Used the GK certificate to play a great round at wonderful Cross Creek - an absolute steal for the $32 charged in its current condition, especially on a gorgeous, sunny day. Cross Creek is a tremendo... Continue »

Used the GK certificate to play a great round at wonderful Cross Creek - an absolute steal for the $32 charged in its current condition, especially on a gorgeous, sunny day. Cross Creek is a tremendously fun track with only a very few 'funky' holes. Funky, not quirky - and there is a difference. But for the most part the scenery and layout is simply outstanding and there's never a dull moment when you settle in to each tee box. Long carries, ravines, tree trouble, narrow openings - you name it, it's there to challenge your game. Conditions right now are terrific across the board. The fairways are in excellent shape and you'll have trouble finding a bad lie if you hit a fairway. Sure, there are a very small amount of thin areas where it looks like recent storms did some damage, but overall it's fantastic. The rough is also very thick but not too penalizing - you can definitely work your way out of it. Tee boxes are in fine shape, even the par 3s. And the sand that I did see (only ended up in one bunker on 14) looked very playable - didn't hear a single complaint from any of the fine gentlemen I got paired up with to play. And the greens? Very, very nice. Lots of tough pin placements at Cross Creek so the speed can be tricky, but you'll always get a true roll, no ball marks, and a good surface that holds well struck shots. If there's any gripe at all you could definitely say they should upgrade the carts asap and maybe even invest in some GPS as it's a tough course without intimate knowledge of its contours, but that may actually not be possible - see below. Don't forget that there is absolutely no cell phone reception out there so keep that in mind if scheduling a round. But it's an absolute treat to play this wonderful course right now, made even better by the outstanding GK deal to get it done. Can't wait to go back again.

1/18 using GK $32 voucher (thank you--exceptional value) made the 1 hr 20 min drive well worth it to experience this setting. Played the blues--made for extra work on some of the holes--#2 markers we... Continue »

1/18 using GK $32 voucher (thank you--exceptional value) made the 1 hr 20 min drive well worth it to experience this setting. Played the blues--made for extra work on some of the holes--#2 markers were set back and just dont have that much carry any more.
Fairways mostly green some looked a little thin but lies were quite good. Rough was short did more to slow the ball than inhibit shots-- in fact helped some on fairway metals as the ball sat up as opposed to the tighter lie in the fairway' No issues from the rains comfortably dry with softened turf.
Tees level some with thin cover not affecting play but looking a little worn. Found 3 fairway bunkers which were well groomed with firm playable sand. In 1 green side trap also groomed-- firm but good depth to the sand.
Greens firm smooth and fast--pins often placed near a contour sloping away the hole so a putt that was a little strong could pick up speed and roll out an extra 4-6 feet or coming from the other direction loose speed and take more break--ok so I had a tough putting day but still a great outing.
Course uses a quadrant # system instead of colored flags for pin location--however we didnt have the chart so there was some guessing as many greens are elevated so the flag position was often in question. Never saw any staff on the course and no snack cart.
POP right at 4 hours but playing as a 2some had to wait on the 3some ahead that fell over a hole behind on the 2nd nine.
Overall course is in really good shape challenging scenic and varied layout--a real bargain at $32.

Played Friday 1/06/17 10:45AM, was worried about course conditions as it rained the day before. We played just the 2 of us with cart path only restrictions. As for the course was in great shape desp... Continue »

Played Friday 1/06/17 10:45AM, was worried about course conditions as it rained the day before. We played just the 2 of us with cart path only restrictions. As for the course was in great shape despite the wet weather....Greens were in perfect shape, no water spots and fairway's were also the same with no still water or soggy spots. Only waterlogged fairway was #18 finishing hole. **This was my first time playing this course and i really enjoyed it. Not overly long, with some holes on the narrow side...if you picked the correct sides of the fairway you are in good shape to attack the med sized greens. Front 9 played much easier with holes opening up after #2 and was a rolling links style arrangement with great views of neighboring vineyards. The back was harder as holes started winding towards the foothills and many holes were nestled along large trees and holes were doglegged. For the price we paid $32 rate with GK certificate, it was def worth the drive from OC. We did hit I15 traffic through Temecula and Lake Els. We are def coming back to play in the spring time.

Played 12-15-16 with the GK Guru group getting around in a little under 4 1/2 hours with no waiting and nobody pushing us. Overall course is in good winter condition. Tee boxes were in good shape most... Continue »

Played 12-15-16 with the GK Guru group getting around in a little under 4 1/2 hours with no waiting and nobody pushing us. Overall course is in good winter condition. Tee boxes were in good shape mostly level with a few being a little thin. Fairways were in descent shape, a little thin in areas but mostly good lies. Rough off of fairways was cut low but in good shape and a little longer around the greens and more lush. Didn't go in any bunkers but they looked to be descent. Greens were in nice shape rolling pretty smooth, but a little inconsistent in speed and firmness. Nice secluded area if you want to get away from everything and have a fun day of golf.

Teed it up on a Thursday morning with some fellow GK Review Gurus at CrossCreek. Bagged up with sd3bs. For over 10 years we’ve been interacting yet never shared a round of golf together, what a pleasu... Continue »

Teed it up on a Thursday morning with some fellow GK Review Gurus at CrossCreek. Bagged up with sd3bs. For over 10 years we’ve been interacting yet never shared a round of golf together, what a pleasure to finally do so. Also very enjoyable as always to tee it up with rgm2525 and Boomy. If you’re reading reviews but not writing them, or have not written a review in a while, please do so I can add you to the program and you and start experiencing the fun. This was the last GK Review Guru round of 2016 but 2017 is going to be loaded with them.

As for the golf course, echoing HmtGolfGuy and sd3bs. The greens were in great shape. Rolling fast, smooth and firm. Speeds picked up as the round went on although a little inconsistent in speed at times. Fairways were mostly lush with some thin and on few occasions bare spots. The rough was in pretty much the same shape as the fairways but longer. You could find ball in tough spot in the rough to escape if it was sitting down. I was in a few bunkers greenside but did not experience a fairway bunker (what a change for me! – lol) – but I thought the greenside bunkers were in good shape with quality sand and a little firm. Tee boxes at CrossCreek due to how small they are and iron play sometimes the best option from the tee, did have noticeable divot damage and on some occasions not very level. However I did not have a problem looking and finding a good spot to hit from on every hole. Overall I felt the golf course was in very good shape.

As far the ambiance. To me it is big reason why I play CrossCreek. The seclusion and beautiful surrounding terrain is a such a release. Makes me slow down. Plus as much as I hate it in that I can’t get much cell phone connection, a part of me is grateful for the forced “unplugged” time.

In regards to the layout, there are few holes I dislike and seem quirky like 13, 16 and 18 but on the flip side like or love the rest of them. A trade off I’m always happy to make. The course is very challenging with narrow sloped fairways, trees, elevation changes, and undulating greens. It puts a big demand on your greenside short game if you miss the greens with tough pitch shots. There are lots of doglegs and position golf that needs to be played. It’s a very interesting and fun layout. I would play this course much more often if it were closer to me. Recommended!

Played last Thursday in the GK Guru outing with Bob and Jerry in the first of two groups.

Course was in good condition tee to green with only a couple exceptions. Tees were level and had good co... Continue »

Played last Thursday in the GK Guru outing with Bob and Jerry in the first of two groups.

Course was in good condition tee to green with only a couple exceptions. Tees were level and had good coverage with little divot damage, even on the par 3's. Fairways had a mix of grasses but presented good lies. Rough was fairly thick and lush, definitely affecting most shots so best to be avoided. Fairway bunkers were quite firm, some more like waste areas (best example would be the narrow one on the edge of # 13 just over the canyon, pretty hard and had several decent sized rocks in it).

Greenside bunkers were firm but playable, and there were a few areas around the greens that were cut pretty short as chipping areas. Greens were also fairly firm, definitely had to allow for some roll-out upon landing (I switched balls after a few holes, went from a Wilson Staff Duo to a Snell MTB, BIG difference re: stopping power). Enough ball marks that we could always repair a few extra but within reason. Greens started quick and got faster as they dried a little, if you play here you'll have to allow for grain influence more than most courses.

POP was good, a very relaxed 4 hours (could have easily been 3.5 or so). Cart girl was around a couple times on the front nine, once on the back and we saw a "Player's Assistant" (Marshall) on several occasions.

This course has a wide variety of holes so don't be surprised if you use every club. Front nine is more traditional, back nine has a some "quirky" holes that you have to adapt to (#11, sharp uphill approach; tee shot on #13; approach on #14 and tee shot/approach on #18). Some won't like them, I view them as an "outside the box" challenge (however, #16 drives me nuts!).

Staff was great, they keep a sharp eye on things while remaining very pleasant and helpful.

Possibly the most tranquil course I've played, there are times the only sounds are the birds and your own breathing - if you want to get away from the "house-lined fairways" of so many courses this is about as far away as you can get.

Recommended at their normal pricing - if you can get a discounted rate it's a great choice.

Played here on a nice warm wind free morning Thursday, with the GK group for the first time. Great to finally meet Johnny and a few of the GKer's whose reviews I read on a regular basis. This was th... Continue »

Played here on a nice warm wind free morning Thursday, with the GK group for the first time. Great to finally meet Johnny and a few of the GKer's whose reviews I read on a regular basis. This was the first time up here in about a year for me. The staff is always very friendly and helpful from pro shop to the grounds crew. The first tee was actually dry and firm that day - it was the first time ever I had played here over the years that this was the case! The rest of the tees were also nice and dry with a few being fairly firm, probably in anticipation of the storm that came in that evening. Most of the fairways were a mix of different types of grasses, but were in good enough shape and provided for good lies. The rough was fairly thick on most holes and helped keep off target shots in play. The traps were nicely groomed and trimmed with the usual damp firm sand found in the area. The greens were in great shape and provided for a challenging round of putting as they dried out and sped up! The firmness of most greens made it difficult to stop shots from rolling out and off on a few holes. The serenity of Cross Creek and natural beauty add to the experience to this somewhat remote location. There is a lot of wildlife and great views to offer for those that make the drive up the hill. I definitely recommend that everybody give Cross Creek a try as it is well worth it!!

Played in a GK outing on Thursday, 12/15 at 8 AM. We teed off behind 4-5 groups of regulars who we lost sight of after the first few holes.

Friendly customer service from the Pro shop, starter and ... Continue »

Played in a GK outing on Thursday, 12/15 at 8 AM. We teed off behind 4-5 groups of regulars who we lost sight of after the first few holes.

Friendly customer service from the Pro shop, starter and players assistant.

Nice grass driving range and excellent putting green next to the clubhouse.

Greens: smooth, fast and very firm. I never did get the "feel" for the firm greens.

Fairways: decent winter condition, some thin spots.

Rough: very playable.

Traps: I was in three fairway traps; thin lies.

POP: just over 4 hours.

Very quiet, peaceful location, no freeway noise.

Worth the trip to Temecula if you can get a "deal".

I played with other GK Gurus on Thursday, Dec 15. I play this course a few times a year because I live reasonable close (35 minutes), it's priced fairly, the conditions are usually very good, and the... Continue »

I played with other GK Gurus on Thursday, Dec 15. I play this course a few times a year because I live reasonable close (35 minutes), it's priced fairly, the conditions are usually very good, and the setting is terrific. Quiet, no homes near the course, beautiful old oak trees, and now they have vineyards running through part of it. Cell service on the course is from nonexistent to not very good, so you won't be able to track stock prices or sports scores during the round. I consider that a big plus--fewer distractions and intrusions from the outside world.

The conditions were about average for this time of year, which was a little disappointing because every other time it's been near pristine. The grass is going dormant, the rough is almost nonexistent, and the grass looks like it could use a good soaking (today's rain should help). I was only in one bunker and the sand seemed fine. The greens were in pretty good shape, but the speed seemed to vary from green to green. I hit quite a few putts much too long or much too short, but on the back I seemed to get the hang of it.

I like the layout of the front considerably more than the back, where there are a few head scratchers. Several on the back have blind approach shots. With a cart I drove up to take a look, but if you're walking, well, you might not want to spend the time and energy. By the way, this course is walkable. There are a few long stretches, like from 9 to 10, and a few hills, but overall it wouldn't be too bad, and it's so peaceful walking past those big old oaks that walking would be enjoyable. It takes a few rounds to get the hang of the course, but I kinda like that.

If this course was in Orange County it would be a lot busier and the greens fees would be, I'd guess, about 50% higher. GK and other sites often have deals where you can play for around $40, including a replay. That's quite a deal, and makes the hour+ drive worth it.