Golf Course Reviews
Golf Course Reviews: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Florida, Hawaii!
Late with this post due to "technical difficulties" between my cell phone and GK's operating platform a couple of weeks ago. Was in no mood to re-write the entire review at that time but felt it would be beneficial to put something "on paper" so here we go.
Venturing out of my comfort zone on 3/16, I played Marine Memorial for the first time since November 2015 and was very pleased with the overall playing conditions. Although this course will never fall into the "plush" category, turf coverage was uniform and plentiful with very few bare spots. It's still basically winter conditions but the ball sat up nicely in the fairways throughout the round and, as a result, I was able to make much better contact with the irons compared to what I encounter at Admiral Baker-North.
Tee boxes, generally speaking, were good but there were some that required moving around a bit in order to locate that elusive level spot. Don't recall the Par-3s being chewed up with divots so finding adequate turf was not an issue at all.
Rough has gotten longer...which seems to be the norm everywhere else these days...so it took some force to dig the ball out of a few deep lies. The taller height of the rough really did a nice job of framing the fairways, thus providing a distinct landing area to shoot for from the tee. It also served to "pinch' some of the landing zones quite effectively so accuracy was definitely more of a factor this time around.
I was quite impressed with the playability of the bunker sand despite having my reservations as I got fooled by the dark, gravel-like appearance. Once setting foot inside, however, I found the texture to be almost like beach sand with a fluffiness that extended well below the top surface. Thanks to such player-friendly features, hitting out of the bunkers was one of the highlights of the round.
Saving the best for last, the greens were in excellent shape...smooth, devoid of ball marks, and moving at a quick pace...I thought they were close to "private club" quality. Composed of a different grass than what's featured at AB-North, they resembled tightly-napped carpets and the putts rolled smooth and true. Shots into the greens had a tendency to release a bit with the exception of some high-lofted approaches but that was to be expected given the lack of any recent rain.
Pace-of-play for two was just under four hours and I was able to play a second 18 solo despite an initial 12:50 tee time. Didn't see anything other than twos and singles out there so it was very wide open, which made it easy to fly around a second time in about 2.5 hours.
Marine Memorial is a solid no-nonsense track that requires just about every shot in the bag in order to post a low score despite it's failure to grab your attention visually. The maintenance staff seems to keep conditions at a consistent, better-than-average level, it's quite economical to play here even if you have no military affiliation, and the remoteness of the course keeps you far removed from any outside intrusions. One of my favorite layouts, I look forward to playing there again soon.
NOTE: Greens were aerated on 3/22 and 3/23.
Venturing out of my comfort zone on 3/16, I played Marine Memorial for the first time since November 2015 and was very pleased with the overall playing conditions. Although this course will never fall into the "plush" category, turf coverage was uniform and plentiful with very few bare spots. It's still basically winter conditions but the ball sat up nicely in the fairways throughout the round and, as a result, I was able to make much better contact with the irons compared to what I encounter at Admiral Baker-North.
Tee boxes, generally speaking, were good but there were some that required moving around a bit in order to locate that elusive level spot. Don't recall the Par-3s being chewed up with divots so finding adequate turf was not an issue at all.
Rough has gotten longer...which seems to be the norm everywhere else these days...so it took some force to dig the ball out of a few deep lies. The taller height of the rough really did a nice job of framing the fairways, thus providing a distinct landing area to shoot for from the tee. It also served to "pinch' some of the landing zones quite effectively so accuracy was definitely more of a factor this time around.
I was quite impressed with the playability of the bunker sand despite having my reservations as I got fooled by the dark, gravel-like appearance. Once setting foot inside, however, I found the texture to be almost like beach sand with a fluffiness that extended well below the top surface. Thanks to such player-friendly features, hitting out of the bunkers was one of the highlights of the round.
Saving the best for last, the greens were in excellent shape...smooth, devoid of ball marks, and moving at a quick pace...I thought they were close to "private club" quality. Composed of a different grass than what's featured at AB-North, they resembled tightly-napped carpets and the putts rolled smooth and true. Shots into the greens had a tendency to release a bit with the exception of some high-lofted approaches but that was to be expected given the lack of any recent rain.
Pace-of-play for two was just under four hours and I was able to play a second 18 solo despite an initial 12:50 tee time. Didn't see anything other than twos and singles out there so it was very wide open, which made it easy to fly around a second time in about 2.5 hours.
Marine Memorial is a solid no-nonsense track that requires just about every shot in the bag in order to post a low score despite it's failure to grab your attention visually. The maintenance staff seems to keep conditions at a consistent, better-than-average level, it's quite economical to play here even if you have no military affiliation, and the remoteness of the course keeps you far removed from any outside intrusions. One of my favorite layouts, I look forward to playing there again soon.
NOTE: Greens were aerated on 3/22 and 3/23.
14 Likes.
Got out for an afternoon round on Thursday, March 3, and found course conditions have "deteriorated" to a certain degree vs. what I've come to expect at Admiral Baker. Fairways are still hit-or-miss but I'm noticing more patches of very thin turf and, in some cases, bare dirt, which is reaffirmed by the amount of mud I'm having to clean off my golf ball. While there may be some small fairway areas where the turf is good, those spots are few and far between, which has now put me in a "lift-clean-and-place" mindset. Not sure if it's part of the maintenance plan but I also noticed some areas of the course were oversaturated with watering as well.
This was also evident in the sand traps; texture was soft and very playable on #5 yet I found the trap on #9 to have a slightly firmer base. What really threw me, however, was what I encountered on #15. While playing a 30-foot greenside bunker shot, I actually sent a divot of packed sand onto the green; it looked like a six-inch strip steak had landed just a few feet from my ball. I had no idea the base was so wet and compact prior to hitting the shot but it was right there staring me in the face when I looked at my splash mark. Must say, I've NEVER seen that in all my years of playing.
The rough is a bit taller than what I saw last week and the week prior; anyone's guess if it's by design or the mowers not having made their rounds yet. In addition to the increase in depth, the combination of clumpy and bare lies make it tough to get a clean strike on the ball. For distance shots, a fairway wood appeared to be the better choice vs. a hybrid or long iron.
Greens remain in decent shape although I was very disappointed in the speed...if I can use that word ...as they were as slow as I can recall. Noticed a bit of sluggishness the previous week but it was more pronounced yesterday, to the point where I left quite a few putts short and that's not usually the case. And although rolling at a medium-minus pace, the greens did not hold that well. There were a few exceptions...my knockdown 5-iron on #14 backed up a foot...but most shots had a tendency to roll out on the firm greens, including a towering 6-iron on #13 that I thought would "drop-and-stop".
The fringe areas, as noted in my previous reviews, are still choppy and uneven. However, after making a concerted effort to utilize the bounce on my sand wedge as opposed to trapping the ball with the leading edge, I was able to hit a number of very good pitch shots. However, hybrid or putter are still the safer bets until these areas fill in and provide a more uniform, cushioned surface to play from.
Pace of play was right at 4:30 despite the initial impression we might be in for a slow day. Playing as a foursome sandwiched between another four and a group of three, we ran about 6 minutes behind pace for most of the round yet closed the gap by the end of the day. As always seems to be the case here, we eventually had to wait on a few tee shots as we approached the turn and closing holes but those were minor, uneventful delays that had no impact on our enjoyment level. Beverage cart and water service passed by on a couple of occasions during the course of the afternoon as well.
I'm not aware of any impending aerification due to take place anytime soon and hope the greens will be back up to speed when I decide to play here again. Although I was let down by conditions as a whole, I'm willing to look past the shortcomings if the greens are where I expect to find them. Unless you take a similar point of view, then I probably won't be lobbying for you to get out there and play Admiral Baker any time soon.
This was also evident in the sand traps; texture was soft and very playable on #5 yet I found the trap on #9 to have a slightly firmer base. What really threw me, however, was what I encountered on #15. While playing a 30-foot greenside bunker shot, I actually sent a divot of packed sand onto the green; it looked like a six-inch strip steak had landed just a few feet from my ball. I had no idea the base was so wet and compact prior to hitting the shot but it was right there staring me in the face when I looked at my splash mark. Must say, I've NEVER seen that in all my years of playing.
The rough is a bit taller than what I saw last week and the week prior; anyone's guess if it's by design or the mowers not having made their rounds yet. In addition to the increase in depth, the combination of clumpy and bare lies make it tough to get a clean strike on the ball. For distance shots, a fairway wood appeared to be the better choice vs. a hybrid or long iron.
Greens remain in decent shape although I was very disappointed in the speed...if I can use that word ...as they were as slow as I can recall. Noticed a bit of sluggishness the previous week but it was more pronounced yesterday, to the point where I left quite a few putts short and that's not usually the case. And although rolling at a medium-minus pace, the greens did not hold that well. There were a few exceptions...my knockdown 5-iron on #14 backed up a foot...but most shots had a tendency to roll out on the firm greens, including a towering 6-iron on #13 that I thought would "drop-and-stop".
The fringe areas, as noted in my previous reviews, are still choppy and uneven. However, after making a concerted effort to utilize the bounce on my sand wedge as opposed to trapping the ball with the leading edge, I was able to hit a number of very good pitch shots. However, hybrid or putter are still the safer bets until these areas fill in and provide a more uniform, cushioned surface to play from.
Pace of play was right at 4:30 despite the initial impression we might be in for a slow day. Playing as a foursome sandwiched between another four and a group of three, we ran about 6 minutes behind pace for most of the round yet closed the gap by the end of the day. As always seems to be the case here, we eventually had to wait on a few tee shots as we approached the turn and closing holes but those were minor, uneventful delays that had no impact on our enjoyment level. Beverage cart and water service passed by on a couple of occasions during the course of the afternoon as well.
I'm not aware of any impending aerification due to take place anytime soon and hope the greens will be back up to speed when I decide to play here again. Although I was let down by conditions as a whole, I'm willing to look past the shortcomings if the greens are where I expect to find them. Unless you take a similar point of view, then I probably won't be lobbying for you to get out there and play Admiral Baker any time soon.
13 Likes.
Took advantage of the February Special Offer...as well as ideal weather conditions...and got a couple of rounds in at AB-North this week. Teed off "early" (for me) on Monday @ 10:10 and found pace-of-play to be an issue at 4 hours and 55 minutes. Not sure if this is the norm at this time of the day but the course was obviously booked and played like it.
Taking this into account, went with a 12:16 tee time on Wednesday and had better results with a 4 hour and 30 minute elapsed time yet it was about 15-20 minutes longer than it needed to be. Mixed group of four ahead of us took their sweet time over the last 10 holes...while blaring country music from their golf cart...and we suffered as a result (having to deal with their choice of music as well as the snail's pace-of-play).
Overall, golf course is playable but the greens are the only redeeming feature at this point; still in good shape although I did see a few putts bounce at the point of impact. Didn't happen to me but to others in the group and I'm inclined to put the blame on their putting stroke rather than the greens themselves. However, spike marks (yeah, even in this age of plastic spikes and spikeless shoes) and other imperfections definitely had an effect on some greens.
Fairways are spotty with a variety of grasses/lies to be encountered. Found myself bumping the ball on more than a few occasions in search of a decent lie as there are quite a few bare spots out there with little or no turf. Tee shots were also prone to picking up mud on the ball as a result. These fairways are usually in much better shape during the summer so keep that in mind...and I'd toss the tee boxes in the same classification.
Fringe and collar areas around the greens are horrible and the uneveness of the turf resembles a washboard; it's almost as if someone went in and brushed something against the grain to create these annoying ridges. Not sure how to describe it although ragged comes pretty close. No uniformity whatsoever with regards to type of turf and coverage; there's absolutely no chance of hitting any delicate flop or chip shot. Many areas seem quite damp and soft so less-than-perfect contact results in a chunked shot. Even putting from off the fringe is a crap shoot since the random clumps of fescue will turn a simple putt into a game of pinball if the ball happens to come into contact with one or more en route to your target.
Beverage and water service were very good on Monday but lacking Wednesday; didn't see the mobile water jug until the 13th hole. Luckily I had my own thermos but went longer than I would have liked between refills. Given the warm temperatures, this was not a positive situation.
For $30.00, including cart, AB-North is in decent enough shape to make this an attractive proposition but the golf course, in my view, "shows" itself better in the summer months. Without overseeding, the fairways are a potluck of sorts in the winter time and the fringe areas, as mentioned, are exponentially worse and causing quite a bit of frustration for me. I'll either have to temper my expectations...and temper...or hold off until conditions improve as the summer approaches.
Taking this into account, went with a 12:16 tee time on Wednesday and had better results with a 4 hour and 30 minute elapsed time yet it was about 15-20 minutes longer than it needed to be. Mixed group of four ahead of us took their sweet time over the last 10 holes...while blaring country music from their golf cart...and we suffered as a result (having to deal with their choice of music as well as the snail's pace-of-play).
Overall, golf course is playable but the greens are the only redeeming feature at this point; still in good shape although I did see a few putts bounce at the point of impact. Didn't happen to me but to others in the group and I'm inclined to put the blame on their putting stroke rather than the greens themselves. However, spike marks (yeah, even in this age of plastic spikes and spikeless shoes) and other imperfections definitely had an effect on some greens.
Fairways are spotty with a variety of grasses/lies to be encountered. Found myself bumping the ball on more than a few occasions in search of a decent lie as there are quite a few bare spots out there with little or no turf. Tee shots were also prone to picking up mud on the ball as a result. These fairways are usually in much better shape during the summer so keep that in mind...and I'd toss the tee boxes in the same classification.
Fringe and collar areas around the greens are horrible and the uneveness of the turf resembles a washboard; it's almost as if someone went in and brushed something against the grain to create these annoying ridges. Not sure how to describe it although ragged comes pretty close. No uniformity whatsoever with regards to type of turf and coverage; there's absolutely no chance of hitting any delicate flop or chip shot. Many areas seem quite damp and soft so less-than-perfect contact results in a chunked shot. Even putting from off the fringe is a crap shoot since the random clumps of fescue will turn a simple putt into a game of pinball if the ball happens to come into contact with one or more en route to your target.
Beverage and water service were very good on Monday but lacking Wednesday; didn't see the mobile water jug until the 13th hole. Luckily I had my own thermos but went longer than I would have liked between refills. Given the warm temperatures, this was not a positive situation.
For $30.00, including cart, AB-North is in decent enough shape to make this an attractive proposition but the golf course, in my view, "shows" itself better in the summer months. Without overseeding, the fairways are a potluck of sorts in the winter time and the fringe areas, as mentioned, are exponentially worse and causing quite a bit of frustration for me. I'll either have to temper my expectations...and temper...or hold off until conditions improve as the summer approaches.
16 Likes.
Got out for an unexpected round yesterday (2/3/2016) at my old standby, AB-North, putting a temporary end to a self-imposed exile. The decision to play was more or less made to accommodate my regular playing partner, who's been recovering from labrum surgery for the past couple of months. Apparently, he doesn't handle cabin fever very well and decided it was time to test his shoulder so I felt compelled to join him.
Golf course was in surprisingly good shape, especially in light of the recent rain and wind storm that passed through here last week. Didn't encounter any drainage issues although the soil beneath the turf was damp in places, which presented a tough challenge around the greens. With the tight turf, moist soil, and slightly uneven nap of the grain, there was no room for error, making delicate lob shots a risky proposition.
Tee boxes were also uneven to an extent but not to the point where it was of major concern; a little searching usually yielded a relatively flat spot to hit from. As with the fringe areas around the greens, this was probably due to a steady stream of foot traffic following the heavy rain. The fairways were in typical winter condition and the lies, for the most part, were good. One thing I've noticed about Admiral Baker is that they are proactive when it comes to marking off ground-under-repair areas, no matter how small. Observed quite a few spots that are outlined so there is relief should your ball come to rest in one of these compromised portions of the fairway.
In contrast to the tee boxes, the greens were smooth, healthy, and rolling at a medium-quick speed, which was a welcome surprise. I was expecting bumpy, pock-marked surfaces but that was not the case at all; there were very few unrepaired ball marks to deal with...nothing like what I saw in October, when it was out of control. Putts rolled true and with consistent speed although the grain did exert its' influence on a couple of occasions. It was nice to see the putting surfaces hold approach shots yet roll with decent speed as I despise slow greens.
Bunker sand was excellent, which is nothing new at Admiral Baker. Even with last week's weather situation, the sand I happened to find on #6 was well manicured and fluffy with plenty of depth. With conditions like that, it was easy to get aggressive and hit a great recovery shot. There's a big difference when you can make a confident splash through impact without having to be concerned about blading the ball because of a thin, hardpacked base.
The rough can present problems due to the spottiness and lack of uniform height. I faced shots on a couple of holes where the ball was nestled between two taller clumps of grass, making it almost impossible to get the clubhead on the ball. The fairways are pretty forgiving and benign so being accurate off the tee will usually lead to good scoring opportunities; stray offline, however, and your scrambling skills will be tested.
Tee sheet was full (teed off at 11:40 as a foursome) and with the way Holes 1 and 2 played, I expected something close to a five hour round. However, things opened up once we reached the third tee and we moved along at a nice clip from that point forward. We did run into a delay once we reached #16-17-18, however, but that seems to be a regular occurrence so it came as no surprise. Still, even with that hiccup, we finished the round in 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Beverage Cart and Player Assistant made multiple passes throughout the round and customer service level from everyone was friendly and efficient. With a February Online Special now up for grabs ($30.00 w/cart between 10AM-2PM Monday-Thursday; two player minimum) I may have to think twice about my exiled status.
Golf course was in surprisingly good shape, especially in light of the recent rain and wind storm that passed through here last week. Didn't encounter any drainage issues although the soil beneath the turf was damp in places, which presented a tough challenge around the greens. With the tight turf, moist soil, and slightly uneven nap of the grain, there was no room for error, making delicate lob shots a risky proposition.
Tee boxes were also uneven to an extent but not to the point where it was of major concern; a little searching usually yielded a relatively flat spot to hit from. As with the fringe areas around the greens, this was probably due to a steady stream of foot traffic following the heavy rain. The fairways were in typical winter condition and the lies, for the most part, were good. One thing I've noticed about Admiral Baker is that they are proactive when it comes to marking off ground-under-repair areas, no matter how small. Observed quite a few spots that are outlined so there is relief should your ball come to rest in one of these compromised portions of the fairway.
In contrast to the tee boxes, the greens were smooth, healthy, and rolling at a medium-quick speed, which was a welcome surprise. I was expecting bumpy, pock-marked surfaces but that was not the case at all; there were very few unrepaired ball marks to deal with...nothing like what I saw in October, when it was out of control. Putts rolled true and with consistent speed although the grain did exert its' influence on a couple of occasions. It was nice to see the putting surfaces hold approach shots yet roll with decent speed as I despise slow greens.
Bunker sand was excellent, which is nothing new at Admiral Baker. Even with last week's weather situation, the sand I happened to find on #6 was well manicured and fluffy with plenty of depth. With conditions like that, it was easy to get aggressive and hit a great recovery shot. There's a big difference when you can make a confident splash through impact without having to be concerned about blading the ball because of a thin, hardpacked base.
The rough can present problems due to the spottiness and lack of uniform height. I faced shots on a couple of holes where the ball was nestled between two taller clumps of grass, making it almost impossible to get the clubhead on the ball. The fairways are pretty forgiving and benign so being accurate off the tee will usually lead to good scoring opportunities; stray offline, however, and your scrambling skills will be tested.
Tee sheet was full (teed off at 11:40 as a foursome) and with the way Holes 1 and 2 played, I expected something close to a five hour round. However, things opened up once we reached the third tee and we moved along at a nice clip from that point forward. We did run into a delay once we reached #16-17-18, however, but that seems to be a regular occurrence so it came as no surprise. Still, even with that hiccup, we finished the round in 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Beverage Cart and Player Assistant made multiple passes throughout the round and customer service level from everyone was friendly and efficient. With a February Online Special now up for grabs ($30.00 w/cart between 10AM-2PM Monday-Thursday; two player minimum) I may have to think twice about my exiled status.
14 Likes.
Thought I'd wait a day or so to collect my thoughts and possibly offer a different perspective with regards to this past Sunday's GK Event at Rams Hill. After perusing the opinions expressed by those in attendance, it's obvious the masses were thoroughly impressed and walked away with the feeling that playing Rams Hill is indeed worth the long drive. I know that Johnny puts a lot of thought and effort into organizing these get-togethers, always hoping for the best, and I'm certain he couldn't have been more pleased with the turnout and positive reaction.
And it's not just the response of those playing in these events that Johnny is interested in; the manner in which the host facility fulfills their "obligation" is also a big part of the overall picture. To that end, I can't help but think Rams Hill did a fantastic job. As many have noted, and I'm right there in line will them, I got the impression that Mike Setchell and his staff felt they couldn't do enough to make the GK Community feel welcome.
From the initial contact in the parking lot with the Cart/Bag Attendant, to Mike himself as he pleasantly took my bag and directed me to my assigned golf cart, to the brief interchange with the Range Attendant, I felt I was being treated like royalty. Yes, many high-end courses promote this so-called "Member for a Day" service yet often lack the sincerity and genuineness necessary in order to avoid giving the impression it's an obligation rather than a privilege to serve their paying customers. With that being said, Mike should be proud of his staff and the manner in which they extended their gratitude in being selected to host our event.
As far as the golf course is concerned, it was in tremendous shape, as expected, with the exception of one small caveat and I'm a bit reluctant to mention it. Although everyone raved about the putting surfaces, I was taken aback somewhat by their appearance; most notably, the spike mark factor. Realizing the course had been subjected to a couple of inches of rain leading up to Sunday, I'll attribute this "blemish" to nothing more than a steady traffic flow of play on the softer than normal greens preceding the event.
Reflecting back on previous experiences here, the greens have always been firm and practically devoid of any ball and/or spike mark damage. That was not the case on Sunday and, as a result, I saw some putts get bumped off line where, in the past, I've been accustomed to seeing them roll straight and true from impact to the cup. And, on #12, a poorly repaired old cup location kicked a birdie putt offline, one that was assuredly headed into the center of the hole.
Putting it all in perspective, however, I don't wish to give anyone the impression that I'm nitpicking, because even upon close examination, you would have been hard pressed to realize that much rain had fallen during the week. I didn't encounter any standing water or soggy turf anywhere on the course and the sand traps were in great shape as well with no evidence of the recent precipitation.
And it was a delight to be able to putt on some surfaces that had an appreciable degree of speed for a change; despite the undulations and slopes, the greens were puttable and not out of control. I've encountered situations where people get obsessed with Stimp numbers being the benchmark of great greens yet they fail to realize the contours of the surfaces must be taken into account in order to keep things fair. Steve Gregory obviously understands this and gets a well-deserved nod of approval.
In closing, I want to mention that the outside patio provides a first-class spot to enjoy an after-round meal/drink and absorb the desert tranquility after a round. Weather conditions were pleasant and the portable heaters kept things nice and cozy as the sun began to set.
Restaurant service was good but I can't say the same for my menu item; I ordered a hamburger and found it to be bland and slightly overcooked (despite the waitress asking how I wanted it prepared when the order was placed). Comparatively speaking, Admiral Baker has them beat by a mile when it comes to preparation and flavor.
Maybe I just happened to select the wrong item off the menu...I don't know...but I'd be reluctant to make the same mistake again. If I'm going to be subjected to gourmet prices then the quality of the food has got to match.
On a final note. I'd like to thank my playing partners...Kristie, John, and Tim...for providing such a pleasant playing atmosphere. It was also nice to forge a couple of new acquaintances at the dinner table: Wendy and Matt, the pleasure was mine. In fact, I'm convinced it's the people I meet at these events who always make me glad I decided to play.
And it's not just the response of those playing in these events that Johnny is interested in; the manner in which the host facility fulfills their "obligation" is also a big part of the overall picture. To that end, I can't help but think Rams Hill did a fantastic job. As many have noted, and I'm right there in line will them, I got the impression that Mike Setchell and his staff felt they couldn't do enough to make the GK Community feel welcome.
From the initial contact in the parking lot with the Cart/Bag Attendant, to Mike himself as he pleasantly took my bag and directed me to my assigned golf cart, to the brief interchange with the Range Attendant, I felt I was being treated like royalty. Yes, many high-end courses promote this so-called "Member for a Day" service yet often lack the sincerity and genuineness necessary in order to avoid giving the impression it's an obligation rather than a privilege to serve their paying customers. With that being said, Mike should be proud of his staff and the manner in which they extended their gratitude in being selected to host our event.
As far as the golf course is concerned, it was in tremendous shape, as expected, with the exception of one small caveat and I'm a bit reluctant to mention it. Although everyone raved about the putting surfaces, I was taken aback somewhat by their appearance; most notably, the spike mark factor. Realizing the course had been subjected to a couple of inches of rain leading up to Sunday, I'll attribute this "blemish" to nothing more than a steady traffic flow of play on the softer than normal greens preceding the event.
Reflecting back on previous experiences here, the greens have always been firm and practically devoid of any ball and/or spike mark damage. That was not the case on Sunday and, as a result, I saw some putts get bumped off line where, in the past, I've been accustomed to seeing them roll straight and true from impact to the cup. And, on #12, a poorly repaired old cup location kicked a birdie putt offline, one that was assuredly headed into the center of the hole.
Putting it all in perspective, however, I don't wish to give anyone the impression that I'm nitpicking, because even upon close examination, you would have been hard pressed to realize that much rain had fallen during the week. I didn't encounter any standing water or soggy turf anywhere on the course and the sand traps were in great shape as well with no evidence of the recent precipitation.
And it was a delight to be able to putt on some surfaces that had an appreciable degree of speed for a change; despite the undulations and slopes, the greens were puttable and not out of control. I've encountered situations where people get obsessed with Stimp numbers being the benchmark of great greens yet they fail to realize the contours of the surfaces must be taken into account in order to keep things fair. Steve Gregory obviously understands this and gets a well-deserved nod of approval.
In closing, I want to mention that the outside patio provides a first-class spot to enjoy an after-round meal/drink and absorb the desert tranquility after a round. Weather conditions were pleasant and the portable heaters kept things nice and cozy as the sun began to set.
Restaurant service was good but I can't say the same for my menu item; I ordered a hamburger and found it to be bland and slightly overcooked (despite the waitress asking how I wanted it prepared when the order was placed). Comparatively speaking, Admiral Baker has them beat by a mile when it comes to preparation and flavor.
Maybe I just happened to select the wrong item off the menu...I don't know...but I'd be reluctant to make the same mistake again. If I'm going to be subjected to gourmet prices then the quality of the food has got to match.
On a final note. I'd like to thank my playing partners...Kristie, John, and Tim...for providing such a pleasant playing atmosphere. It was also nice to forge a couple of new acquaintances at the dinner table: Wendy and Matt, the pleasure was mine. In fact, I'm convinced it's the people I meet at these events who always make me glad I decided to play.
18 Likes.
As is customary at this time of year, I once again set up camp at Marriott's Shadow Ridge facility for a four-day getaway, using the GK Event at Indian Wells as an excuse to do so. Holding rank as my favorite course in the Coachella Valley, the Nick Faldo-penned layout provides all I could ask for in a first-class facility: a golf course that challenges all facets of my game while holding my interest from beginning to end, a peerless practice area, flawless playing conditions, and the nicest staff of employees I've encountered anywhere. It's why I never leave the property once I'm settled in.
Rather than launch into a full-blown diatribe describing the course's characteristics, etc., I'll devote this review strictly to current playing conditions. For detailed background info, you can access my review from December 2013.
First round of the week began at 9:15 Saturday morning, followed by another 15 holes at 2:15 that afternoon. In both instances, pace-of-play was better than I expected, especially after reading all these reviews of 5 hour rounds being the norm at other courses. Paired up with three Korean gentlemen in the AM and our elapsed time was right around 4 hours and 15 minutes, which allowed a brief respite on the range before joining friends for the latter round. Monday's round, as a threesome with a 10:48 tee time, ran just under four hours despite a somewhat sluggish back nine.
Going back to Saturday's afternoon round, it took two hours to play the front side but just 45 minutes to get another six holes in as the twosome ahead bailed out after #9. It was somewhat refreshing to play in this manner as the three of us made a concerted effort to try to get as many holes in as possible. The pace-of-play was quick yet not rushed; hit the tee shot, go to the ball, make a quick decision regarding club selection, and repeat the process...saving idle conversation for dinner later that evening. Wow...what a concept.
Tee boxes, fairways, rough (relatively short at about 1"-1.5"), and bunkers were in pristine shape. Heard a story that one group complained to the Pro Shop that there wasn't any cushion provided by the fairway turf. Had to laugh at that one but I'll refrain from disparaging any high handicappers with my response. I will say the fairways are perfect launching pads unless you're a habitual scooper of the ball so bear that in mind. Very reminiscent of what you'll find at Barona Creek, they obviously leave no margin for error but there's no sweeter feeling when you make spot-on contact.
The greens, which I view as the course's ultimate line of defense, were flawless...quite possibly the best I've ever seen them. Smooth as glass with hardly any ball mark damage whatsoever, they held well-struck lofted irons, as long as you were able to find a flat spot on the green. Faldo incorporated some pronounced undulations and false fronts into these greens so precise approach shots are necessary in order to avoid putting big numbers on the card.
That may not be to everyone's liking and there's a good chance first time visitors may struggle due to their unfamiliarity with the slopes and contours, yet there are collection areas surrounding every green that offer a fair opportunity to get up and down with a variety of club choice options. Conditions were windy and cold on Monday, which dried out the greens a bit, in turn making some of the pin positions downright diabolical. The front pin on the Par-3 fourth hole comes to mind, followed by the back center cut on the Par-3 seventeenth. If you've played there, I'm sure you can relate.
Green speed was excellent...very quick...and the ball rolled smooth and true. If you read my synopsis of The Celebrity Course at Indian Wells, you can certainly understand my disgust and disappointment with the putting surfaces I encountered there but I'll lay that rant to rest. Although not a guarantee, I almost certainly expect course conditions in the Coachella Valley to be in, or very close to, prime condition at this time of year unless some freak weather event is in play. The high season rates, in my view, would dictate that fact. Shadow Ridge met those expectations and, to be honest with you, actually exceeded them in some instances.
What also factors into my decision to adopt Shadow Ridge as my "home-away-from-home" course is the quality of people employed there. Whether it's on the golf course or in the hotel/resort facility, I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with everyone I've come in contact with, and I'm referencing a ten year time period. It's especially nice to see familiar faces year after year, people who remember your name and interact with you like a close friend. I often find the check-in process to take longer than the expected 5 minutes since it can easily morph into a 15-20 minute conversation about a number of different topics; such is the outgoing personality of this place.
This is a perfect time to book a round at Shadow Ridge and experience firsthand what this great facility has to offer. Even if you're not going to play the course, a mere $20.00 grants you all-day access to the practice facilities that allow you to sharpen your game from driver through putter, including just about every shot imaginable from 100 yards and in. I'm already chomping at the bit wondering when I'll be taking up temporary residence again.
Rather than launch into a full-blown diatribe describing the course's characteristics, etc., I'll devote this review strictly to current playing conditions. For detailed background info, you can access my review from December 2013.
First round of the week began at 9:15 Saturday morning, followed by another 15 holes at 2:15 that afternoon. In both instances, pace-of-play was better than I expected, especially after reading all these reviews of 5 hour rounds being the norm at other courses. Paired up with three Korean gentlemen in the AM and our elapsed time was right around 4 hours and 15 minutes, which allowed a brief respite on the range before joining friends for the latter round. Monday's round, as a threesome with a 10:48 tee time, ran just under four hours despite a somewhat sluggish back nine.
Going back to Saturday's afternoon round, it took two hours to play the front side but just 45 minutes to get another six holes in as the twosome ahead bailed out after #9. It was somewhat refreshing to play in this manner as the three of us made a concerted effort to try to get as many holes in as possible. The pace-of-play was quick yet not rushed; hit the tee shot, go to the ball, make a quick decision regarding club selection, and repeat the process...saving idle conversation for dinner later that evening. Wow...what a concept.
Tee boxes, fairways, rough (relatively short at about 1"-1.5"), and bunkers were in pristine shape. Heard a story that one group complained to the Pro Shop that there wasn't any cushion provided by the fairway turf. Had to laugh at that one but I'll refrain from disparaging any high handicappers with my response. I will say the fairways are perfect launching pads unless you're a habitual scooper of the ball so bear that in mind. Very reminiscent of what you'll find at Barona Creek, they obviously leave no margin for error but there's no sweeter feeling when you make spot-on contact.
The greens, which I view as the course's ultimate line of defense, were flawless...quite possibly the best I've ever seen them. Smooth as glass with hardly any ball mark damage whatsoever, they held well-struck lofted irons, as long as you were able to find a flat spot on the green. Faldo incorporated some pronounced undulations and false fronts into these greens so precise approach shots are necessary in order to avoid putting big numbers on the card.
That may not be to everyone's liking and there's a good chance first time visitors may struggle due to their unfamiliarity with the slopes and contours, yet there are collection areas surrounding every green that offer a fair opportunity to get up and down with a variety of club choice options. Conditions were windy and cold on Monday, which dried out the greens a bit, in turn making some of the pin positions downright diabolical. The front pin on the Par-3 fourth hole comes to mind, followed by the back center cut on the Par-3 seventeenth. If you've played there, I'm sure you can relate.
Green speed was excellent...very quick...and the ball rolled smooth and true. If you read my synopsis of The Celebrity Course at Indian Wells, you can certainly understand my disgust and disappointment with the putting surfaces I encountered there but I'll lay that rant to rest. Although not a guarantee, I almost certainly expect course conditions in the Coachella Valley to be in, or very close to, prime condition at this time of year unless some freak weather event is in play. The high season rates, in my view, would dictate that fact. Shadow Ridge met those expectations and, to be honest with you, actually exceeded them in some instances.
What also factors into my decision to adopt Shadow Ridge as my "home-away-from-home" course is the quality of people employed there. Whether it's on the golf course or in the hotel/resort facility, I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with everyone I've come in contact with, and I'm referencing a ten year time period. It's especially nice to see familiar faces year after year, people who remember your name and interact with you like a close friend. I often find the check-in process to take longer than the expected 5 minutes since it can easily morph into a 15-20 minute conversation about a number of different topics; such is the outgoing personality of this place.
This is a perfect time to book a round at Shadow Ridge and experience firsthand what this great facility has to offer. Even if you're not going to play the course, a mere $20.00 grants you all-day access to the practice facilities that allow you to sharpen your game from driver through putter, including just about every shot imaginable from 100 yards and in. I'm already chomping at the bit wondering when I'll be taking up temporary residence again.
22 Likes.
While it would be easy to get in line behind those who have heaped high praise on the golf course that hosted the GK End-of-Year Event this past Sunday, I simply cannot do so, so that will be me standing alone off to the side. Now, as far as the event itself goes, it was well done from start to finish; kudos to Johnny for another fine job of assembling all the pieces and a deserved tip of the hat to a staff of employees that do all within their power to ensure a pleasant day's experience from beginning to end.
Whether it's the range attendant, cart person, starter, bartender, everyone I interacted with was friendly, helpful, sincere, and enjoyable to talk to. There's plenty of competition in the Coachella Valley and a multitude of great courses to choose from and in many cases, it's the hospitality and atmosphere that tips the scale one way or the other. Indian Wells, under the auspices of Troon Golf, definitely gets it and has done a wonderful job of nurturing this customer service-oriented culture.
With regards to the course itself, it's extremely pleasing to the eye and the degree of elevation changes incorporated into the design is somewhat surprising. There's plenty of variety so all facets of the game are in play, allowing the methodical target-oriented player to be challenged as well as the let-it-rip bomber. Still, there are a couple of holes that I find to be questionable (#9, in my opinion, is a terrible hole and I'll endorse RobertKPan's assessment of the 12th). I have no issue whatsoever with the fourteen Par-4/two Par-5/two Par-3 set up but wonder what other routings were on the table before deciding on this particular one.
Tee boxes, fairways, and rough were all in great shape and warrant no complaints. I can do without the flower beds (totally unnecessary and an added maintenance expense as well) but the dormant Bermuda ringing the perimeter of the bunkers really provided a stunning visual impact, thereby bringing the presence of these hazards into sharp focus.
And speaking of the bunkers, the sand was excellent; would love to see this type and consistency of sand adopted everywhere. Nice and fluffy to a good depth, there was no danger of hitting something firm under the surface and blading the shot who knows where. I'm not a fan of the 'mulit-tongue' design; visually impressive but not very sensible from a playability standpoint..
Okay, so you knew it was coming, right? The GREENS. While most reviewers have alluded to the putting surfaces being somewhat on the slow side, I think that's an understatement, at least in my view. I found them to be totally unputtable and not in step with the rest of the course. Did I have a bad day out there? Certainly did...one of my worst from tee to green. Am I letting that fact influence my review? I hope not, which is why I've taken some time to think about it before posting this review, yet here it is two days removed and I feel exactly the same as I did while walking off #18.
I was also taken aback by the number of unrepaired ball marks I encountered and their effect on numerous putts. It may not be a fair comparison but the greens at Shadow Ridge, where I played on Saturday and Monday, set the standard as far as I'm concerned when it comes to conditioning, presentation, and speed. Sadly, there's a good possibility I'll pass on next year's GK Event at Indian Wells and spend that money at Shadow Ridge where I feel I'll get a much better return on my "investment". At this time of the year, only a couple of months out of re-sodding programs, I believe there's no excuse for greens to be "held back" due to maturity concerns. You may not agree but I'm not buying it.
Before I sign off, I would be remiss in not acknowledging the fine bunch of guys I was paired with. It was a pleasure to meet Rob and Lee as well as connect with Mark for the second year in a row. Also got to meet Kviser and Dangerousbri for the first time as I was leaving and exchanged pleasantries with them as well. And being there to watch Mark play a beautiful round of golf was an added bonus. I was aware of his potential during last year's event; it was nice to see him put it all together on Sunday and fire a very solid 76. Well done Mark.
Whether it's the range attendant, cart person, starter, bartender, everyone I interacted with was friendly, helpful, sincere, and enjoyable to talk to. There's plenty of competition in the Coachella Valley and a multitude of great courses to choose from and in many cases, it's the hospitality and atmosphere that tips the scale one way or the other. Indian Wells, under the auspices of Troon Golf, definitely gets it and has done a wonderful job of nurturing this customer service-oriented culture.
With regards to the course itself, it's extremely pleasing to the eye and the degree of elevation changes incorporated into the design is somewhat surprising. There's plenty of variety so all facets of the game are in play, allowing the methodical target-oriented player to be challenged as well as the let-it-rip bomber. Still, there are a couple of holes that I find to be questionable (#9, in my opinion, is a terrible hole and I'll endorse RobertKPan's assessment of the 12th). I have no issue whatsoever with the fourteen Par-4/two Par-5/two Par-3 set up but wonder what other routings were on the table before deciding on this particular one.
Tee boxes, fairways, and rough were all in great shape and warrant no complaints. I can do without the flower beds (totally unnecessary and an added maintenance expense as well) but the dormant Bermuda ringing the perimeter of the bunkers really provided a stunning visual impact, thereby bringing the presence of these hazards into sharp focus.
And speaking of the bunkers, the sand was excellent; would love to see this type and consistency of sand adopted everywhere. Nice and fluffy to a good depth, there was no danger of hitting something firm under the surface and blading the shot who knows where. I'm not a fan of the 'mulit-tongue' design; visually impressive but not very sensible from a playability standpoint..
Okay, so you knew it was coming, right? The GREENS. While most reviewers have alluded to the putting surfaces being somewhat on the slow side, I think that's an understatement, at least in my view. I found them to be totally unputtable and not in step with the rest of the course. Did I have a bad day out there? Certainly did...one of my worst from tee to green. Am I letting that fact influence my review? I hope not, which is why I've taken some time to think about it before posting this review, yet here it is two days removed and I feel exactly the same as I did while walking off #18.
I was also taken aback by the number of unrepaired ball marks I encountered and their effect on numerous putts. It may not be a fair comparison but the greens at Shadow Ridge, where I played on Saturday and Monday, set the standard as far as I'm concerned when it comes to conditioning, presentation, and speed. Sadly, there's a good possibility I'll pass on next year's GK Event at Indian Wells and spend that money at Shadow Ridge where I feel I'll get a much better return on my "investment". At this time of the year, only a couple of months out of re-sodding programs, I believe there's no excuse for greens to be "held back" due to maturity concerns. You may not agree but I'm not buying it.
Before I sign off, I would be remiss in not acknowledging the fine bunch of guys I was paired with. It was a pleasure to meet Rob and Lee as well as connect with Mark for the second year in a row. Also got to meet Kviser and Dangerousbri for the first time as I was leaving and exchanged pleasantries with them as well. And being there to watch Mark play a beautiful round of golf was an added bonus. I was aware of his potential during last year's event; it was nice to see him put it all together on Sunday and fire a very solid 76. Well done Mark.
23 Likes.
Fell in love with Barona Creek when it first opened in 2001 and my feelings haven't wavered one bit since then; it's definitely going to be "death do us part". Might be the longest, most successful relationship I can take credit for. Offering a consistent combination of challenge, fairness, and natural beauty from Holes 1 through 18, this layout is simply one of the best in Southern California, if not the country. With a late rate of just $64.00...including range balls and a couple of bottles of water...it is very accessible and worth every penny.
Shelved into the contours of a shallow valley floor, Barona Creek features elevation changes...some quite dramatic, others a bit more subtle...that take monotony out of the equation, the end result being a course that will appeal to and reward the precise shotmaker who is able to place their ball in the proper target area of the green. The fairways are generous so there's room to let it fly but it's a track where the approach shot will make or break your score.
A great variety of holes...especially the Par-3s...most likely means every club in the bag will see some action. Being able to work the ball either way, as well as hit it straight, is a plus but not a strict requirement. With multiple tee boxes, yardage ranging from 5296 to 7393 yards (115 to 143 Slope), and large putting surfaces, Barona Creek is playable and enjoyable for a wide range of golfers, regardless of proficiency.
Teed off at 11:30 Thursday morning and cruised around as a twosome in about 4 hours and 15 minutes, despite play slowing down over the last seven holes as things got bunched up a bit. No on-course marshal but the beverage cart was present during the afternoon. Staff, as usual, was cordial and professional; we were also given the option to tee off ten minutes ahead of time due to a no-show, which was greatly appreciated.
Course conditions were very good...best I've seen here in a while...with one small caveat that deserves to be noted. Due to some obvious turf issues, a couple of greens were recently verticut and are cosmetically different from the rest of those on the course. That being said, those surfaces...#7 and #14...were still pretty smooth and putted almost as true as the remaining sixteen. #7 had a mud-like appearance to it but that actually worked in my favor as I hit a low, screaming 6-iron off the tee that hit the green and stopped within six feet of its' pitch mark, a mere 18 inches below the cup. Anyone familiar with this Par-3 will realize that under normal conditions...with the pin located in the front third of the green...my shot would have easily rolled through and over the green.
#9 also showed evidence of maintenance issues; in particular, the right rear portion of the green. That area had been punched with small tines and lightly top-dressed with fine sand. Pin was located on the left side of the green so unless you strayed with the approach shot, it was a non-factor. The aftermath of unrepaired ball marks is also evident on the greens but they appeared to have been filled in and smoothed over so I can't say they had a direct influence on the roll of the ball.
The other putting surfaces were in fine condition: firm, smooth, and pretty quick. There were a couple of holes where approach shots sat down right near their pitch mark but I found that to be the exception rather than the rule. In most cases, pitch marks were shallow, making those shots prone to run out a bit. As is always the case at Barona Creek, distance control must be precise so factoring the amount of potential rollout definitely upped the ante so to speak.
Tee boxes are, without question, the best you'll find anywhere. With a distinct square cut, they stand out and add quite a bit to the visual aesthetics of the golf course. Flat and as level as can be, there didn't seem to be a blade of grass out of place. And the same can be said for the fairways: akin to playing off a pool table, I can't imagine they could get any better. Perhaps another 1/4" of cushion for those who prefer to sweep the ball off the turf but I found my RX-330 sitting up beautifully on each and every hole.
The low cut and dormant Bermuda condition meant fast conditions so there was some extra distance available off the tee. Bordered by completely dormant rough that exhibited a tan hue, the fairways were immaculately framed, thus providing a distinct target from the tee box. The look was stunning and something you see at high end desert courses during the winter months.
Sand traps were meticulously raked and the sand quality was good and fairly consistent. Encountered one trap where it wasn't quite as soft as the previous one but it was still very playable given a slight swing adjustment. With the proper lie and a precise strike, it's possible to get some action on the ball. However, get a plugged lie and all bets are off.
We couldn't have asked for a better day to play from a weather perspective: temperatures close to 80 degrees with only a slight wind to deal with. Not a cloud in the sky so following the ball's flight was fairly easy, although it did become more of a challenge once the sun started to drop over the last couple of holes.
Not much else to add except that I need to play here a lot more frequently than I do; it's a course I could be "sentenced" to play for the rest of my life and I'd never tire of the challenge and variety that's incorporated into this phenomenal design. Glad to see an uptick in the conditioning, which leads me to wonder if this might be the best time of year to play Barona Creek as opposed to the hot, drought-affected summer months.
Shelved into the contours of a shallow valley floor, Barona Creek features elevation changes...some quite dramatic, others a bit more subtle...that take monotony out of the equation, the end result being a course that will appeal to and reward the precise shotmaker who is able to place their ball in the proper target area of the green. The fairways are generous so there's room to let it fly but it's a track where the approach shot will make or break your score.
A great variety of holes...especially the Par-3s...most likely means every club in the bag will see some action. Being able to work the ball either way, as well as hit it straight, is a plus but not a strict requirement. With multiple tee boxes, yardage ranging from 5296 to 7393 yards (115 to 143 Slope), and large putting surfaces, Barona Creek is playable and enjoyable for a wide range of golfers, regardless of proficiency.
Teed off at 11:30 Thursday morning and cruised around as a twosome in about 4 hours and 15 minutes, despite play slowing down over the last seven holes as things got bunched up a bit. No on-course marshal but the beverage cart was present during the afternoon. Staff, as usual, was cordial and professional; we were also given the option to tee off ten minutes ahead of time due to a no-show, which was greatly appreciated.
Course conditions were very good...best I've seen here in a while...with one small caveat that deserves to be noted. Due to some obvious turf issues, a couple of greens were recently verticut and are cosmetically different from the rest of those on the course. That being said, those surfaces...#7 and #14...were still pretty smooth and putted almost as true as the remaining sixteen. #7 had a mud-like appearance to it but that actually worked in my favor as I hit a low, screaming 6-iron off the tee that hit the green and stopped within six feet of its' pitch mark, a mere 18 inches below the cup. Anyone familiar with this Par-3 will realize that under normal conditions...with the pin located in the front third of the green...my shot would have easily rolled through and over the green.
#9 also showed evidence of maintenance issues; in particular, the right rear portion of the green. That area had been punched with small tines and lightly top-dressed with fine sand. Pin was located on the left side of the green so unless you strayed with the approach shot, it was a non-factor. The aftermath of unrepaired ball marks is also evident on the greens but they appeared to have been filled in and smoothed over so I can't say they had a direct influence on the roll of the ball.
The other putting surfaces were in fine condition: firm, smooth, and pretty quick. There were a couple of holes where approach shots sat down right near their pitch mark but I found that to be the exception rather than the rule. In most cases, pitch marks were shallow, making those shots prone to run out a bit. As is always the case at Barona Creek, distance control must be precise so factoring the amount of potential rollout definitely upped the ante so to speak.
Tee boxes are, without question, the best you'll find anywhere. With a distinct square cut, they stand out and add quite a bit to the visual aesthetics of the golf course. Flat and as level as can be, there didn't seem to be a blade of grass out of place. And the same can be said for the fairways: akin to playing off a pool table, I can't imagine they could get any better. Perhaps another 1/4" of cushion for those who prefer to sweep the ball off the turf but I found my RX-330 sitting up beautifully on each and every hole.
The low cut and dormant Bermuda condition meant fast conditions so there was some extra distance available off the tee. Bordered by completely dormant rough that exhibited a tan hue, the fairways were immaculately framed, thus providing a distinct target from the tee box. The look was stunning and something you see at high end desert courses during the winter months.
Sand traps were meticulously raked and the sand quality was good and fairly consistent. Encountered one trap where it wasn't quite as soft as the previous one but it was still very playable given a slight swing adjustment. With the proper lie and a precise strike, it's possible to get some action on the ball. However, get a plugged lie and all bets are off.
We couldn't have asked for a better day to play from a weather perspective: temperatures close to 80 degrees with only a slight wind to deal with. Not a cloud in the sky so following the ball's flight was fairly easy, although it did become more of a challenge once the sun started to drop over the last couple of holes.
Not much else to add except that I need to play here a lot more frequently than I do; it's a course I could be "sentenced" to play for the rest of my life and I'd never tire of the challenge and variety that's incorporated into this phenomenal design. Glad to see an uptick in the conditioning, which leads me to wonder if this might be the best time of year to play Barona Creek as opposed to the hot, drought-affected summer months.
20 Likes.
Did my part to honor Veteran's Day on Wednesday by venturing up to Camp Pendleton to play Marine Memorial GC for the first time in over 20 years. Long considered a hidden gem by those in the know, this golf course will test your game from driver through putter despite its' lack of plush conditioning and visual wow factor, along with a somewhat misleading slope of 127 from the tips. It's simply one of those old-fashioned, no-frills layouts that has stood the test of time (built in 1948) and provides as much challenge as some of the newer, more celebrated layouts that have popped up in recent years. Reminds me a bit of the recently deceased San Luis Rey Downs GC in so many ways, particularly the tree-lined fairways.
Nestled within the appropriately named Windmill Canyon, the golf course provides a secluded feel among the surrounding foothills. Couldn't have picked a better day to play as the afternoon temperature hovered in the low-to-mid 70s with not a single cloud in the sky. Wind was definitely a factor...especially on the back nine...and quite beguiling at times. Heading off the first tee, we played directly into the wind but as we turned around at #6 and made our way back towards the clubhouse, the wind did an "About Face" (sorry, couldn't help myself) and decided to blow directly in our faces again.
As far as conditioning is concerned, the fairways feature a mixture of different grasses that I'd categorize as patchy but I always found the golf ball sitting up on good turf after my tee shot, which is not often the case at Admiral Baker, for example. Tee boxes are in dire need of leveling as you could easily find a "hook lie" if that's the shot shape you had in mind. Didn't find any bunkers but my playing partner said they were more dirt than sand, again in direct contrast to Admiral Baker, which has the best sand conditions you could hope for.
Golf course allows plenty of room off the tee so it's playable for a wide range of handicappers; in fact, we saw quite a few women on the course yesterday. Void of tricks and gimmicks, Marine Memorial's defense is in the greens; they are absolutely diabolical, especially for someone not familiar with the subtle slopes and undulations, as they are not readily discernible from the tee box or fairway.
This is a golf course where you must pay attention to the nuances of each and every green if you hope to play well next time out. Pin positions were such that facing a putt just 6 feet above the cup on a relatively "flat" slope was akin to walking a tightrope above Niagara Falls. Although the greens held very well, the speed was quick...probably the quickest I've been on this year...and we saw many putts run out once they got past the cup.
As a result, there's a premium placed on approach shots; 6 feet to the right of a pin may stick there and leave a precarious putt where it might be advisable to keep the headcover on the putter while something just a couple of feet left of the pin will release, resulting in an uphill 15-footer where you can make an aggressive run at the cup. No other way to put it: these greens will keep you on your toes!
While the practice green was a bit bumpy, the on-course greens rolled smoother, particularly those on the back. Front side showed evidence of recent aeration but it didn't appear to affect the roll of the ball except on one or two occasions. Some of the greens are fairly expansive while others are slightly smaller, which can be further magnified by pin placement. I would probably classify this as a shot-maker's course as keeping the ball in the fairway and selectively placing your approach shot on the green is the key to scoring at Marine Memorial.
Pace of play was an issue on the front side as there were many twosomes stacked behind one another; as a result, we were 15 minutes behind pace at the turn yet it seemed more like 30. Things opened up on #10, which allowed us to settle into a much better rhythm, and our games prospered as a result. No on-course marshal to be seen but the beverage cart did make two or three rounds during the course of the afternoon. Restaurant closed at 4:00 (are you serious?) but was told this was due to the holiday and the fact there weren't many people out on the golf course at that time. Okay...if you say so.
There's a good-sized practice range available as well as a 9-hole warm-up course if you need to loosen up prior to beginning the round. Not sure of the prices for the range balls nor the level of their quality (yellow Srixon range balls). Overall, the facility had a laid-back, friendly vibe and what appeared to be a well-stocked Pro Shop. No GPS or yardage books available but was told that's something they are working on. Course is poorly marked except for standard Kirby Discs and stakes at 100-150-200-250 yards; didn't find one sprinkler head with a yardage indicator on it. Relied on the green depth info listed on the scorecard to get a better feel for the distance from the fairway.
I recalled the challenge of this course when I played it back in the early 1990's and feel it has aged well. The added variable of a steady two-club wind on the back side really upped the fun factor and salvaged what had started off as a tedious test of patience on the front. All things considered...which includes a very favorable online rate...I'll most likely make a return trip next week, despite the lengthy drive. Hope to take what I learned this week and capitalize on it...provided my swing cooperates with me.
Nestled within the appropriately named Windmill Canyon, the golf course provides a secluded feel among the surrounding foothills. Couldn't have picked a better day to play as the afternoon temperature hovered in the low-to-mid 70s with not a single cloud in the sky. Wind was definitely a factor...especially on the back nine...and quite beguiling at times. Heading off the first tee, we played directly into the wind but as we turned around at #6 and made our way back towards the clubhouse, the wind did an "About Face" (sorry, couldn't help myself) and decided to blow directly in our faces again.
As far as conditioning is concerned, the fairways feature a mixture of different grasses that I'd categorize as patchy but I always found the golf ball sitting up on good turf after my tee shot, which is not often the case at Admiral Baker, for example. Tee boxes are in dire need of leveling as you could easily find a "hook lie" if that's the shot shape you had in mind. Didn't find any bunkers but my playing partner said they were more dirt than sand, again in direct contrast to Admiral Baker, which has the best sand conditions you could hope for.
Golf course allows plenty of room off the tee so it's playable for a wide range of handicappers; in fact, we saw quite a few women on the course yesterday. Void of tricks and gimmicks, Marine Memorial's defense is in the greens; they are absolutely diabolical, especially for someone not familiar with the subtle slopes and undulations, as they are not readily discernible from the tee box or fairway.
This is a golf course where you must pay attention to the nuances of each and every green if you hope to play well next time out. Pin positions were such that facing a putt just 6 feet above the cup on a relatively "flat" slope was akin to walking a tightrope above Niagara Falls. Although the greens held very well, the speed was quick...probably the quickest I've been on this year...and we saw many putts run out once they got past the cup.
As a result, there's a premium placed on approach shots; 6 feet to the right of a pin may stick there and leave a precarious putt where it might be advisable to keep the headcover on the putter while something just a couple of feet left of the pin will release, resulting in an uphill 15-footer where you can make an aggressive run at the cup. No other way to put it: these greens will keep you on your toes!
While the practice green was a bit bumpy, the on-course greens rolled smoother, particularly those on the back. Front side showed evidence of recent aeration but it didn't appear to affect the roll of the ball except on one or two occasions. Some of the greens are fairly expansive while others are slightly smaller, which can be further magnified by pin placement. I would probably classify this as a shot-maker's course as keeping the ball in the fairway and selectively placing your approach shot on the green is the key to scoring at Marine Memorial.
Pace of play was an issue on the front side as there were many twosomes stacked behind one another; as a result, we were 15 minutes behind pace at the turn yet it seemed more like 30. Things opened up on #10, which allowed us to settle into a much better rhythm, and our games prospered as a result. No on-course marshal to be seen but the beverage cart did make two or three rounds during the course of the afternoon. Restaurant closed at 4:00 (are you serious?) but was told this was due to the holiday and the fact there weren't many people out on the golf course at that time. Okay...if you say so.
There's a good-sized practice range available as well as a 9-hole warm-up course if you need to loosen up prior to beginning the round. Not sure of the prices for the range balls nor the level of their quality (yellow Srixon range balls). Overall, the facility had a laid-back, friendly vibe and what appeared to be a well-stocked Pro Shop. No GPS or yardage books available but was told that's something they are working on. Course is poorly marked except for standard Kirby Discs and stakes at 100-150-200-250 yards; didn't find one sprinkler head with a yardage indicator on it. Relied on the green depth info listed on the scorecard to get a better feel for the distance from the fairway.
I recalled the challenge of this course when I played it back in the early 1990's and feel it has aged well. The added variable of a steady two-club wind on the back side really upped the fun factor and salvaged what had started off as a tedious test of patience on the front. All things considered...which includes a very favorable online rate...I'll most likely make a return trip next week, despite the lengthy drive. Hope to take what I learned this week and capitalize on it...provided my swing cooperates with me.
19 Likes.
First time out in well over six weeks; hope my review is sharper than what I displayed on the golf course yesterday...
Over the duration of the past year or so, Admiral Baker-North has become my "home" course for various reasons: close proximity to home/work with easy access, great value for the money, challenging yet fun place to play, fairly consistent conditioning, and very good greens. However, based on what I encountered yesterday...and I had this premonition back in August...the greens have markedly deteriorated over the course of the summer.
While most would assume the blame can be placed on the continuing drought and State Government-imposed water restrictions, the reason, in my view, swings in the direction of increased water usage, which has resulted in softer, more receptive greens and the ultimate death wish: unrepaired ball and spike marks. One of the main points I stressed in earlier reviews was the fact the greens at Admiral Baker-North showed minimal ball mark damage, which made for aesthetically pleasing and smooth, yet slightly firm, putting surfaces. Currently, that is not the case.
Oh sure, it's nice to be able to back up short iron approaches and get a hybrid to stop dead a foot from its' pitch mark, but it all comes at a price. It wouldn't be so bad if the patrons...military as well as civilian personnel...were to get with the program and repair each and every ball mark they can take ownership for but this problem seems to have reached epidemic proportions. Whether through ignorance, laziness, or a combination of both, I simply cannot understand how someone can walk onto a green, mark their ball a couple of feet from its' pitch mark, and proceed to putt out without attending to the blatant damage they've inflicted upon the surface.
The greens had been punched with mini tines on Monday/Tuesday yet the minor aerification process had little effect on the roll of the ball; rather, the bumpiness of the greens and older, unrepaired pitch marks made for an extremely frustrating day as very few putts rolled true and held their line. And the speed was probably the slowest I've encountered here as well; I could never seem to get the ball to the hole and that is out of the ordinary for me.
The entire course appeared to have been overwatered: there was mud on the ball after every tee shot, the fairways were quite soft underneath (leading to some fat, soggy shots), the sand traps were firm with a very shallow layer of softer sand, and the tee boxes could hardly be deemed level. After all the accolades I had doled out regarding the consistent playability of this course over the past 12 months, I cannot express how disappointed I felt after the completion of Wednesday's round.
The tee sheet was jammed up tight...we were sent off as a foursome at 11:36...and the movement was slow, as anticipated. Pace of play certainly wasn't aided by the presence of a few groups of five, which supposedly is discouraged and frowned upon by the Golf Shop Staff yet I see it time and again out here. We managed to clock in a few ticks under five hours and the round felt as if it took forever. I like a leisurely, unhurried pace but this was close to unbearable for me as it was impossible to get into a consistent rhythm and flow. And there were numerous groups who threw up their arms and packed it in long before reaching #18.
Cart service was ever-present on numerous occasions as well as the cursory drive-by from the on-course marshal. Lunch after the round was excellent, as always; too bad it was the only bright spot for the day.
I'm not sure if the onset of winter will tilt conditions back to what I've grown accustomed to but I simply cannot recommend Admiral Baker-North at the present time. I still enjoy the layout as much as ever but the ragged condition of the greens may have me considering another venue whenever the next opportunity to play presents itself.
Over the duration of the past year or so, Admiral Baker-North has become my "home" course for various reasons: close proximity to home/work with easy access, great value for the money, challenging yet fun place to play, fairly consistent conditioning, and very good greens. However, based on what I encountered yesterday...and I had this premonition back in August...the greens have markedly deteriorated over the course of the summer.
While most would assume the blame can be placed on the continuing drought and State Government-imposed water restrictions, the reason, in my view, swings in the direction of increased water usage, which has resulted in softer, more receptive greens and the ultimate death wish: unrepaired ball and spike marks. One of the main points I stressed in earlier reviews was the fact the greens at Admiral Baker-North showed minimal ball mark damage, which made for aesthetically pleasing and smooth, yet slightly firm, putting surfaces. Currently, that is not the case.
Oh sure, it's nice to be able to back up short iron approaches and get a hybrid to stop dead a foot from its' pitch mark, but it all comes at a price. It wouldn't be so bad if the patrons...military as well as civilian personnel...were to get with the program and repair each and every ball mark they can take ownership for but this problem seems to have reached epidemic proportions. Whether through ignorance, laziness, or a combination of both, I simply cannot understand how someone can walk onto a green, mark their ball a couple of feet from its' pitch mark, and proceed to putt out without attending to the blatant damage they've inflicted upon the surface.
The greens had been punched with mini tines on Monday/Tuesday yet the minor aerification process had little effect on the roll of the ball; rather, the bumpiness of the greens and older, unrepaired pitch marks made for an extremely frustrating day as very few putts rolled true and held their line. And the speed was probably the slowest I've encountered here as well; I could never seem to get the ball to the hole and that is out of the ordinary for me.
The entire course appeared to have been overwatered: there was mud on the ball after every tee shot, the fairways were quite soft underneath (leading to some fat, soggy shots), the sand traps were firm with a very shallow layer of softer sand, and the tee boxes could hardly be deemed level. After all the accolades I had doled out regarding the consistent playability of this course over the past 12 months, I cannot express how disappointed I felt after the completion of Wednesday's round.
The tee sheet was jammed up tight...we were sent off as a foursome at 11:36...and the movement was slow, as anticipated. Pace of play certainly wasn't aided by the presence of a few groups of five, which supposedly is discouraged and frowned upon by the Golf Shop Staff yet I see it time and again out here. We managed to clock in a few ticks under five hours and the round felt as if it took forever. I like a leisurely, unhurried pace but this was close to unbearable for me as it was impossible to get into a consistent rhythm and flow. And there were numerous groups who threw up their arms and packed it in long before reaching #18.
Cart service was ever-present on numerous occasions as well as the cursory drive-by from the on-course marshal. Lunch after the round was excellent, as always; too bad it was the only bright spot for the day.
I'm not sure if the onset of winter will tilt conditions back to what I've grown accustomed to but I simply cannot recommend Admiral Baker-North at the present time. I still enjoy the layout as much as ever but the ragged condition of the greens may have me considering another venue whenever the next opportunity to play presents itself.
13 Likes.
Looking forward to this past Thursday's round at Admiral Baker, I was curious to see what effect last weekend's rain storm had on the golf course. Most of the results were just what I had anticipated: softer, greener fairways, punishing rough, and an overall healthier look to some of the recently re-sodded fairways. However, although the putting speed was a tick slower than usual, the greens still played firm, which must be taken into account when shooting at the pins. I was able to get a 5-iron to sit down just a couple of feet from its' ball mark on #14 yet watched a PW roll out 12 feet on #11. Luckily, being aware of this particular green's tendency to do just that, I factored it into my club selection and was rewarded with a 4-foot birdie. Ah...the benefits of local knowledge.
So, for the most part, the status quo remains with the exception of a couple of points. As mentioned earlier, the rough is downright nasty; long, wispy grass where the ball often disappears from sight as it burrows into what I'd refer to as a bird's nest. We spent quite some time trying to locate shots that found the rough and were unsuccessful on two occasions. It's nowhere near "U.S. Open-style" but the type and texture of the grass makes it a real challenge to get the clubhead on the ball so it's best to stay in the fairway.
Because of the varied strains of turf on this course, some lies may be tight while others are soft and spongy. It's these soft and spongy situations that create a bit of a dilemma since the ball must be swept off its' perch as opposed to attacking it with a steep, descending blow, unless you want to risk hitting the ball high on the clubface. When faced with this scenario, I opted to go with one more club and play a controlled punch shot rather than risk sliding under the ball and coming up short of the target.
The rain has definitely accelerated the growth process with regards to the new fairway sod and has also contributed to improving the condition of those fairways not yet attended to, with #18 being the most notable standout. Very little roll-out off the tee these days makes that hole a true three-shot endeavor so two strong shots are required in order to get a short iron in your hands for the approach, which will be further complicated if the wind is in your face.
Bunker sand didn't seem as fluffy as what I'm used to...I'll attribute that to the downpour we encountered last weekend...so I expect them to be back to normal next week. Always well-maintained, these are the best traps to play out of in my opinion, not only because of the quality sand, but also because of their design: shallow, flat bowls with low faces.
Pace-of-play was again very good although we did have an issue with a fivesome that was reluctant to let the two of us pass through. After allowing us to hit our tee shots on the Par-3 6th hole, with the understanding we would continue through, they then proceeded to follow us up the hole and began hitting their approach shots to the green. I finally expressed my displeasure and suggested they stop so we could putt out and get moving to the next tee box while they then finished the hole. Their reaction? They gave us the impression we should view this as a privilege as opposed to a simple act of what should be a universally practiced and accepted gesture of golf etiquette.
Needless to say, I was pretty irate at this point, made a half-hearted attempt at my birdie putt, picked up the ball and walked off the green without saying another word. After taking a couple of holes to regain my composure, I mentioned it to the course ranger, who agreed with my position and suggested I talk to someone in the Pro Shop after the round. To make a long story short, the Pro Shop employee told me to notify them directly if something like this occurs again and they will dispatch someone to rectify the situation.
From what I was told, fivesomes are allowed only under the strictest of situations here yet it appears that all bets are off once these "offenders" head down the first fairway. Without a dedicated legion of on-course staff members to monitor play, these situations are unavoidable and could easily escalate into an ugly, yet totally avoidable, confrontation. This is the second time we've encountered an issue while trying to play through a fivesome...the first time, an elderly gentleman told us we should just skip the hole...and it's the only sour taste I've gotten while playing here. Suffice to say, I will NOT hesitate to make that phone call if it happens again.
Accept my apology for the drawn out pace-of-play recap but I felt it should be noted; after all, it is relevant to this forum. Except for that unfortunate drawback, Admiral Baker-North is in good shape, offers a fair and fun test of one's game, and can be had for a very reasonable rate ($25 Walk/$36 Cart after 2:00). Don't let this "hopefully" isolated incident prevent you from giving it a shot.
So, for the most part, the status quo remains with the exception of a couple of points. As mentioned earlier, the rough is downright nasty; long, wispy grass where the ball often disappears from sight as it burrows into what I'd refer to as a bird's nest. We spent quite some time trying to locate shots that found the rough and were unsuccessful on two occasions. It's nowhere near "U.S. Open-style" but the type and texture of the grass makes it a real challenge to get the clubhead on the ball so it's best to stay in the fairway.
Because of the varied strains of turf on this course, some lies may be tight while others are soft and spongy. It's these soft and spongy situations that create a bit of a dilemma since the ball must be swept off its' perch as opposed to attacking it with a steep, descending blow, unless you want to risk hitting the ball high on the clubface. When faced with this scenario, I opted to go with one more club and play a controlled punch shot rather than risk sliding under the ball and coming up short of the target.
The rain has definitely accelerated the growth process with regards to the new fairway sod and has also contributed to improving the condition of those fairways not yet attended to, with #18 being the most notable standout. Very little roll-out off the tee these days makes that hole a true three-shot endeavor so two strong shots are required in order to get a short iron in your hands for the approach, which will be further complicated if the wind is in your face.
Bunker sand didn't seem as fluffy as what I'm used to...I'll attribute that to the downpour we encountered last weekend...so I expect them to be back to normal next week. Always well-maintained, these are the best traps to play out of in my opinion, not only because of the quality sand, but also because of their design: shallow, flat bowls with low faces.
Pace-of-play was again very good although we did have an issue with a fivesome that was reluctant to let the two of us pass through. After allowing us to hit our tee shots on the Par-3 6th hole, with the understanding we would continue through, they then proceeded to follow us up the hole and began hitting their approach shots to the green. I finally expressed my displeasure and suggested they stop so we could putt out and get moving to the next tee box while they then finished the hole. Their reaction? They gave us the impression we should view this as a privilege as opposed to a simple act of what should be a universally practiced and accepted gesture of golf etiquette.
Needless to say, I was pretty irate at this point, made a half-hearted attempt at my birdie putt, picked up the ball and walked off the green without saying another word. After taking a couple of holes to regain my composure, I mentioned it to the course ranger, who agreed with my position and suggested I talk to someone in the Pro Shop after the round. To make a long story short, the Pro Shop employee told me to notify them directly if something like this occurs again and they will dispatch someone to rectify the situation.
From what I was told, fivesomes are allowed only under the strictest of situations here yet it appears that all bets are off once these "offenders" head down the first fairway. Without a dedicated legion of on-course staff members to monitor play, these situations are unavoidable and could easily escalate into an ugly, yet totally avoidable, confrontation. This is the second time we've encountered an issue while trying to play through a fivesome...the first time, an elderly gentleman told us we should just skip the hole...and it's the only sour taste I've gotten while playing here. Suffice to say, I will NOT hesitate to make that phone call if it happens again.
Accept my apology for the drawn out pace-of-play recap but I felt it should be noted; after all, it is relevant to this forum. Except for that unfortunate drawback, Admiral Baker-North is in good shape, offers a fair and fun test of one's game, and can be had for a very reasonable rate ($25 Walk/$36 Cart after 2:00). Don't let this "hopefully" isolated incident prevent you from giving it a shot.
5 Likes.
After a three week hiatus...mainly due to green aerification performed on June 22 and 23...I returned to Admiral Baker-North for my weekly Thursday round and was surprised to see no evidence whatsoever that the greens had been worked on just 16 days prior. Putting surfaces looked and putted just as they did during the middle of June: medium speed and fairly smooth yet the ball still has a tendency to do things you don't anticipate. Seems as if good putters will be frustrated here...I know I am...and this week was no different from the rest: ball rolls along the intended line then fails to find the hole despite a good stroke.
Greens still on the firm side despite the maintenance and recent rain but some well-struck wedge shots did stop fairly close to their ball mark. Still, had the greens been softer, I might have had another three or four kick-in birdies. Was a bit discouraged to see the unusual number of unrepaired ball marks this time around. Most of them looked timeworn, which would support my theory that some golfers don't feel it's necessary to fix their ball marks when the greens have just been aerified and sanded. Contrary to that tenet, THAT is when repairing those marks is most critical...so get with it guys!
Fairways looking very healthy at this point despite the variance in turf type from one fairway to the next. Still some areas marked GUR but by contrast, there are sections of certain fairways where the lies are as pristine as one could hope for. It was nice to be able to hit a crisp SW into #15 for a change, for example, as opposed to trying to dig the ball out of a rut and not misfiring.
Aprons and collars around the greens have markedly improved since my last visit although I had seen evidence these areas were moving towards that direction early last month. As a result, shots from off the green are more forgiving and lend themselves to aggressive play once again. Not sure if this is due to the rain or on-course maintenance but it's a positive in every sense of the word.
Rough has also gotten a bit longer and is very penal if you happen to lose on the "luck of the draw". Had a very difficult time getting the club on the ball on two occasions due to it sitting down in the grass; almost lost one ball in just 3" of rough on #13 due to it settling.
Tee boxes in good shape...didn't encounter any issues regarding level lies...sand traps in fine condition and well-maintained as well. Play was as light as I've seen it here in recent months; teed off @ 2:30 as a twosome and played a very relaxed round, finishing in 3 hours and 50 minutes with a slight wait on the closing two or three holes. Saw the course marshal just one time but the beverage cart made the rounds on at least two occasions.
Golf course seems to be holding its' own during this drought but I'm sure the unseasonably cloudy and cool early morning conditions has contributed to that fact. Will be interesting how things progress...or regress...once the summer heat takes hold and doesn't let go until October. In the meantime, Admiral Baker continues to hold my interest on a week-to-week basis.
Greens still on the firm side despite the maintenance and recent rain but some well-struck wedge shots did stop fairly close to their ball mark. Still, had the greens been softer, I might have had another three or four kick-in birdies. Was a bit discouraged to see the unusual number of unrepaired ball marks this time around. Most of them looked timeworn, which would support my theory that some golfers don't feel it's necessary to fix their ball marks when the greens have just been aerified and sanded. Contrary to that tenet, THAT is when repairing those marks is most critical...so get with it guys!
Fairways looking very healthy at this point despite the variance in turf type from one fairway to the next. Still some areas marked GUR but by contrast, there are sections of certain fairways where the lies are as pristine as one could hope for. It was nice to be able to hit a crisp SW into #15 for a change, for example, as opposed to trying to dig the ball out of a rut and not misfiring.
Aprons and collars around the greens have markedly improved since my last visit although I had seen evidence these areas were moving towards that direction early last month. As a result, shots from off the green are more forgiving and lend themselves to aggressive play once again. Not sure if this is due to the rain or on-course maintenance but it's a positive in every sense of the word.
Rough has also gotten a bit longer and is very penal if you happen to lose on the "luck of the draw". Had a very difficult time getting the club on the ball on two occasions due to it sitting down in the grass; almost lost one ball in just 3" of rough on #13 due to it settling.
Tee boxes in good shape...didn't encounter any issues regarding level lies...sand traps in fine condition and well-maintained as well. Play was as light as I've seen it here in recent months; teed off @ 2:30 as a twosome and played a very relaxed round, finishing in 3 hours and 50 minutes with a slight wait on the closing two or three holes. Saw the course marshal just one time but the beverage cart made the rounds on at least two occasions.
Golf course seems to be holding its' own during this drought but I'm sure the unseasonably cloudy and cool early morning conditions has contributed to that fact. Will be interesting how things progress...or regress...once the summer heat takes hold and doesn't let go until October. In the meantime, Admiral Baker continues to hold my interest on a week-to-week basis.
7 Likes.
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