Golf Course Reviews
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Played afternoon 8-7-10. Played my first round here in nearly 15 years. I know that this is a historic course, but frankly, I don't think the layout is that good (I know, it's a George Thomas design), and for the price, the conditioning was poor. Basically, I was disappointed. The greens were inconsistent, some were pockmarked, and the rough was wildly inconsistent. Tee boxes were shaggy and the bunkers were just average. For the rates the facility charges, I cannot recommend this course. There are far better values, e.g., Soule Park, which is just down the street.
Played mid-morning Jun 15. I've had the privilege of playing a lot of great courses, but this one definitely makes my Top 10. Today, the conditions were absolutely perfect. Greens ran about 10, and every aspect of the course was well-tended. But what I really like about this course is how management pays attention to the details. For example, the Starter was on the ball, there is a sign on the 1st tee box spelling out the day's course condition, the beverage cart was everywhere, the marshal was firm but friendly, and when you leave the course in your car, there is a sign that thanks you for coming. The wildlife there is pretty incredible too. The course is located inside a park, so you'll see geese, wild turkeys, and people taking their horses out for ride. But the very best thing about this course is the design. It is pure genius. I really think this is one of the best Billy Bell designs out there. You will play every club in your bag and you'll be thinking off every tee box. Billy brought his A game to this design. Elevated greens, doglegs, sloping terrain, small greens, blind approaches, deep faced bunkers, false fronts. It's a great and subtle ride that Billy takes you on. If the conditioning today is the norm, then Sac golfers should really thank the golf gods for this course. One of Billy Bell's best efforts.
Played mid-morning on Sun May 9. Overall, the course is in pretty good shape. The greens have been smoother and faster, but they're certainly good right now. The only thing I noticed was that the fairways are a little shaggier than normal. Once they cut them though, the course will play much faster than what I played this morning. This is the best public facility in SoCal in my opinion. The staff does a great job and the awards show that people are noticing.
Played midday Sun Mar 14. The greens still are a little bumpy from the recent aeration, but they are very playable and fairly quick. The rest of the course is in A+ condition. The fairways are immaculate - just pristine. The rough has been cut back, and is fairly uniform. Today was a postcard day at the Ike; lots of snowcapped mountains to look at. Marshals were out and were friendly and helpful. Now if we could only get the golfers to rake those bunkers...
played early Sun Jan 17. Like the Ike, the Babe is in equally great shape. The greens are in the best shape I've ever seen them on this course. Smooth and glassy. The fairways are very tight, and the rough is very lush. The tee boxes are in good shape, but I think they need to be cut a little lower. All 36 holes at this facility are in tip top shape - now is the time to play here.
played mid-morning Sat Jan 16. The course is in great shape. The greens are very slick right now - gear down and stay below the hole! The rough is very lush as well, so keep an eye on those tee balls because it'll be hard to find your ball in certain spots.
played fri morning Nov 5. The course is back to its usual good condition. Things aren't A+ yet, but it is getting there fast. 2nd stage of Tour qualifying is around the corner and the pros will see a great course.
played morning of Oct 22. The course was in surprisingly good shape considering it's football season, and the greens in particular were in terrific condition. They were smooth and fast. The fairways were in very good condition as well. They are re-doing many tee boxes, but their condition shouldn't affect your play.
Played morning of Oct 24. The course is in fantastic shape. The greens are rolling very, very fast, and the entire course is playing hard and fast. Beware, however, as the rough is high and tough. You will need to watch your ball very carefully off the tee as the rough just swallows up the ball. The bunkers still lack sand, but other than that, everything else is in top shape.
Played the morning of Oct 2. This was my first trip back in here in nearly 6 months, and today, we weren't disappointed. The course was in fantastic shape. It is well groomed, and since it appears that even more scrub has been cut back, the course appears more wide open. The ground and greens are VERY hard, so adjust your game accordingly. I was curious about the changes the new owner would make, and I did notice a few. First, a number of bunkers have been filled; I see pros and cons, but ultimately, they never could keep any sand in them and perhaps fewer bunkers will speed up play. Second, the range maintenance appears deferred. Third, there seems to be fewer staff present to assist customers. Thankfully, Starter "Keith" still is there - he's a good guy.
played afternoon of Oct 16. Considering it's football season, the fairways, tee boxes, and bunkers were in much better shape than I would have guessed. It was very playable. The only significant problem is the greens. They still are bumpy and full of holes, although there appears to be some healing. I know there always are a lot of complaints about Brookside, but the facility does have the best beverage cart girl in SoCal (Heidi) and the marshals did a great job today being of service to me.
played morning of Oct 17. They're done w the overseed and aeration, but the course is in terrible shape. They're supposedly getting it ready for QSchool in mid-Nov, but right now, I can't see it all. I would strongly recommend avoiding this facility for at least 2-3 more weeks. The tee boxes are hairy as hell, the fairways are like the first cut of rough, and the rough in many areas is 5+ inches high. The greens on the front 9 are slow and bumpy, and many of the bunkers don't have any sand. Plus, there's a temp green on one of the holes. This always has been one of the best maintained courses in SoCal, but right now, it is pitiful. If you do choose to play out here, stock up on refreshments for your cart because there is no beverage cart service. It was a beautiful day, so that was a plus, but the course conditioning was just awful.
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