Here you go, GK'ers. Here's the "skinny" on The Goose as of 11/1/08.

Arrived at the course at the crack of dawn. With no starting time. Circumstances demanded that we cancel our time at Hidden... Continue »

Here you go, GK'ers. Here's the "skinny" on The Goose as of 11/1/08.

Arrived at the course at the crack of dawn. With no starting time. Circumstances demanded that we cancel our time at Hidden Valley (too bad, I was reading some good reviews and was looking forward to it. Will get out there soon)

Down to a twosome (from our usual four), we show up in the parking lot at 6:00 A.M. - walk right intothe pro-shop (where coffee is already brewing!) and get the friendly front-desk staff to put first up on the waiting list.

Dawn arrives at promptly 6:30... and we are called just as the first group is teeing off. Paid our money and headed right out. We were the fourth group off. Balls-in-the-air at 7:10 A.M. for us. That alone is great!

But wait, there's more!

Overall, the fairways are simply in pristine condition. Considering that the overseeding just happened last month, the winter-strain of ryegrass has really taken well. Perhaps there are a few areas which are a bit over-watered, but they really are lush and thick. The ball sits up well and they are beautiful to look at.

The greens are dartboard soft and hold like super-glue. Overall, I'd have to rate them as being "medium-slow", but they are very readable and predictable. True, I've played The Goose when the greens have been a bit smoother, but I have no real complaints about today. The green on the par-five 7th hole shows a bit of a "fungus among-us" - but it seemed to be limited to the area in the very front-edge of the green only. Even with an "up" pin-placement, it did not really have an effect on play.

Saw the cart-girl three times. Becoming a rarity at some of the local courses early in the day.

Here is the best part: The pace of play at The Goose first-thing on Saturdays is such a pleasure to behold. The early groups just KNOW that they are going to "set the pace" for the rest of the day, and they really seem to take that responsibility to heart. We did our best to stay on the heels of the group in front of us, but they played at a truly brisk pace. I don't think we waited more than a few seconds on any shot during the entire round. What a pleasure!! I KNOW that the group behind us didn't have to wait for us at all, until on #17 when we had an errant lost ball in the long rough over by the 15th tee box (with the match still on the line!)

In general, the rough all over the course was really lush and pretty long (for The Goose) and - due to the dampness of the day and a lot of watering, was like hitting out of Romaine lettuce at times. Made you want to keep your ball in the short-grass, which is not all that difficult on this course. Goose Creek is pretty forgiving.

If you've never played Goose Creek, do yourself the favor and get out there! If you're a regular, it's a great time to experience the course in near-peak conditions!

Thanks to the staff for getting us right out on a busy Saturday...and for the hard work out ON the course in keeping it one of the real gems of So. Cal. golf.

Oh. In case you are wondering: Three-hours and forty-five minutes. Tee-off to clubhouse. I was in my car heading home by 11:00 A.M.

That's for a foursome. Of regular-old, every-day golfers. Scores in the mid-to high 80's. With one guy walking.

Once again, "proof-positive" that five (and six!!) hour rounds of golf should be declared a "crime against humanity"!!!

On the "Cheeseburger Scale of Enjoyment": FIVE STARS!

Played Thursday 10/30, AM. While the course was in typical good shape in general- the greens were not. They'd been punched sometime in the not too distant past. They were still quite bumpy, not near a... Continue »

Played Thursday 10/30, AM. While the course was in typical good shape in general- the greens were not. They'd been punched sometime in the not too distant past. They were still quite bumpy, not near as fast as usual, and pretty much had no break to them. Courses need to do maintenance- but it would've been nice to know about the condition ahead of time!! There are a couple of things The Goose really needs to think about fixing! 1- MARSHALLS. They need some. The only one we saw was hurrying folks along who were in front of a CIF tournie that was starting. Where were they while we waited repeatedly for the foursome in front of us to get a move on? No one in front of them, we were also a foursome, and we drove up to find them still on the TEE many times! 2- if you don't want to hire TWO cart girls during the week then do not give your ONE cart girl a 45 minute lunch break! Her break happened at, surprise, lunchtime. Which means all the hungry golfers on the course were without food OR drink for hours. Nice.
However over all this is still a GREAT place to play, nicely maintained, very playable without being boring, great rates!!!

Played 10/28/08 this course never disappoints. They always have the course in great shape. The grass is green and growing well with overseed. greens roll nice have about another week till wont notice ... Continue »

Played 10/28/08 this course never disappoints. They always have the course in great shape. The grass is green and growing well with overseed. greens roll nice have about another week till wont notice the aeration of greens. Soft and hold ball nicely.

played on 10/23.... what a track 1-18 the best layout i've seen since paradise knolls. I couldn't believe how good the water on the course tasted... and the ball washers had clean towels!!!!!!! The st... Continue »

played on 10/23.... what a track 1-18 the best layout i've seen since paradise knolls. I couldn't believe how good the water on the course tasted... and the ball washers had clean towels!!!!!!! The staff was very helpful and wide awake. cant wait to go back

I played Saturday at 0800. One of our group overslept and the staff was kind enough to move up a couple of other foursomes who were willing to go early.

The course was a bit wet in spots, but other... Continue »

I played Saturday at 0800. One of our group overslept and the staff was kind enough to move up a couple of other foursomes who were willing to go early.

The course was a bit wet in spots, but otherwise outstanding as usual. We finished in four hours flat.

The real story here is CUSTOMER SERVICE!

I can't say enough good things about the staff at Goose Creek. Genuine, friendly, knowledgable, and every one really gives a d%mn about your experience there. This even extends to the staff on the 19th hole. A special thanks to Jim and Jerry for their EXCELLENT customer service! Whatever they pay you guys, it's not enough!!

Thanks Again!
Andy

Played Friday the 19th. We love the course and conditions were fine for the time of year. they've already started some overseeding. #6 fairway was off limits and soggy. Some tee boxes were oversee... Continue »

Played Friday the 19th. We love the course and conditions were fine for the time of year. they've already started some overseeding. #6 fairway was off limits and soggy. Some tee boxes were overseeded and soppy as well. But, hey, it's that time of year. We knew this going in but wanted to get a round in here before they really tear it up. We'll be happy to go back in November when everything has recovered.

Ahhh,, the Goose,,, always a fun experience. But, and I hate following Father Cheesburger on these sad days,, BUT,, the greens are a little messed up. A couple have a drainage, fungus,or just dead are... Continue »

Ahhh,, the Goose,,, always a fun experience. But, and I hate following Father Cheesburger on these sad days,, BUT,, the greens are a little messed up. A couple have a drainage, fungus,or just dead areas on the outer edges. Some have spots, dry spots. It is obvious they had to cut them low for the big deal tournys and then the heat got to them. They are addressing this and they placed the pins where it doesnt get in the way much. We are sooo used to the goose being in PERFECT shape this was a shocker. Now it isnt THAT bad, still a great track, still very playable, fairways are great, and staff as usual is terrific. We would play again tomorrow.

Played Saturday (8/30) 7:16 AM start time, runnng a little behind, we were told....still got us out by 7:18. Four hours even. Great pace.

Greens painfully slow, but they looked great. They look... Continue »

Played Saturday (8/30) 7:16 AM start time, runnng a little behind, we were told....still got us out by 7:18. Four hours even. Great pace.

Greens painfully slow, but they looked great. They looked like they'd be faster. They were not.

Overall The Goose is in fine shape....fairways, tees and greens are great GUR...no real effect on play.

Keep up the good work.

Played Friday 8/29. I enjoy the lay out of Goose. It has a nice mix of short and long par 4s and the golfer has shot options around the greens (flop, pitch, bump & run, putter, etc). Over all the cou... Continue »

Played Friday 8/29. I enjoy the lay out of Goose. It has a nice mix of short and long par 4s and the golfer has shot options around the greens (flop, pitch, bump & run, putter, etc). Over all the course is in fine shape with one small exception; some greens have patchy spots primarily around the edges but it really didn't affect play. Otherwise the greens rolled well. Goose is a great course and well worth the money.