Played a GK Cup team match at Diamond Bar and was looking forward to checking it out for the first time ever. The layout is pretty straightforward with a few quirky holes to add some spice, but it's a... Continue »

Played a GK Cup team match at Diamond Bar and was looking forward to checking it out for the first time ever. The layout is pretty straightforward with a few quirky holes to add some spice, but it's a decent test of golf, made more challenging by the less than ideal conditions. Each player who paid for a cart had to take their own as there are no shared carts at this time, but they are quite dated and certainly no frills. The driving range was closed at the time we played but looked pretty non-maintained, and the putting green practice area was also sealed off. Snack bar closed and only a few snacks to purchase at the starter's booth. Fairways and rough both very thin and in need of maintenance, or watering, or something. Lies were thin all day and required very solid ball striking to get just rewards. Visually the course is not great, and it's quite loud when you're either at greens or tee boxes very close to the 60 freeway. Not sure I've ever played a course so loud before. I was only in one bunker and it was just okay, while the tee boxes were a mixed bag but mostly flat and level, however nothing to write home about in terms of coverage. What about the greens? Sneaky fast. Like really fast. And there are some severe slopes on these greens so staying below the hole is quite vital. Greens really were the saving grace though as they had good coverage, didn't necessarily look fantastic, but played fast and straight. Even held shots well, too. Needless to say I was a little underwhelmed by Diamond Bar but would go back in a pinch if I heard that conditions had improved. The layout is interesting enough to come back again, although I didn't care much for the par 3 9th hole - pretty much a small green atop a volcano while hitting over a lake. But the rest was fine and 18 is a very strong closing hole.