellent. I won't rate the course, due to the working conditions presently going on. But I do enjoy playing here but will wait several weeks before going back.

Because of the relative short length of this course, some people would not consider playing here, but it really is a fun little track to play, and actually has several good holes. As a senior, it's n... Continue »

Because of the relative short length of this course, some people would not consider playing here, but it really is a fun little track to play, and actually has several good holes. As a senior, it's nice to have lots of "birdie holes" available.

Condition was about what I expected. Greens being the best part of the course. Most of the fairways were good, some thin areas, some brown, but generally very acceptable. Tee boxes area work in progress, so I'll defer from being to critical.

Staff is always friendly and accommodating. $28 seems a bit steep for this course. (do not play here often enough to justify buying a senior card)

Played Alhambra today, 11/3 with a late morning start as a single joined by a twosome. I'll make this quick by saying the conditions here are mostly good. One exception is more extended brown patches ... Continue »

Played Alhambra today, 11/3 with a late morning start as a single joined by a twosome. I'll make this quick by saying the conditions here are mostly good. One exception is more extended brown patches in the mix on the fairways. Mostly, those spots were playable with a tightly matted surface and, much more rarely, there was a spot of hardpan. Generally, the fairways were good lies, on the tight side with commensurate rollout — seems the norm I'm seeing for this time of year on public courses, including those patches. Tee boxes were usually level with grass, although few of them were short on coverage with a couple basically dirt. They have been punching some of the tees so they are moved around a bit. The rest is good and the greens were clean and running medium quick. Saw a beverage cart for what might be the first time I can remember in my experience there. Really nice day to be out and, while I didn't notice our tee off time, I'm guessing we got around in something under 4.5 hours.

Played this AM. First off and POP 3 H. Found all the tee boxes moved up as they were aerating them on the front. Back 9 had already been done and tee boxes were on SCGA markers. Fairways had good cove... Continue »

Played this AM. First off and POP 3 H. Found all the tee boxes moved up as they were aerating them on the front. Back 9 had already been done and tee boxes were on SCGA markers. Fairways had good coverage since my last time here and no issues with lies/roll. Traps had been cleaned/refreshed and were fine. Very little rough anywhere to play out of. Greens were very good and chipped/putted just fine, with good speed (8-9). Excellent customer service and good food in the restaurant.

Went out yesterday @ 2 PM. Got right out and finished in 3 H. Great customer service in the shop. Found the course to be a tale of two 9's. Front nine fairways were dry and lots of thin brown areas. T... Continue »

Went out yesterday @ 2 PM. Got right out and finished in 3 H. Great customer service in the shop. Found the course to be a tale of two 9's. Front nine fairways were dry and lots of thin brown areas. Tee boxes were acceptable. Traps seemed hard/crusty. Greens were slow and had areas of sand on them, that had not totally healed from aerating. Back 9 was in very good shape. Tee boxes good. Fairways had good coverage and lies. Traps were still hard/crusty. Greens were in good shape and chipped/putted just fine, though still a tad slow. Price and pace of play were excellent, making for an enjoyable round of golf.

Went out as a single around 2:15 today, playing behind a speedy threesome, getting around in something over 3.5 hours. I saw the GK alert and was prepared to accept partially healed greens, but none o... Continue »

Went out as a single around 2:15 today, playing behind a speedy threesome, getting around in something over 3.5 hours. I saw the GK alert and was prepared to accept partially healed greens, but none of them were suffering any aeration hangover. Some had light indications of the recent work but it didn't affect anything. There seemed to be more pitch marks than usual, the occasional, small, rough patch, and they were a little slower than usual, but I didn't have any problem with the way the greens performed. Otherwise the course is in generally good shape and I see no reason to avoid it. I enjoyed my round.