Played in an SCGA tournament. Course was wet after a couple days of intermittent rain. Course was redesigned over past year, tons of tree removed , and new green and bunker complexes constructed.

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Played in an SCGA tournament. Course was wet after a couple days of intermittent rain. Course was redesigned over past year, tons of tree removed , and new green and bunker complexes constructed.

Tee boxes were dormant bermuda, very muddy with little grass in the areas we played. Fairways were also dormant bermuda where worms had pushed up dirt so you accumulated thick layer of mud on your shoes. Felt like you were ice skating. Cart path only made for 5 hour POP.

Green were in good shape, around 11 speed, held moderately well but has lots of false edges and balls tended to roll towards bunkers and water hazards and greens were built up.

The bunkers were very maddening. Every bunker , green side and fairway, had a two foot grass lip all the way around the trap. Sometimes this prevented you from taking a full backswing. The sand was a heavy beach sand was way too penal. If your ball flew into bunker , most likely a very bad fried egg with no chance of getting within 20 feet of pin.

Visually the course design is beautiful. Get a Riveria type feel to the course. I bet the spring/summer conditions would be fantastic. Blue tees at 6500 was more than enough of a test. Playing the tips at over 7100 yds would not be fun and don't think you could break 100 in a tournament. I'd wait until it warms up and dries out before I'd play there again.

Big clubhouse, lots of parking, nice range and short game area.

Played in the SCGA outing today at the newly renovated Valencia CC. As a first time player of this course, I must say the layout was fair, however the conditions today were tough to say the least. We ... Continue »

Played in the SCGA outing today at the newly renovated Valencia CC. As a first time player of this course, I must say the layout was fair, however the conditions today were tough to say the least. We started on hole 5 after a 20 minute delay due to frost. I broke 5 tees trying to get that first shot off. I knew then that It was gong to be a long and challenging day. The greens today were so incredibly dry and fast they well over a 10 on the stimpmeter. The fairways were in good condition but dry and lots of roll. Without question some of the best sand I have ever played in, very new. The rough was basically none existent as they had removed a whole bunch of trees to completely re-do the course. According to the SCGA proctor of the closest to the pin contest, Valencia is going to put in a bid to potentially hold the Genesis championship when the Olympics are here in a few years. As the Olympics would use the Riv, and there is some clause that says they can only hold 1 large pro tourney a year. Hence Valencia attempting get that tourney for a year. Who knows?

As for Valencia CC as a member club to join, If I lived closer and had the means this would be one I would look into. It is a serious challenge of a course. The clubhouse, and locker room are very nice and very clean. Big lockers and I think I saw a sauna or steam room. The food is good according to the guys who ate. The practice green is large yet the driving range is not that big but suitable. Worth a chance if you get on, especially if you love an old school challenge.

Comparing this to the Oaks Club, I would say this course has more of a classic feel to it while the Oaks has more unique challenges and blind shots. Valencia has some bunkers that are perfectly placed.

Both were well worth the outing fee, and I would do it again if I get the opportunity.

A Jem of Robert Trent Jones! Very forgiving fairways, but some tough bunker placements and par 3’s that require long carry or dump off areas that will leave you with a tough chip to make par. Course ... Continue »

A Jem of Robert Trent Jones! Very forgiving fairways, but some tough bunker placements and par 3’s that require long carry or dump off areas that will leave you with a tough chip to make par. Course is preparing for overseeding, so fairways not pristine but still very much playable. Greens were pristine and had some tough breaks. Rough thick, but not too deep. Will definitely play again if I get the opportunity.

Finally was able to make a GK outing Aug 16, and had a blast. Was grouped at random with others who had zero connections to one another except for GK membership, and my fellow GKers did not disappoin... Continue »

Finally was able to make a GK outing Aug 16, and had a blast. Was grouped at random with others who had zero connections to one another except for GK membership, and my fellow GKers did not disappoint. Would have had a great time with them anywhere, but Valencia CC made it all the more enjoyable.

Valencia CC feels like a “classic” metropolitan area course—interesting routing and a variety of holes, lots of trees, strategic off the tee, walkable, and relatively small greens with several surprises for the uninitiated. One other surprise is the amount of water on the course, as there are several holes where it comes into play and at least one where you can’t see it until perhaps too late. Overall this is a course that begs you to play it again because good scoring is available on a good ball striking day once you know your way around. But there is plenty of challenge even for the big hitters. I used every club in the bag on a pretty good ball striking day. It is easy to understand why this course has hosted the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour on several occasions. I finished the day wanting to play again and to inquire about membership despite its distance from my home. Definitely could be worth a regular drive.

The course is in very good shape overall, the one bad mark being the rough, which was fairly thin and often downright dirt alone. It appears to me that the Superintendent has dealt with dry conditions by focusing water where it is most needed, the fairways and greens and tees and especially the landing areas and green surrounds. For example, fairways often were a bit brown and thin just off the tee and on the edges and then into the rough, but good shots were rewarded with excellent turf for the next strike. And while missing the fairway off the tee often gets you into some trees, there were good exit options available from easy to risky. The same was true on approaches, as many greens clearly have red light and green light areas that would be fun to learn over time. Green surrounds were lush and challenging. Basically every shot makes you think.

The greens were exceptional despite having recently been lightly sanded. They rolled quite true and on the fast side of medium speed; they ordinarily must be pretty fast. Good putts were rewarded. Most of the green contours are straightforward, but a few are quite diabolical with buried elephants and severe runoffs; these impacted approaches more than putts, there a few greens that are really difficult to hit and hold without advance awareness and precision. I made more 8-10 footers that I usually do, and a couple long putts as well. Even some longish irons held the receptive greens. Very impressive greens overall despite the recent sanding.

As mentioned, the rough was in, well, rough shape in a lot of places, very thin to non-existent turf. I think this is a choice due to water conservation, and a good choice of one has to be made. The tees were flat and in fine shape.

I practiced/warmed up elsewhere because I knew the range would be crowded, but the range appears to be adequate with grass and mats available. I did not see a dedicated short game area. The practice putting green is large and consistent with the greens on the course, and has plenty of places to practice straight putts and speed (which many practice greens surprisingly lack).

It also is notable that pace of play was very good despite having two groups start on every hole. We started on 18 as the “B” group, a par five with several hills and valleys and potentially two blind shots, so that first hole was quite slow to finish, but after that we made it around quite comfortably and finished about 4.5, kind of amazing for as full as the course was.

Final comment is that I was pleased to know that so many GKers and Golf Mooseheads are great course custodians: Fairway divots we’re mostly filled and ballmarks on greens were virtually all repaired.

Congrats to Johnny GK and to Golf Moose for a great event, and many thanks to Valencia CC and its members for letting us all give their excellent course a try. I welcome the chance to play there again, this is the sort of course that rewards yet still challenges regular play. Good players here could take their game anywhere.

We played Valencia CC on 8/16/21 with Golf Moose and Johny GK hosting the event. This was my first time playing the course and I really liked it. Super challenging holes. Fast undulating greens and ... Continue »

We played Valencia CC on 8/16/21 with Golf Moose and Johny GK hosting the event. This was my first time playing the course and I really liked it. Super challenging holes. Fast undulating greens and plenty of water hazards to really make it a challenge. The staff and crew at Valencia CC were all super nice and courteous. I look forward to playing there again in November for the Veterans Tournament.

I was able to play Valencia CC as part of a Golf Moose/GK event yesterday, 8/16/21 and was so glad I did!
This course lived up to all the hype. Big holes, wide fairways, big greens and lots of traps... Continue »

I was able to play Valencia CC as part of a Golf Moose/GK event yesterday, 8/16/21 and was so glad I did!
This course lived up to all the hype. Big holes, wide fairways, big greens and lots of traps, but everything was in great shape. The fairways are lush with full cover and distinctly defined. The rough is thick and penal but not unfair. Tee boxes were in good shape, level and fairly wide as well. The greens is where we got a big break. They roll true, have plenty of undulations and tricky breaks, are large, but were covered with a very thin layer of sand, keeping them from being very fast. I honestly can't imagine what putting on super quick greens here would do to my scores here. They are were great!

The experience here was more than I had expected. Golf Moose & Greenskeeper did a great job of making everyone comfortable and got us off on time and kept the POP right where it should have been. The course staff were friendly and helpful as well.

If it sounds like I'm gushing here, I probably am.. It was a fun event, the course is difficult and challenging but not unfair at all. Course knowledge would have helped in a couple of areas, but now that I've seen it, I look forward to getting back whenever I have the chance.

Played 7/23 with the Gurus.

What else can I add that hasn’t been said already. The course was in very good to excellent shape throughout outside of the green side bunkers which I would still rate a... Continue »

Played 7/23 with the Gurus.

What else can I add that hasn’t been said already. The course was in very good to excellent shape throughout outside of the green side bunkers which I would still rate as good.

The tee boxes, fairways, and green surrounds were lush, wonderful hitting surfaces with little to no divot damage to report.

The rough was a bit inconsistent but that much is expected on such a heavily treed course. Hard to get good turf if it’s in the shade.

What impressed me most about the club was the staff and practice facilities. Everyone I talked to was extremely nice and professional. The practice green was perfect and ran at the same speed as the greens on. The course. The range was well stocked and the turf was just like the fairways on the course. The short game area was set up to allow shots of about 65-70 yards to a green that was kept like a green on the course, allowing you do actually judge spin and reaction of the ball.

Overall a wonderful day with a great group. I look forward to one day playing here again.

With the Gurus Wednesday. About as hot as I play and like it. Breezy so swing easy. Parred the first hole hitting the tight lie carpet fairway with my drive and five wood setting up a PW short the nex... Continue »

With the Gurus Wednesday. About as hot as I play and like it. Breezy so swing easy. Parred the first hole hitting the tight lie carpet fairway with my drive and five wood setting up a PW short the next long to a back pin and sunk the 12 footer back uphill for a par and close to the lead after hole one. Near the top of the leaderboard after one the double land for awhile
Really nice course and facility. My gps got me to the discrete entry gate but it’s easily missed off of Tourney Rd. Right away parking in the indescript lot you can tell this isn’t your run of the mill facility. Clubhouse is modern and clean with nice sight lines of the course from the second level. Around the first floor pro shop and snack bar the putting green Rolex time clock and driving range nearby to the left. Says 1965 opening date on the card but the CH is updated not indicative it’s kool.
Course offers the tight lie fairways that I wish I visited with more tee balls. Up close near the greens great challenges chipping and the greens are what I like lots of space and undulations.
Scored poorly but from my perspective playable recovery shots even though I was stuck in double land most of the 18.
A five of five recommend for this NLA area track. It could fit in in NorCal as a private venue that’s how I felt playing here. With the exception of some I5 traffic noise a few holes on front. Great variety of hole designs a few water hazards and good playing friends equals a great day at a new course. Happy Happy

Last time I played Valencia Country Club was 8 years ago, truly hope I don’t have to wait that long to get back on this exceptional country club with PGA Tour and Senior Tour history. Great day with G... Continue »

Last time I played Valencia Country Club was 8 years ago, truly hope I don’t have to wait that long to get back on this exceptional country club with PGA Tour and Senior Tour history. Great day with GK Gurus (Wednesday 7/28) that also doubled as a preview round for the Golf Moose/GK Private Course outing I’m running on 8/16. Anyone attending that outing is in for a treat.

Despite our hot and dry summer, Valencia CC was still in great shape. Especially the fairways and greens. The greens were very smooth, medium/fast (normally very fast but due to the heat not cut down as much), firm on pitch shots yet holding approach shots. Fairways lush tight cut bermunda turf. Ball sat up great all day. Rough was mostly lush at times thin in the area where it was burned out from the heat. The rough is a blend of bermunda, fescue and kikuya. All the nasty stuff you want to avoid no matter what the length. Fortunately it was only about 2 to 3 inches because the ball always sat down every time making it challenging. Bunkers, well groomed, mostly firm with decent sand quality. Seems like the golf course is due for some new sand because the last time I played here 8 years ago it was new perfect white sand. Tee boxes in excellent shape. Lush bermunda like the fairways and cut tight. Have to say I love the traditional Robert Trent Jones Sr. runway style boxes.

Valencia Country Club is a very fun traditional Robert Trent Jones Sr. design. You have ample room to find the fairway off the tee but at the same time you need to be able to work the ball (mostly left to right) to avoid the huge mature trees on some holes. It’s a long course and almost all the greens are elevated so that makes it even longer. I played the White Tees at 6305 because I’m still without my driver. I love the front nine with its beautiful water hazards and tricky greens. But back 9 is more challenging IMO with an excellent long par 5 finishing hole. This is truly a strong test of golf. You need to be doing all things well to score. The greens have many undulations, steep bunkers, greenside water hazards. The fairways are all tree lined. The rough is normally deep. And of course the layout is long. It’s a super course that if you get an opportunity to play – play it! - Check out the fresh full spread of photos of its layout I posted.

Highly Recommended.