Played Admiral Baker-North for the fourth consecutive week this past Thursday and little has changed over that time. Tee boxes in good shape but fairways continue to be hit or miss with quite a few a... Continue »

Played Admiral Baker-North for the fourth consecutive week this past Thursday and little has changed over that time. Tee boxes in good shape but fairways continue to be hit or miss with quite a few areas with little or no turf still marked GUR; rough also spotty from hole to hole and slightly longer than previous visit. Willing to overlook these less-than-pristine conditions due to the excellent greens, perfect bunker sand, and easy-going atmosphere. The greens present the course's biggest defense: large surfaces with multiple pin options that really demand precise approach shots. You can easily be lulled into a false sense of security as you stand in the fairway; there are very few, if any, large undulations incorporated into their design (with the exception of the triple-tiered Par-3 7th Hole). However, plenty of subtle slopes abound that can spell disaster should you find yourself on the wrong side of the cup, whether you've made it onto the putting surface or not. Coupled with this is the fact that these greens are difficult to read. They are in excellent condition: healthy, smooth, devoid of unrepaired ball marks, receptive to well-struck shots (despite firming up a bit), and rolling at a medium+ speed...everything one could hope for...yet the ball doesn't always react as you would envision. There seems to be a fine line between making and missing putts here...I've hit good putt after good putt every single week yet have very little to show for it...which can get a bit frustrating at times. Just keep in mind it's a characteristic of the greens and not due to bumpiness or a lack of a true roll; some putts break then suddenly straighten out near the cup while others hold their line and snap off as they lose speed. And the ball may also break in the opposite direction vs. what you perceived. It takes a perfect combination of read, speed, aim, and stroke to get the ball in the hole which, in my view, can only strengthen your putting as it requires 100% concentration and execution on each and every green. Bunker sand, as I've alluded to in previous reviews, is simply a pleasure to hit out of. Perfectly raked...unless someone neglects to cover their tracks, which is rare...they are consistent in texture with a generous top layer of soft sand. Unless you happen to be up close to the lip, shots are most often from a relatively flat lie, making it easy to slide a wedge under the ball without the subconscious thought of blading the shot over the green dancing in your head. Our tee times have been between 2:15-2:30 and despite playing as a twosome sandwiched between fours, twos, and singles, we usually manage to complete play at right about 4 hours, despite feeling the round(s) took longer to finish. Beverage service available two to three times during the mid-afternoon; on-course marshal (Tom) provides ice-cold water and pleasant conversation as well. My friend and I have developed a great appreciation for the Admiral Baker-North layout over the past few months and it's only gotten better now that we've discovered the on-site River's Edge restaurant. Excellent food at low prices, a nice draft beer selection, and good service make this a mandatory stop after each round. Tremendous value when you combine the golf with lunch/dinner options; it's no wonder why I simply refuse to play anywhere else these days.

Not too much has changed since I played here a couple of weeks ago. Just wanted to reiterated that some of the fairways are kind of rough and 18 comes to mind. You can hit a great tee shot to the mid... Continue »

Not too much has changed since I played here a couple of weeks ago. Just wanted to reiterated that some of the fairways are kind of rough and 18 comes to mind. You can hit a great tee shot to the middle of the fairway and get a bad lie in some patchy grass.

Greens still decent and rolled at a good pace. This is the third time I've played and there and I have seen putts on the opposite sides of each break away from each other. Maybe after some more rounds I'll figure these greens out.

Bunkers around the greens were great. Soft white sand. I didn't remember this from the last time because I'm not sure if I was in them or just oblivious.

Pace of was right around 4 1/2 on a Saturday afternoon and for $40 I think it's a good value just don't expect pristine conditions.

Teed off today right on time a little after 12. We were a twosome and were behind a bunch of 4somes so it was pretty slow today. Took about 4 hours 45 minutes. Pretty consistent with Jeffs review a... Continue »

Teed off today right on time a little after 12. We were a twosome and were behind a bunch of 4somes so it was pretty slow today. Took about 4 hours 45 minutes. Pretty consistent with Jeffs review a couple of weeks ago but I thought the greens were very firm. In fact I hit a PW from 135 yds uphill and hit it probably came up 8 yds short. It hit the green twice and bounced over. I think hitting it on concrete would have been easier to stop. Maybe not as fast as you would think for how firm they were. The greens reminded me of the greens in courses Palm Springs during the summer.

Again the fairways are a little bit or miss. Some rough spots out there both bare and patchy grass. Rough was non existent. No real penalty for missing the fairway.

First time on this side and I like this better than the south. A much more interesting layout. I will say these might be the four toughest par 3s I have played on a golf course. The shortest was 178 yds, longest was over 230 yds. One was a 3 tiered green and all seemed to play into the wind. I struggled on them with 3 doubles and one bogey.

Staff was great, cart girl came around often and marshal had a water jug with him. I thought this was a good value just don't be expecting prestige conditions.

Played my first round of 2015 at Admiral Baker-North on a pleasant Wednesday afternoon (2/18) and found the course to be in decent condition but not at the level I grew accustomed to during mid-to-lat... Continue »

Played my first round of 2015 at Admiral Baker-North on a pleasant Wednesday afternoon (2/18) and found the course to be in decent condition but not at the level I grew accustomed to during mid-to-late 2014. Tee boxes were acceptable but the fairways were spotty with more than a few areas marked GUR due to patches of bare dirt. Turf conditions are hit-or-miss...probably won't fill in until the summer...so you may find it necessary to bump the ball a bit in order to find a decent lie. Rough is pretty non-existent in most parts of the course; area along the right side on the Par-5 6th hole is basically hard pan with patches of thin turf. Collars around the greens are in good shape, however, but very tight so make sure your confidence level is high before attempting that short cut-lob shot if you happen to find yourself short-sided. If not, opt for the safer shot as there's no room for error. Despite the somewhat less than ideal tee-to-green conditions, the putting surfaces are fantastic; greens are healthy, void of ball marks, and consistently quick from holes 1 through 18. Tiny slice marks show evidence of having been recently verti-cut rather than punched so the ball rolled true on just about every putt. Despite being on the firm side, well-struck shots held but rolled out more than usual; wedges stopped within 3 or 4 feet of their pitch mark while lower lofted irons released and ran a little more. For example, the 6-iron I hit on the downhill Par-3 9th hole came to a stop about 15 feet past its' ball mark. I've got to say the bunker sand may be the best I've experienced anywhere; well-maintained, excellent texture, an absolute joy to play out of. I actually felt I could be on the aggressive side for a change as opposed to guarding against blading the shot, which is usually what I'm facing at other courses where the sand is thin, hard packed, and exhibits a heavy consistency. Need proof? Holed out consecutive sand shots on Holes #16 and #17...from 40 and 60 feet, respectively. Saw the Beverage Cart on Hole #6 but a staff member was periodically cruising the course during the afternoon providing water and idle conversation. We played as a twosome behind a few groups of 4 and the round really slowed up midway through the back nine. Seemed like we were waiting quite a bit at that point yet somehow managed to finish in four hours. Admiral Baker is not what I'd consider a very demanding layout...plenty of room off the tee, benign rough, accessible greens...but it's got a good variety of holes and a few that will challenge even the best players so it's a sensible choice for someone who may be working on their game and not looking to get beat up by the golf course. With a walking rate of $25.00 at 12:45PM...$38.00 with a cart...this has quickly become my go-to course when required to play close to home. I expect the fairways to improve as the weather warms up...provided we get some rain...but the condition of the greens always wins out over any fairway inconsistencies as far as I'm concerned and these are difficult to beat.

Late info here due to time constraints but felt it was still worth posting. Played Admiral Baker-North on Thursday, October 23, and found the course to be in good shape, although the fairways have ta... Continue »

Late info here due to time constraints but felt it was still worth posting. Played Admiral Baker-North on Thursday, October 23, and found the course to be in good shape, although the fairways have taken a hit since my July 23 visit. As everyone is aware, drought conditions have persisted, along with record temperatures, right up until this week and the results are obvious. Not as green as a few months ago, the fairways were quite thin and spotty, with dirt patches (picked up some of mud on more than one tee shot) pock-marking what patches of green were in existence.

Lies were very thin unless you happened to find a healthy area of turf: in that instance, it wasn't an issue. Similarly, areas around the green and in the rough were hit-or-miss, with the exception of the collection areas of the fringe, which were well-maintained and great to hit from.

Greens were in good shape yet very inconsistent in speed; #1 was firm and quick but the other greens putted slower than anticipated. On a positive note, not many unrepaired ball marks so putts rolled on relatively smooth surfaces. Tee boxes were acceptable and bunkers kept up to snuff and playable, especially those located in the fairways.

Pace-of-play was excellent: teed off as a '3' at 11:30 and finished a leisurely round of golf just over four hours later. $43.00 rate (including cart) was reasonable, especially when compared to the late rate of $41.00, which I believe is in effect at 3:00 prior to the upcoming time change.

Overall, I enjoy playing here despite the prevalence of generic, nondescript holes that dominate the front side, although the golf course does have its' inherent challenges. However, I must admit I was disappointed by the condition of the fairways and found the thin, almost dirt-like, lies I encountered on a regular basis to be a nuisance and detriment.

It's been almost 25 years since I last played Admiral Baker North and the recent full-scale renovations that were completed a couple of years ago have vastly improved the golf course. The irrigation s... Continue »

It's been almost 25 years since I last played Admiral Baker North and the recent full-scale renovations that were completed a couple of years ago have vastly improved the golf course. The irrigation system was overhauled, new tee boxes constructed (i.e., #1), and the green complexes were redone/reconfigured as well. Not only have the playing conditions benefited from the upgrades, but I also believe the layout can play tougher than it used to...especially all the way back...if the pins get tucked on the larger greens and the wind is blowing. This is not a golf course that possesses any blatant 'wow factor'; it's actually pretty nondescript and vanilla-flavored. However, anyone who can appreciate the value of being able to work the ball, place it on the proper side of the fairway, and rely on strict course management to keep them from taking any unnecessary risks, will be rewarded with the opportunity to shoot a respectable score. If you happen to get "short-sided", it may require a career shot...or a long putt... in order to save par; there's very little room to work with when the pins are tucked and the grass around the fringe areas may not always make a "bump and run" feasible. The layout features a good balance of straightaway holes as well as ones that bend right-to-left or left-to-right. Hitting a tee shot to the wrong side of the fairway on these doglegs can add a considerable amount of yardage to the following shot, hence the premium on driving accuracy. Most are fairly subtle but #11 bends left at a 90 degree angle, requiring a strong tee shot in order to avoid being blocked out by the hill guarding the corner. Strategically placed fairway bunkers...some guarding the corners, others in the middle of the fairway...also influence play from a few of the tees so knowing the distance to reach and/or carry them is critical. Played as a twosome and teed off a few minutes after 3:00 on Friday afternoon; golf course was open so pace of play wasn't an issue and we coasted through the round in about 3-1/2 hours. Rate was $41.00 (regular fee $55.00) including cart, which I thought was a bit high for mid-afternoon but I really don't regard rates vs. tee times an issue with me; just wanted to mention it for those who are searching for the best "deal" at that time of day. Cart girl was available on two or three occasions during the round which was nice; some places seem to shut down their service earlier when the crowds have thinned out. Saw a player's assistant a couple of times too. Tee boxes were healthy and fairly level, as I recall, without any excessive divot issues. Fairways, for the most part, were green and featured good lies, but there were a few areas under repair and some bare spots here and there. Overall, it had no impact on being able to hit the shot at hand. Rough was full and very challenging; kikuyu-type grass meant solid ball contact could be compromised if you didn't pay attention. It would be quite easy to pop the ball straight up in the air when it sat on top of the grass so "measuring to the ball" was the first order of business. There are a couple of areas off the fairway...#6 comes to mind...where there is just a dirt area with no rough so be prepared to look for exposed, as well as hidden, rocks before electing to hit your shot if you do happen to find these locations. The greens were in good condition despite the presence of neglected ball marks. I have no idea what it's going to take before the culprits wake up and realize they've got to make a concerted effort to repair the damage caused by their approach shots, but it would be a shame if these greens deteriorate to what they were prior to the renovation project. That being said, putts rolled very true although a couple were kicked off line by the surface imperfections. I'd say speed was medium, at best, but it didn't take long to figure out and I had a strong day on the greens. There were a couple of the downhill variety that were quick...so you had to pay attention to the subtle slopes...but anything going slightly up an incline had to be hit firmly. I also thought the greens were fairly easy to read. Bunker sand was excellent; no complaints here. Nicely maintained and almost perfectly level (save for a few unraked footprints...probably the same culprits who are ignoring their ball marks), texture was conducive to hitting good shots with the proper technique. Didn't encounter nor see any traps that were hard-packed, which is the exception rather than the norm these days. I thoroughly enjoyed my day at Admiral Baker and felt more appreciation for the layout and the positive changes that have been instituted as the round progressed. Like I said, it's not a visually stunning presentation but a strong variety of holes that place an emphasis on solid shot-making is what registered with me. Challenging, fair, playable for the high as well as low index player, and walkable for those who wish to do so, this is a course I plan to revisit very soon. And in light of the continuing economic crunch, the high cost of course maintenance, and the ever-present drought, the conditions were laudable. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case at most venues being reviewed this year.

Played AB North on 7/16. Nice layout, and overall in pretty good condition.

Pace of Play: Fast (finished in just under 4 hours)
Greens: A bit slow, lots of pitch marks and spike marks, but stil... Continue »

Played AB North on 7/16. Nice layout, and overall in pretty good condition.

Pace of Play: Fast (finished in just under 4 hours)
Greens: A bit slow, lots of pitch marks and spike marks, but still generally reasonably good.
Fairways: Pretty good. Generally green with good lies, although there are a lot of areas marked GUR.
Bunkers: Reasonably fluffy sand, not too many unraked footprints.
Tee Boxes: Level, not too many divots.

I like AB North, and it was good to see it in pretty good condition in the middle of drought conditions. It's a pleasant layout and good value.

Got out for a mid-morning tee time on Saturday, and got around in 4 hours and 35 minutes. We could have actually gotten around a little quicker, as the group in front of us were usually getting off t... Continue »

Got out for a mid-morning tee time on Saturday, and got around in 4 hours and 35 minutes. We could have actually gotten around a little quicker, as the group in front of us were usually getting off the green when we would drive up to the tee. I really enjoy the layout of Admiral Baker's North course, in comparison to the South course which just feels like a march of straight short par 4s. There's much more variety in the meandering North course, as the layout tests the wind from a variety of directions, and you get a couple of holes that are sharp doglegs as well. The ninth hole doesn't lead you back to the clubhouse, instead bringing you to a snack shop that looked closed. Fortunately, the beverage cart came by four times during our round.

The greens felt a slow to me, and I really felt like I needed to kill the ball on uphill putts. One of the staff mentioned that they had gotten a little rain in the early morning hours, so that might explain the sluggishness. The par 3s on the course really ate me up on a fairly windy day, and they are all in the 160-185 yd range from the white tees, so practice those clubs on the range before you hit the course.

Played 3-30-14 9:30 POP 4:15 $ 55. Course is in decent shape. Fairway's have quite a few hardpan/thin areas mixed in with the woolly and green. Most lies are very hit-able but tight and dry. Green... Continue »

Played 3-30-14 9:30 POP 4:15 $ 55. Course is in decent shape. Fairway's have quite a few hardpan/thin areas mixed in with the woolly and green. Most lies are very hit-able but tight and dry. Greens were 99% back from aeration. Running about slightly quicker then medium speed with good roll. Traps and T's in good shape. I like the variation of the hole designs. Nothing real fancy, but a fun course to play. Can be very slow on weekends, but today was not too bad.