Played Soboba for the first time on 8/13/14 with GKer HmtGolfGuy, on a hot sunny day with very little wind. I’d read many positive reviews on this place and was looking forward to playing it. Getting ... Continue »

Played Soboba for the first time on 8/13/14 with GKer HmtGolfGuy, on a hot sunny day with very little wind. I’d read many positive reviews on this place and was looking forward to playing it. Getting there was an eye-opener – after exiting the 60 east of Moreno Valley, I got into some way-out-there territory that was hot, dry, and pretty desolate. Passed the closed-down Quail Ranch GC and scattered indicators of civilization before coming into San Jacinto. Soboba is a place you have to want to get to – there’s no “just driving by” for this place.

More than anything else, the course reminds me of the Sycuan Resort courses in San Diego – fairly flat, tree-lined fairways and greens that are small without too much undulation. Doglegs are defined by trees and sand with water scattered throughout. Overall a nice visual presentation. Range was on grass, the clubhouse was comfortable and functional, and staff was friendly. Cost was great at $29 including cart.

Not sure about the bag drop because Ron met me at the car with the cart. Check-in was quick as he was already booked in. No GPS on the cart, and the yardage book available is a “pro caddy” style that probably makes sense to GKer Addicted2golf but not so much to me [guy at the desk told me that Fred Funk’s caddy put it together – LOL]. Ron’s phone GPS died of power loss on the back nine, so we spent some additional time trying to figure out the “yardage rock” system and looking for sprinkler heads.

The course was in very good condition and was fun to play. Tees were set up pretty narrow but were all in good shape, including the par 3s. Fairway and rough cuts were well defined, with both being consistent and giving good lies. There were a few scattered bare spots in some fairways, many seeming to be on the inner shoulders of some fairway bunkers. I was in several sand traps and found the quality consistently good, with fine coverage and depth of playing surface. Greens are smallish and generally round or oval shaped, sloped back to front, and without much tiering or undulation. Only a few of the greens were even moderately pitched in terms of slope – most are only gentle rises toward the back of the green. Very few ball marks, and greens rolled well at medium speed.

I enjoyed the round here and Ron’s company, but would not likely make another trip out to Soboba for just a casual round. I’d head over to Moreno Valley Ranch or go on to Morongo or Oak Valley if I’m driving that far.

Played with sixpez and Itslikeimsayin and can't really add anymore to their reviews.
POP was a little over 4 hours. I thought the bunkers were very good, tee boxes were good (I thought the grass was... Continue »

Played with sixpez and Itslikeimsayin and can't really add anymore to their reviews.
POP was a little over 4 hours. I thought the bunkers were very good, tee boxes were good (I thought the grass was a little high) fairways good and the greens soft and putted a little slow.

Not much to add to sixpez's review. The greens ran slower than they looked like they would, but they are still good. Not sure if that was just due to the moisture in the air or because they're so soft... Continue »

Not much to add to sixpez's review. The greens ran slower than they looked like they would, but they are still good. Not sure if that was just due to the moisture in the air or because they're so soft.

Overall, course is good shape but there are a few spots here and there of clumpy grass and bare dirt, especially in the rough. Bunkers I was in were mostly good. Tee boxes good, fairways good (except for the occasional bare spots).

Played this morning with GKers kg1791 and Itslikeimsayin. I was the third wheel witness to the GK Cup West region final match. Really overcast and cool this morning and even sprinkled some rain on us ... Continue »

Played this morning with GKers kg1791 and Itslikeimsayin. I was the third wheel witness to the GK Cup West region final match. Really overcast and cool this morning and even sprinkled some rain on us a couple times. We had a 7:20 tee time and played as a threesome. The foursome right ahead of us was a bit slow and generally a hole behind, so they let us through at the turn. Didn't make a huge difference and the overall pace was still nice around 4:15 or so. $38 rate with cart hard to beat on a Saturday morning. The course was in mostly good shape, but not nearly as nice as normal here. I'd say about 70% good and 30% bad. There were a few big dead patches in a handful of fairways, which you don't usually see at Soboba. For the most part, though, the fairways were pretty good. The rough was a bit of a mixed bag, though. Some tee boxes seemed a little shaggy, but they were level and it was always easy to find a good teeing spot. I was in a couple bunkers and they were kind of heavy damp sand. A little crusty on top, but just soft enough underneath. The greens were smooth and soft, rolling quite slow with the dampness. I always enjoy Soboba and it's worth the trek out to the middle of nowhere for a quality course at a good price. I still probably prefer the old front/back routing and I miss the strategy of what used to be the par-5 16th with the trees in the middle (now a pretty wide open par-4 as the 7th hole), but these are minor quibbles.

Played today in a GK Cup match w/Hollis. Probably a coincidence, but it seems like I'm really good at booking times on days they've got events - last time out was the opening day of the Big West NCAA... Continue »

Played today in a GK Cup match w/Hollis. Probably a coincidence, but it seems like I'm really good at booking times on days they've got events - last time out was the opening day of the Big West NCAA Conference tournament, today it was day two of a Golden State Tour event! We were paired up with another twosome and all four of us struggled at times, but POP was still right at 4 hours without trying to push it.

Course was in very good shape, a handful of dry/patchy spots but nothing significant. As to be expected during a tournament, the greens were excellent, rolled true and FAST - one of the other two had a downhill putt on #8 that seemed like it was going to be a good 8 feet short and ended up rolling in for a birdie! Tee boxes were great, even the par 3's showed very little divot wear. Sand was a little heavy but that's about the only complaint.

Summer rates thru September are outstanding - full rack rate is thirty five weekdays, 38 weekends for PRIME TIME (can even get less on their website). No wonder GK rates it best value for all of SoCal.

Played 5/29, here at one of my favorites in the IE. After I told my group I made reservation here, one told me they had just punched the greens a couple of weeks ago. Whoops! Forgot to check.
No pro... Continue »

Played 5/29, here at one of my favorites in the IE. After I told my group I made reservation here, one told me they had just punched the greens a couple of weeks ago. Whoops! Forgot to check.
No problem though, the greens were healing nicely a head of schedule, I would have guessed they were punched about 4 weeks ago. No sand at all, just a bit bumpier and slower than usual, normally quick here, now med-fast and straight.
The rest of the course was in great shape, with only some brown spots in the fairway and rough, from the heat.
Had the course to ourselves! Couldn't believe it. Wonderful time, always worth the drive and fee.

Played Sat 5/24 with a buddy on a misty morning. Very quick POP....like 4:15. Green still healing from being punched a couple weeks ago......many very very slow. If anything I'd hold off for several m... Continue »

Played Sat 5/24 with a buddy on a misty morning. Very quick POP....like 4:15. Green still healing from being punched a couple weeks ago......many very very slow. If anything I'd hold off for several more weeks....let them grow out. Some very very patchy however, not sure but maybe diseased a bit. Otherwise conditions were nice, tee boxes, fairways and bunkers all in good shape. Stay out of the cottonwoods and you'll have a good time.

Played today (4/27) as part of the GK Cup vs. SBogey; Hollis and CPennbo also played completing our foursome.

This course is almost always in good condition, but today was exceptional. NCAA Big We... Continue »

Played today (4/27) as part of the GK Cup vs. SBogey; Hollis and CPennbo also played completing our foursome.

This course is almost always in good condition, but today was exceptional. NCAA Big West Conference Tournament is in progress today thru Tuesday and they have got the course in fantastic condition. Played here off and on for a couple decades and this is the best I've ever seen.

Greens were quite fast (around a 12) but still held shots very well. Bunkers were great, tees are level on every hole, rough is consistent and helps outline the fairways. Speaking of fairways, never had a bad lie all day and despite last night's rain still had plenty of roll.

It's easy to see why this was the GK Best Value course for all of So Cal. Aeration is coming in a couple weeks so get out and enjoy this track while it's in pristine shape!



Course is in EXCELLENT shape

Got out to Soboba for the first time in over a year...one word WOW!!!

Have not seen the course in this great of shape since the Nationwide Tour used to play here. Tees were flat and lush with some ... Continue »

Got out to Soboba for the first time in over a year...one word WOW!!!

Have not seen the course in this great of shape since the Nationwide Tour used to play here. Tees were flat and lush with some minor divot damage. Fairways were awesome other then the perennial areas that are property of the coots this time of year. Those areas were thin as those little b*st%rd s can't get enough of the free buffet. Rough was thick and lush as it should be but still quite manageable. Gorgeous white sand bunkers were filled with soft fluffy sand and no problem to escape. Greens were spectacular! Never seen them this good here and they are usually quite good at Soboba. Perfect med-fast pace, consistent speed on all 18 holes, nary a ball mark, and rolling so pure. Never saw one putt bounce off line all day from the entire group. Well done to the grounds crew!!!

POP was 4 hours flat on a Saturday. Tee time was 12:40 and we were sent off right on time. Got a steal of a rate at $36 on GN. Customer service was great as always and the beverage cart was around a few times. Wind was down which is very rare here. All in all a perfect day on the links. Bottom line, go out and play now before aeration next month!