Played today after about a 4 year hiatus from this course. We had stopped playing here because the course conditions had gotten pretty bad in relation to cost. Figured we'd give it a try again. Still ... Continue »

Played today after about a 4 year hiatus from this course. We had stopped playing here because the course conditions had gotten pretty bad in relation to cost. Figured we'd give it a try again. Still pretty pricey but it is south OC. $65 for seniors is a bit on the high end but not too prohibitive. Must say we were presently surprised that the course is in the best shape I've seen it in a long time. That's not to say there are not some issues. Sand traps are the worst I've seen on ANY course in this price range. Just atrocious! Greens were fine and rolled pretty well though a tad on the slow side. Fairways in decent shape with pretty nice lies throughout. Hardly any ballmarks! Enjoyable round.

I wanted to get some swings in before a tourney this weekend, and after the unhappy pro shop experience at Tijeras Creek a couple weeks ago I decided to try down at Talega. I really like the layout do... Continue »

I wanted to get some swings in before a tourney this weekend, and after the unhappy pro shop experience at Tijeras Creek a couple weeks ago I decided to try down at Talega. I really like the layout down there but have been put off by recent reports of poor conditioning – it had been 24 months(!) since I’d been down there. With the recent wet winter I hoped that vegetation would be in better condition and the course had had time to address the bunkers and some other conditioning issues. It was the first sunny day we’d had for a while in south OC and the warm weather and only light breezes made for a pleasant afternoon at 2pm on Wednesday, 5/29/19. I was paired with a threesome of vacationers from the San Fernando Valley who had played the course in the past. They were anxious to get started, so we jumped out early with no warmup – we started on #10 as the shop told us they were doing bunker work on the front nine. I paid $42 with cart on GN, which apparently was less than the threesome paid. Overall the course was in pretty good condition. Fairways had pretty good coverage, the usual tight turf that promoted runouts off the tee, and the ball generally sat OK. Rough was generally 3-4” deep and you had to pay attention to get a solid strike on the ball. We played the white tees, which were frequently pushed forward of the white plates, and tee turf was generally good. As usual the tee on 17 was torn up and bumpy. Greens were firm and rolled at medium speed, with good coverage. Greens on holes # 7 and 17 were badly marked up with unrepaired marks and scattered small bare areas. Sand traps we were in were in generally good condition, although frequently wet and packed down. The left front greenside bunker on #3 had plenty of sand but the underbaggie was showing in some parts. Greenside bunkers were marked as GUR on #s 2 and 5 and improvement work was evident. Cost cutting at Talega continues. The basic carts had a cooler but no water/ice, and no club cleaner/ball washer on the cart. The GPS is downgraded now to a simple ProShot with basic yardages. The main building men’s bathroom accessories are gone. Many ongoing changes that affect the visual and strategic aspects of the course continue – on the right side of hole #2 several traps in the driving area have been removed. On #4 along the right side of this “driveable” hole traps have been removed or made smaller. Traps in the driving area on #11 are much smaller. The greenside trap on the right front of #18 is smaller, and the large trap behind the green has been eliminated. I had pleasant playing partners but they were very casual in their approach– hitting a 2nd ball, freely giving putts, and PICKING UP MY BALL WHEN WE WERE SEARCHING FOR IT, etc. A nice touch is divot sand refill boxes – I saw them on #5 tee, #8 tee, # 10 tee, and after 11/15 greens. The course uses entry/exit gates to control cart wear on fairways. Lakes were full and the course had an overall groomed look. The light was out in men’s bathroom behind #4 green – the locked door was propped open with the soap holder. The safety mirrors at the entrance to path tunnels after #1 and en route to #10 were missing. Recommended – the blind teeshot on the par-5 #15 is still the most visually intimidating tee shot in SoCal, and without a 'picture' GPS or a yardage book, you have no idea where you are going.

Played early morning today. The rain yesterday did not affect the pace of play, expecting it to be cart path only but it was not. The course was green but some parts of the rough were around 2 inche... Continue »

Played early morning today. The rain yesterday did not affect the pace of play, expecting it to be cart path only but it was not. The course was green but some parts of the rough were around 2 inches or more causing you to take more time to find your ball. Lost 2 ball hit just slightly into the rough. The greens were the best I have seen it in months. Rolled med-fast and true. Landed in a couple of green side bunkers which did contain ample amount of sand.
POP was slightly over 4 hours.

Played here yesterday for the second time. It has been years since my first visit so I didn't remember anything about it. The place has a resort feel to it as soon as you drive in (as you get past the... Continue »

Played here yesterday for the second time. It has been years since my first visit so I didn't remember anything about it. The place has a resort feel to it as soon as you drive in (as you get past the grocery store). We rode the blue tees which were plenty for our group of 11 handicappers. The layout is great but this is not a walkers course! The distant between the greens to tees were lengthy at times. We found the course conditions to be rough at best. I am sure all the rains have a factor in this but to be honest I would want to pay the high asking rates to play here right now. We payed $87 per player which is a little steep for what you get. The fairways were thin, wet, and spotty. The traps were all hard pan and left unraked, and the rough was long and inconsistent. The highlight of the day were the greens. They rolled smooth, semi fast and held shots. I look forward to the next visit here when conditions are better as the layout is super fun with many risk reward holes that keep you engaged. Oh and one more thing.......we never saw a Marshall or beverage cart all day....could have made good use of both!!!!

Finally the sun comes out after a week of rain. Decided to play knowing that the course would be cart path only. POP was at about 4.5 hours but this was due to the restrictions. Course was saturate... Continue »

Finally the sun comes out after a week of rain. Decided to play knowing that the course would be cart path only. POP was at about 4.5 hours but this was due to the restrictions. Course was saturated from the rain and the balls would stick where they landed, not that much roll. The greens rolled very slow and were extremely soft, understandable due to all the moisture.

Bunkers did have standing water and we adopted the rule of pick, clean and place. Conditions should be very good next week when it dries up a little. Great staff and fun play.

Played Wed 12-19 around 7AM and finished under 4 hours with a gift certificate. I came in with low expectations based on word of mouth from the locals over the past few months, but the previous revie... Continue »

Played Wed 12-19 around 7AM and finished under 4 hours with a gift certificate. I came in with low expectations based on word of mouth from the locals over the past few months, but the previous review gave me a reason to try. The recent rain may have done wonders and the course definitely appears to be back. Greens were very good. Rolled even and true and ball marks were at a minimum. Fairways were good although a few bare spots in areas which were meant wet clay. Traps were thin and shallow and could use some work. Never saw the food/beverage cart nor any marshals, but the staff was certainly cordial and friendly. I would come back back for sure while the getting is good.

Played today 11/30. First time back since playing here in August when the greens were devastated by disease. I was hesitant to play because of the prior conditions, but I am glad to say that almost a... Continue »

Played today 11/30. First time back since playing here in August when the greens were devastated by disease. I was hesitant to play because of the prior conditions, but I am glad to say that almost all the greens are 95% healed. There are areas that had patch repairs showing on the green. The greens were medium slow, looks like they were letting it grow out to recover. Fairways were in good condition but mushy due to rains. Rough was maybe 2". Overall glad to see course maintenance has been a top priority. Cart path only due to yesterday's rain but POP was just a little over 4 hours.

They've lost the greens. Many were dead. The only had a couple 10 ft square areas where they could place the pins. Back nine worse than the front.

They've lost the greens. Many were dead. The only had a couple 10 ft square areas where they could place the pins. Back nine worse than the front.

Generally play Telega twice a week. As many nearby courses the heat and humidity has taken its toll on the putting greens and Telega is no exception. Greens are in very very poor condition one would t... Continue »

Generally play Telega twice a week. As many nearby courses the heat and humidity has taken its toll on the putting greens and Telega is no exception. Greens are in very very poor condition one would think they are putting on greens of a course that’s going out of business. Yes the greens are that bad your putting on dirt and dried mud. Will the greens come back? Probably yes they always do but when...... Unless you enjoy these type of putting surfaces you might want to play elsewhere for a while.