Played in the Irvine City Championship at SF on Saturday and Sunday mornings, 7/18 & 19, on hot. muggy, partly sunny days with very little wind. I also played a practice round on this course on Wednes... Continue »

Played in the Irvine City Championship at SF on Saturday and Sunday mornings, 7/18 & 19, on hot. muggy, partly sunny days with very little wind. I also played a practice round on this course on Wednesday afternoon, 7/15, under similar conditions. Rather than post multiple ratings I’ve combined my comments in this review, and my course rating reflects all 3 rounds.

I’ve played in the ICC several times over the past 10 years and watched Strawberry Farms evolve from a course that had always played soft and wet into a much more enjoyable venue.

Overall the course was in good condition, although I think not in the almost pristine shape it was in for this tourney in 2013, when I felt it was in the best shape I had seen here in 15 years. The major differences in the times I’ve played here since that time were: 1) the course overall was much wetter than last year and 2013. Despite all the talk of “drought” in SoCal, most of the rough was thick and damp and clingy, and many fairways and green approaches were soft or soaked, making run-up approaches impossible; 2) in 2013 the fairways and rough were in great condition and played nicely firm and fast, due to the efforts of the course the previous few years to clear out some of the trees and heavy brush that closely bordered the course and allow more sun and wind in to dry out and firm up conditions, transforming a course that had always played soft and wet into a much more enjoyable venue. This year there were a number of areas that were roped off and showed bare areas (sanded and watered) – some of these were played as GUR, but most were in play and required hiking out off the cart path. As someone with a low ball flight that counts on getting some roll at the end of my shots, I was frustrated many times in having what I felt were solidly hit tee balls dying in the wet fairways at 210 yards, frequently leaving me with long iron and hybrid shots into greens.

Greens were in very good shape, with turf coverage very much filled in from the thin, sometimes scattered bare conditions I remember in the past. These greens are the best looking greens I’ve ever seen at SF. All of the greens were receptive, rolled well at medium speed and showed very few ballmarks.

Tees were in good shape, with the par 3 tees showing the most wear in certain spots, as usual. But the par 3 tees all have larger total areas, allowing the course to move tee boxes around to avoid damaged areas and let them heal. Rough was uniformly good but wet/damp, but consistent to play from. Bunkers were in pretty good shape but generally damp and heavy, with only a thin (but adequate) layer of playable sand over a firm base.

I like Strawberry Farms and enjoy playing in this tourney every year, but I generally don’t play here otherwise because of the cost, a common problem for me with higher tier courses in southern Orange County. Recommended.

Greens were in good condition but the fairways need some more attention. Lots of thin lies. Not what I expected from a high-end course. I do love the layout and will return to play here once they righ... Continue »

Greens were in good condition but the fairways need some more attention. Lots of thin lies. Not what I expected from a high-end course. I do love the layout and will return to play here once they right the ship with the fairways. Will need to read some reviews that indicate improvement. Good service and beautiful clubhouse.

Played the course in a tournament yesterday. The tee boxes were in a fair to good shape. The fairways were in a very poor shape due to lack of watering. About half of the fairways were fenced off to ... Continue »

Played the course in a tournament yesterday. The tee boxes were in a fair to good shape. The fairways were in a very poor shape due to lack of watering. About half of the fairways were fenced off to play cartpath only. I'm assuming it's due to preventing further damage to the already dry, bare and hard pan fairways. Also, like the recent reviewer's post, the fairway runs, rolls hard. Playing from the white tees on the par4's left me only 100 yards to the green for my second shot when it's usually a 130 shot. I was forced to hit a knock down shot off the hard fairway all day. It was 80* and saw no watering or any indication of recent watering o the fairway. The greens were in good condition. Still looks and rolls little bumpy due to punching about 4 weeks ago. Overall good. The bunkers were in a pretty bad condition. I find the bunkers consistently and similarly bad throughout LA's public course. SF is no different. I take it as a LA thing. It was consistently hard pan under only about 2 inches of sand. You can get picture of the course condition. I really like the layout and the beautiful course setting. It's really unfortunate to let this pretty, fun course go by lack of watering and maintenance. I would say a little more water and letting the grass grow out on the fairways should help a lot.

I'm not sure what 180.00 a round golf course looks like but I bet it's isn't anything like strawberry farms . We had a 50 percent off coupon to this place and our green fee was 90 bucks and I'm not su... Continue »

I'm not sure what 180.00 a round golf course looks like but I bet it's isn't anything like strawberry farms . We had a 50 percent off coupon to this place and our green fee was 90 bucks and I'm not sure I would pay that again either. The course is in decent shape and the greens were true . But the good comments end there. The sand traps and the customer service had the same problem, their wasn't any. When you walk in and pay your green fee if you want to hit a few warm up balls the charge 5.00 for 20 balls really 25 cents per ball and there is no snack bar so a golfer must compete with breakfast guests for service and order from the breakfast menu. Next is the insane Russian girl tooling around on the drink cart I don't need to see, hear and be pestered 6 times per nine and the one time I did want something she only had tequila and pineapple juice who drinks that????my biggest and most important gripe about this place is the don't have a Marshall. People are paying big money to play here and must want to get every inch and minutes worth and by doing so ruining it for everybody behind them. The fools. In front of us today and their lady friend shouldn't even know where the black tees are let alone be allowed play from them. Finally after 5 hour I called the club house to let them know how slow it was, they informed me they don't have marshalls but would check the GPS to see. I don't know what it is about those 5 dollars yardage books the sell now but put one in golfers hands and the turn in Kevin Na but slower cause they suck . This place is just a nickel grubbing operation from start to finish even after your done they got vultures waiting to clean your clubs for a tip and when I said no thanks he got pissy. Ok I lied about one thing I do know what a 180 buck course looks like in fact I have played more than a few they have Marshalls and sand and treat there customers with respect in short nothing like strawberry farms. If you love this place God bless you I'm going to goose creek or Arrowood and play twice for the same money and walk away feeling good.

Played here this morning at 7:40 as a single. They put me in a shared cart with a guy who smoked cigarettes the whole day, so that was unfortunate. The smoke doesn't even bother me much, but it's the ... Continue »

Played here this morning at 7:40 as a single. They put me in a shared cart with a guy who smoked cigarettes the whole day, so that was unfortunate. The smoke doesn't even bother me much, but it's the principle of it at a $160 course. When paying that much, shouldn't every aspect of the golf experience be taken into account? Thankfully I didn't pay that because I had the voucher Costco sold last year, so it only cost me the $25 surcharge for playing before noon on a weekend.

Course conditions are good for the most part. Greens roll pretty smooth and medium fast. Fairways are very playable yet not quite "lush." Rough is a little spotty with occasional bare spots and inconsistent types of grass. Bunkers I was in seemed like they could use a good raking but were good otherwise. The tee boxes were maybe the least appealing part of the course. Not bad, but more reminiscent of a decent muni course than a course with a $160 price tag. We had to be one of the first 10 groups out and there were already a lot of divots at each tee, which tells me they don't move the markers around as much as they should.

Maybe you can sense my overall tone – this is a nice course but I just can't fathom paying full rate to play here. I've never seen it lush green; it always seems to be light green in the fairways and for the price, you'd expect the rest of the course to be more manicured. (Full disclosure: I've never played well here, so maybe that colors my perception, too.)

Played 8/19 at the $50 member rate. Tee'd off at 430 and was able to finish 18. I came into this round very interested to see what kind of shape the course was in; especially considering that another... Continue »

Played 8/19 at the $50 member rate. Tee'd off at 430 and was able to finish 18. I came into this round very interested to see what kind of shape the course was in; especially considering that another similarly priced course (tustin) wasn't in the greatest shape. If TR and SF were in a head to head to match SF would win in a first round knockout. The course is in fantastic shape. Some areas are marked ground under repair but the fairways are lush and hardly any dried out or bare spots are present. A few holes were cart path only due to GUR. Greens were hard but considering I played late in the day that is to be expected. Minor disease on small portions of some greens but everything was still rolling true. Bunkers a little firm but consistent throughout the course. Some poorly repaired divots on a couple holes but nothing major. Tee boxes in good shape. Course is hard no matter which way you look at it. Don't miss left here, trust me. Overall, the course is in great shape and worth a play at the right price. GPS on the carts, good service, the whole nine. Don't pay the rack rate, play twilight or buy the membership and you'll enjoy yourself.

Played in the Irvine City Championship at SF on Saturday and Sunday mornings, 7/19 & 20, on warm, partly sunny days with very little wind. I also played a practice round on this course on Wednesday mo... Continue »

Played in the Irvine City Championship at SF on Saturday and Sunday mornings, 7/19 & 20, on warm, partly sunny days with very little wind. I also played a practice round on this course on Wednesday morning, 7/16, under similar conditions. Rather than post multiple ratings I’ve combined my comments in this review, and my course rating reflects all 3 rounds. Overall the course was in very good condition, although I think not in the almost pristine shape it was in for this tourney last July, when I felt it was in the best shape I had seen here in 15 years. The major differences this time were: 1) the course overall was much wetter than last year. On Wednesday and even Saturday and Sunday mornings, water was actively being put on the course just prior to or during play. This was especially the case on 7/16, and most of the rough was thick and wet, and many fairways and green approaches were soaked or even squishy, making run-up approaches impossible. Aside from the big sprinklers running, many areas were being treated with small movable sprinklers; 2) greens, while being in very good shape, were inconsistent with regard to firmness, most likely due to differences in water application. Most of the greens on 7/16 were fairly soft and receptive, while by the weekend many greens had firmed up, some to the point of being overfirm and rejecting shots with hard bounces. Even on Sunday there were significant differences between greens in receptivity and firmness; however, all of the greens rolled well at medium speed and showed very few ballmarks. 3) Last year the fairways and rough were in great condition and played nicely firm and fast, due to the efforts of the course the past few years to clear out some of the trees and brush that closely bordered the course and allow more sun and wind in to dry out and firm up conditions, transforming a course that had always played soft and wet into a much more enjoyable venue. This year there were a number of areas that were roped off and showed bare areas (sanded and watered) – these were played as GUR. Tees were in good shape, with the par 3 tees showing the most wear, as usual. Some tees need some additional leveling to get a good stance. Rough was uniformly good but wet/damp, but consistent to play from. Bunkers were in pretty god shape but generally wet, with only a thin layer of playable sand over a firm base. Several tees, fairways and green approaches showed evidence of recent turf patches. I like Strawberry Farms and enjoy playing in this tourney every year, but I generally don’t play here otherwise because of the cost, a common problem for me with higher tier courses in southern Orange County. Highly recommended.

Played early on Sunday 5/25. Pace was 4:20. Greens were good but not great and rolled at an average speed, maybe even a little slower than what I'm used to at Strawberry. A few rough spots and bare... Continue »

Played early on Sunday 5/25. Pace was 4:20. Greens were good but not great and rolled at an average speed, maybe even a little slower than what I'm used to at Strawberry. A few rough spots and bare patches here and there in some fairways but overall the course was in good shape. Bunkers were good and rough wasn't too long. A great course and a beautiful day with good service and friendly staff. I would only say I think it's a touch overpriced.

Although I don't play here that often, I enjoy this course. Staff was great and allowed me to tee off first as a single, but as I have always experienced, due to "back nine play" I get around the fro... Continue »

Although I don't play here that often, I enjoy this course. Staff was great and allowed me to tee off first as a single, but as I have always experienced, due to "back nine play" I get around the front quickly, then "hit the wall on the back" which was the case today. Took longer to play the last 4 holes than the first nine.

Course was in decent condition, but considering the $$, nothing exceptional. Greens played a lot faster than they looked! Nice track, just too bad it's so pricy