Booked a round through the new Echelon app. The process is surprisingly easy and the service charge was minimal. As they add more hosts, the app could become a primary resource for access to private... Continue »

Booked a round through the new Echelon app. The process is surprisingly easy and the service charge was minimal. As they add more hosts, the app could become a primary resource for access to private clubs. Teed off at 7AM as a 4some. POP 3:45. Course was lush and green. Typical of what you would expect from a private club. Greens were running smooth and fast, but receptive to approaches. Bunkers were perfect; lush with a firm layer underneath. Tee boxes were flat and green. This course is definitely a fun entertaining layout. The front nine starts out in the valley below the clubhouse before crossing the street and ending in the foothills. The last stretch of holes is called Donner Pass by members because it tends to "eat you alive." The course is forgiving save for a few holes with tight lines. There are alot of dogleg left holes. As a fade hitter, I was surprised how much I enjoy the layout. You will have a bunch of short par-4's coupled with some brutally long par 5's. The signature hole is the 10th which plays from an elevated tee over a pond with waterfalls. It definitely becomes more interesting as the round progresses. While this might not be considered a premier CC or maybe even a "hidden gem." The course definitely has character and chutzpah. A classic Billy Bell design that has more than enough bite to challenge any golfer. The service at the club is top notch and, most importantly, the members are friendly and inviting.

Played a wonderful little twilight round on Friday at South Hills CC and what a great time it was. I wasn't expecting too much from SHCC in terms of layout and challenge, but it exceeded all my expect... Continue »

Played a wonderful little twilight round on Friday at South Hills CC and what a great time it was. I wasn't expecting too much from SHCC in terms of layout and challenge, but it exceeded all my expectations across the board. We played from the white tees and enjoyed a wonderfully well manicured course that seemed to keep getting better and better with every hole. The front nine is of course very nice in terms of conditions, but is almost park-like in its flatness and pattern around the property. But slowly each new hole takes on a much more thrilling character and by the time you reach the back nine, every hole is distinct, challenging and inspiring. The best hole? For me it has to be the par 4 16th. From the highest point on the grounds and with Mt. Baldy looming large in the background, a gorgeous fairway invites you to try your luck down the middle, then bends down and to the left towards a challenging green with trouble in the form of bunkers, wind calculation and an awkward slope. The view from the tee box is terrific. South Hills simply keeps getting better and better with each hole, and that is a rarity. It's great fun and there really are some tricky angles to navigate, but if you do, the rewards are really, well, rewarding. I have been to private courses that had more lush fairways from tee to green, but only a very few holes had a trouble spot here or there. For the most part, ample coverage and almost always a perfectly good lie. The rough was certainly penal and served its purpose to nudge you towards the fairways. Bunkers were in pretty darn good shape. Again, have seen fluffier elsewhere, but complaints would be seriously nit-picking in this case. And the tee boxes were fantastic - all level, well covered, and nicely positioned for the hole before you. Greens were in very nice shape and running around 11 to 11.5. Challenging! Certainly want to stay beneath the holes here or your putts can run away from you very quickly. For some reason though I was dialed in with the flat stick and was pretty excited to count only 28 putts at the end of my round, especially for a tough track I'd never played before. I had not heard much about South Hills before I had the chance to play, but I won't forget the name anytime soon. I look forward to coming out again in the near future if I'm lucky enough to get the invite one more time. Great time had by all.

I played in a charity golf tournament , West Covina Golf Classic (Kiwanis Club), on Sept 28, 2015. This course is in outstanding condition, The tee boxes are flat, firm and lush. The fairways are in e... Continue »

I played in a charity golf tournament , West Covina Golf Classic (Kiwanis Club), on Sept 28, 2015. This course is in outstanding condition, The tee boxes are flat, firm and lush. The fairways are in excellent condition, after the over seeding. The rough is about 1-3", so diffidently playable. The greens rolled true, with a medium to fast on the stimp. Bunker are fluffy with good quality sand. The lay out is fun and challenging. You will use your complete bag of clubs throughout your round, because of the different shots you will approach.
Because it is a private club, you should play this course if you ever get invited, or if you have an opportunity to play in a charity tournament.