Played Goose Creek yesterday (Sat 4/30) for the first time in several months, and only the second time ever -- first was sometime in 2021, I think in the summer or fall. I wasn't overly impressed the ... Continue »

Played Goose Creek yesterday (Sat 4/30) for the first time in several months, and only the second time ever -- first was sometime in 2021, I think in the summer or fall. I wasn't overly impressed the first time I played it, despite rave reviews. Coincidentally, it was more rave reviews that brought me back, and led me to think that they had made changes/improvements since my first visit. So I decided to check it out again.

Turns out, they were right. It's in great shape, in every area of the course. My ONE gripe is that people don't seem to be very good about repairing their ball marks, as there were several on some of the greens, beyond those of our group. But that's less of a criticism of the course, and more directed toward the clientele. From what I've heard, the owner(s) are raising the prices in an effort to get rid of the "hackers" in an effort to limit it to golfers are serious and respectful enough of the course to pay the high green fee.

I don't know if that's true, but when it comes to cost, it wasn't that bad. I paid $94 this time around (Saturday at 12:20pm with a cart), and while I don't remember what I paid last year (I think it was about the same, maybe $10 less and a couple hours earlier in the day), I think the course is worth every bit of $94 on a Saturday at noon. It's in excellent shape, so much so that if you put this course in Orange County or other high price tag areas, it would easily be over $100, maybe even approaching $200. Seriously, it's that nice. I'm talking Palm Springs and/or private club kind of nice.

As to the layout, it's great. Not overly long -- 6560 from the back tees (unless you get to play the "Goose" tees, which I've never seen out, and isn't on the scorecard). They label their tees with Roman numerals: IV, III, II, and I. I played the III tees, which is second longest, at 6150. From there, everything is easily reachable, and not overly challenging. Not a lot of rough to deal with, and what rough there is, is short right now. There are hazards alongside some of the holes, but the biggest hazard in my opinion is the fairway bunkers on some of the holes, just cuz they can be hard to avoid. But all in all, not too much trouble, except maybe on #18, which has water all along the right side, and which is their signature hole. Greens do have some undulation, though, so pay attention to the pin location. Also a lot of drop-offs on the edges of the greens, which causes even short approach shots to roll off, if not landed in the right spot and/or with enough spin or angle of descent.

Bottom line, go play it for yourself and see what all the rave is about! Bonus points for a good practice facility: Grass driving range (sometimes, I think, but not today), chipping green (no bunker), putting green.