Treated son in law Monday morning at 9:22 paired with a younger twosome. Started off overcast then sun broke through on 6th with temperatures rising up to our 1:40 finish. Groups ahead and behind kept... Continue »

Treated son in law Monday morning at 9:22 paired with a younger twosome. Started off overcast then sun broke through on 6th with temperatures rising up to our 1:40 finish. Groups ahead and behind kept orderly pace only short waiting for putting out on par 3s. Clubhouse, starter, marshal and cart guys all friendly and helpful for first time visitors. 2 day tournament over the weekend probably contributed to several tee boxes (blue & white) many divots and repaired pitch marks on receptive greens. Did fix four or five marks on each green most likely from the groups ahead of us. Course was green some areas a bit wet early drying out on back nine. In three fluffy traps got out easy another was troublesome for my guest! Though marked up the greens putted smoothly a bit above medium fast speed. Fairways mostly good coverage a few thin areas were marked as GUR. Rough didn't hide ball or greatly hinder shots but our pairing partners made quite a few donations to the mature coastal sage environmental areas. Running waterfalls at 18th green and full lake added to the nice views throughout course. Enjoyable day but price will limit my play to special occasions.

Finally cashed in that Golf Moose voucher ($140 for two at noon) on Sat at Strawberry Farms, one of my favorite OC courses. Just a gorgeous day for golf, went out with 3 buds and got around in a bit ... Continue »

Finally cashed in that Golf Moose voucher ($140 for two at noon) on Sat at Strawberry Farms, one of my favorite OC courses. Just a gorgeous day for golf, went out with 3 buds and got around in a bit over 4 hrs, no waiting (let a couple 2-somes play thru). Bermuda filling in, getting green, and in good condition although some of the landing areas had many unfilled divots with some thin areas to navigate. Rough not difficult, very playable and mostly full. Greens were holding shots and very few unrepaired ball marks which was nice to see, rolling true at medium speed. Bunkers had ample sand, a few foot prints from careless clientele. Best part was the scenery, especially the back nine with the reservoir full to the brim. Wildlife abound, just nice to take it all in. Real nice track back there with no homes. Would play here more often but the rack rate is over the top ... they do offer a decent senior rate everyday but Sat. Weekday twi-light is right around the bend. Recommended, if you get a deal.

I played here Monday, Feb. 11. Wow, was I disappointed. The course charges a premium but is not up to snuff. Yes, we've had a lot of rain so conditions weren't expected to be pristine, but Monarch ... Continue »

I played here Monday, Feb. 11. Wow, was I disappointed. The course charges a premium but is not up to snuff. Yes, we've had a lot of rain so conditions weren't expected to be pristine, but Monarch Beach and Arrowood are in far superior condition. The greens were generally fine, although a few had dead spots. Plus, they remove circular plugs of grass about 6 or so inches in diameter on the edge of the green, sometimes with a long row of 10 or more on a green. That makes putting through it from the fringe a non-starter. You might expect to see this at a muni, but not at these prices.

The fairways were in very rough shape, with very few spots where grass is growing normally. Fortunately the sample size is small, but the bunkers I were in seemed fine and well drained. Much of the deep rough was in very poor condition. The trees and brush lining the fairways had a lot of trash in it that just sending out the ground screw to clean up would make the course more appealing.

I don't know if the course was just more impacted than all the rain than other course I play, but it was not at all an upscale experience. Very disappointing.

Walked strawberry farms this morning 2/6. Reading recent reviews had low expectations, but course wasn’t too shabby other than the soft and wet fairways from the recent rain. Greens were actually nice... Continue »

Walked strawberry farms this morning 2/6. Reading recent reviews had low expectations, but course wasn’t too shabby other than the soft and wet fairways from the recent rain. Greens were actually nice other than being a little bit soft and leaving spike marks from the moisture on the course. Tee boxes were overseeded and looked nice but could use a little bit of trimming. Fairways and rough are the standard dormant grass throughout most courses in OC. Bunkers were horrible, hard to tell if it’s just from all the rain or if they are always this bad. Other than the bunkers though, I’d say the course is worth playing right now and nothing major to complain about.

Played on 12/24 at 11 with a hot deal for $54 or so. Staff was nice all the way around. POP was a touch over 4 hours. I began to get worried by the state of the putting greens and I was not wrong. ... Continue »

Played on 12/24 at 11 with a hot deal for $54 or so. Staff was nice all the way around. POP was a touch over 4 hours. I began to get worried by the state of the putting greens and I was not wrong.

Tee boxes: 5/10. Adequate coverage but plenty of divots on the par threes and really uneven. There were several spots were I found the ball to be above my feet or below by a noticeable margin.
Fairways: 6/10. Probably the redeeming quality of the course atm. Good coverage, not thin really anywhere. Dormant yellow/green. Good run out.
Rough: 6/10. It was patchy but present and helped keep some balls of my playing partners in play. I would think it added about a club or a half club.
Bunkers: 5/10. Really thin on the front. Every shot had the bounce for all players in our group resulting in some thin shot. Back was complete opposite in the one I found, which had too much sand.
Greens: 4/10. Really bad. I would say the worst greens I can remember playing last year. Medium speed but pot marked, and as a previous reviewer said seemed to be infected with some fungus or secondary grass making for bumpy putts all day.

Despite my nostalgic fondness for this course and my love of the design it is in poor shape. I would come back at $50 mainly for the convenience but there is no way anyone should pay the rack rate right now, complete rip off. Save the money and go elsewhere.

Saturday Nov. 16 10:30 tee time POP 4 hrs 30 minutes Arrived about 45 minutes prior to tee times. Pulled up to the bag drop and was met there with assistance in unloading out clubs. Carpooling 4 play... Continue »

Saturday Nov. 16 10:30 tee time POP 4 hrs 30 minutes Arrived about 45 minutes prior to tee times. Pulled up to the bag drop and was met there with assistance in unloading out clubs. Carpooling 4 players and 4 bags. All unloaded and checked in. Practice facility was in good shape with yardage markers clearly identified. Hitting off the turf, which I prefer. Two practice putting greens. Not really indicative of the course greens, but it’s just warm up. Headed out to the first tee right on time. The course is very well maintained. Tee boxes very good, fairways were just about I was expecting. It’s early winter golf. There was very good coverage, about a 70-30 with good growth vs dormant, but even the dormant areas were good and playable. I only found one bunker, the fill was shallow. Maybe 2 inches on the top layer with harderpact below. My wedge bounced up real quick. The only minus I would give the course. The greens were still a little bumpy from punching about 2 weeks ago. I’d say about 85% recovered. The greens on the front nine were a little better and the speed was much different from the back. The backside were lightning fast. I’d say this track is a must play, the design and layout provided a good test of shot selection and skill. Holes 16 and 18 were probably my two favorite.

This course is a $50 course at best. Sand traps are either thin or dirt. Greens are horrible, too thick, slow and with fungus. Fairways are thin, rough is inconsistent. OC golfers have low standar... Continue »

This course is a $50 course at best. Sand traps are either thin or dirt. Greens are horrible, too thick, slow and with fungus. Fairways are thin, rough is inconsistent. OC golfers have low standards for what they get for $120, because it seems always be busy. For the money, Oak Creek is twice the course.

It has been more than 10 years since I played here. Unfortunately the greens fees have become too steep to make it a regularly visited course. I forgot the course layout and the difficulty of some ... Continue »

It has been more than 10 years since I played here. Unfortunately the greens fees have become too steep to make it a regularly visited course. I forgot the course layout and the difficulty of some of the holes. Course knowledge is a must as there are some blind shots like Hole #18. Overall the course is in good condition. Some of the greens have been hit by the heat with some bald spots especially in the edges. They are keeping them damp to combat the damage. POP was less than 4 hours. Carts do not have GPS which is unacceptable for a course that charges high green fees. Overall nice round but probably won't be back unless a special rate is provided.

Played Strawberry Farms today 3/26/18. Course is in good condition with greening fairways and descent rough. Greens were in good condition and rolled about a 10. Typical problems though showed on all ... Continue »

Played Strawberry Farms today 3/26/18. Course is in good condition with greening fairways and descent rough. Greens were in good condition and rolled about a 10. Typical problems though showed on all greens, Failure to repair or poorly repaired ball marks. Bunkers were somewhat wet and sticky and have the usual concerns that always present here, minimal sand and poor coverage. Without wind this course in normally manageable for me playing from blues, however today was a tad windy on course and I struggled for that distance. My other problem here is pace of play or lack there of 5+ hour round today. Several zig zag groups ahead of us all in foursomes (3). Still think the price here is a bit over what the rack should be.