Played early this AM to beat the heat and the Mon crowds. Nice living so close to a course.

Found the course in ... » More

Played early this AM to beat the heat and the Mon crowds. Nice living so close to a course.

Found the course in somewhat different shape then previous rounds.

Tee boxes good.

Fairways wide and giving "decent" roll but not as good as past weeks. Seems like a lot of water has been put on the course with past and coming heat. But the lies were excellent.

Rough was much higher as well and needs cutting so fairly difficult to advance w/o a powerful swing.

Traps were all ok and had been raked so not an issue.

Greens were the big mistery. In the past they have been firm and fast. But no doubt they too have been heavily watered as they were soft w/o much release and did not putt with there normal speed. Even downhill putts were not as dangerous.

Always good customer service from the Monday AM pro shop. You can tell they like their work.
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Played with Rob1563 on Sat at 7:30 AM for the nice local rate of $115, which they complain about, but it's much better t... » More

Played with Rob1563 on Sat at 7:30 AM for the nice local rate of $115, which they complain about, but it's much better than the $220 for visitors. I have played here once before and remember that the layout is all over the place, which we believe was because they picked the best holes for the members' course, which left the arroyo all over the place.

The course was in great shape for early summer. I think the fairways were some of the best I have ever played on. Very good cushion and green, they did have a few soggy areas from overwatering, but I be they were fine by the afternoon in 105° heat. Greens were firm and medium pace for about an hour, then fast after the sun dried them out. I had my worst putting day in a while there. Sand traps need some help as they were in poor shape in the fairways and a little better around the greens.

Nice carts with GPS and a cool one with no free water. I would like to see more water coolers on the course, especially with the heat, but they did have some every 4 holes. Staff were friendly, and I would play here again given a deal can be found.
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Review from over a month ago, but I wanted to post it anyway. I was fortunate to be able to play here while on vacation.... » More

Review from over a month ago, but I wanted to post it anyway. I was fortunate to be able to play here while on vacation. I was not planning on it due to the major storms that had just happened, but I am sure glad I did. Everyone said you have to play the emerald course for the elevation, views, and layout. They were not wrong. The Views are worth it alone.

Conditions were very good despite them losing 2 dozen trees, but you could hardly tell. There are a lot of trees, bushes, and nature on the course. Conditions were mostly in the 10s across the board, and there is not much more a golfer could ask for. Fairways were carpet-like, rough was not long but very thick, greens ran smooth at a medium pace with no issues at all. Sand was wet but seemed to play fine.

The rack rate is very high, and that is the only downside. I was able to snag a deal, but after renting clubs, it was still 300+, but we could easily spend that on drinks at the hotel pool so I wasn't going to skip treating myself.
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Played in the Clash at Rams Hill two weeks ago. It was a two-day, two-man tournament run by Rams Hill. Friday we were in... » More

Played in the Clash at Rams Hill two weeks ago. It was a two-day, two-man tournament run by Rams Hill. Friday we were invited to the very exclusive Borrego Springs yacht club for opening drinks. They hat the TGL LAGC simulator truck running a closest to the pin competition as well as drinks and snacks.

This is the first time I have played the course since they decided to be year-round, and man, the course still looked great. Temps were in the 100s, but the course was still lush and playing great.

Tees, Fairways, Rough, and sand were in great condition with only a small amount of browning locations scattered across the course, but those were few and far between. Greens were the highlight as usual, firm and fast yet healthy. Good roll with no bumps or divots despite having two full days of competition.

It's still a drive to play out here, but given the cheaper rate in the summmer its worth playing if you can handle the heat.

PS - The free tacos and Carmel Apple Cookie are the bomb.
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RPGC event this weekend at Rancho Park and it hurts to say it but the course is not in its best shape. The greens are ac... » More

RPGC event this weekend at Rancho Park and it hurts to say it but the course is not in its best shape. The greens are actually great right now and rolling true and medium-fast, but the rest of the property is feeling the heat.

The fairways have far too many thin or burned out/dirt areas for my liking, but the rough is good in most spots. The tee boxes are a bit beat up for sure (we played from the white tees this round), and the bunkers are just okay. There's just an overall 'meh' feeling about course conditions right now, with the notable exception of the greens.

Still no end in sight for the clubhouse remodel, either. So if you want to play some very fun and challenging greens right now, Rancho Park is a great choice. But if every other aspect of golf is also important to you, then give them a few weeks to somehow get this sorted out.
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The Waikoloa Village golf course sits about 5 miles from the coast up the hill in the village of Waikoloa. A much cheape... » More

The Waikoloa Village golf course sits about 5 miles from the coast up the hill in the village of Waikoloa. A much cheaper option than courses down by the water. This where a lot of locals play. The course itself at times feels forgiving and open. The challenges are the wind, the sand traps, and the rough. The wind can change rapidly up on this hill so that was difficult to read. The sand is not sand at all but rather pebbles, that at times feel and play like normal sand and other times play like rocks. This is really the only downside to playing here. The rough, fairways, and greens don't get cut on the weekend, and since I played on a Sunday the challenge was on. The rough at times was playing at least 1 club more. The greens were in excellent condition, they were not as fast as you would think, but rolled pure and almost no marks on any green on the course.

The course truly rewards you for hitting the fairway. Thats what I did on the front, and was pumped to have one of my best rounds going, until the back 9 got me good. The front 9 is more scenic with some great views, especially holes 5 and 6. Everyone, who works there is very friendly and supportive, the locals gave me some excellent tips, and price is great. In the area and looking for a cheaper option with plenty of challenges, this is it.
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Played 6/19. Course is in decent shape. Fairways do have some bare/thin/rough patches. Rough is spotty. Greens are still... » More

Played 6/19. Course is in decent shape. Fairways do have some bare/thin/rough patches. Rough is spotty. Greens are still a little bumpy and slow. Many of the forward tee boxes are under repair, the rest were a little overgrown. Overall, not bad and seems to be improving.
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A week in Waikoloa and I managed to find myself at the Beach course (9-holes) followed by the Kings 9. I will review bot... » More

A week in Waikoloa and I managed to find myself at the Beach course (9-holes) followed by the Kings 9. I will review both here. The Waikoloa mixed use community is now offering 3 nine-hole options for players. The Beach, Kings, and Lakes. Lets start with the Beach.

The Beach 9 is about as classic of a resort course as you can find. Some challenging holes and well placed bunkers, with most holes offering double wide fairways and forgiveness. Every hole I was thinking, why is this called the beach 9 when its not actually on or near the beach. Only one hole plays near the water. In terms of course conditions, everything was really great. The greens rolled pure and were quick, the fairways, rough, and tee boxes are 9/10, the sand however was lacking and was not soft. The bunkers were so hard to get out of, creating a real challenge if you got in one . Overall, I loved it and I want to play this side again, its what Hawaii resort golf should be... fun.

The Kings 9-

This side is much more challenging and requires some real shot shaping and creativity. Not sure why its called the Kings but I can tell you that there are feral goats all over the course. No I am not talking about great golfers or GK members/gurus, literally feral goats in the fairways, on the greens, and in the rough. They are peaceful and will not bother you. This did throw me off just slightly. The greens were dryer and faster on this side, the wind picked up, and the pin placements made the Kings 9 a good challenge. The rough, tee boxes, and fairway conditions mirrored the Beach side except for the wind. Overall, I loved it.

Waikoloa is a fun and cheaper option than those at the surrounding expensive resorts(Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Lani). If you stay anywhere on the property you get a discount. The people are helpful and friendly, and the course is not going to crush you. I recommend this course, mahalo!
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Course continues to be in great condition. They are working on patching some of the areas adjacent to the cart paths whi... » More

Course continues to be in great condition. They are working on patching some of the areas adjacent to the cart paths which have bare spots due to cart traffic. Numerous areas in a few fairways have been resodded, to address some bare spots. Greens rolling well, but like the North Course, slower than normal? Otherwise, no issues. Enjoying these pleasant morning.
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Played here yesterday on a cool overcast morning in Santa Cruz.

Course is owned by City of Santa Cruz and still ... » More

Played here yesterday on a cool overcast morning in Santa Cruz.

Course is owned by City of Santa Cruz and still run by the Loustalot family since 1973.

Was a member here for over 20 years when working in Silicon Valley and came back to play it again for old times sake.

Well the course is still in great shape but I had to move up a tee box from days gone by. Don't laugh it will happen to all of you LOL.

This course sits on top of a large hill overlooking Santa Cruz and is in DeLaveaga park. Course is lined with many large eucalyptus trees and pine trees that will need to be avoided. Not to mention the many OB areas that are like large and mini canyons. Bring plenty of ammo.

The course is complete with great holes and lots of elevation changes. # 8 is one of the best short Par 3's one can find on any course playing between 114 to 131 with a canyon between the tee and green large bunkers surround the hole and the green is LONG from left to right and sloping into the canyon. # 10 is a narrow Par 5 downhill dogleg left to an uphill green. You par this one and you will feel great. Oh and it is guarded by canyons all the way to the hole on the left side and a road on the right side. Be long and straight off the tee. Good luck.

Thats just two of 18 great holes on this course. And # 3 and #5 Par 3's are divided by canyons with no bail out areas. This course will test your golfing ability. Especially the first time you ever play it.

While the damp weather had the fairways soft they had great lies all round. They were lush and green.

Traps were all cleaned and playable as we went off early so no issues. And there are plenty of traps.

Rough is high and damp and of course the previous mentioned OB areas on all holes. And one large water hazard on # 18.

Greens were in great shape. They are great size, wonderfully manicured and have speed and don't be above the hole. And N CA golfers know how to fix divots.

Excellent driving range available. Large parking lot right next to the pro shop. Putting green out front of the shop.

Walk across the street for # 1 and pucker up when you see the road on the left and the canyon on the right all the way to the green.

When you are all finished they have a great restaurant upstairs or you can have coffe and bkfst before your round.

We often refer this course as being the poor mans Pasatiempo which is just around the corner on Hwy 17. Now charging over $450 to play.

As a side note to how things have changed2 2 in this area. In the 70's/80's Pebble was $45 for twilight and Pasatiempo was $45 for 18. I never expected to see the cost of golf go so high but I believe it now.
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Played Thurs with some former colleagues in a little reunion from the old days. This was one of the public courses we wo... » More

Played Thurs with some former colleagues in a little reunion from the old days. This was one of the public courses we would ditch work for back in the early days of Silicon Valley.

Old style parkland flat course. Was just a place to get a quick round in. Was in great shape then and it still is and much improved IMO.

Boy has this place changed2 2 . And for the better. New clubhouse and restaurant, well new for us guys. And they now have a 9 hole course that is packed and does a great job with for junior golf. Jackson Koivun came out of this program and is #1 amatuer at the moment. And Kiara Romero as well.

The good news is golf is still reasonable here. Especially for seniors. No wonder the place was packed. + its an easy course to walk.

Tee boxes were all playable with no problems.

Fairways were mowed/clean and gave good rollout and lies all round. Virtually no rough to deal with but on the back 9 you will find some OB areas that can ruin a round.

Traps were all in good shape. No complaints.

Greens are good size, in good shape and chipped/putted excellent all round. And it seems N CA golfers know how to fix divots.

Great customer service from everyone encountered.

Nice complex and nice to see it is still in service after all these years. Especially given the growth in Silicon Valley.
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Very busy Friday morning. Able to get out first as usual, but it is becoming more and more competitive to get that first... » More

Very busy Friday morning. Able to get out first as usual, but it is becoming more and more competitive to get that first tee time. Course is in very good condition right now - no issues whatsoever. They are beginning the renovation project on #17, so that hole will be played as a par 3 for about a month to complete the project. Looking forward to seeing what the hole looks like when finished.

While the greens rolled well and were very receptive, they were much slower than usual, which is not a bad thing, but when you play every day and get accustomed too certain pace, it took me several holes to adjust. Otherwise the entire course is a joy to play.
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