Despite being a San Diego resident for 45 years, I finally played Oceanside GC for the first time on Saturday. Overall, I was impressed with what the golf course has to offer, not only from a conditioning perspective but also with regard to the subtle demands it places upon one’s game, despite being relatively short at 6400+ yards from the ‘Tips’.

Tee boxes were in good shape, despite a few uneven lies, while the Par-3 holes, naturally, showed a bit more wear and tear. Didn’t amount to much of a bother though so no complaints there.

Fairways, however, were a different story. While some were uniform in their growth, coverage, and turf consistency, others were a mix of different types of grasses. When it came to those holes, lies were quite thin with nothing more than a ‘veneer’ of grass covering the base underneath. You could be looking at three or four different strains of turf within a ten-foot circle.

As a result, ball striking had to be precise from those spots in order to ensure solid compression. I did find it necessary to ‘bump’ the ball out of a few bare depressions in order to give myself a fair chance at doing so…and this was especially true when it came to short irons/wedges.

I suppose it’s just the nature of the soil, turf, etc. but the difference between the fairway grass on, say, #1 and #15, were like night and day. Still…I gathered enough positives from my total experience that the turf issue isn’t going to discourage me from returning.

The real highlight was the greens. They were in great shape: soft and receptive to approach shots where you were literally throwing darts out there yet medium-quick on speed with consistent, true rolls on every green. Putts from above the hole may have been a bit quicker but nothing outrageous.

Also want to mention that although the putting surfaces were soft, I saw very few unattended ball marks. If repaired promptly, as should be the case, these greens can remain fairly pristine from sunrise to sunset.

Rough isn’t much of a factor as most perimeter areas are characterized by hard-packed sand/crushed granite. It gives the course somewhat of a desert-like appearance but sure does help with reducing maintenance costs while also keeping play moving…although we still had to endure a five-hour round.

Bunker sand was good but played a bit ‘heavier’ than I anticipated. I was in just one trap so I can’t comment on their consistency but they did appear uniform in that regard.

While the course is considered ‘short’ by today’s standard, it does demand precise shotmaking in order to score well. The closing stretch is solid…and even more so when the wind is up…and the size of the greens provides another option to stretch the yardage further than the card.

Whenever we encountered a ‘back’ flag position, it was ALL the way back! There were more than a couple of greens that measured some 40-50 yards from back to front. I really like golf courses that have this type of ‘interchangeability’; you may play one hole and approach the pin with an 8-iron one day…and 5-iron the next from the exact same spot in the fairway due to the flag’s location.

Course is flat until you hit the steep, uphill Par-4 12th (be aware of the severe ‘false front’)…which is followed by the dramatic downhill Par-3 13th…but there are enough twists and turns where it’s never monotonous and being able to shape the ball both ways off the tee is an asset.

Staff were friendly and accommodating, facilities and grounds spotless, and the vibe casual and relaxed. $55.00 to walk ‘Prime Time’ on the weekend with an additional $15.00 cart fee has value written all over it when you add everything up. And that’s amplified just a bit more if you happen to play during the week and walk.

While it’s an hour’s drive for me, I anticipate playing here a bit more in the future. Love the layout and if the greens continue to be maintained at their present level, it’s an absolute no-brainer for this kid.

Played in the Men’s Club Event today and was impressed with the overall condition of the golf course, especially when considering this prolonged heat wave we’ve been dealing with.

Tee boxes were in good shape although a few presented some slight undulations that affected ball and/or foot placement. Fairways were healthy and green, thereby providing excellent lies but little roll-out.

Kikuyu rough is thriving right now…and a bit longer than usual in some places…so enter at your own risk. Shots around the green are quite the challenge; it takes a bit more speed than you may think is necessary in order to get the ball to jump. Few, if any, options to ‘get cute’ on a delicate shot if you happen to find yourself in this stuff. It’s basically ‘hit and hope’ so be sure to weigh the pros and cons accordingly when assessing your shot.

Greens were a touch slower than what I would normally encounter here but still rolled true. Could be the extra water being applied in order to keep them from burning out in the heat. As a result, was able to get a 4-wood to settle down within 6 feet of it’s pitch mark on one hole and throw a wedge into #18 that literally ‘stopped on a dime’.

While a few holes showed more cosmetic damage than others due to old, unattended ball marks…such as #1, which always seems to have this problem…I really had no complaints. And with the increased watering around the greens, many of the previously worn down or barren fringe areas now offer healthier lies to chip/pitch from where putter was the best choice earlier this summer.

Did not face any sand shots today but the traps are usually well maintained and quite playable as a rule. There aren’t any steep-faced bunkers to navigate so you’ll most often encounter a fairly straightforward shot.

I’d give ‘AB’-North a strong recommendation if you’re looking for a solid venue that offers a lot of value at an attractive rate. White tee markers were pushed way back on many holes today so the course played longer than usual; with little roll out…and a steady 15MPH wind in our faces over the final six holes…it took some solid ball-striking to navigate that stretch successfully.

Just a heads up for everyone…

According to a friend who played here today, the fairways are in rough shape. Due to a water pump issue that occurred a few weeks ago, they’re able to pump just 50% of their output…250,000 gallons vs. 500,000 gallons…until the problem is rectified. Cottonwood has an antiquated irrigation system so their options are limited. As a result, only the greens and approaches are currently being watered. Visually, the fairways resemble what we just saw at the Men’s and Ladies’ British Opens.

No word yet as to when things may return to normal so it might be prudent to call the golf course ahead of time prior to heading out there/booking a tee time.

Met up with ABBACAT yesterday and played the Stonehouse/Oaks combo at Temecula Creek on a picture-perfect day. Mid-to-low 70s temperature-wise but the steady 15-20 MPH wind…which, for the majority of the round, was against us…made for quite a challenge.

Overall, conditions were good although I felt there were a few rough spots along the edges on Stonehouse. Random bare spots here and there, some damp, muddy areas that needed attention, and a general appearance that made things look as if they were in some sort of transitionary stage.

Tee boxes could use some leveling, a few greens still showed aeration holes (#3 in particular), and the greenside trap on #4 was crusty and looked like it hadn’t been attended to in quite some time. I felt I was walking onto a sheet of ice when I entered to play my shot. Was able to navigate the 50-footer successfully…stuck it to four feet to save par…but there was a lot of guesswork involved. Although the bunker on #8 Oaks was better…firm but more playable…I feel the entire collection is in need of some work.

Greens throughout the course were soft…you immediately felt it under your feet…which led to approach shots holding nicely. Speed was definitely on the slow side, similar to the practice green, and putts took some sharp turns once they began to lose pace. Would like to see things firmed up a bit, which would lead to truer rolls.

With that being said, the ball mark damage was fairly minimal yet we still fixed quite a few fresh unattended marks during the round. Fringe areas were in good shape and the rough was healthy and thick. Took a bit of speed when it came to hitting short pitch shots but the receptive greens made it possible to get the ball to settle without a ridiculous amount of rollout.

Pace of play was very satisfying, although as a twosome sandwiched between a couple of fours, we did have a few delays to contend with. Nothing of consequence, however: teed off @ 2:00PM, played at a relaxed pace, and wrapped it up 4 hours and 15 minutes later.

Followed up the round with dinner at the course, which put a proper finishing touch on what turned out to be an enjoyable day.

Considering the steep fees many courses now charge on weekends, Temecula Creek’s late rate of $78.00…with a cart…cannot be overlooked. As far as I’m concerned, you definitely get your money’s worth here.

Despite the minor ‘imperfections’, the course is highly recommended. Hopefully things will get tidied up as the summer approaches but they’re really not far off. The personable staff also deserves mention as they provide a warm and welcoming vibe.

I’ll be back soon.

Played ‘AB’-North Thursday afternoon on a perfect day, weather-wise, despite having to deal with a steady two-club wind that, more often than not, was not in our favor. Also took a full five hours (teed off @ 1:06PM) to complete the round due to periodic waiting on the front side and a snail’s pace back nine where we waited on every single tee box.

Condition-wise, course is in overall decent shape but I strongly recommend staying away until next week’s aeration process has been completed and the greens have sufficient time to heal. I’d give them at least three weeks but that may depend on what type of weather kicks off the month of May.

While I didn’t have any issue with how the greens rolled yesterday…although I felt they were a touch slower than usual…the number of unrepaired ball marks was eye-opening. There were some areas on certain greens that looked like someone hit a shag bag of balls during a practice session yet didn’t bother to repair the resulting damage.

I’m not sure if it’s due to the heavy amount of play the course gets, the Member-Member/Member-Guest that was held on Tuesday, or the ABWC that played earlier Thursday, but it was so irritating to see this level of imperfection on the putting surfaces. Knowing the greens are going to be done next week, do people think fixing their ball marks a few days ahead of the process simply doesn’t matter?

Also want to mention that quite a few front aprons have already been punched and sanded while other greens were being heavily watered in preparation for the same. Needless to say, it served as a bit of a surprise since some of these areas can’t be seen from the fairway. And then there’s the problem of having to deal with above-ground hoses and sprinklers strewn around the fronts of the greens.

Tee boxes were in good shape although a few could use a light sanding in order to level them out. I found myself having to search for a spot where either my ball and/or driver weren’t sitting in a slight depression.

Fairways were healthy with full coverage outside of a few isolated spots that were turfed yet a bit thin in density. Still, nothing a well-executed swing couldn’t handle. And with the exception of the aprons I mentioned, other fringe areas were in very good shape. As always, the rough is thick and brutal to play out of.

Traps were good although the sand played a little ‘heavier’ than I would prefer. As I recall, the texture used to be a bit firmer a year or two ago but may have lost that characteristic as time goes on. Just conjecture on my part.

So, if you decide to get a round in this weekend, you’ve been forewarned. Another thing to note is that, in the future, I will refrain from playing the week before any scheduled maintenance due to the work that takes place in advance of the green aeration. I understand it’s a necessity but now that I’m aware of the preliminary process, I’ll think better of it.

Played AB-North Tuesday, January 27, in the weekly Men’s Club Event…first time since September…and it may be at least that long before I choose to do so again. Nothing wrong with the course conditions…in fact, they’re pretty solid right now…but the pace-of-play was excruciatingly SLOW.

Our original tee time was 11:15AM but a frost delay pushed us back to 12:10PM. We moved through the first three holes without any issue but then ran into a ten minute delay on the Par-4 4th tee, which seems to happen quite often.

Things were fine until we reached the Par-3 7th, where we spent another 15-20 minutes standing around until the two groups ahead of us had finished the hole. Got ready to hit my tee shot and felt as if I just stepped out of the car to begin the round all over again. After another brief wait on the Par-3 9th, we checked in with a front nine that took in excess of two-and-a-half hours to play.

Things opened up a bit midway through the back nine but it wasn’t until 5:05PM when we walked off the 18th green. There were still three other teams behind us that just managed to finish their rounds in ‘daylight’.

Moving on to the course itself, no complaints in that regard. Tee boxes were in good shape and level, fairways healthy with full coverage, the rough…as always…is to be avoided, and the greens rolled fairly smooth at a medium pace. Not too many unrepaired ball marks to attend to but definitely a few more than my last round here. And most likely due to the frost, a couple of approach shots rolled out a little more than expected but, overall, they were pretty consistent. The two traps I was in…one fairway, one green-side…were raked smooth and on the firm side, which I prefer; I’ve always been a fan when it comes to their playability.

Highly recommend playing here…especially if you’re someone with a preference to walk rather than ride…but I do advise you to avoid a late Tuesday AM tee time on those weeks when the Men’s Club in scheduled on the North Course. I’ve played here on other days during the week with a similar tee time and have yet to come close to taking five hours to complete the round.

Day Two of a Two-Day Getaway…

Moving further North, Black Gold was next on the agenda. Probably my favorite Orange County course, it’s been some 20 years since I last played here…and I’m so thrilled I returned.

It’s the type of course where a look at the scorecard may lull you into thinking it’s a pushover…Black Gold is not all that long by modern standards…yet is a true shot-maker’s delight. Multiple elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and some wickedly diabolical, yet fair, greens will demand your best if you hope to score well here. Rarely do you find a perfectly level lie…and throw in some 20 MPH gusts for good measure; well, you get the idea.

This is such an outstanding layout: it asks you to work the ball both ways, demands restraint on certain holes while allowing an aggressive mindset on others, requires precise approach shots in order to score well, and is just an absolute blast to play. I really don’t feel there’s a weak hole to be found on the course; each one possesses its’ own unique characteristic.

Conditions were top-notch…

>Tee Boxes: Good Shape
>Fairways: Plush and Tight Lies
>Rough: Thick and Punishing
>Bunkers: Firm and Well-Maintained
>Greens: On a Different Level

I’ll devote my attention to the putting surfaces: I can’t recall playing greens where approach shots…regardless of length…stuck like darts on a dart board yet putts rolled so fast. It’s not often I’m able to back up a 7-Wood. With that being said, I found myself fixing at least 10-12 ball marks on every green…and they were fresh. Shame on you ignorant idiots!

I have no idea what the Stimp reading was but the greens were definitely quicker than the ‘12s’ I encountered at Rams Hill last month. Took just one putt on #4 to realize what I was up against but I was able to adapt fairly quickly.

The putting surfaces are generously large with many subtle slopes so as a general rule, you simply cannot afford to be putting from above the hole. And the greens seem to break a little more than your initial read may tell you so speed and start line must be spot on in if you hope to convert a few putts.

Teed off as a foursome @ 12:20 and finished in four holes flat despite a slow down over the final three holes. Was treated to a fantastic rate of $66.00 thanks to a friend who secured the tee time and I must say it was a steal. Cannot wait to return; if I lived close by, no question Black Golf would be my home course.

I do want to add that the Par-3 10th hole is still impacted by the sinkhole issue that took place in 2023. Delays in permit approvals kept things at a standstill until this past November, when the reconstruction project finally got under way. Bureaucracy…go figure.

As a result, a temporary tee box has been set up along the cart path adjacent to #18 fairway, where you approach the green from East-to-West, as viewed from the clubhouse patio. Hole plays about 100-110 yards and this is the only blemish as far as I’m concerned yet I feel management addressed the issue as best that could be expected. Ther’s also another temporary box adjacent to the 18th green that allows you to play the hole straightforward as originally intended but it was not in use today.

I was told they’re hopeful the project will be completed by July of this year; let’s hope things proceed without any further delays or issues as it is quite an extensive operation. I’ll also add that the driving range continues to be impacted by the Solar Panel Project, although much closer to completion.

Still, I would not let either of these caveats impact your decision to play Black Gold. While some courses in the Orange County region may carry a little more ‘cachet’…and much steeper price…Black Gold checks all the boxes when it comes to presenting a challenging, fair, and fun test of golf at a more than fair price.

Day One of a Two-Day Getaway…

Played Temecula Creek (Stonehouse/Oaks) for the first time in ten years and found it to be well worth the $40.00 Walking Rate. Despite running up against a few delays between holes 7-11 and again on 14-18, I still managed to complete the round in under four hours (teed off @ 1:00PM)

Conditions were pretty solid but the golf course is lacking a good mowing at this point. Fairways were a bit ‘glitchy’ in spots…turf level in the landing area on Stonehouse #9 was extremely uneven…and I noticed way too many divots on some fairways that need attention.

To be fair, the recent heavy rains gave the course a good soaking, thereby hindering the regular mowing schedule. Tack on the warm weather we’ve experienced since then…which has accelerated the turf growth…and it’s easy to see why things are a bit ‘scruffy’. I expect the playability issue to fall back in line as things dry out even further in the next few days.

In addition to presenting a challenge to play from, the rough makes it d%mn near impossible to locate one’s ball…even in the fringe areas around the greens. In addition to the problem it caused on my behalf, I noticed other groups dealing with the same issue, spending WAY over five minutes attempting to locate their tee shots, approaches, etc.

As far as the greens are concerned, they were in outstanding shape. Given the soft conditions, I would have expected a ton of ball marks to contend with but that simply wasn’t the case at all. Surfaces were smooth and rolled true at a medium-fast pace. I was very impressed with how well they held shots and rolled.

Had dinner on the bar patio following the round and it was quite good; a perfect way to end the day where the temperature managed to creep into the low 80s. All in all, couldn’t have done much better for such a fair rate…and having the option to walk/carry is an added bonus.

Also want to give a ‘shout out’ to Jay in the Pro Shop: the absolute epitome of the most pleasant and welcoming staff member you could ever hope to interact with. I stopped in for a brief chat following my round and was greeted by name as soon as I entered the Pro Shop. It was a perfect way to bookend a great day on the course.

Played Admiral Baker-North yesterday for the first time since a September Scramble Event and the golf course is in tremendous shape. From the tee boxes to the fairways, the turf is full, healthy, and green throughout. What an absolute pleasure to be out there; for a $46.00 walking rate, it can’t be beat.

As for the greens, well, I cannot recall ever seeing them in better condition. Not only did they roll true and with consistent speed…I’d say medium-quick…but the amount of unattended ball marks was as few as I’ve observed out there. It was quite a surprise when you consider that they take quite a beating due to the heavy play.

Far too often, putts on ‘AB’s greens have a tendency to be affected by the imperfections and fail to hold their line. Was certainly not the case yesterday as I holed a total of 130’ of putts on the day.

Due to the recent rain, there wasn’t much rollout off the tee and quite a few shots did pick up some mud but the greens held beautifully. You could go right after the pin and be assured that the ball would basically ‘drop and stop’.

Pace of play, for some reason, was slow; teed off as a walking foursome @ 11:54AM and finished #18 @ 4:50PM. We never waited on any hole yet the round felt sluggish. We finished about a hole behind the group in front and the one following us did have to wait on a few tees. Was paired with a couple of guys whose pre-shot routines were a bit too methodical…and time-consuming…so I’ll attribute it to that.

In summary, Admiral Baker-North is delivering on so many counts at the present moment; I highly recommend it in its’ current state.

Took advantage of a ‘Golf Now’ Hot Deal and headed out to Rams Hill on Thursday. The savings were noteworthy…$50.00 off the rack rate…which I found too tempting to resist. Weather forecast pointed to a high temperature of 92 with 17% humidity and just a breath of wind. The day before Halloween? Sign me up!

Absolutely love the layout…can’t say enough good things about Fazio’s redesign vs. Ted Robinson’s original routing. I have more fun playing here than anywhere else in Southern California and couldn’t wait to see what kind of shape it was in since their maintenance process was completed back in July/August.

Well, the golf course is in impeccable condition. Full coverage on the tee boxes and fairways, relatively short yet healthy rough, consistent sand to play out of, and greens that I feel are the best around. This combination is about as good as it gets.

And speaking of the greens, they are beginning to soften up compared to my experience earlier this summer. Shots were stopping right by their ball mark, which meant a more aggressive approach into the pin locations could be undertaken compared to May/June.

But don’t be fooled…the greens rolled at a posted ‘12’ on the Stimp…and were every bit that quick and smooth as glass. Yet, nothing outrageous…totally fair…even with the challenging contours one must navigate if on the wrong side of the hole.

The new surfaces are definitely sturdier than the ones they replaced. I can’t recall seeing a course with so few ball marks…you literally had to search for them…despite being so receptive. They are indeed a pleasure to putt on.

Also want to mention the fairways; they’re cut short and tight lies are the order of the day. Solid contact produced shots with the proper amount of spin, which assisted in controlling shot trajectory/distance. It is so satisfying to flush fairway woods off this turf.

Customer service level continues to shine. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, everyone is committed to guaranteeing one’s experience exceeds all expectations. So many courses talk about providing that type of vibe yet far too many of them fall short. Not so at Rams Hill.

So I walked away with another positive memory, which was boosted by a solid ball-striking round (it’s about time), and being paired up with three other guys who were great company. I’m looking forward to a couple more visits planned for December but wouldn’t be surprised to find myself out there again this month. Weather will be much different…or maybe not…but I expect playing conditions to be top-notch if the course continues to be treated with this level of TLC.

Participated in the GOLF MOOSE/VIVID Private Club Event (my first) @ Dove Canyon on Monday and was happy I elected to do so. As is always the case when Johnny is involved, it was a well-organized affair with the club staff providing a welcome, hospitable atmosphere. A tip of the hat to everyone who made this day possible.

And I was blessed with great company…having been paired up with Johnny, Ron, and Mark…which elevated my level of enjoyment. Got to witness a number of high-quality shots from the boys as well. And much appreciation for Mark’s guidance throughout the day since this was my initial visit to the golf course.

Expansive, warm, and inviting clubhouse that’s conducive to relaxing with a drink and trading stories following a day on the course. Large practice range facility with a short-game area off to the side provides the opportunity to work on all phases of one’s game. Although we were relegated to hitting off mats, they were in good shape as I didn’t notice any signs of excess wear…and good quality range balls I might add. Practice putting green overlooks the picturesque finishing hole and was pretty close to mirroring what I encountered on the course.

As for the course itself, I’d rank it as one of the more demanding layouts I’ve played. Typical Nicklaus design: it demands precise iron play in order to score well. Having the ability to hit high approach shots is a huge plus…particularly when the pins are tucked in the far reaches of these devilish greens, many of which are on the narrow/shallow side and run diagonally to the fairway. And Jack’s bunkering has them well-protected. For a guy who was never known for his sand play, I get the impression this is how he’s chosen to exact his revenge.

While I personally feel some of the contours and segmented sections of the surfaces ‘push the envelope’, there is a perverse sense of pleasure one experiences if able to navigate those challenges successfully. Adventuresome and mentally-stimulating are appropriate terms when it comes to describing the pitching/chipping and putting experience at Dove Canyon.

And with that said, the golf course demands full engagement from start to finish; it’s an exciting layout and the word ‘boring’ never comes into play. I found the elevation changes, rolling fairways, and general scope of this design quite pleasing to the eye. There are a number of excellent holes out there but it’s tough to top the dramatic tee shots you face on the Par-3 10th and 17th holes.

Course conditions were very good; tees, fairways, and greens in solid shape for this time of year. Took note of a few bare spots on a couple of greens but didn’t have to deal with anything that compromised play. Rough was just long enough to create an issue but that was dependent upon the lie: if the ball sat up, not much of a problem…but a different story if it burrowed into the turf.

Greens rolled at a quick pace but nothing unreasonable…especially given the contours and slopes…and were very receptive to well-struck shots. Yes, the approaches are challenging, but if you hit the mark distance-wise, the ball did settle down nicely.

Bunker sand had good texture…a bit on the heavy side…along with plenty of depth, with just about all of them requiring lofted escapes as the ones I was in sat below the putting surfaces and featured steep faces.

Having no previous experience at Dove Canyon, I felt I was at somewhat of a disadvantage…which wasn’t helped by a sloppy ball-striking round. But now that I’ve gotten a look at it, made some observations, and taken notes, I’m looking forward to a return at some point down the road.

Thoroughly enjoyed the day @ Classic Club from all aspects…but it was my playing partners, Johnny G. and Mark E., who really made it extra special. Couldn’t have asked for a better duo to be paired with.

Classic Club is one of my favorite courses in the Palm Desert area and for many reasons: outstanding layout…challenging yet fair…full-featured practice facility, professional/outgoing staff, and a meticulously-manicured, ambient setting that blends in so well with the property.

Course was in very good shape tee to green but it was difficult to not be disappointed with the overall quality of the greens. Possibly attributable to the time of year, they ran slow, grainy, and not as true as I had anticipated.

But what really caught my attention were the frayed and ragged edges around a number of cups…which led me to believe they elected to not cut fresh hole locations that morning. It’s not something I would expect from a high-end course such as this…especially after having already come out of aeration.

With that aside, this is a well-run operation; every staff member I interacted with was pleasant, courteous, and on top of their game. They genuinely make one feel welcome here…and that isn’t always the case at many other venues.

I opted to have dinner at Bellatrix at the conclusion of the GK raffle and the food/service were excellent. The generous meal credit is a nice touch and provided added value to the day’s entry fee.

I highly recommend Classic Club as a ‘must play’ if you’re in the area. The facility checks all the boxes when it comes to an enjoyable and satisfying experience, from start to finish.

And thanks again, Johnny, for organizing and making this all possible. It was great to have the opportunity to tee it up with you!