RPGC event this weekend was at Lakewood and I was really looking forward to playing here again after a long absence. I do enjoy this course a lot and feel it suits my game pretty well (even though the best I've ever shot here is 86!). Practice facility is solid and course conditions are about what you would expect at this time.

One very annoying note - there is a snac... » More

RPGC event this weekend was at Lakewood and I was really looking forward to playing here again after a long absence. I do enjoy this course a lot and feel it suits my game pretty well (even though the best I've ever shot here is 86!). Practice facility is solid and course conditions are about what you would expect at this time.

One very annoying note - there is a snack shop not only at the turn (near the tunnel), but also after the second hole. It was a Sunday afternoon. Course's tee sheet was full. The snack shop I was so looking forward to was closed. I spoke to someone inside and they said 'It's not busy so I closed up.' What? On a busy Sunday for a holiday weekend? Unacceptable and terrible customer service. An absolute joke.

Okay, rant over. POP was pretty decent overall but we still took about four and a half hours overall on an incredible and warm summer day. There are some thin areas in the fairways but overall they're pretty darn good. Tee boxes (played the whites) also in serviceable shape - flat and level. Bunkers were a little bit thin but playable with a good strike. Rough was very playable.

Greens were in nice shape overall with a few pitch marks around but nothing too terrible. I was leaving a lot of putts short all day - most likely due to having played the fast greens at Hacienda just days before, but they were rolling pretty nicely and at medium-fast speeds. They held shots pretty well and were inviting for good chips if hit well.

We had cart service fortunately come around twice (once on the front, once on the back) and overall it was a solid performance from Lakewood that won't make me hesitate about signing up for the next event here.
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Fortunate enough to get a late invite to play Hacienda again this past weekend and it was once again a tremendously beautiful challenge that never allows you to let your guard down from the first hole until the last.

Good news - the practice area that was being redone last time I played at Hacienda is now finished, so there is a small but very nice driving range and p... » More

Fortunate enough to get a late invite to play Hacienda again this past weekend and it was once again a tremendously beautiful challenge that never allows you to let your guard down from the first hole until the last.

Good news - the practice area that was being redone last time I played at Hacienda is now finished, so there is a small but very nice driving range and practice greens near the clubhouse. This is a very important update to the club's amenities and it's been done really well.

The course itself is a masterclass of challenge. The distances are long, the carries are intimidating, the greens are lighting fast and the overall course conditions are just a shade under immaculate at the current time. It's just so easy here to get yourself into a tricky situation, and the solutions are rarely straightforward. The layout is divine and it throws everything at you at once.

Conditions, as previously stated, are near perfect, but a little summer has creeped in for a few spots on the course. But overall the fairways are beautiful carpet that are a treat to hit from, while the rough (recently mowed down thankfully) is still a beast. I made the mistake early of trying to get too much out of my long irons when I should have bitten the bullet and used an 8 smartly instead. The bunkers are in great shape and the tee boxes (we played from the V set of tees) were perfect - at least until I got through with them.

Greens are just insanely good and so difficult to get close. Shots (mostly chips) that seemed good would run out a mile and then you would be left with a 70ft downhill lag - good luck! I had three 3-putts on the front nine trying to figure out the speed, but finally settled down and only had one on the back - still not great! But the tiers and subtlety of the breaks is just perfect. It's a real test of putting that you won't find just anywhere.

Not being able to reliably use my driver makes this course incredibly tough but I'm looking forward to the next chance to get out there and take another crack at it. Every visit gives a little more course knowledge and you'll definitely need that at a place like Hacienda to be successful.
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Played today 7/6. This course has really gone downhill over the last 6 years. Hundreds of unfiixed divots in the fairways. Many ballmarks on the greens. They aerated in April and you still see the aeration holes on the greens. The fairways look like they can't grow the grass. Almost no rough anywhere. It's just very disappointing to see a 1st class course decline so much. Prese... » More

Played today 7/6. This course has really gone downhill over the last 6 years. Hundreds of unfiixed divots in the fairways. Many ballmarks on the greens. They aerated in April and you still see the aeration holes on the greens. The fairways look like they can't grow the grass. Almost no rough anywhere. It's just very disappointing to see a 1st class course decline so much. Present management seems to not really care. Very overpriced for the experience.
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Went to the beautiful parade and then went to play golf and fireworks tonight. Great way to spend the 250 birthday of America.

Found the course to be in great shape.

Tee boxes clean/level no teeing issues.

Fairways have excellent coverage lies and rollout on all holes.

Rough was high and its difficult to play out of throughout the course.

T... » More

Went to the beautiful parade and then went to play golf and fireworks tonight. Great way to spend the 250 birthday of America.

Found the course to be in great shape.

Tee boxes clean/level no teeing issues.

Fairways have excellent coverage lies and rollout on all holes.

Rough was high and its difficult to play out of throughout the course.

Traps were all in great shape and I was fortunate to not find any. But I heard no complaints from my playing partners.

Greens are all elevated on this course and many guarded by bunkers. You need an excellent iron and wedge game to have many greens in regulations. Mine is a work in progress after S CA courses.

Greens are well manicured and chip/putt and hold and release shots very well.

POP was a great 4 H given the many players on the course today.

Had the usual great price beer ($4 draft) and $5.59 BLT after the round. I don't know how they do it but I like those prices.

Hope all GK members had a safe and wonderful celebration this 4th of July.
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The "View" is shaping up folks! Hit a small bucket tested the practice green and let 'em fly at 8:03. Greens soft a bit slow, fairways lush mostly, helping slow that pesky river rol-out issue we all know about, tee boxes somewhat improving. Tree trimming and general grounds detail is evident, especially the old Eucalptus overhanging snag on the over the water hole #9! Never act... » More

The "View" is shaping up folks! Hit a small bucket tested the practice green and let 'em fly at 8:03. Greens soft a bit slow, fairways lush mostly, helping slow that pesky river rol-out issue we all know about, tee boxes somewhat improving. Tree trimming and general grounds detail is evident, especially the old Eucalptus overhanging snag on the over the water hole #9! Never actually hit it but almost everyone I played with wished it was gone. Since I play here atleast once a month I have noticed small improvements with respect to clean-up and serious trimming. Not long before rates bump accordingly I suppose. Gotta ask, does anyone else play here, never see any reviews. 5 hrs to complete today Thursday. Fore!
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