I rarely play Riverside, mainly because it gets super crowded and two because you get punished for being in the fairway. Several of the fairways are a cross between a downhill mogul ski slope and a ... Continue »

I rarely play Riverside, mainly because it gets super crowded and two because you get punished for being in the fairway. Several of the fairways are a cross between a downhill mogul ski slope and a supercross track! Not sure what the thought process is behind punishing a player for being in the fairway, but it's not my cup of tea. Having said that, the course is in very nice shape for the most part. Holes 1-12 are in great shape tee to green. Greens were rolling on the slow side but were very smooth. Fairways and tee boxes are very lush throughout.

Only one tee box was divot ridden. All others were good to go. There were a few areas on holes 13-15 that were thin and brown on the fairways and the green on #14 was riddled with pitch marks. Not sure what happened there but all others were excellent. A couple of the greens on the back nine are tiny. As in living room throw rug tiny. Seriously, they were about half the size of my backyard putting green.

Customer service: Check in at the pro shop was average. I walked on as a single and he wasn't all that accommodating. just said he'll get me out in about 15 minutes or so. Never said anything else until I heard my name called out with another group for next up on the tee box.

However, the marshal was absolutely excellent. I dropped my phone on one of the fairways and the marshal was very friendly and super accommodating in giving me a ride back to look for it. He then offered to give me a ride back to catch up with my group or let me settle in behind a twosome to continue where I left off.

Prices are very reasonable at Riverside ($26 to walk prime time) and with the nice conditions right now, I can see why the place gets so packed. Layout of the track is average. One lake that comes into play on 2 holes (3 if you muff a drive real bad on #17). Most of the course is flat with only a couple of holes having elevation changes. There is a train track that runs directly next to a few of the holes so you do have to deal with a number of trains going by as you play.


Given the price and conditions at Riverside it's a solid option when in the valley or traveling through on Highway 99.