On the west side to visit with an old friend, I got out on Penmar as a waitlist single joining another single and club threesome on Tuesday, 7/8. Cond... » More

On the west side to visit with an old friend, I got out on Penmar as a waitlist single joining another single and club threesome on Tuesday, 7/8. Conditions are generally solid. Missed any bunkers and otherwise conditions were good. Greens were pretty clean and surprising quick. Blew my putts by more often than not all round and generally played terribly. Nice weather and pleasant group, so still enjoyable. Tends to be slow here and took just under 3 hours to get around. Nice, chill change of pace if you are not in a hurry. Busy, hip little restaurant and evening activities seem to be the norm here lately. On that evening, Temptation Island Watch Party on a big screen.
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Out on Saturday 6/5 2:10 as a single joining a twosome and riding. Conditions here are usually pretty consistent and were on the day. Teeing, fairways... » More

Out on Saturday 6/5 2:10 as a single joining a twosome and riding. Conditions here are usually pretty consistent and were on the day. Teeing, fairways and greens were all good. The greens a touch slower than usual but still a good medium-quick and clean. I was only in one bunker but the sand was good and mostly groomed with a few stray footprints. The rough was generally green and often on the thicker side. They have some rope and stakes up in a few areas to direct carts away from spots they want to regenerate. Not an issue and doesn't impact play. It was busy day but the pace was about 4.75 hrs and fairly steady — certainly not quick but could have been worse. Pro shop is polite and on top of things here. Had a good time with the two young guys was paired with, neither of whom had played the course before.
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This is late but will be short. Went out to Scholl about a week ago as a single joining a threesome, starting around 1:45. I only recently had been ba... » More

This is late but will be short. Went out to Scholl about a week ago as a single joining a threesome, starting around 1:45. I only recently had been back to the driving range for the first time in a good while (now they have free Trackman on limited stalls, which I didn't use) and my return round was the first in years. My last time out, I recall burnt out rough and drier, firmer conditions. The course is significantly greener now so I thought it worth mentioning. Rough could get thick and wasn't consistently groomed, but it was good. Fairways were in good shape as were the greens. Really something of a novelty executive course, the back nine has some of the most striking views in LA and is worth checking out once for that alone. Nice service at the counter. Not a place I would play regularly, but worth a look for casual change of pace. Bring a camera/phone.
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This is another of several very recent reviews of Soule so all I really have to add is they are spot on. The conditions were all around very good, the... » More

This is another of several very recent reviews of Soule so all I really have to add is they are spot on. The conditions were all around very good, the place is well run and the setting is awesome. After not having played the course in about 30 years, I found an excuse on Monday 5/26 for my second trip back in the last few months. If you are headed up the coast from LA to Ventura and points North, it is worth the diversion to Ojai on the way to play this course. Plan on a drink and bite afterword to get the whole experience.
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Out Thursday 5/1 as a threesome with an 11:24 start close to on time. Conditions first, comments later. Conditions were overall pretty nice. Teeing gr... » More

Out Thursday 5/1 as a threesome with an 11:24 start close to on time. Conditions first, comments later. Conditions were overall pretty nice. Teeing grounds had healthy coverage, most were appropriately level but at least one was side hill enough I elected to tee from next to it than in the more sloped box. Fairways also had good coverage and hitting surface. I don't recall any outstanding exceptions to this. Rough varies a lot here from quite playable to dense brush. It just depends where you are in the route. Bunkers were in good shape with generally clean surfaces. Green surrounds played well enough, sometimes on the tighter side for chipping. Greens were in good shape, reasonably clean and true, at a medium pace. From the conditions, layout and aesthetic perspectives it was a pleasure to play.

As to commentary, I had not played Knollwood for years because of how slow it can get. But one of the group suggested it and, liking the layout a lot, I figured I'd go for it and prepare for the worst. Pretty close. Five and a half hour round. I still enjoyed it because I was mentally prepared and focused on the positives of the day. I'd recommend the course enthusiastically based on conditions, but the reality is it will probably be a good while before I return. Sadly, because while there is a lot about this course to like, the long rounds just seem to be too much of a sure thing here.
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