Played here on 7/2 (at discounted rate thanks to a buddy who won the teetime thru an auction of some kind). I really like the layout of the course. Driver is uneccesary on several holes and approa... Continue »

Played here on 7/2 (at discounted rate thanks to a buddy who won the teetime thru an auction of some kind). I really like the layout of the course. Driver is uneccesary on several holes and approach shots are difficult due to areas of trouble around green (bunkers, grass bunkers, tough rough, etc...). The only complaint I have is the condition of the greens. We were told they were aerated about a month ago, but they were still pretty sandy and although they are not bumpy, they are very SLOW.

Excellent staff from valet to pro shop to starter to cart girls. Everyone was first class and helpful.

Played 6/8/07 which turned out to be a beautiful day with very little wind. Greens had been aerated earlier in the week but were recovering nicely. A lot of dead spots throughout course. All staf... Continue »

Played 6/8/07 which turned out to be a beautiful day with very little wind. Greens had been aerated earlier in the week but were recovering nicely. A lot of dead spots throughout course. All staff were very friendly and the starter was very informative. Green fees are too high. You are paying for a couple holes along the ocean.

I'd play this course again if I was taking a friend there for the first time. The full weekend greens fee in my opinion is too steep. If you can get a significant discount it is a great golf course wi... Continue »

I'd play this course again if I was taking a friend there for the first time. The full weekend greens fee in my opinion is too steep. If you can get a significant discount it is a great golf course with great veiws.

Monarch Beach was a very good golf course that is in near perfect condition. It's a good course for shooting low scores if you're driving well and putting good. The 50% dicount card I got with my OC g... Continue »

Monarch Beach was a very good golf course that is in near perfect condition. It's a good course for shooting low scores if you're driving well and putting good. The 50% dicount card I got with my OC golf trail card made the price reasonable. At full price I think it would be out of reach for me and many others.

This course is beautiful. Two holes on the ocean front. Short but challenging layout with a great deal of sand. Conditions are outstanding except the fairway on the 18th hole, which has many dead area... Continue »

This course is beautiful. Two holes on the ocean front. Short but challenging layout with a great deal of sand. Conditions are outstanding except the fairway on the 18th hole, which has many dead areas. However, these are perhaps the greatest greens I have ever put on. Every one was of practice green quality or better. True roll, nice speed, and just plain wonderful. Service is more than a golfer needs and the price speaks for itself. However, I had the OC Trails 50% off and for $105, it was worth every penny.

Went out early on a Sunday morning and nary a soul around. One guy a couple holes in front of me; I think the nearest group at least 4 holes behind. First the good. The greens were the truest rolling ... Continue »

Went out early on a Sunday morning and nary a soul around. One guy a couple holes in front of me; I think the nearest group at least 4 holes behind. First the good. The greens were the truest rolling on which I’ve ever played. Neither too fast nor slow. They were in excellent condition (either not too many people hitting them or everyone repairing their ballparks.) For better or worse the ball went where I hit it with no bumps along the way. Also the tee boxes were level and very well kept—no complaints there.

The bad news, however, were the fairways. I heard one of the guys in the pro shop mention that it had been a tough summer for them in terms of the heat and humidity. There were more than a few bare/brown patches and what were obviously valiant efforts to repair damaged areas. To be fair though, when I was in the fairway I was always hitting from a decent lie. Just to look around and see the damage and rough spots; however, made me glad I had discount coupon for this round.

As for the layout, I found it interesting and mostly fair. I was advised that each set of tees plays about 300 yards longer than the scorecard indicates due to the wind and elevation changes. I don’t disbelieve that, although there wasn’t much wind during my round. One thing I will say about this tract is that it is uninviting to the driver. Long hitters can leave theirs in the bag as most of the holes value accuracy off the tee. Also on several holes after reaching the fairway you will find a phalanx of sand traps guarding elevated greens. I guess that’s a throwback to classic golf course design—more power to them.

In the end, what you are paying your $210 for are the ocean views, which on a couple holes are spectacular. Throw in 1st class service and high-end carts (two different sized cup holders for each rider) and I think it adds up to an experience that southern California golfers might try at least once. This is one of the courses, however, that you have to play a few times to get a good feel for, and at $175-210 a pop that prospect is a bit out of my budget.

The course is in really great condition, nothing to be critical about. A very nice track. The only downside is the price. I don't recall the greens being as difficult and having as much break, or mayb... Continue »

The course is in really great condition, nothing to be critical about. A very nice track. The only downside is the price. I don't recall the greens being as difficult and having as much break, or maybe I just couldn't read them ?

This resort course is made for great golf and ample pampering of your game and ego.
With ocean breezes and generous fairways, the opportunity to have a great round of golf is not a problem at this ... Continue »

This resort course is made for great golf and ample pampering of your game and ego.
With ocean breezes and generous fairways, the opportunity to have a great round of golf is not a problem at this resort course. As it is not overly long, you can be rewarded for aggressive play and you can always score better with conservative play. The course rolls well through a developed area with water or arroyos fronting greens or running alongside fairways. While there are very few straightforward holes, most of the holes have interesting features (tiered greens, strategic bunkers or sloped fairways).
Unfortunately, there is no driving range (the price to pay in having the course near the ocean) and the putting green is rather small. You will tee off on time and finish your round faster than you will want to play more holes. The clubhouse is well stocked (and over-priced)with wares and the food service near excellent.
The price is high, but the course and service is worth it.

I played at twighlight, 2pm and paid $125. I am a very scenic person and the ocean views are spectacular. Hole #3 is right on the beach. Even if you don't score well, you get your money's worth by ... Continue »

I played at twighlight, 2pm and paid $125. I am a very scenic person and the ocean views are spectacular. Hole #3 is right on the beach. Even if you don't score well, you get your money's worth by playing here. The only tough part is the wind that is blowing 30-40 MPH due to the ocean. No Driving Range due to the limited space. Golf play was very slow, but I must have seen the Marshal 4 or 5 times. It's a course that is definitely worth playing and worthy of being next to the Ritz Carlton. The clubhouse is very nice and makes you feel like you are playing at a $100+ golf course. The best golf course still is Aviara, Carlsbad, CA.