Played 36 on 5-4 with Nick and Tom, first time at 6:10. Just a couple things to add to Nick's, as always, comprehensive review. Sand in traps and bunkers was the orange-ish, clay-like variety, very ... Continue »

Played 36 on 5-4 with Nick and Tom, first time at 6:10. Just a couple things to add to Nick's, as always, comprehensive review. Sand in traps and bunkers was the orange-ish, clay-like variety, very nice to hit out of, though a little thin in places. They were spreading steer manure on the fairways as we were playing, kind of a dusting process, pulling a cart behind a maintenance cart. The fairways should be nice and green soon, but it was a little challenging olfactorily. They also had club match play against Bear Creek Wednesday, might be why they chose to spread the manure throughout the day instead of waiting until 5 or 6, but I don't know. Pins were in some tough spots and glad we played 36, as you could see how a little knowledge could save you at least a couple shots a side. Nick didn't seem to mind the tough pins, though, 4 birdies, should have had 8, and a hole in one on 16 - I guess he's going to start backwards from 17. My advice if Nick gets back into the GK Cup, make sure there are no par 3's between 160-175 yards on the course you play; he was just deadly with his 7 iron. This is a very fun course and challenging, though I think it takes at least twice around to appreciate it.

Played the Blues (6502/72.0/132) with 140ver & Tom in fairly calm, overcast conditions. We teed off around 6:15 and played behind a couple of regular member groups in slightly more than 4 hours. Thank... Continue »

Played the Blues (6502/72.0/132) with 140ver & Tom in fairly calm, overcast conditions. We teed off around 6:15 and played behind a couple of regular member groups in slightly more than 4 hours. Thanks much to the Golf Club of California allowing me to play for $20 as part of their "week of" Birthday promotion. My 1st time here, had always read good things about this course and only it's being 100+ miles from my home had kept me away. The layout did not disappoint. Good mixture of shorter, medium and longer holes. You HAVE to keep it in the shorter grass here, as nearly every hole is ringed by native grass/bushes that are knee deep/lost ball gone. Tight in places, but not a super tight course overall. Fair immediately came to mind as I was playing this layout, good shots were rewarded, as I had several under par holes. Bad shots were severely penalized, as I also had several blow-up holes. The layout is definitely a plus, loved #7, an elevated, medium length par 3 with a sand trap in the middle of the green. The course conditions were good overall for this time of year. The tees were good, lush, well maintained @ a medium length with most divots already properly maintained. The fairways had good coverage, no bare spots. However, they were much more thin than lush. They were also spreading steer manure on all the fairways, so they will likely soon both smell and look better than they did today. The rough was also more thin than lush, also with good coverage. I rated both a 6/10 but they could easily both jump into 7/10 range with a good rain because there are no bare areas, just thinner than I prefer. The sand traps were very well maintained with medium texture, dark brown sand. I found the fairway bunkers to be better to play out of than the green side bunkers, because both were more firm than soft and more thin than thick. The greens putted nice. Poa annua, mostly smooth, medium speed. Firm but held well struck irons well. Lighter green in color than most green complexes. After playing 36 in the desert putting on Bermuda my 2 prior rounds, had some early 3 putts adjusting, but I thought overall they were better than average for poa annua greens. Their club was hosting Bear Creek for a match today, and our group was chuckling at many of the pin placements. Definitely tournament ready. One thing I noticed about the course maintenance that I wish all courses attended to better... EVERY single tee box, 5 per hole, had sand bottles to encourage the golfers to fix their divots. The customer service was excellent, Aaron in the Pro Shop had us set up and in line to play shortly after check-in. No drink cart out on the course, but they have a beautiful clubhouse and places on the course you can call and order food/drink for the turn or after the round. Really enjoyed the course and the experience, definitely recommended.

I really got concerned when I read the (now gone) review and low rating given The GC of Ca, but alas all is not lost! I am here to report that the course is alive and well and in good to very good con... Continue »

I really got concerned when I read the (now gone) review and low rating given The GC of Ca, but alas all is not lost! I am here to report that the course is alive and well and in good to very good condition all around! Check in was friendly and quick, it was my B-day round there so only paid cart fee and was given driving range access on top of that. Pyramids of balls at the range, basically all you want to hit for the $5. Chipping/putting practice green is large and in fine shape. Clubhouse and restaurant buildings are beautiful (this was to be a CC before the great recession struck) and exude a nice comfortable feeling.
Tees: level grass covered, with minimal divots
Fairways: the first fairway never seems to be able to get "plush" for some reason, but was, like always, quite playable, the rest of the courses fairways were in great shape (they had been aerated last week but you could hardly tell without looking close) always had good lies
Rough: very minimal off the fairways (as usual) and a bit thicker in spots green side
Bunkers: mostly firm, wet, brownish soil (?), I was 2 for 2 on sandy's so plenty playable
Greens: very nice, smooth, running about medium speed (anything seems slow compared to how fast Balboa Park's greens are running right now), good shots sat down, others jumped a bit
POP: I was all alone so 3 hrs
Customer service: Friendly and professional . . . everyone had a smile
Layout: fun, challenging and you have to think about every shot, no gimmes. 18 is a brute in the wind!
Overall: I was glad to find the course in nice shape and is well worth playing . . . but bring your game and your thinking cap!

I will be back soon!

1/29 830 tee time for birthday round $20 plus $5 for range if you choose to use it. arrived from oc about 735 nice welcome in the pro shop checked with starter who told us that we could go immediat... Continue »

1/29 830 tee time for birthday round $20 plus $5 for range if you choose to use it. arrived from oc about 735 nice welcome in the pro shop checked with starter who told us that we could go immediately or wait for our tee time after a small tourney group. no brainer less than 3 1/2 later we were done and that included looking for a couple of errant shots. never had to wait like having an exclusive country club all to ourselves down side is that this is such a great setting on a fantastic day 72 with o wind even 4 1/2 hrs would have been enjoyable course conditions are are excellent for this time of year fairways were firm mix of dormant brown and sprouting green grass good lies for irons a little tight for fairway clubs but still best winter conditions we have played this season greens are in great shape just mowed smooth medium fast faster as the day warmed up and mostly receptive. did notice that many areas beside or behind greens sloped away into trouble and with no rough to stop an off target shot was quickly in a hazard no rough to speak of along the fairways as well sand was freshly groomed but heavy and sometimes wet hard to get the right feel at least for me tee boxes are level and lush

This is one of my favorite courses in So Calif to play. However, it was so cold this morning. (34 degrees when I arrived) and having the second time off at 6:10, it was really cold. Since I generall... Continue »

This is one of my favorite courses in So Calif to play. However, it was so cold this morning. (34 degrees when I arrived) and having the second time off at 6:10, it was really cold. Since I generally walk when I play, using a cart just never allowed me to get loose. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!) I guess because I struggled so much, it was not as much fun as expected.

That said, I still like this course! Offers a nice variety of holes, views, and scoring opportunities. Staff was as always very friendly and accommodating. Greens (Those that were cut) were very good, but no cut greens on the back, so much slower and lots of coot poup. Fairways above average compared to other courses I've played, but still winter condition. Only in two bunkers, and they were both fine.

Looking forward to return, but in much warmer conditions!

A buddy and I played about 33 holes here yesterday, 1/18, with an all-you-can play deal. The layout is very nice, winding through native vegetation, and when houses are present they are quite a ways ... Continue »

A buddy and I played about 33 holes here yesterday, 1/18, with an all-you-can play deal. The layout is very nice, winding through native vegetation, and when houses are present they are quite a ways off the course. Conditions were about average for this time of year--a little ragged and worn. Bunkers were pretty fluffy and easy to hit out of.

My only complaint about the course is the attitude, and I've felt it every time I've played there. This opened as a private course, but it's now semi-private. It has separate carts for members, which look identical except for different colored roofs and parked in a different area. Woe to those who accidentally put their golf bag on a member cart! Non-members are treated with, well, contempt, even though without us they probably would go belly up. After the first round there was no one anywhere near the #1 tee, and I went into the pro shop to tell them about the coupon and that we'd like to go out again. He corrected me with "...may I go out?" Really? They are certainly doing nothing to entice me to join, and given the proximity to my house and how nice the layout and conditions usually are, I've actually considered joining, but first they gotta lose that attitude.

I played this course on 12/4/2015 for $24 golf now hot deal. The course was in good condition i have seen it in better. There was a lot of muddy sections in the fairways. Had a slow group of 4 in fron... Continue »

I played this course on 12/4/2015 for $24 golf now hot deal. The course was in good condition i have seen it in better. There was a lot of muddy sections in the fairways. Had a slow group of 4 in front of us that always sucks. The greens where in great shape. Teed off at 12:30 finished at 5 a little slow for me they could put a marshall on the course to speed it up a bit the only time i seen him was tee pad of hole 1. I Hit the best/luckiest shot i have had in a long time in hole 5 it was my first ACE since 1981. But as always i love this place. I recommend this course to everyone play it at least once you wont be sorry.

Great course. Reminds me of Maderas but more affordable! Only major negative was the tee boxes - played early and they were very wet, bare and beat up. Greens were in good shape but generally slow. F... Continue »

Great course. Reminds me of Maderas but more affordable! Only major negative was the tee boxes - played early and they were very wet, bare and beat up. Greens were in good shape but generally slow. Fun layout with a variety of holes. Staff was great.

I think perhaps one of the greatest testaments to a golf course is to play very poorly and walk away loving the course. Such was my round this morning at The Golf Club of California. The weather was p... Continue »

I think perhaps one of the greatest testaments to a golf course is to play very poorly and walk away loving the course. Such was my round this morning at The Golf Club of California. The weather was perfect, staff was perfect. pace of play ... ideal. Everything was wonderful .... except me!

The course was in really nice condition, particularly the greens. They rolled very true and were most receptive to well struck shots. A few brown spots in the fairways, but for the most part, no complaints.

I really enjoy playing here. I could be a member here. The only problem I would have is I'm a walker and this course is not walker friendly, otherwise it would be higher on my list.