Walked the Course on Sunday 6/12. First time playing here in over 3 years. Usually the POP and conditions would keep me away from here, but I needed a fix for the Golf Bug after playing Saturday. I ca... Continue »

Walked the Course on Sunday 6/12. First time playing here in over 3 years. Usually the POP and conditions would keep me away from here, but I needed a fix for the Golf Bug after playing Saturday. I call it "Redemption Sunday"

$24 rate via Supremegolf.com made it worth the risk.

Course is okay at best

* Tee Boxes - many were dry and patchy
* Fairways - thin in a LOT of areas, mix bag of grasses and weeds
* Rough - thick and wet.
* Goose Poop - WAY too much
* Greens - the best part of the course, you get what you get though after 12pm....a little bumpy around the cup
* Bunkers - fresh sand in all bunkers....nice!!!!

Made my pentannual visit (as in about every 5 years) to old RSJ. It's a convenient option close to home, but I avoid it as much as I can. I was originally looking at a hot deal for this afternoon, but... Continue »

Made my pentannual visit (as in about every 5 years) to old RSJ. It's a convenient option close to home, but I avoid it as much as I can. I was originally looking at a hot deal for this afternoon, but decided I'd rather pay just a few bucks more and walk a dawn patrol round for $32. I just walked on and got out right away. The starter gave me a glow ball in case I needed it that early, but it was just barely light enough when I teed off at 6:15. There were actually two twosomes out ahead of me already, but they moved quickly and I never pushed much as a walker. The decision to play early paid off as I was finished in less than 3 hours instead of the typical 5+ round at this stupid place. Course conditions were okay and probably above average by RSJ standards. I never come in with high expectations. I will say the greens were fantastic, soft and rolling smooth at medium speeds (gathering speed as they dried out). There were a number of unprepared ball marks, and that's a reflection on the players here. Tee boxes were generally fine. A few could use some leveling out, though. The fairways featured a mix of grasses. I would actually say more good than bad (60/40) in the primary landing areas, but the bad spots on this course are always pretty terrible. Just a bunch of dead/muddy/hardpan patches everywhere. Rough not much of a factor and about the same mix of good/bad grass coverage as fairways. I was in one bunker and it was wet and hard-packed in the morning, so hard to tell how it is later in the day once dry. As you can probably tell, this is not my favorite course around and I know I am not alone in that feeling. However, it is right down the street from me and as long as you can avoid the ridiculously long rounds it's serviceable. The layout is alright, and the big, undulating greens are fun. It's nothing too distinctive, yet I tend to score well here and that helps make it more enjoyable. The prices always seem high for what you get. However, it is in Irvine and the rates, slow PoP and mediocre conditions don't seem to drive the regulars away.

I tend to shy away from this course because my experience is that they send so many people off the back nine, that after finishing the front, it then takes forever to play the back, but decided it's b... Continue »

I tend to shy away from this course because my experience is that they send so many people off the back nine, that after finishing the front, it then takes forever to play the back, but decided it's been a while so I'd give it another shot.

I had a 6:00am tee time and it was DARK, but there were people already there. They offered glow balls, but I declined as I'm used to teeing off in the dark and had a trusty flashlight. (Plus I hit the ball so short now, the last thing I need is a glow ball which travels even shorter) Despite the darkness and not seeing anything, was able to par/birdie the first two holes and by then it was OK.

We all know the old adage about "if you can't say anything nice ...." Well the greens were very good, by far the best and only good part of the course! They are in dire need to water and TLC. Lots of bare areas, divots, bunkers had only a veneer of sand. It was somewhat depressing to me honest to see what is not really a bad layout in such poor condition.

Staff was great. Pace was also just fine. To my surprise and delight, only had one twosome on the back which let us through on #11. 2 1/2 hour pace for our twosome to finish on a beautiful balmy winter morning. Lots of fun, but it may be a little while again till I return.

Played Fri Jan 8th at 7:25 tee time. Guys behind the counter were very nice, found out the driving range didn't open until 9am huh... It was cart path only so we decided to walk. This course is ve... Continue »

Played Fri Jan 8th at 7:25 tee time. Guys behind the counter were very nice, found out the driving range didn't open until 9am huh... It was cart path only so we decided to walk. This course is very walkable. POP was ok at 4:20, only waited on last 2 holes for the group in front of us. This course was on our groups schedule again this year and this is the ONLY reason I would play here. I understand there was 3 days of rain and I don't mind the amount of water on the fairways, bunkers, and cart paths, but the overall condition is just way way sub par. Tee boxes were the best part of the course. Fairways bare and muddy, was in one green side bunker, obviously very wet but not much sand, greens slow, bumpy and full of ball marks. Had a hamburger and fries at the restaurant, wow really bad and they forgot to cook the fries with the burger, I was done with the burger then got the fries. If you don't live in the area of the course, don't bother driving to play it. I live in I. E. and the are way too many course in the I.E. that are worth playing and at a cheaper price. I dread next January when my group co mm es back.

Had 11:15 single tee time yesterday. Teed off 11:25. Told by starter to wait on tee box as he put me with later group. My drive sitting down range. Left 1st tee box at 11:45. Complete disorganizat... Continue »

Had 11:15 single tee time yesterday. Teed off 11:25. Told by starter to wait on tee box as he put me with later group. My drive sitting down range. Left 1st tee box at 11:45. Complete disorganization on managing how groups to go off. Took 1 hour to play first 3 holes - 6 hour pace. Marshal "rushed" us by yelling at me on #2 tee box to hit up on par 3 as I waited for group ahead to clear green - as if this was going to speed up play. 10-15 min. Wait on every hole. Finished at dusk at 4:45 pm. 3some ahead of us became 5some at 10 when 2 players couple groups behind jumped ahead of us to join their $5 Nassau. Greens very fast, smooth. Putt from fringe below red pin on 15 rolled up past hole and came back down to fringe. To speed up play, since that was such a high priority, I picked up. As walked to 16, marshal drove up, grinned, asked, how'd you like pin position on 15? Was he enjoying rubbing salt in wounds? Don't care at this point. Not returning for another round at snail's pace.

Decided to play RSJ again as it had been a while. Normally I steer clear of this course because of all the back nine play. It's tough to finish the front nine quickly only to find the back loaded. Was... Continue »

Decided to play RSJ again as it had been a while. Normally I steer clear of this course because of all the back nine play. It's tough to finish the front nine quickly only to find the back loaded. Wasn't too bad this time. (Maybe the cold weather kept play down?)

The course is getting better! Most of the greens rolled well and had decent speed. Still have some issues in the fairways and rough, but not too bad. Bunkers were hit or miss. Staff was accommodating as usual, and senior rate makes playing here reasonable

played old rancho again and its still getting better little by little . fairways, greens and sand were average for a public track but tee boxes still need help. They have friendly marshalls now that s... Continue »

played old rancho again and its still getting better little by little . fairways, greens and sand were average for a public track but tee boxes still need help. They have friendly marshalls now that seem to do a good job and we enjoy the course it does have a few rough spots but all and all its a fun place to spend a the day

8:00 am tee time on a Wednesday. Lot of rain yesterday so the course was "cart path only" on all holes, but we still finished in 4:15. Grass on fairways is coming in nicely, rough was really long si... Continue »

8:00 am tee time on a Wednesday. Lot of rain yesterday so the course was "cart path only" on all holes, but we still finished in 4:15. Grass on fairways is coming in nicely, rough was really long since it hasn't been mowed in several days.

Aerating and sanding of greens started this morning. Doing half the green at a time which seems reasonable, but putting through loose sand is pure guesswork. And pitch shots that land on the loose sand die immediately.

We play here once or twice a year and it's showing signs of being in better shape than usual . The new grass is in and looks good and the greens are slow but in good shape . 60 bucks is still to much... Continue »

We play here once or twice a year and it's showing signs of being in better shape than usual . The new grass is in and looks good and the greens are slow but in good shape . 60 bucks is still to much for this course and the weather in Irvine can be nasty in the summer . the ted boxes and rough here are poor. But if you can't hit it straight you might love this place. I will play here again but with a coupon only