Played Butterfield Stage on 3/15/2015 and many times before that... You can always find a good deal for Butterfield, as the Chino course is the more popular of the two at El Prado. So thanks to a vouc... Continue »

Played Butterfield Stage on 3/15/2015 and many times before that... You can always find a good deal for Butterfield, as the Chino course is the more popular of the two at El Prado. So thanks to a voucher, we headed out for a day of practice. Our twosome finished in 4 hrs and 50 mins. Course condition was average and layout is pretty flat. I'd avoid the course during the summer due to flies and smell. It's still there even though the ranch is now gone. Oh oh and don't forget the sound of shots fired from the nearby outdoor gun range.

On Tuesday 3/3/15 I played El Prado Butterfield Stage, under fabulous weather conditions. Unfortunately, the driving range was closed on this day due to rain on the previous day, so my intent to get ... Continue »

On Tuesday 3/3/15 I played El Prado Butterfield Stage, under fabulous weather conditions. Unfortunately, the driving range was closed on this day due to rain on the previous day, so my intent to get a proper warmup was thwarted. As usual, course staff were friendly and accommodating. Playing as a single, I got out at 11:45AM, and was able to stay close to the single ahead of me, and far enough ahead of the group of 2 playing behind me. I finished in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

As I have been noting recently, the fairways just continue to improve in appearance, coverage, lushness and playability, though there are still some bare spots and thin areas (generally out of the prime hitting areas). I took the time to thank the course superintendent for the good work he and his crew have done to bring both of the El Prado courses into better playing shape. The greens were a tad slower than usual, and in places a little bumpy, but generally very playable. Tee boxes were a little worn in places, but a good teeing surface could always be found. Rough continues to get thicker and more penal, placing a premium on hitting the good grass in the fairways. Though I managed to avoid any bunkers on this day, it was noted that several were muddy from recent rain.

Now if only other golfers would take the time to replace or fill their divots in the fairways and on tee boxes, repair ball marks on the greens, and rake the bunkers after playing from them! Those considerate actions would make the course better for all.

I played Butterfield Stage on 2/10/15, walking as a single. I brought a bag of my own good used balls to warm up on the range, then worked on putting and chipping for ~15 minutes. After what felt li... Continue »

I played Butterfield Stage on 2/10/15, walking as a single. I brought a bag of my own good used balls to warm up on the range, then worked on putting and chipping for ~15 minutes. After what felt like a solid warm up, I checked in and went to first tee - smooth as usual. Though the pace seemed slower than usual, and I was joined on 9th hole by a riding single, POP was still under 4 hours, teeing off at 11:45AM - there was a wait on nearly every tee.

Tee boxes were mostly in good shape, except for a few (like hole 15) that were shaggy and in need of a trim - otherwise level, free of excessive divot damage. Greens were better than they looked, mostly rolling true at medium speed, except where putting from above the hole; those putts were quicker. Some of the greens looked like they needed to be cut. In a turn from the usual, I didn't find any ball marks to repair, other than my own. Rough was the usual mixed bag, varying from bare dirt to thick, sticky stuff. Bunkers (I found 3 of them) all had unraked foot prints and shot marks (playing behind the El Prado Men's Club - why don't they rake the bunkers?); surfaces were hard packed with thin topping of sand, playable with the right stroke.

I play El Prado quite frequently, and I am happy to say that the fairways today were in the best shape that I have seen in the past year. They looked noticeably better than in January 2015. Yes, there were bare spots and thin patches, but overall, they were green and relatively lush, especially in the prime landing areas, with balls sitting up nicely for approach shots. Now if only southern California could receive some beneficial rain, maybe these conditions would further improve.

Played Saturday Afternoon. Great rate , booked a time online just made it there in time and was put right out on the course. Expected it to be busy, it was. The pace of play was pretty decent though. ... Continue »

Played Saturday Afternoon. Great rate , booked a time online just made it there in time and was put right out on the course. Expected it to be busy, it was. The pace of play was pretty decent though. Teed off just before 2pm and finished at dark. They closed the gate behind us. Just under 4 hours. I have not been playing much at all and was rusty but I had a good time.

The course is not in very good shape. The fairways, loosely stated, are not nice looking.
Mostly hard pan tight lies all day even though the grass was moist. Every hole there was dirt marks on the ball. Tight lies from around the greens also.
There is patchy grass everywhere. The greens rolled well and were speedy, but the fungus looking color was weird. They held shots well. Very subtle breaks, some were tricky to read. I 2 putted most of the greens. They were consistent speed wise throughout. When I arrived at the course I saw a beverage cart going out, but never was seen again. Must have went out to the other course and then retired for the day.
The only other complaint was that the majority of the ball washers were bone dry. Is it that hard to put some liquid in them?
The course itself is surrounded by abandoned dairy farms. It used to smell worse out there. It is worth the green fee, and close enough to home to get some more golf in, so I will return.

I have to admit that I have a general fondness for the El Prado courses, mainly because they are inexpensive to play, easy to get out on, and despite typically not the best overall conditions, the gre... Continue »

I have to admit that I have a general fondness for the El Prado courses, mainly because they are inexpensive to play, easy to get out on, and despite typically not the best overall conditions, the greens are always very good. Today I found the greens to be less than what I have come to expect. Additionally, while the course has always had a "scruffy" look and feel to it, the fairways were so thin, it was like hitting off hardpan which was wet???

I am usually pretty generous when it comes to El Prado, for the reasons previously indicated, but the fairways and greens were in the worse condition I can remember. Maybe some rain and warm weather will help? Lets hope so anyway.

Played 36 holes walking as a single on 1/13/15. Finished both rounds at or under 3.5 hours, even though play slowed to a crawl for a few holes on back 9 for both rounds. Weather was generally good, ... Continue »

Played 36 holes walking as a single on 1/13/15. Finished both rounds at or under 3.5 hours, even though play slowed to a crawl for a few holes on back 9 for both rounds. Weather was generally good, with temps around 70 and intermittent gusty winds up to ~30mph (comfortable in shorts and short-sleeved shirt). Highlight of the day was seeing a bald eagle fly directly overhead while playing hole #3 in the morning.

As usual, check in was easy and friendly - no reservation, just walked on. The starter advised me to finish my warm up bucket in time to take first tee before 9:50AM in order to be in front of a threesome. Got to the tee and teed up just in time for the threesome (which had turned into a foursome) to see me hit a good drive. Maintenance crews were working around the course, including bunker on first hole, where my second shot came to rest. Most bunkers were hard and some still had standing water from the recent rain. Tee boxes were level and mostly lush, with some divot damage. Fairways and rough were a mixed bag, with some areas green and lush, other areas dormant, and still other areas bare - I played several shots from bare lies. Mud from last weekends rain was a problem around the creek areas on holes 1 and 2, 10 and 11, 13,14 and 15; also mud a problem in front of fifth green. Greens were in decent shape, except for the usual abundance of unrepaired ball marks. Surfaces were a little damp in some areas, and shoe marks were evident later in the day. Putts rolled true at medium to quick speeds, depending on location below or above holes.

The drink cart made passes on the front and back during my first round, but I didn't see her during my second round. The marshal (Greg, always friendly) was seen during both rounds, and he reminded me if ever there is a problem on the course, the pro shop is just a phone call away (too bad I didn't see him until after the problem below).

Only complaint is the extremely slow play of the senior men's club members who were in front of me on the back nine during my early round. From the tenth through thirteenth holes, I had to wait on this group of 3 (2 riding cart, 1 walking), on every shot. The guys in the cart cruised along beside the walking player, showing absolutely no interest in the concept of ready golf. The thirteenth hole was the worst, where I waited on the tee for at least 10 minutes, then waited in the fairway for at least five minutes after they completed the hole, while they tallied scores, cleaned clubs and arranged their golf bags greenside. Meanwhile, there were 2 groups of 4 waiting behind me to tee off. Thankfully, this inconsiderate group was done at the thirteenth hole (shotgun start, I presume), and I breezed along once they were out of the way.

For the day, it cost $36 -
to hit a small bucket of range balls ($4), play a morning round ($22) and an afternoon replay ($10). Nice value!

The past reviews are "right on the money" however the course was not nearly as wet as I expected. I guess a few days without rain and a little sunshine works wonders. I never have great expectations... Continue »

The past reviews are "right on the money" however the course was not nearly as wet as I expected. I guess a few days without rain and a little sunshine works wonders. I never have great expectations when I play here except that the cost will be reasonable, the staff will be very accomodating and the greens will be fine. I was not disappointed in any of those areas.

With most courses charging holiday rates this time of year, it's tough to find "cheap" green fees. Not my favorite course, but a reliable play to tee it up.

Played in one of the first groups on Saturday morning. Agree with the previous reviews about the conditions. Hard thing is if you are walking the bare spots in the fairway were pure mud and there are ... Continue »

Played in one of the first groups on Saturday morning. Agree with the previous reviews about the conditions. Hard thing is if you are walking the bare spots in the fairway were pure mud and there are spots you have to walk through and could not be avoided. They have discounted the green fees on the Butterfield Stage course.

Played Butterfield Stage for the first time in a long while today with my son & sixpez. I much prefer Chino Creek but this was a far better deal, so we opted for this. Having just played Chino two wee... Continue »

Played Butterfield Stage for the first time in a long while today with my son & sixpez. I much prefer Chino Creek but this was a far better deal, so we opted for this. Having just played Chino two weeks ago, Butterfield seems much more "beat up" and rough around the edges comparably. That could partially be a result of the rain, I'm not sure. True to El Prado's nature, greens are the highlight. Smooth and medium fast, no complaints. Fairways were pretty bleak, as was the rough. Sign on the pro shop door said the courses were to be played as "lift, clean and place," which was helpful when finding a ball in the middle of the fairway on almost no grass. Tee boxes were marginal. I was only in one bunker and it's hard to judge them considering how much rain they received yesterday. Like sixpez said, for $24 on a Saturday, hard to complain too much. We had fun and at least the course is in good shape where it really counts, on the greens.