Date played: Sunday, Oct. 27th 2013 Tee time: 9:06 am My handicap: 17.6 Green fee: $63 Pace of play: 4 hours 50 minutes # of players in group: 4 Tee box: Blue Course facilities: One of the better ... Continue »

Date played: Sunday, Oct. 27th 2013 Tee time: 9:06 am My handicap: 17.6 Green fee: $63 Pace of play: 4 hours 50 minutes # of players in group: 4 Tee box: Blue Course facilities: One of the better facilities in the OC and IE areas. The driving range is usually grass stations (approximately 12-15 stations) although they had used mats on this particular day. There is a small chipping green with a bunker next to the range and a two tier practice putting green next to the clubhouse. The range has approximately 6-8 target landing areas with enough room to hit long drives. You are hitting into a valley, so there is an adjustment for distance that should be noted for hitting targets that are below the hitting stations. They used to have complimentary range balls stacked up but from what I have been told it has been a couple of years since that policy was changed. But more often than not I find more than enough left over range balls to warm up with if I choose not to buy a bucket. The chipping area has more than enough room to practice greenside chips, bump and runs, short sided bunker shots, etc and if there isn't anyone else around you can set up near the edge of the range and hit 20 yard shots. The putting greens are a good indicator of the actual greens on the course. The restaurant and bar overlook the 9th hole and the food is decent and reasonably priced (6 pack of coors light pints is $20, best deal I have seen so far). I would avoid the steak nachos but I would recommend the boneless wings. The staff are all friendly and willing to share a laugh or two. Course conditions: I have played this course over 15 times in the past 5 years and I do enjoy playing this course. With that being said, the course conditions on Sunday were not accurate of usual condition of the course. Tee boxes were combined, I think they are overseeding 2 tee boxes at a time. There was a strong smell of fertilizer/manure throughout the whole course. The fariways were inconsistent, some areas were burnt out and patchy. The greens had been punched a month ago but were still slightly bumpy but the punch holes have healed and the greens looked nice. The rough was also inconsistent with some areas thick and wet and other areas thin and dry. More than once I ended up in areas where I was hitting off dirt or really thin grass. The bunkers seem to be in good condition, the sand was fluffy and easy to hit out of. The conditions on this day were consistent with a stereotypical muni course which is not terrible because the value is so great. Course layout: This is where the course really shines. The layout is challenging but it won't kill your score. This is definitely a course with a view, you are playing in the hills intertwined with orange and avocado groves. There are homes lining the fairway on some of the holes and definitely come into play on a few tee shots, but it isn't every hole like some courses in the Palm Springs area. The first hole is a par 5 reachable in two shots and you can start the day out with an under par score. The last hole is their "signature hole" with a huge drop from tee box to fairway; a good drive leaves you less than 100 yards in giving you a chance for birdie. Local course knowledge is extremely valuable. Because of elevation changes you have to adjust your distances. Some holes seem either too short or too long based on just yardage, but check your elevation and remember that you are playing in the hills. Breaks can be subtle although seem much more severe if you are reading greens based on the surrounding peaks and valleys. You need to check distances to hazards and markers because you can easily end up with a difficult approach shot. There are many situations where being on the correct side of the fairway will make for a much more manageable approach. The risk reward contemplation will definitely come into play on this course. In my opinion that is what makes this course a lot of fun; you get to really choose your own adventure on almost every hole. The course conditions were slightly disappointing this time around but it won't stop me from coming back a few times a year. From Orange County you can get to the course within 40 minutes and the value is hard to beat. P.S. Here is a traffic tip; when you are driving home from the course, avoid the 15 to the 91 merge and drive past the 91, exit Hidden Valley, take a left on Hidden Valley, left on Hamner and get on the 91 entrance off of Hamner. You will avoid the gridlock on the bridge from the 15 to the 91 and save at least 30 minutes by avoiding that traffic.