Got an 11:00 start as single joining another single and a twosome, all playing the whites. Probably 20-something years since I've played here, I was f... » More

Got an 11:00 start as single joining another single and a twosome, all playing the whites. Probably 20-something years since I've played here, I was favorably impressed and it felt a step above average my average muni experiences. Teeing grounds were level with consistent, tight coverage that was worn close to more of a suggestion of coverage at times in the hitting zone. As these are teeing areas, i.e. using a tee to set up the ball, I saw no issues with them. The ground is firm and sometimes required a little extra to get the tee set. Fairways were nice: good hitting surface, a little on the tight side with good roll, visually clean and generally consistent. Rough varied greatly. Usually playable fairway adjacent, but also extensive areas of chips/dirt a little beyond that. There are also areas around the property with trees, foliage and weedy undergrowth that has become lush with the rain and it can be easy to lose balls there. I was in way too many bunkers so I can vouch for the condition which is generally pretty clean, firm-ish with good sand on which the ball sat up more than not. Green surrounds were clean and good for short game, albeit frequently more on the tight than lush side. Greens were firm and ran at a good quick speed that was not excessive. Where repaired, they tend to show ball mark scars even though those visual traces don't impact the roll. There is a firm, sandy quality to the soil that requires a little more attention and effort with the tool to repair pitch marks. Most greens had some element of contour and I enjoyed putting on them.

I'd had my eye out to catch a round here with my regular golf buddy, but I never saw availability late in the week when we play. As it was a Tuesday (my birthday) and I was going single, I was able to score the booking on short notice. In addition to the nice overall conditions, the group ahead pulled away while the trailing group was usually about a hole behind, so we had a sense (illusion) of an uncrowded course and our own pace (4.5 hrs). There were a couple of negatives to mention. First is the proximity of the freeway and that noise, especially for holes closer to it. Because it is constant, I treat it as white noise and it really doesn't bother or faze me, but for some it would definitely be a consideration. The other issue was odors, at least on that day. They were patching the clubhouse roof, so there was the tar smell in that vicinity. Closer to the freeway and the construction areas that are still active was a smell somewhere between sulfurous and sewage wafting about. It was somewhat localized but not insignificant, and in the vein of "know before you go" be forewarned. Again, I observed it, but it wasn't going to ruin my round nor would it keep me away. Bottom line, I was impressed with the improvements and conditions and will definitely look forward to playing here again.
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Out Friday 1/16 @12:30 as twosome with another twosome, they playing blues and us whites. Overall conditions are pretty decent, predominantly green an... » More

Out Friday 1/16 @12:30 as twosome with another twosome, they playing blues and us whites. Overall conditions are pretty decent, predominantly green and minimal lingering wetness issues from the rains. The teeing grounds here are generally level and, with a few spotty exceptions, the coverage is good enough. Fairways were in good shape and I can't think of any issues when I was hitting from them. The rough was mostly green and the length usually not overly punitive. I was only in one bunker and while the sand was OK, it needed some grooming. I happen to be in the exact place in that bunker in a previous round and the lie was a little better this time. Green surrounds were grown in, varied in length, but were usually good for short game — some exceptions where the grass was a touch thinner and the underlying soil was sticky damp could trip you up for a chunk. You can compensate for this if you are paying attention. The greens definitely had quickness to them. I p'd away numerous good par opportunities by letting the first putt get away from me and did not sufficiently adjust. So atypical 3-putts were my nemesis of the day. Too bad because the speed was good. I've noticed here that greens don't necessarily look great when they are actually performing pretty well, so don't let it distract you.

It was a sunny, warm afternoon, unusually devoid of any noticeable breeze throughout. A couple of choke points made for a sluggish round at about 4.75 hrs. Beautiful sunset. We pushed through and finished 18 in the gloom but we weren't the last ones in. The other twosome were pleasant and it was a good time.
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Took a chance and played today. In short, it was the trudge in the mud. The greens were nice but the rest was anything from damp to wet to standing wa... » More

Took a chance and played today. In short, it was the trudge in the mud. The greens were nice but the rest was anything from damp to wet to standing water to the aforementioned mud. No power carts at this time. Give it a week. Wouldn't be reasonable to seriously rate it before that. If they are offering carts again, that will be a clue.
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Out Friday 12/19 with a 12:20 start, joining a twosome and sharing a cart with another single. Something that has become more standard lately rather t... » More

Out Friday 12/19 with a 12:20 start, joining a twosome and sharing a cart with another single. Something that has become more standard lately rather than issuing you a separate cart. One played the blues (and further) the rest of us the whites. Overall conditions were pretty decent all around for this time of year. Teeing grounds not usually an issue here, so no real complaints. Fairways had some occasional thin or wet patches but overall were well covered. Where there was grass, the rough was usually playable with little or no penalty to it. I was in two bunkers with one on the firm side and damp while the other one was dry but had a little extra depression at the bottom that created a problematic lie. Probably not the case in most of the other bunkers, but some issues in my limited experience. Green surrounds were playable enough, if occasionally on the tighter side. Greens themselves were tight, played firm but took deep pitch marks. Not a pristine surface but played cleaner than it looked. I had a much better than average putting day so they must have been true enough and I enjoyed them. I seemed to have the pace dialed in all day.

Pace of play was slower on the front but seemed better on the back. We probably got around in 4.5 hrs or so, finishing in the dusk but enough light that we were not the last group coming in. I enjoyed it. Recommended.
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Played Woodley yesterday 12/4 with a 12:20 start, riding with another single joining a walking twosome. We all played the whites. To the point, the co... » More

Played Woodley yesterday 12/4 with a 12:20 start, riding with another single joining a walking twosome. We all played the whites. To the point, the course is in good all around shape, with exceptions. The recent rains have given it some greening up and, fortunately, I saw no remaining indications that that the course resides in a flood basin. Although there can be thinner spots beneath the green on the fairways, they are generally pretty good. Teeing grounds here are always good, bunkers were reasonably clean and no complaints abut the sand. Rough here is rarely an issue and very playable while the greens and complexes were mostly in good playing shape with the greens running a nice medium — mostly. The exceptions are greens 8, 14 and 16 which were all sanded. Not mentioned at the course or in the most recent GK post, we were all a little surprised when we arrived on these greens. They all have at least a little elevation to them so you don't know before you actual arrive at the green. They ran obviously slower than the other greens but were playable. If you aren't too fussy, I wouldn't let it dissuade you from playing here as the overall course and majority of greens are fine. If you are that fussy, I'm not sure why you are at Woodley, but now you know before you go. Give them a week.

The weather was gorgeous and it was a perfect day to be out on the course. The kind of day that makes you grateful you are in SoCal in December. Some breeze came up mid round but didn't last. Pace was very good and we got around in 4.25 hours with plenty of light right before sunset. No regrets.
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