El Cariso is the local seedy bar of golf courses. Most people that don't live near it - don't realize it exists but for the locals - it's a staple. Conditions of the club house with it's 2x4 holding... Continue »

El Cariso is the local seedy bar of golf courses. Most people that don't live near it - don't realize it exists but for the locals - it's a staple. Conditions of the club house with it's 2x4 holding up the bathroom sink, the tired driving range with hard mats and cheap ball trays and the course itself are the golf equivalents of ratty barstools, peeling paint and sticky floors.

As and outsider, I'm only there because it's walking distance from my father in-law who is a Tuesday regular along with all the other Tuesday regulars. It's a cruel par 62 course for the regulars with half of the holes being too challenging for the clientele. Water, barrancas, OB, trees in the fairway and a smattering of long holes make all but a couple of holes an easy place to post a big number - usually my handicap is worse for a go around this track.

I would guess that El Cariso watered and little else during the closure time. Even after a couple of weeks off the rough is US Open length. Every shot must be watched carefully and then finding a shot isn't guaranteed. I found 3 balls in the vicinity of where we expected to find a tee shot 10 feet off the fairway but never found the actual ball. Strokes lost this way can be made up with the above ground cups that improve putting stats. Greens were ok, with medium speed and relatively smooth despite tiny holes punched in them. Where mowed, fairways were in good shape, tee boxes lush and better than usual. No bunkers for me - so no report.

This added difficulty did not go over well with the locals - it was like they decided to have craft beer and cocktail day for the budwiser and whisky crowd.