Played my second round today, teeing off at about 12:30.

I played yesterday morning and the rough, fairways and green surrounds were kind of long, super lush and spongy. Apparently Wednesday is a ... Continue »

Played my second round today, teeing off at about 12:30.

I played yesterday morning and the rough, fairways and green surrounds were kind of long, super lush and spongy. Apparently Wednesday is a mow day because after a good trim the place was looking pure!

Two things for up to date reporting.

1) Small tine punch today. We played right after and not much of an effect, but it did. Member-Member tourney 27-28th which is kind of a "major" for the Goat club so that's the goal to make the greens as pure as possible. I'd say they were rolling about 8-8.5 and pretty true. Held great.

2) #15, new mow job. They've cut down the area between the bunker in front of the green and the green to fairway length. I'm a huge fan of shaved areas around greens for run up shots and when you used to hit a good shot there and end up in long kikuyua rough it pissed me off. Love the change.

We played 18 holes in 2 1/2 hours. Pretty rad.

I think there's a big disc golf tourney there this weekend, so if you go to play call and check on that. Otherwise, the conditions are great, its a good value and POP is always pretty stellar.

Played about 12 holes late afternoon yesterday. Still walking only at Goat Hill so it's really, REALLY important you know what you're getting into. It's definitely not just a leisurely stroll. They do... Continue »

Played about 12 holes late afternoon yesterday. Still walking only at Goat Hill so it's really, REALLY important you know what you're getting into. It's definitely not just a leisurely stroll. They do have a couple signs up stating that and giving some tips like bring water and to lighten the bag (take clubs out...which I did and is key here when walking). Honestly, it's the perfect course to play with only a handful of clubs and get creative.

There is a cool sign up stating that six feet is about the length of an extended arm and a driver. Nice visual :). All the rest of the covid guidelines are in place and it's running very smoothly. I'm pretty impressed at how well people are respecting them. It does make me sad to see all the tables and chairs removed from the deck and fire pit. That's my favorite part of the course :)

As for the conditions themselves, I've never seen the Goat better. Tee to green things look and play fantastic. The greens rolled smooth but were a bit on the slow side still as they were punched about a week after shutdown. They are going to continue to cut and roll so in a week or so it's going to be perfect!

There were a few projects done while it was closed down and you can tell. The 12th green is looking great, there's some new landscaping and cart paths and overall it just looks great.

Definitely a great time to get out there and the staff is always super helpful and fun. Just prepared for a bit of a workout when walking 18.

Played the goat on Monday afternoon. Greens great, a little slow but in great shape, fairways as good as ever with more grass than I can remember. Traps fine and rough was penal if you missed the fa... Continue »

Played the goat on Monday afternoon. Greens great, a little slow but in great shape, fairways as good as ever with more grass than I can remember. Traps fine and rough was penal if you missed the fairways.
Great challenge and really fun and a great walk. Not for the faint of heart walking.
Highly recommend if you want a quick 18 with lots of challenge

Played here yesterday with my son. We had a 1:54 tee time. The course has all the COVID-19 precautions in place and really has a good system. Only those with a reservation can enter the front gate. Co... Continue »

Played here yesterday with my son. We had a 1:54 tee time. The course has all the COVID-19 precautions in place and really has a good system. Only those with a reservation can enter the front gate. Contactless check-in and payment with the clerk indoors and a desk in the doorway preventing customers from entering. All singles unless two members of the same household want to play together. (Twosome maximum.) No carts, walking only. No touching the pin. Cups are adjusted so they are very shallow and the ball just sort of wedges between the pin and the edge of the cup. No rakes in bunkers. We teed off a few minutes early and pace of play was slow, which was then compounded when a single jumped in between us and the group in front of us on the 5th hole, and he was talking on his cell phone non-stop (or pretending to) and ignoring everyone around. Pace improved on the back as some people were just playing 9. Overall POP was 3:20.

The course is in quite good condition. Greens are far and away the highlight. They are smooth, a little more firm than soft and medium speed. Nos. 6 & 12 seemed a little different than the rest (12 was just re-built, I believe). Fairways are really great in spots and not so hot in others. Rough also varies from hole to hole. There are various types of grasses throughout the course as well. I was in one or two bunkers and they were good. Tee boxes were the low point, pretty clumpy and many were very hard and difficult to get a tee in the ground.

It felt great to get out of the house, enjoy the fresh air, play golf and support the course and its employees. Thanks to the staff for implementing practices that make it feel safe to play.

The more often I play this course, the more I appreciate just how much of a challenge this "little" course provides. I played exceptionally well this morning, and hit some really good shots, but the ... Continue »

The more often I play this course, the more I appreciate just how much of a challenge this "little" course provides. I played exceptionally well this morning, and hit some really good shots, but the greens just "ate me up". Getting up & down around this course, coupled with some brutal tee positions, make for all you can handle.

First off on a cold, breezy morning. I don't know if it was a positive or negative, the fact that none of the greens had been mowed. They rolled well, but were too slow for my taste. Big improvements over the years in the quality of the fairways, so much of the bare areas is gone, replaced by all the sod which was laid. (And it appears it will survive and look pretty healthy) Many of the tee boxes are chewed up, but playable.

Always leave this course satisfied. Fun, tough, affordable, great pace, easy access, and humbling. Highly recommend to anyone who thinks playing an executive course is a "walk in the park" This place will humble you !

I played this past Friday afternoon, teeing off about 1 PM on an absolutely PERFECT day.

First thing to note, Goat Hill Park just finished a complete renovation of the 12th green so there's a temp... Continue »

I played this past Friday afternoon, teeing off about 1 PM on an absolutely PERFECT day.

First thing to note, Goat Hill Park just finished a complete renovation of the 12th green so there's a temporary green right at the aiming pole (215-ish yards?). When you drive/walk from the temp green up the hill to 13 you get a look at the new complex. This is my home course and I absolutely LOVE the change. I hated that green and in my opinion, the new design knocked it out of the park. I asked and it's probably going to open around early April.

As for the rest of the course, the main thing I can say is the greens are awesome. I know that a local high end private course donated a green roller and other equipment and it absolutely shows. Greens are the best I've ever seen them out there. They are quick and pure and still hold. There was a good breeze going and at the end of the day they were almost too good. Being in the wrong spot was deadly.

There are 4-5 new tee boxes and the turf is fantastic and level, but like most new turf installations, it's a bit firm to get a tee in the ground.

I never had a bad lie in the fairway but it's a bit dry as we haven't had much rain. I hit some wayward drives and found areas where the addition of turf about a year ago saved my tail. Really a good add to the design.

The Goat is what it is. A funky layout (absolutely fantastic for Match Play which I was playing) but it does what i feel ALL muni's should focus on....have exceptional greens and playable conditions otherwise.

The POP at the Goat is always off the charts. We went through as a four ball in about 3 hours and then hung out with some music playing, the firepit going and a bunch of people laughing and telling stories.

Finished up my round and meeting at Riverwalk in San Diego and hustled (well sat in northbound traffic on the 5 freeway) up to Oceanside to jump in on the Goat Hill Park (Mandatory Golf Friday) 9-hole... Continue »

Finished up my round and meeting at Riverwalk in San Diego and hustled (well sat in northbound traffic on the 5 freeway) up to Oceanside to jump in on the Goat Hill Park (Mandatory Golf Friday) 9-hole skins game. Plus been wanting play hole #9 while the Geoff Ogilvy slam dunk playoff ace was fresh. You could still feel the excitement when walking up to that tee box. No wonder I pitched in for birdie off the back hill – LOL. Also been wanting to hang out at The Goat for a beer on the patio and fire pit. Perfect night to do so as they had the Presidents Cup on the big screen outside. AndrewZ28 joined in on the evening fun.

Greens are running beautiful. Mostly fast, smooth and firm. Best I have ever seen them. Super undulating small targets you got to bring a strong short game to handle. Plus an excellent iron game to even hit them. Fairways in good shape mostly lush with some thin spots. Rough mixed bag of lush, decent, thin or bare lies. But very few large bare areas anymore. I think the phrase “Goated” might be history. Bunkers in good shape with decent lies. Tee boxes, on an iron course with small boxes they are going to have their share of divot damage but overall level and in fair shape.

Really enjoy this challenging short golf course. Great exercise if you choose to walk. Friendly laid back attitudes with all staff and fellow players. Just a very comfortable round of golf. Every time I visit Goat Hill Park it gets better.

Posted a few pics. Check them out.

Recommended.

Decided to venture back to Goat Hill because I always have success in getting out first here, and thinking that because it is near the coast, it would be somewhat cooler. I was half right. I was abl... Continue »

Decided to venture back to Goat Hill because I always have success in getting out first here, and thinking that because it is near the coast, it would be somewhat cooler. I was half right. I was able to get out first, about 15-20 minutes before the first tee time, but even taking a cart. (Which I rarely do) it was still hot & humid) Needless to say being first out, there was no issue with pace of play, although I did have to play through a threesome which started on #10.

Since I was out before the mowers, did not have even one cut green. Despite this, they rolled very well and held shots nicely, and I'm sure once they have been cut, they would be fine, but for me, they were really slow. Fairways are in the best condition I've seen them, lots of new sod, but even the older turf is green and fairly lush. Some of the rough near the aprons were US Open thick, but most of the rough was very playable.

The Goat is certainly in the best condition I have ever seen it. If you have not been here for a while, it's time to return. I think you'll be impressed by the improvement. But be warned, this little 4400 yard course will take it's toll on you and provide a stern fun challenge.

8/30 teeoff dealtime $22 set for 11 but sent out early by the very friendly and efficient staff POP 310 with no waiting and no pressure from behind. Most fairways good to ok with more thin areas on ... Continue »

8/30 teeoff dealtime $22 set for 11 but sent out early by the very friendly and efficient staff POP 310 with no waiting and no pressure from behind. Most fairways good to ok with more thin areas on the fringes. Rough could be an issue with some thick areas more so around the greens. Found 1 bunker which had good sand. Tees mostly level but rather beat up.
Greens smallish with slope and grain quick breaks around the hole. Greeens also present quite a target as many are elevated and require a higher trajectory to stay on. Also many are cut into a hill side so misses can be severely punished.
For a short course there is plenty of challenge and intrigue. Overall a fun outing and would definitely come back for revenge.