Rode with my student today 3/14/2020 for a playing lesson. We were hesitant about playing today with threatening rain in the surrounding areas and how wet courses are with the previous week of rains. ... Continue »

Rode with my student today 3/14/2020 for a playing lesson. We were hesitant about playing today with threatening rain in the surrounding areas and how wet courses are with the previous week of rains. We were blessed with no rain, no wind and some pretty good to decent conditions at Buena today. Had not played here since 8/2018. Met by a very nice employee, rolled some putts with my student, warmed up some in their hitting cages and we were off 30 minutes before our scheduled tee time. Our POP was 4 hours which for Saturday here is not bad. Tees 7/10 Student hit from the whites which looked level, I hit from the blacks which also looked level. Most par 3's had some divot damage but not to bad. Most tees looked lush. Fairways 7/10 Rains have helped green up the fairways I assume. Most areas were wet and cart path only. Fairways were not shiny green but contained ample padding even in the dormant areas. I know the summer grass here and at Olivas start perking up and becoming more lush around May through September. I thought the fairways were in good shape. Bunkers 8/10 Very impressive sand at Buena always. Nice amount of thicker beach sand that was raked and in good shape. The course has a lot of nice strategic fairway and greenside bunkers here to navigate Greens 7.5/10 The greens were super receptive, soft and holding irons beautifully with spin. Would say putting medium speed with minimal bounces. They are punching the greens here on Monday 3/16. If you have played here before you know their greens are very large with some potato chip swales that you have to navigate putting and chipping wise. Rough 6.5/10 Rough was mowed down in some spots, thicker in others and with the rain some of the rough had some muddy spots Buena is a shorter course at 6000 yds from the back tees. They have added some newer black tee boxes to 12 and 13 which make those holes more challenging and fun. Front nine has some shorter par 4 holes with a couple nice challenging par 3's on #5(island green) and number 7 usually a 200 yd shot into the wind. Back nine has a nice amen stretch of holes from 12-16 which are fun to play. Student enjoyed himself on this layout. This course is fun to play and will only get better in the months to come which is the best time of year to play here. Recommended.