Braving the heat, I headed to El Prado for the second time in 3 days. Arriving around a quarter to noon, I chipped and putted on one of the two open practice greens (there are 3 practice greens at thi... Continue »

Braving the heat, I headed to El Prado for the second time in 3 days. Arriving around a quarter to noon, I chipped and putted on one of the two open practice greens (there are 3 practice greens at this facility, as well as an all grass driving range). The practice green seemed very representative of the greens on the course. Without a reservation, I went to the clubhouse, where Greg gave me the option of which course to play, and honored the rate that I found on their web site. Playing from the blue tees (6850 yards/126 slope/72.5 rating), I teed off at 12:15pm as a solo walker, and finished my round at 3:30pm (I let a cart riding single play through on the fifth hole, then kept pace with a quick group of 5 in carts). It was hot, with only intermittent light breezes. As is common these days (or so it seems to me), a member of the group ahead left several clubs at the side of the first green, which I gathered and handed off to the cart driver who returned from the second green, seeking his important tools. The golf course was in decent shape, as is pretty consistent with both El Prado courses, given you don't come expecting "country club" conditions. Tee boxes were level, well covered with lush turf, and mostly well maintained. Kikuyu grass on some tee boxes was fluffy, but never too thick. There was always a good place to tee it up. Fairways were mostly good, except for some random areas where turf was thin, or weedy and barren. Turf was mowed, and balls generall sat up. I did not notice many divots that were not repaired. Rough, as usual, was variable. There were broad swaths of lush, grabby turf, some of which left balls sitting up, and thin, weedy stuff, and bare dirt, too. I had to play from only one greenside bunker, on the first hole. Sand there was wet, heavy and compact, but playable. All bunkers appeared maintained, some though looked fluffier than others. Greens were, as usual, the highlight of the course, and served to confound me, even though I seemed to have chipped and putted well on the practice green. Some greens still exhibited the obvious look of "recent" aeration, but they were smooth, and rolled quite well at medium-fast speeds. I consistently rolled putts 3 and 4 feet past holes. Best here to keep approaches below the hole to maximize scoring. Greens held well struck shots, and were firmer as the day progressed. If you can accept that things are a little scruffy around the edges, El Prado is a fine value. Give them your business if you will.

Had an early morning tee time on Sunday. Very few players on CC due to greens being aerated. Starter in pro shop reminded us about the greens and offered us a spot on Butterfield, we stayed on CC and ... Continue »

Had an early morning tee time on Sunday. Very few players on CC due to greens being aerated. Starter in pro shop reminded us about the greens and offered us a spot on Butterfield, we stayed on CC and he gave us a discounted rate even though we had booked online. Great customer service!
Fairways and rough were in good shape, tee boxes were shaggy and needed longer tees to get the ball above the grass. We played early and greens had not been mowed, they still had the morning dew along with the sand that had not settled from the aeration. Give the greens another ten days and they should be fine. Nice fall day to work on your game.

Played today with another single. POP 3.5 hrs behind a threesome on an open course.
Tees were ok except for the par 3s (very shaggy, like hitting out of the rough even with a tee).
Fairways in good ... Continue »

Played today with another single. POP 3.5 hrs behind a threesome on an open course.
Tees were ok except for the par 3s (very shaggy, like hitting out of the rough even with a tee).
Fairways in good condition, rarely had a bad lie. Rough is long and "grabby," especially tough on delicate shots around the greens. Tough to use putter from off the green (used my hybrid with moderate success). Greens have recovered from aeration a few weeks ago, but slower than usual for Chino Creek.
Bunkers were a little crispy, but no trouble getting out.
Service is always good here, but no Cart Girl on a very hot and still day.

Played El Prado Chino Creek Friday June 23rd at 7:10, Very friendly staff. good breakfast. Got out on time. POP was 4:15 It was just a little overcast when we teed off and they really had the fairways... Continue »

Played El Prado Chino Creek Friday June 23rd at 7:10, Very friendly staff. good breakfast. Got out on time. POP was 4:15 It was just a little overcast when we teed off and they really had the fairways and the greens wet because of the expected heat. Not much roll out at first and the greens were very receptive. They changed the slope rating so our group played the white tee this time and that did mean the course played different than I remember it. The condition of the course was good, with the exception of the bunkers, but I am finding that most courses in the I.E. in the summer, the bunkers are leaving allot to be desired. so the option is "not" to get in the bunkers ROFL. Had the special of fish and chip for lunch and it was quite good. I like Chino creek allot. it has allot of "driver" tee shots, but then throws in a few holes that you have to think about the tee shot, and I like that. I wish we played it more than once a year.

Out early to beat the heat. Not very busy, so no problem getting out The staff here is always fantastic, very customer oriented.

The prior review nailed it. Although I did not find the course as... Continue »

Out early to beat the heat. Not very busy, so no problem getting out The staff here is always fantastic, very customer oriented.

The prior review nailed it. Although I did not find the course as wet as I expected. Greens were not as slow either, but not a quick as normal. Maybe they are not cutting them low to protect them from the heat?

I try to play here because it is good basic, no frills golf at a very reasonable price. Easy walking course, which is always to my liking. I guess because I know what to expect when I come to El Prado, I am rarely disappointed.

Out today, course was virtually empty due to heat. Did pair-up with another single.
The course had been heavily watered, and none of the grass (tee, fairway, greens, or rough) had been mowed recently... Continue »

Out today, course was virtually empty due to heat. Did pair-up with another single.
The course had been heavily watered, and none of the grass (tee, fairway, greens, or rough) had been mowed recently (understandable given the heat).
Not alot of roll-out anywhere.

Greens were soft, and it was like throwing darts (fun!). They slow, but rolled true.
Bunkers looked wet and packed. Only in one, but was able to get up and down (it was obviously hard pan, and blasted out).

Always enjoy El Prado courses. Staff is excellent, and price is right.

Had an early morning tee time this morning. Course was busy and the guys behind the counter handled it with no problem. Played from the tips, which was a mistake, at 6800 yards made for a long day. Te... Continue »

Had an early morning tee time this morning. Course was busy and the guys behind the counter handled it with no problem. Played from the tips, which was a mistake, at 6800 yards made for a long day. Tee boxes were not level and had to hunt for a flat spot to hit from. Fairways and rough had good coverage. Traps are wet dirt. Greens were very soft and bumpy, a little on the slow side. POP was a little over four hours.

Whenever I'm looking for somewhere to play that I can be assured of getting out early and playing quickly, for cheap, El Prado fills the bill. Not a lot to add to Gary00's review, but the course was ... Continue »

Whenever I'm looking for somewhere to play that I can be assured of getting out early and playing quickly, for cheap, El Prado fills the bill. Not a lot to add to Gary00's review, but the course was about as expected. Greens were decent, fairways had plenty of grass, but did have some bare areas. Rough as usual was hit or miss. Bunkers were generally OK, like of depended where in the bunker you ended up.

Staff is always great here. Dennis is simply the best ! If you come here with expectations of a Pelican Hill experience, you're going to end up disappointed, but if you're looking for cheal, no-frills basic golf, this will satisfy your needs.

4/7 from the whites using Under Par $40 2some 900 tee time sent off 30 min early by the friendly pro shop staff following an outing of 4 4somes who are regular golfing buddies and quite the crew as th... Continue »

4/7 from the whites using Under Par $40 2some 900 tee time sent off 30 min early by the friendly pro shop staff following an outing of 4 4somes who are regular golfing buddies and quite the crew as they were loudly cheering one of their troupe from the group ahead on #7 who missed an under 3 foot birdie putt-- and the ribbing continued through the round but with out the yelling--they were obviously having a good time and knew which buttons to push.
Played 1st 9 in 2 hours then spent 20 plus minutes on 10 to finish the back in 2 1/2 hours.
Fairways are lush to the point of needing a good mowing--did not get a lot of roll on most shots--but the lies and cushion were good--would have preferred to hit more shots from there instead of the rough which was at about 2 inches stopping the ball rather quickly and depending on the gnarly factor could range from easy to" what the heck". Some deeper areas around the green especially when ever I was short sided(that was mostly always)
My partner was in right green side bunker on #12 finding thin cover over hard dirt. Myself in #13s front green side bunker but o a nice up-slope with generous sand--out nicely and after a gentle carom off my partner's ball toward the cup only to stop 2 inches away--another easy sandy par.
Tees have good cover and are mostly level with an occasional depression requiring slight re-positioning to have good footing.
Greens were rather soft medium speed and some what bumpy/grainy--several having pale green splotches that affected the look more than the roll. I just had a hard time getting the speed right to keep the ball on line--not a lot of severe slope here except on some front pin placements with a lot of roll out down side from the hole. Over all greens look due for a good cut and roll.
Grass driving range chipping area and 2 large putting greens that were smoother and faster than on the course.
El Prado is an older style course-- lot of mature trees gentle rolling park land setting--fairly well maintained providing a muni/public play experience with down to earth friendly staff. Seems like there are usually tee time deals available some where on the web or specials through the course itself.