Joined seven other GKers in playing Monarch Beach in a GK Plays on Thursday, 8/20/15 at 10:30AM on a sunny, breezy day. Since rack rates here are so high, I really only play here when I can get a heav... Continue »

Joined seven other GKers in playing Monarch Beach in a GK Plays on Thursday, 8/20/15 at 10:30AM on a sunny, breezy day. Since rack rates here are so high, I really only play here when I can get a heavily-discounted rate like we got today. And I always enjoy playing with GKers – thanks to allan_grant, RobStretch, and ringworld for their patience and perseverance.

Overall conditions were good, although only the coastal location and the St. Regis Resort can account for the rack rates here. Greens were the best part of the course – firm, smooth and rolling well at medium-fast speed, and holding high shots. We saw some scattered bare/patched/sanded areas, but especially on the back side greens were excellent, other than the many old ballmarks we saw on all the greens.

Fairways were in pretty good condition – fairly thin but giving good lies, a little dried out in some areas, and showing scattered bare spots. Rough was alternately short and thin and easy to play from (back nine), and lush and damp and hard to find the ball (i.e., slopes separating 6/7 and 8/9). Many green approaches and surrounds (especially on the front nine) had been heavily watered and affected approach shots and walking lines.

Traps were uniformly raked, damp, firm, and thin in terms of the playing layer. This worked well for playing from fairway bunkers, but playing from these traps around the greens was difficult. Tees were level and afforded adequate playing area.

I was disappointed in the number of holes that were “path only” today – holes 3, 8, 10, and 12 were cart-path only, resulting in a lot of what looked like unnecessary walking. I assume as a result of the ocean climate and damp fairways, this course seems to me to play longer than the card yardage. Plenty of water was available, and we saw the cart girl several times. Snack shack after #5 and at the turn. Apparently we had enough trouble going on to get a talk-to from the marshal after #13, who told us we were 3 holes behind. Our POP was about 4.5 hr, however.

Thanks again to Johnny for setting up this GK Plays.

It’s always a fun time getting together with GK’ers to play. Drove down with Nickesquire all the way from Ventura County, took us nearly 3 hours due to traffic. But we made it to find perfect weather,... Continue »

It’s always a fun time getting together with GK’ers to play. Drove down with Nickesquire all the way from Ventura County, took us nearly 3 hours due to traffic. But we made it to find perfect weather, some GK’ers and a beautiful golf course. Our group of JohnnyGK, Jerry64, NickEsquire and Jerinthebox has some good times out there. Monarch Beach Golf Links is a layout I very much enjoy even if it’s not actually a “Links” course and there is only 2 holes on the ocean. But hole 3 is certainly spectacular. It’s a layout that is beautiful with strategic bunkering, left/right doglegs, elevation changes, level holes, straight holes, forced carries…makes you hit just about every shot you in the bag. A fair yet challenging layout. As for the conditioning, first 6 holes near immaculate, remainder of front 9 in mostly great shape with exceptions to some thin fairway spots. Back 9 generally in great shape with again some thin fairways and also some thin rough sections (greenside 17 comes to mind) – but overall, excellent condition. I don’t think I can describe the conditions any better than Nickequire’s review but to sum it up: Greens in great shape running smooth and moderate speed. Fairways mixed bag with some immaculate and others with thin spots. I think if they flipped the 9’s most golfers would rate the fairways in better shape but since the lessor of conditions is on the back 9, the lasting impression is not as good. The rough generally lush, some thin areas, on the front 9 fantastic. Beware of spraying your ball off the tee on holes right (6, 7) and left (8, 9) – you probably won’t find it. We’re talking about deep 6 inch nasty rough. As for the bunkers, great shape with only a few on them, example hole 15 greenside, needing more sand (actually saw the liner). With the tee boxes, granted we played the gold tees and I can totally see them being the most popular, there was more divot damage than expected but in general lush and level. Overall this course is in great playing condition. Service at Monarch Beach Golf Links is top notch. Food/Drink – tasty but pricey. My only disappointment with the course is the lack of a driving range. I know there is nothing the course can do about it. They just don’t have the land. They do at least have hitting cages to loosen up. As far as price to play. It’s located in Dana Point and it’s a resort course. It’s going to attract many tourist that are loaded and don’t have a problem shelling out big money to play as well as affluent locals. That said, from a business standpoint, it’s priced accordingly. If you’re a budget minded golfer, than this place is not for you. You will feel as if you paid too much. But if you need to knock it off the list, you’ll be happy you did. Hole 3 really is something worth experiencing.

Played in the GK plays with JohnnyGK, Jerry64 & Jerinthebox. Weather was perfect, in the 70's with a little wind. My 1st time playing here, we played the Golds (6052/70.0/129) in 4h, 20m, enjoyed the ... Continue »

Played in the GK plays with JohnnyGK, Jerry64 & Jerinthebox. Weather was perfect, in the 70's with a little wind. My 1st time playing here, we played the Golds (6052/70.0/129) in 4h, 20m, enjoyed the round with these guys. While I am not a fan of par 70 layouts, this one was good overall. Some tight holes, especially on the front, with plenty of OB & water to keep you honest. I especially liked the five par 3's. Not nearly as much ocean scenery as you might expect considering the courses proximity to the ocean, but on the few holes you do have an ocean view, it is stunning. No driving range, they have 4 stalls for you to hit balls into a net to warm up. Subpar practice putting green, small and sloped made it challenging to practice normal putts with even a few people on there at the same time. The tees were only average for a high end course, most of the par 3's needed divot repair. The fairways were tough to rate. Large areas were immaculate, lush with great lies. However, there was another 10% that was thin and could have been marked GUR in a tournament. Very good overall that would have been excellent "but for" the poorer areas on many holes. The rough was penal. Usually lush, occasionally thin. Not real long, but the ball would nestle down and tough to even see your ball in the rough unless you were up close. Most of the lies I had in the rough were a 1/2 shot penalty, tough to advance more than short irons with any degree of certainty. The sand quality was excellent, and I was in a 1/2 dozen traps, so I should know. Very well maintained. Only complaint would be that several could have used more sand, they were inconsistent in the depth of the sand. The greens were firm and medium fast. I really liked the greens here, I generally saw the lines well and the speed, texture and firmness was very consistent from green to green. I rated them an 8/10 and strongly considered a 9/10, which I rarely give. The customer service was excellent. Pro Shop & restaurant facilities were top notch. We had happy hour snacks/drinks afterward, and those prices were reasonable. However, regular prices of $21 for a Breakfast Burrito and $25 for a Hamburger/Soda seem extreme even for an expensive club? Carts had high end GPS systems, but our cart was often saying "GPS not available", so we were playing many holes old school and looking for sprinkler markers. I liked the course, but will not likely be back because even "deals" to play here are around $100 & the course is around 100 miles from my home. Very nice course overall, but it does not justify those prices in my mind.

Played 8/9/15 - Birthday Round - so the price was right as a Crown Club Member! Had not played for 8 months so was a bit rusty. My second favorite ocean course in Orange County (Pelican Hill #1) but ... Continue »

Played 8/9/15 - Birthday Round - so the price was right as a Crown Club Member! Had not played for 8 months so was a bit rusty. My second favorite ocean course in Orange County (Pelican Hill #1) but this is a great course. Always immaculate, special service and great eats. Top notch all around. The front nine always seems a bit tougher for me. There are some risk/reward holes. The #3 short, blind, ocean hole (spectacular view) comes to mind. One of our threesome drove the green and made the 8 foot putt for an eagle. Bunkers were a bit firm - my only complaint. Pace of play was excellent, right at 4 hours. I always looks forward to the warm, moist, mango scented towels offered up at the end of your round. A must play course and a bargain for Crown Club members.

Got back out here on 7-6. Got on as a guest playing with a crown club card member. Worth the $80 bucks but I could not afford much more than that. I have to say that the course is in perfect condition... Continue »

Got back out here on 7-6. Got on as a guest playing with a crown club card member. Worth the $80 bucks but I could not afford much more than that. I have to say that the course is in perfect condition. Everything from T to Green was in great shape. If you have never played here, use the tips, they are good. Second and Third holes are dog leg lefts and the second is tough from the Gold or Black tees as there is a bunker left and water right, being short of both is no bargain either because then it's a blind second to an elevated green. You can see all of this from the 1st tee as it is right across from you. The second is a short dog leg left and very picturesque. Very, Very tough green with either pin placement.
FYI, there is no range, just driving nets and a putting green. I recommend using both. Get there a little early to get warmed up and the green is very slanted, just like a lot of the actual greens, which rolled true. We had a GK event here once, wonder when we will go back? ;) Recommended if you get a deal.

Played here last week on the 7th. Got a good deal because of the aeration. Tee boxes, fairways, rough are all in great shape here as you would expect! Greens were a bit bumpy even thought they said t... Continue »

Played here last week on the 7th. Got a good deal because of the aeration. Tee boxes, fairways, rough are all in great shape here as you would expect! Greens were a bit bumpy even thought they said they were "blown" off and all the holes were filled. Not a bad day! This place is a bit tricked up, especially the front nine with severe dog legs and a lot of blind tee shots. BTW, it was cart path only for a lot of the course which makes it even more tough because of all the blind approach shots. Still.... a very beautiful place to play.

I got a chance to get out to Monarch last week a day after the greens were aerated. They told us playing the day right after aeration is always better than the weeks to follow and they were right. Alt... Continue »

I got a chance to get out to Monarch last week a day after the greens were aerated. They told us playing the day right after aeration is always better than the weeks to follow and they were right. Although the holes were clearly visible, the balls rolled true....just slightly slower than if they weren't punched. I wasn't complaining. Any day that I get to play Monarch is a treat. And on this day, it was especially fun because we got in 54 holes! That's right....5-4. It was the longest day I've had on a golf course and I was amazed that we were able to get in all 54. Other than the greens, the course was in great condition. Tee boxes were level, the entire course was lush, green, and well maintained and the bunkers had good coverage. The service was top notch....as it always seems to be whenever I come to play here. The ocean views from holes 3 and 4 are truly exceptional and are must photo ops. I can't wait until I get to play here again.

I had the pleasure of playing Monarch Beach Golf Links Friday with Ringworld, sixpez and sngernz. A great group of GK'ers with a combined total between the four of us of over 1500 posted reviews. I ha... Continue »

I had the pleasure of playing Monarch Beach Golf Links Friday with Ringworld, sixpez and sngernz. A great group of GK'ers with a combined total between the four of us of over 1500 posted reviews. I have to agree with them regarding the conditions and service. I will say there is no doubt the conditions are even better now. We played the course after days of heavy rain so it was playing much softer than normal. Now that the weather has warmed up significantly I can see the greens being more firm/smooth, fairways, rough and tees more lush and trimmed. I love this layout with all its risk/reward holes, views and interesting green complexes. The service and pace of play is excellent. I highly recommend it.

This is a challenging course. Even more so if you haven't picked up a stick in a while which was my case. First hole I proceed to shuck the ball into the thick grass waste area on the left. Not my ... Continue »

This is a challenging course. Even more so if you haven't picked up a stick in a while which was my case. First hole I proceed to shuck the ball into the thick grass waste area on the left. Not my best performance but the course conditions are a different story.

In a word for this one's minor opinion -- impressive. Tee to green the course was in fantastic conditions considering the rain. The Green complexes are immaculate. Ball rolled true and course knowledge is key here. You have to know every nuance of each green. Some of the holes truthfully are a bit gimmicky in my opinion but overall this is good golf.

As I said greens rolled true. Fairways had good coverage. They were a little wet and shots did not roll as I would expect but this is a hillside course facing the ocean. Distance and wind would be a factor. Rough is especially thick and very difficult to hit out -- very penalizing. Bunkers had good sand but due to rain were really hard packed. Coots hit several greens and be sure to move their little gifts otherwise you get what I got, a ball that you think is a tuft of grass but instead turns out to be a bird dropping and your ball moves off line. Tee boxes are all flat.

Overall I was impressed with the facility. These are pretty good conditions for golf. Expect above average service and you will be rewarded by a staff to goes above and beyond. Staff actually greet their guests in passing which is a nice touch and they are friendly and attentive to boot.

Now if only I realized the "flyby" option on the GPS in the cart. That handy little gem really showed the undulations of the fairways from tee to green. You will need this especially for the multiple blind shots you will encounter. Just trust your line, execute, and you will be rewarded. Once I figured that button out (back 9) my score benefited from some additional course information.

Now would I consider playing here again? Yep, in a heartbeat. Price may be on the high side but if you can find a deal you will be rewarded. But then again, good golf is just that good golf and definitely worth the price of admission. Now your mileage may vary but for this golfer, it was worth it. Enjoy!