Played 7-23-17 with iluv2golflady as the last stop on our little road trip. We picked this course strictly by location a... » More

Played 7-23-17 with iluv2golflady as the last stop on our little road trip. We picked this course strictly by location after getting some recommendations from fellow Gkr’s. Check in was a bit frustrating. We paid for the round using credit from GoPlay cards. It turned out that when GoPlay called the course to submit payment, they said it was for only one player. The girl in the pro shop said there wasn’t anything she could do about it even though we had our receipt showing confirmation numbers for two players. After some back and forth phone calls to GoPlay and the course manager who was not there that day, we got it straightened out. We then grabbed a quick lunch before playing. I did see a nice looking driving range, large putting green and bunker practice area.

From the first hole I had a feeling I would enjoy the course. There are lots of undulations in the fairways and those dips and mounds that I like so much hiding bunkers from view. The fairways were in pretty good shape. Most of the tee boxes were level but a bit chewed up. I was in two greenside bunkers. Both were deep with vertical sides and just barely enough dirt to keep my shot from flying out of control. The greens varied greatly from soft, smooth, medium fast to super ugly shaggy, patchy, bumpy (#3 in particular.) I agree with Robert that #15 is a beautiful par 3. There are tall reeds and very deep bunkers in front of the big wavy green. My other favorite hole was #18, a par 5 with its green guarded by water, rocks and bunkers.

POP was a fast 3 hr 40 min. It was a lot of fun and I would definitely play here again if I’m in the area.
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Played the Blues (6530/71.6/127) as a single in less than 3H on a Tee off special for less than $20 to play twilight. Th... » More

Played the Blues (6530/71.6/127) as a single in less than 3H on a Tee off special for less than $20 to play twilight. The weather was windy, clear and in the 70's.

The tees were mostly lush with only the par 3's not close to immaculate.

The fairways were fairly lush and soft. The few poor areas were clearly marked as GUR.

The rough around the fairway is mostly lush. Farther off the fairway you could encounter hardpan to waist deep or anything in between. You need to know where the real deep stuff is barely off fairways and plan accordingly.

The traps had good sand but were not well maintained today. Numerous foot prints and the one green side trap I was in had sprinkler runoff issues.

The greens usually are good to very good here. Today however, they were soft which held irons close to the ball mark. The downside was this produced lots of footprints and ball marks. Medium speed and bumpier than I would expect from Olivas because of this. The fringes had been recently aerated, and on about 1/2 the greens they had done 12-15' wide sections around some of the greens edges. Definitely affected chips and putts from the inside or on the wrong side of the aerated areas.

I have never not had excellent customer service here. Minimal food available onsite, the no frills pro shop is in a trailer. No GPS on carts, usually no drink cart, so plan ahead if you need food/beverage. Olivas is an excellent layout to walk, very flat with no super long walks in between holes. Excellent practice facilities. Grass driving range complete with a good chipping and sand practice area that they have expanded to include a separate chipping area off to the side of the chipping green. Large putting green that is usually very comparable to the course.

Overall considering the usual playing conditions, price and layout, one of the better deals in So Cal. Definitely recommended.
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Journey is probably in the best condition I've ever seen it. Overall it is quite lush and green, even in the middle of a... » More

Journey is probably in the best condition I've ever seen it. Overall it is quite lush and green, even in the middle of a dry summer here. Tee boxes, fairways, rough, and greens really couldn't be much better. Probably the only knock I could find was the traps were inconsistent and some were very firm. Strangely, I found the sand in a couple fairway traps to be soft while some green side traps were too hard - should be the other way around! But even so, the course is simply in great condition, and the grounds crew should be commended.
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Played Mesa Linda on Monday, 24 July. Teed off from the blues at 2:15pm as a 3some, then a single joined up after a few ... » More

Played Mesa Linda on Monday, 24 July. Teed off from the blues at 2:15pm as a 3some, then a single joined up after a few holes, with things pretty well backed up in front of us from the start. Things were very slow on the front - there was a 5some three groups ahead, and two groups in front of us, a man and 3 children were holding things up from hole 2 through hole 12, noticed a full two holes open (a par 5 and 3) as they were on #10 green. Then, they must've gotten hungry, as they drastically picked up the pace and left everyone in the dust by the 14th hole - go figure. POP ended up being about 4hrs 20mins overall.

Mesa was in good condition overall. Actually, a bit overly wet in the fairways at times due to watering in prep for the Will Jordan Classic/Costa Mesa City Championship coming up on Aug 5/6. This led to some heavy approach shots. Overall, fairways were lush and green, with some rough spots/bad lies. Rough was long, heavy and penal today. Was in one greenside bunker on the par3 #2, and was in an unraked footprint.

Greens on Mesa are always a nice challenge, with various slopes/breaks to deal with, requiring some strategery on approach shots to stay below the hole, etc. Greens were in pretty good condition, normal amount of unrepaired divot marks, very receptive and held shots well, again due to the watering. Putting speed was medium today, with plenty of break due to some tough pin placements.

Had one of my better scoring and most consistent rounds of the year, so it was a good day for me in the end. Saw the cart girl once for the day on hole 5, heading in for the day. Saw the marshal a few times between holes 3 and 5, but clearly he took a sabbatical after that!
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Got in a quick twilight round last evening. Course is drying out in many areas, with the recent hot weather. Does not re... » More

Got in a quick twilight round last evening. Course is drying out in many areas, with the recent hot weather. Does not really effect the fairways that much, but the fairways are hard/fast with the dry conditions. Bunkers all appeared hard/crusty and glad I missed them. Little to no rough to speak off. Tee boxes are dry and getting a little beat up. Greens were the best part of the course, as they were chipping/putting very nicely. Customer service was excellent.
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Played 7-21-17 with Iluv2golflady as our first stop on a 3 day golf road trip. The course was recommended by a couple o... » More

Played 7-21-17 with Iluv2golflady as our first stop on a 3 day golf road trip. The course was recommended by a couple of Gkr’s as very affordable with great ocean views which was exactly what I was looking for. We used the Costco deal found on GK for $35 per player.

We had a quick lunch before our round in the restaurant. The food and service were both very good. Check in for the round was easy, the pro shop was well stocked and the staff very friendly. We played as a twosome with no one behind us. The front 9 starts with two par 3s so it was a little slow going with a few foursomes in front of us. Other than the huge trees lining the fairways and a dozen deer leisurely hanging around, there is nothing very remarkable about the front. The conditions were good. The fairways had a few thin and bare spots but were mostly lush. The greens were smooth, somewhat soft, and rolled medium speed. The effect of the ocean was apparent with putts breaking in some unexpected ways.

The back nine was completely different and in a word, amazing! In the sand dunes and just across the road from the ocean it was unlike any course I’ve played before. The holes were much more interesting than on the front with false fronts, huge dunes of very deep sand and a 2 club wind. I just loved it and scored much better on the back. POP was just about 4.5 hours. We had a great time and definitely recommend the course.
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Iron-Wood 9 hole Golf Course
This course is a GEM. I have never played a more beautiful nine hole course anywhere, a... » More

Iron-Wood 9 hole Golf Course
This course is a GEM. I have never played a more beautiful nine hole course anywhere, and few municipal courses I have played can compare in condition, or visual appeal. Despite the long drive up from Mission Viejo to Cerritos I will play this course again.

This is a nine hole executive course with two par 4’s of 272 over water and 316 down a narrow tree lined fairway. The par 3’s range from 100 to 151 yards with water, bunkers, and trees used as defense. As of today overall conditions are excellent.

The course staff from clubhouse to greens keepers were active, friendly and carrying of the both the course and golfer. The starter was friendly, efficient, and I must be getting older looking as he insisted on giving me the senior rate, despite the fact I am 58, and the rate applies at 60. $9, can’t beat it.

Maintenance was going on around the course. Bunkers being raked, Turf on the tee box of # 2 being replaced, and the base leveled. We saw Marshals filling fairway and tee box divots. No one was in the way.

Parking lot is cozy but convenient. The driving range is spacious, and offers both grass and mats apparently without additional fee. Turf condition on the grass side was lush, though damp in some spots. The range itself looks better than many courses. A small bucket 51 balls was $5.50.

Restrooms at the club house are clean, as are all the facilities. Something I have not seen before, when leaving a compressed air hose is provide to blow the grass of your push cart (this is a walking course) and shoes.

We tee’d off at 10:30 am, on a very humid 85 degree day, no breeze. The women’s club had already been out, and finished, so the parking lot and club house were full, as was the range, but the course was nearly empty. We would have no one in front of us, and wouldn’t have any one behind us for more than three holes.

Visually this course is spectacular for a par 3 muni. There are rock walled ponds with turtles, carp, mosquito fish, ducks that come into play on several holes. Tall mature trees line the fairways, even the bridges over the ponds, creeks have the classic big private course feel.

Tee boxes were overall lush, a narrow area about two club lengths wide was assigned on most holes, and thus divot damage at the front of the box was significant. Most were filled. There was divot mix on each tee, and it was being used, either by players or staff. Lies were often slanted. Level areas were available on each tee box, but were selectively not used on several obviously to add complexity, not out of poor maintenance.

Fairways were trimmed tight, with excellent grass coverage throughout the course. Admittedly other than the par fours you shouldn’t be in the fairway, it was nice that they were perfect if you did end up in them.

Bunkers were deep, often steep faces, and created challenges for creating birdie opportunities getting close to the flag on most holes as they had to be challenged to avoid long putts due to the shapes of the greens, and the relationship to the tee box. Neither I nor my playing partner was in any bunkers, but they appeared to be filled, soft, and uniformly well maintained. Those that showed signs of having been played in were raked showing golfers who respect the course and other golfers that will come behind them.

Rough was penal. There are large expanses of rough on this course, all of it, every square foot possessed a manicured appearance, and uniform depth which I would estimate between two and three inches. If you ended up under one of the many mature trees with low hanging branches you would have to punch out from the deep rough. Despite the fullness of the tree’s I did not notice any bare or thin spots in the rough.

Greens with one exception were immaculate, with few ball marks. One hole did have a pair of damaged brown spots each about two feet square. That was the only noticeable flaw on any of the greens. I would describe the speed on the greens as medium. Rolls were true, although under the shade of the greenside trees some breaks were harder than others to read. The fourth green featured an upper and lower tear, guess where the pin was.
Special merit goes to the fifth hole, which requires the golfer to get the ball up and over a substantial tree to have any shot at the green. Playing only 100 yards there is virtually no way unless you only hit worm burners to get on this green off the tee without flighting the ball up an over the tree. The 9th hole requires the golfer to carry the ball between 120 yards, to 140 yards over water, short faces a strong slope back to the water. This is a visually appealing closing hole.
I can’t think of a muni that I have played that is in better condition, has the visual appeal of this little course. Yes it’s bordered by a freeway which I didn’t find objectionable, under high tension power lines, and along a river bed (drainage funnel) none of which really intrude on this little gem.

I personally feel it’s the best nine dollars I have spent on a course. Just wish it was in Orange County and not a 50 mile drive. My best friend lives close to the course so I suspect I will be back soon.
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Played Paradise Valley GC with GK’ers parman72, BGarcelon and Cit. Last time it was an early morning start in October an... » More

Played Paradise Valley GC with GK’ers parman72, BGarcelon and Cit. Last time it was an early morning start in October and this time a hot afternoon start at 2:00pm. I liked the hot afternoon start better!

It was a fast place of play and the golf course was in very good condition. Greens ran well, moderately fast, mostly smooth and firm. Fairways and Rough not as lush as in October but still in good shape. You can have a perfect lie to a thin dry lie. You can tell the course has been a little stressed from the recent 100+ heat. Bunkers had firm sand but playable. Tee boxes good shape, lush with a little divot damage. Overall the course presents itself beautifully. I liked it this time seeing the lakes more full than last year during the drought. Especially hole #6. This time we played the white tees as opposed to the blue tees. Big difference in challenge. Actually, more fun IMO and I’m a long hitter. Before the round, I made it point to eat again in the restaurant sports ball. Grabbed beer and burger, tasty. Big place that I’m sure will be blast on NFL Sundays. I liked this layout even better the second time. Course keeps growing on me. I’ll make sure to play it again if in town. Excellent practice facilities. Posted some fresh photos so check them out. Highly recommended.
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That was a fast track last week for me with all the GK Guru rounds and GK Plays to run but finally catching up.
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That was a fast track last week for me with all the GK Guru rounds and GK Plays to run but finally catching up.

My first round of the trip started at Rancho Solano Golf Course Thursday morning, 7:16am, with BGarcelon and Cit. I loved this course for the first time playing it with it's huge challenging greens, elevation changes, doglegs, great variety of holes and fair/demanding tee shots. I loved it again. Course was in great shape. Greens again the highlight, smooth, moderately fast and firm. Fairways and rough lush with just a few brown areas. Bunkers firm but playable. Tee boxes lush in good shape. I snapped a bunch of photos I just posted. Rancho Solano Golf Course is known in the area as 4-putt capital of the world. I believe it if they had the greens running fast. There are lots of shelves on the greens, especially the back halves of them, where big trouble brews. When you see a blue pin, go after it. You’re better off over the green than short on it.

Friendly staff, nice big clubhouse, fast pace of play, the golf course is also known as one of the best values in NorCal. Highly Recommended.
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Played The Home Course this Sunday. Course was in great shape. Greens were fast and challenging. Larger greens than I... » More

Played The Home Course this Sunday. Course was in great shape. Greens were fast and challenging. Larger greens than I am used to and lots of undulations. It's been very dry for this part of the country but we found the fairways to be in great shape. The rough (fescue) and the bunkers (of which there are many) were well maintained.
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I played this course this past weekend 3 times. Monday morning rate was $39. Sunday's round was part of a small tourname... » More

I played this course this past weekend 3 times. Monday morning rate was $39. Sunday's round was part of a small tournament called #TheOven17. Monsoon weather all week, but the course drains really well. Nicest greens in the area, according to many locals. The first time I have seen bentgrass greens in the desert in summer. Greens were pock-marked with many unrepaired or poorly repaired ball marks. That was unfortunate because it really detracted from the appearance, and if there was a mark in your line it might have an effect on the roll. Other than that, the rest of the course was outstanding. Great layout but some tough holes to deal with (I'm looking at you, Hole 10!). I think the devil himself designed Hole 10, because it was a beast! Overall, there was excellent grass coverage in the fairways and rough. Tees were in great shape: level and few divots to deal with. The sand was plentiful and nice to hit from, even if it was wet. Good service by the beverage cart staff. Also they have a good $6 breakfast burrito. I recommend the chorizo. I had a great experience there Saturday afternoon (I paid $21 riding), golfing by myself (dodging monsoon rain) and finishing 18 holes in just under 2 hours! This was my second under 2-hour round this year! Wonderful, scenic views of the nearby mountains and casino as well as the course itself. Many great water features, some of which will sneak up on you, so use the GPS in the cart. I recommend this course if you are in the area!
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Played here yesterday in a SCGA outing for $65 with a 9:30 shotgun. We finished in just over 4 hours with perfect weathe... » More

Played here yesterday in a SCGA outing for $65 with a 9:30 shotgun. We finished in just over 4 hours with perfect weather. We played the Lake-North nines and blue tees. The course is not overly long but it is tricky and hilly so you play many difficult lies. Many greens are well protected by numerous bunkers so you need to get your distances right to score well. The course is green and semi lush throughout. The tee boxes are level with the exception of a couple, the bunkers were great, the fairways were nice and the ball sat up most of the time however they were spotty in places. The greens ran smooth and held shots very well. Speed on the greens were medium fast and there was a few unrepaired ball marks but they putted well. Not many straight putts here due to the hilly conditions which makes scoring even harder. We had a great time here and look forward to playing it again.recommended.....
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