Out very early at El Do on a Friday, walking for $40, never had to wait after #3, and finished a shade under 4 hrs. Fairways still green with a few thin areas here and there, thick Kikuyu in patches ... Continue »

Out very early at El Do on a Friday, walking for $40, never had to wait after #3, and finished a shade under 4 hrs. Fairways still green with a few thin areas here and there, thick Kikuyu in patches can be brutal to play from if the ball settles. Greens were very nice, verti-cut this AM very short and semi-speedy. Greenside bunkers could be a bit thin, so beware, but were well maintained which is usual on Fridays (ladies club tee off at 9AM, again, beware). Other than some poorly repaired pock marks on the greens, El Do is in great shape right now ... so, of course, they're punching half the greens next Monday, then the other half two week later. Still, a good course to play and semi-challenging from the Blue tees. Just play early or expect a slower than desired round.

Course is in pretty good shape for this time of year. Greens were best part. Some thin spots in fairways. Pace is always slow (5hrs) and I've never been here where we did not tee off at least 20 minut... Continue »

Course is in pretty good shape for this time of year. Greens were best part. Some thin spots in fairways. Pace is always slow (5hrs) and I've never been here where we did not tee off at least 20 minutes later than our scheduled time. Was pretty hot today, no cart girl but you do get some ocean breezes which helps cool it down.

Like the previous poster, sbiskar, I was able to book a single tee time via the SCGA website and save a few greenbacks ($36 to walk). What I did differently was to play early (6:44am) which avoided t... Continue »

Like the previous poster, sbiskar, I was able to book a single tee time via the SCGA website and save a few greenbacks ($36 to walk). What I did differently was to play early (6:44am) which avoided the 5+ hour round ... we got around a few ticks short of 4 hours with some waiting, mostly on the the par 3 holes. The course is in really nice shape right now, especially the Poa greens although many have numerous pitch marks which folk ain't fixing ... paleeeze people, just fix a couple on every green and life is good. Anyway, fairways mostly green and full Kikuyu with a few bare areas. Rough is hit and miss on the lie you'll get, so buyer beware. Trees can, and will, come into play when you leave the short grass. Bunkers have excellent sand and were just conditioned this morning. I've come to realize that ElDo has some very flat putting surfaces and if you keep the ball in play and can roll the ball reasonably well, then this is a course you can really go low. Recommended for sure.

Got single tee time through SCGA website which cuts off a few dollars from the regular green fee. Suppose to go out just before 11 am on a Monday. Only about 15 minutes late as foursome. Waited at ... Continue »

Got single tee time through SCGA website which cuts off a few dollars from the regular green fee. Suppose to go out just before 11 am on a Monday. Only about 15 minutes late as foursome. Waited at every tee box, all 18 holes - even at no. 2, which never happened to me before, and nearly every approach shot. Pace was tortuously slow - 2 3/4 hours for front 9. Played with 2 course marshals who couldn't believe how long it was taking. They bailed after 8. My other companion left after 9. I was able to join the twosome ahead, which had been a foursome on the front 9, before 2 of their group quit on 10. Then, it was 3 of us slogging through on the back 9. Two of us staggered home in about 5:15 hours, as the 3rd left after 14. Course conditions were good: fairways were freshly mowed, greens smooth, but not super fast. Be a long time before I return, as there are other nearby courses that play much faster, i.e., in 3.5 - 4.5 hours on a weekday.

So, the Long Beach Open is finished, time to hit up El Dorado. Throughout the year, tee to green isn't great here, but they always step up their game for the tournament, and it is outstanding to play ... Continue »

So, the Long Beach Open is finished, time to hit up El Dorado. Throughout the year, tee to green isn't great here, but they always step up their game for the tournament, and it is outstanding to play around this time. The greens are firm and fast, the fairways are solid and healthy. The only issue are some of the neglected tee boxes that have grown awful shaggy. Get out here while you can if you like tough green conditions, and do the same at Costa Mesa CC. They both host outstanding open tournaments, and really get their greens challenging. If you go early, like we did (first group out at 5:20), the greenskeepers saturate every hole you're approaching. There are some holes where they turn the water on as soon as you're on the tee. Unless you like dodging sprinklers and having your drives plop soundly, go later in the day. Oh, and I'm not sure how the sand was, I had a good day avoiding the traps, but my friend hit in one that was completely water logged, so I had to dock them a bit.

Give 'em hell on the links, folks!

With plans to attend an event in Long Beach later in the day, I headed out as a single and intended to try Rec Park for the first time in many years Sunday, 7/13. A tournament was going off when I got... Continue »

With plans to attend an event in Long Beach later in the day, I headed out as a single and intended to try Rec Park for the first time in many years Sunday, 7/13. A tournament was going off when I got there and the young man in the pro shop was very helpful and quickly checked around (without my asking) and directed me to El Dorado, which I had never played and, he said was wide open. It was, in fact, wide open as far as getting on right away, but not as far as pace. I had to attend my event and left after 13 holes (teed off at 11:45 and left at 3:45). It was my fault I got a later start on the day than intended and figured I probably wouldn't be getting 18 in, but I had hoped for better on the pace. Otherwise, the course conditions overall were pretty good. Generally level and good coverage in the tee boxes, fairways had the occasional patchy area of varying grass species and texture, but the great majority was good, consistent grass and lies. Rough was frequently thick enough to cost you, sand traps had good, playable sand, and the greens ran true at a medium fast speed—although they tended to scar easily and a lot of ball marks were visible, even though repaired. The course is generally flat with a little contour here and there, so it is very walkable. There are a few spots where some water comes into play. I considered it a moderately interesting muni in pretty good condition, but I was a bit surprised and taken aback at the price of $50 to walk (non-resident rate.) In fairness, I didn't see the whole course, but at that rate I was a underwhelmed. If you are familiar with the course and like it, I recommend it for the conditions. It was an out-of-the-way excursion for me anyway, so I probably won't be back unless fate intervenes.

Played on 7-6-14, in a fivesome. We started at 8:30, and POP was 5.5 hours. Despite the POP, I really enjoyed this round (the POP was not caused by a slow group in front of us which happened to be a... Continue »

Played on 7-6-14, in a fivesome. We started at 8:30, and POP was 5.5 hours. Despite the POP, I really enjoyed this round (the POP was not caused by a slow group in front of us which happened to be a fast moving foursome). The conditions were very good throughout, with lush green fairways, fast but fair greens, and even tee boxes. The par 4s are varied enough to avoid any sense of deja vu during the round. I would have enjoyed the round more had I not found every possible water hazard. I've played Skylinks and El Dorado is a much better value. I'd like to play Rec Park to complete the comparison of these three courses.

Gave ElDo another chance this Friday, got there just before 6AM and was off the first tee at 6:10 ... finished 3.5 hours later as a walking 3-some with no waiting ... the advantage of being an early b... Continue »

Gave ElDo another chance this Friday, got there just before 6AM and was off the first tee at 6:10 ... finished 3.5 hours later as a walking 3-some with no waiting ... the advantage of being an early bird. Booked a single time on the SCGA website for $36 non-resident.

Course is, wow, fantastic. Really. So much better than just a week ago. Greens crew were out in full force mowing, rolling greens, and tending bunkers getting ready for the LB Open. Rough was deep, the Kikuyu was brutal, so keeping the ball in the fairway was mandatory. Greens rolling extremely nice, I'd guess a 12 or faster. Really. They were actually a bit soft due to watering, I'm sure footprints around the cup were an issue later in the day. I'd play here every Friday if conditions remain as I found them today. Highly recommended.

A slight decline in course conditions since my last visit to ElDo. Greens were a bit bumpy and not as quick as I like to see, but very playable. Found a few greenside bunkers with minimal/wet sand i... Continue »

A slight decline in course conditions since my last visit to ElDo. Greens were a bit bumpy and not as quick as I like to see, but very playable. Found a few greenside bunkers with minimal/wet sand in some, not fun. Fairway Kikuyu holding up okay, a bit dry in some areas with bare spots in others ... not prime for sure. Got around in just under 5 hours on a Sat. after teeing off at 8AM. Range was open and on grass, still a great chipping area, and two large practice putting greens ... so a nice stop for some practice.