Got an 11:00 start as single joining another single and a twosome, all playing the whites. Probably 20-something years since I've played here, I was favorably impressed and it felt a step above averag... Continue »

Got an 11:00 start as single joining another single and a twosome, all playing the whites. Probably 20-something years since I've played here, I was favorably impressed and it felt a step above average my average muni experiences. Teeing grounds were level with consistent, tight coverage that was worn close to more of a suggestion of coverage at times in the hitting zone. As these are teeing areas, i.e. using a tee to set up the ball, I saw no issues with them. The ground is firm and sometimes required a little extra to get the tee set. Fairways were nice: good hitting surface, a little on the tight side with good roll, visually clean and generally consistent. Rough varied greatly. Usually playable fairway adjacent, but also extensive areas of chips/dirt a little beyond that. There are also areas around the property with trees, foliage and weedy undergrowth that has become lush with the rain and it can be easy to lose balls there. I was in way too many bunkers so I can vouch for the condition which is generally pretty clean, firm-ish with good sand on which the ball sat up more than not. Green surrounds were clean and good for short game, albeit frequently more on the tight than lush side. Greens were firm and ran at a good quick speed that was not excessive. Where repaired, they tend to show ball mark scars even though those visual traces don't impact the roll. There is a firm, sandy quality to the soil that requires a little more attention and effort with the tool to repair pitch marks. Most greens had some element of contour and I enjoyed putting on them. I'd had my eye out to catch a round here with my regular golf buddy, but I never saw availability late in the week when we play. As it was a Tuesday (my birthday) and I was going single, I was able to score the booking on short notice. In addition to the nice overall conditions, the group ahead pulled away while the trailing group was usually about a hole behind, so we had a sense (illusion) of an uncrowded course and our own pace (4.5 hrs). There were a couple of negatives to mention. First is the proximity of the freeway and that noise, especially for holes closer to it. Because it is constant, I treat it as white noise and it really doesn't bother or faze me, but for some it would definitely be a consideration. The other issue was odors, at least on that day. They were patching the clubhouse roof, so there was the tar smell in that vicinity. Closer to the freeway and the construction areas that are still active was a smell somewhere between sulfurous and sewage wafting about. It was somewhat localized but not insignificant, and in the vein of "know before you go" be forewarned. Again, I observed it, but it wasn't going to ruin my round nor would it keep me away. Bottom line, I was impressed with the improvements and conditions and will definitely look forward to playing here again.