This is going to be a very snapshot in time review but it might be helpful for those who want to play the course right after the farmer's. Got to play... » More

This is going to be a very snapshot in time review but it might be helpful for those who want to play the course right after the farmer's. Got to play the north yesterday while the pros were finishing up their final round on the south and it was an incredible experience to get to play the same set up as the pros did thursday/friday. same pins, same green speeds, same rough. so if you want to test your game and see how you'd do, no better time than right after the tournament.

To me, the course conditions were absolutely perfect. tee boxes were all mint, fairways were absolutely perfect (never seen fairway divots filled so exquisitely), greens were running at 12 and it was a nightmare (for me), and the rough was a monster. Finding a ball just a few yards off the fairway was an adventure. Only managed to lose one on my second shot on the par 5 10th which was kind of blind but when i hit it i thought it'd be in the middle of the fairway. Was in a number of traps and they were all perfect; was able to get a good lie and nip the ball and get spin each time. I'm forever spoiled now.

Walking the course under picture perfect postcard skies just made it that much more enjoyable. Could have played better, but the memories of that experience are what i'm going to remember most. If you're somehow able to get on and play in the next few weeks i can not recommend it enough. good luck if you do tho!
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Played the other Downey course on Saturday 1/24 with a 10:23 tee time. POP here is notoriously bad, and maybe it's because i imagined we'd have a 6 ho... » More

Played the other Downey course on Saturday 1/24 with a 10:23 tee time. POP here is notoriously bad, and maybe it's because i imagined we'd have a 6 hour round that i felt the POP was good since we finished in "only" 5 hours. Amazingly we started off exactly on time then crawled around the front nine waiting on every box, but things did open up slightly on the back.

I have to say that conditions were pretty good. Tee boxes were in decent shape and level, fairways had good coverage that gave you adequate lies; off the fairway you could find a variety of lies from some taller grass to dirt and pine straws but in general it was fine and playable. bunkers could also have sand or not, so beware. greens were in good shape, some had a good number of unfixed pitch marks, but nothing terrible. speeds were medium.

It's a fun track with a mostly wide open front that gets somewhat tighter on the back. Just go in thinking you'll have a 6 hour round and you'll have a good time.
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Rolled the dice a bit and took an 11:56 tee time and walked the blues on Sunday 1/25, hoping to finish before dark, and we did, just barely. POP is al... » More

Rolled the dice a bit and took an 11:56 tee time and walked the blues on Sunday 1/25, hoping to finish before dark, and we did, just barely. POP is always an issue on weekends here, with long waits on every tee box; front was about 3 hours and the back picked up slightly at about 2.15. Still a long round which makes it hard to find a rhythm, but it was a beautiful day and the course was in generally good shape.

Tee boxes were mostly level and in good condition. Fairways were on the thin side and because of the undulation of the fairways on certain holes, balls tend to all collect in the same area and lucky for me my ball managed to find a divot on a few occasions. Rough was generally cut down and easy to play from. bunkers were mostly hardpan with minimal sand. Greens were in pretty good shape rolling medium fast; chips onto the green had good roll out.

At least with the brutal POP there was a drink cart that circulated and even with how slow it is i still find it a fun track and a good test of accuracy off the tee and fun holes that make you think about how to play them.
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