Can't believe it has almost been a year since I last played Goat Hill. Every time I play here I am blown away by how muc... » More

Can't believe it has almost been a year since I last played Goat Hill. Every time I play here I am blown away by how much things continue to improve. Nice carts with GPS, expended pro shop, all the holes marked well, to lessen the confusion as to where to go. They punched greens in mid-October, and they rolled very true and had decent pace, quicker than expected. Just everything about this place is an upgrade from just a year ago. But of course, this comes with a price. It is no longer cheap to play here, but at least you can take solace knowing the money is being placed back into the golf course. If you have never played, I strongly recommend it.
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Oh boy oh boy oh boy ... quite a day at C Dubs this past week when three friends and I booked a foursome with a 12:56 te... » More

Oh boy oh boy oh boy ... quite a day at C Dubs this past week when three friends and I booked a foursome with a 12:56 tee time on Friday. When we arrived, we were told that they were running about ten minutes late. No problem. While warming up we then saw chaos emerge as no carts were ready and empty tee boxes remained as our wait time then blew up to around 40 minutes. Now finishing was going to be in jeopardy.

At some point one group of Asian seniors took it upon themselves to 'jump the line' and it basically turned into the Kevin Hart scene in 'The 40 Year Old Virgin.' Yes, you know the one. Same vernacular and everything. It got ugly. It was uncomfortable. It was unprofessional, but also weirdly justified? Just an an all-around mess before we finally got going (although I have to say the poor girl in the pro shop dealing with all of this was fantastic!).

Once on the course, despite the delays, conditions were better than normal here, as highlighted in the last review. Greens were actually rolling pretty nicely and medium-fast, while also holding shots well and not being too bumpy. Fairways had decent to good coverage in most areas (with a few exceptions), while the bunkers had heavy but playable sand. Tee boxes were probably the most in-need areas on the course.

We did indeed barely finish as we came in on 18 with the last light of the day. There was no cart service throughout so make sure you give yourself a little time at the turn as the snack shop is wildly inconvenient and needs addressing as well. Carts are basic but fine, except for the fact that one of them in our group died on the 11th hole, so they brought out a replacement. Quite a day indeed.
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I played Eagle Crest once, about 12 years ago. I remembered very little of it other than it was enjoyable. I was aware ... » More

I played Eagle Crest once, about 12 years ago. I remembered very little of it other than it was enjoyable. I was aware of it having gone very far downhill in the years since, so when I heard that it was taken over by JC golf and was to be renovated and renamed, I was excited. With so many courses having closed in recent years, it’s great to think of a course actually being brought back to life.

The new Dos Osos had its soft opening yesterday, with their grand opening coming soon. As of now, the course is a work in progress, with maintenance still going on throughout. Having heard tales and seen videos of how bad the course had gotten, I was very impressed with how the course was today. The staff is all very friendly and there was a definite buzz of excitement in the air.

The trees and vegetation have all been neatly trimmed, the cart paths and tunnels are all clean. One of the water features has been completely rebuilt and the water is clear. I hope the others will be cleaned up as well.

The majority of the fairways are in good shape. The grass is still thickening up and there are some spots with new sod yet to fill in. There were a few tee boxes on the back nine that were pretty messy but I really didn’t care, figuring they would be taken care of soon. The others were level with good coverage. I was extremely impressed with the bunkers which all had new, clean, soft, good quality sand. It was a pleasure as I was in about five of them!
The rough varied in length and thickness around the course. There were some areas of extremely long grass in which balls could easily get lost.

The greens were the most obvious part of the course being worked on. They all were in various states of punch/sand and a few patchwork areas of new sod. They rolled as slow as molasses but again, today it didn’t matter. I knew going in that as long as I managed my expectations, I would enjoy the day which I thoroughly did. POP was a bit over 4 hrs. The beverage cart came by three times.

For now, there is no driving range as they are putting the money into the course. It will eventually reopen.
I am really looking forward to playing here again in a couple of months.
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Took my grandaughter here today so she could work on her short game. She recently finished in 2nd place on her HS golf t... » More

Took my grandaughter here today so she could work on her short game. She recently finished in 2nd place on her HS golf team that is comprised of both boys/girls. Loves the game and I hope she continues for years to come. I had not been here in quite some time and I was impressed with the conditions as well as the customer service. Everything green and in good shape. As many know or not know this is an 18 hole Par 54 course. But the variety of the holes (shortest 88 yds longest 145)
provide a decent challenge. Especially with all the mature trees and stream throughout the course. But its a very enjoyable course to see how good your iron play is as well as hitting to very small greens. And the greens are all raised with sharp run off edges as well. If you find yourself in the area and have time give it a go. Tucked in a nice area with many recreational amenities but no homes, traffic only nice quite serenity and the occasional yell of excitement from excited new golfers. I think you will enjoy it.
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Played 11/3/24 10:10 POP 4.5 hrs Course is in very good to great shape. Fairways have very good coverage and mostly gre... » More

Played 11/3/24 10:10 POP 4.5 hrs Course is in very good to great shape. Fairways have very good coverage and mostly green. They are cut pretty tight and required good ball stricking. Very good roll out and they played well. Greens were in mostly great shape. Receptive and rolled at a medium pace. Noticed a few balls take noticeable bumps and hops. Rough was a mix of clumpy grass. From thin and clumpy to thick and clumpy. You can have a good lie or a shity lie. Traps in fair shape. They all have the same course sand/ DG mix in them, so at least they are consistent. Most on the firm side. Driving range small and a little on the ragged side. It had been a while since playing here, and it did not disappoint. A fun and challenging course with a great mix of hole designs and in good to great shape.
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I'm going to piggyback on Cotoman's most recent review. After the aeration, the greens have recovered reasonably well, b... » More

I'm going to piggyback on Cotoman's most recent review. After the aeration, the greens have recovered reasonably well, but still show signs of punching. Prior to closing for the greens aerification, all the fairways were open to carts, but now we back to having CPO on any number of holes and it appears it will remain that way for some time? I long for the days when the course rarely closed for extensive periods and was consistently in much better condition. At least I have the comfort of knowing in a couple months my dues will increase again.
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Pleased to report that Rams Hill has regained its former luster. Times two! Played three rounds last week and had a bla... » More

Pleased to report that Rams Hill has regained its former luster. Times two! Played three rounds last week and had a blast. The new turf is virtually all in, and it’s the best turf I ever have played, ball sits up nicely, took wonderful divots, rough was lush but not too penal. Bunkers in great shape. Greens still new and very firm and can glimpse the last aeration holes, but they roll true and very fast. Staff is first rate all around. Still free tacos (but tip the girl!) at 11/14 and warm cookie at the end of the round. Excellent range with scopes at each station, two terrific short game areas, one with bunkers (it’s at the far end of the main range). Layout hasn’t changed, this is a forgiving course off the tee but as you learn the course you find there are really good angles that reward a smart drive. The approaches are the challenge, especially with the firm greens, really fun when you learn the rewarding angles— several greens will kill you with a shot at the pin, there are several you actually must hit well away from the green to get the good bounce and roll down to the hole. The greens are fast and subtle, play with less break than you think standing over the ball. The par threes are fairly ordinary, 11 being the most challenging downhill with water on the left and a big right to left green. For a normal length hitter from the correct tee, one par five is truly in reach, others can get you close for a fun pitch or short iron to the pin. Good variety of par fours, couple short ones that aren’t Drive able but close. It’s playable for a 15 handicap from the correct tees—four sets of tees and three combinations on the card—and challenging for a low handicapper.

Borrego Springs can get a LOT of wind; the first day was calm, the second a three to four club wind consistently on the final 7 holes, one to three club wind on those holes the third day, but while really windy on the range, the first 11 holes are a bit insulated and were not bad at all. I was worried on day two on the range, but even the final holes played fun in the wind.

This is back to being my first choice three or four day getaway, happy to play that course over and over again, as you learn its angles it can really reward smart shots, lots of overall distances to play from, great practice areas, great food, really nice people. I don’t know what is or isn’t a “fair” price for golf anymore, but I have to say I do t feel like I paid too much, I feel like I got what I should for the price in every respect.

RH has even more “stay and play” lodgings on the property now, and I am sure they all are good; La Casa Del Zorro down the road is a rustic La Quinta-like resort I li,e a lot and with a truly exceptional restaurant, and Stanlund’s Inn & Suites a little closer to town is a great budget option. The little town is a blast, several decent restaurants, no chains or fast food options, pretty rustic. Getting there is not an easy drive, but really pretty. If you are into camping or have an RV, you have many options, including in the surrounding desert park with its incredible metal sculptures all around.
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Got out for a 1:00 Friday start as a twosome plus a twosome all riding and playing the whites. Hadn't been out to MM for... » More

Got out for a 1:00 Friday start as a twosome plus a twosome all riding and playing the whites. Hadn't been out to MM for a while and really enjoyed it despite my erratic play and a poor score. Teeing grounds were consistently level and in good shape throughout. Fairways had some thin patches and heavy divots scattered about but the predominant conditions were good — green hitting surface, more tight than lush. The rough was generally green, pretty consistent and not overly punitive, but enough to factor in and impact your shot. There are wilder areas to impact or lose your ball if far enough off line. I was in a few bunkers and I found them as good as any I've played in a while. They had a rough textured surface but, barring the odd footprint, actually had a nice give to them. The green surrounds set up well for the short shots and I particularly enjoyed the greens on the day. They were clean with interesting and challenging nuances, but I especially enjoyed the speed. Definitely quick and demanding some touch, they didn't go over the line to stupid/twitchy fast. Really enjoyed them as a fair challenge.

My guess on pace is under 4.5 hrs. We were mostly out of touch with the forward group, only waiting on one par three, and the group behind never caught us, so we were in a comfortable zone/pace. Set on its own high point, the elevation changes within the course make for interesting play and provide plenty of inspiring views of the San Gabriels and surrounding lowlands. It gives this public access course a special dimension and late afternoon light makes it more dramatic. The range and practice green are well maintained, the latter matching the course speed. The service is efficient and polite and the dining facilities are extensive with a large wedding going off as we finished. Definitely recommended, we both decided we need to play here a bit more often.
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Play day: 11/02/24; 07:40am- 11:17am
Overcast day and a little cool in the low 50s* on the range but it warmed up to... » More

Play day: 11/02/24; 07:40am- 11:17am
Overcast day and a little cool in the low 50s* on the range but it warmed up to a comfortable mid to high 60s- slight breeze.
This review is going to be straight out easy as the whole course was in great shape from tee to green all day long.
The teeing grounds on the Cobalt tees were perfect with a few club marks on the par threes and it was good.
The fairways were nice and green and closely mowed. It was nice as it gave some roll though not so much on the up hill or the roughs.
Speaking of the rough, it can be penalizing in some areas and many times it’s not easy to get a clean or flush shot- it is healthy!
The one green-side bunker I got into was okay. Fluffy on top and had a good firmness underneath- I thought it was good prep.
The greens were a pleasure. It was fast like maybe 11.5… 12 maybe but it rolled nicely and true to say the least.
They had a beverage cart girl who we saw three times during the round.
Many helpful staff from pro shop to cart barn.
The view of the strip was pretty and can be seen in many of the holes.
I would play this again in a heartbeat… I hope to get another call (lol).
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This is my second time playing here as Rob1563 and I played on NYE last year. The construction of the main resort is don... » More

This is my second time playing here as Rob1563 and I played on NYE last year. The construction of the main resort is done and the PGA tour was here 2 weeks ago. The grandstands are just starting to be disassembled but were still mostly in tact. They have also instituted a mandatory caddy which was not the case last year. Its actually nice to have on your first trip here because there are many areas to avoid. Easy check in at the newly opened Pro Shop however its still a trek to the practice and tee box area. They shuttle you back and fourth but they will need to address this. The Fully Stocked and complimentary refreshment and food stations are now open. The Main one is at the practice area and 1st tee box, the other is off of 11th and 16th holes. Fully stocked with a handful of lunch items that you can call in from ahead of time. The Taco's and dole whip were fantastic. They also have alcohol on the back nine but the front nine is technically in a different city witch is Dry so you may not purchase booze on the front nine. Practice area has trackman's on every stall and a very fun 18 hole putting course.

On to the Conditions. HOLY SMOKE'S Is it pure right now. It makes sense as the PGA tour was here a few weeks back but d%mn its nice. Tee's lush level and mostly good. One tee box was a little chewed up on a par 3 but its fine. Fairways just short cut carpet with tons of roll and very nice to hit from. Rough was cut the day before as there was rain in the morning so it wasn't as penal but still tall enough to mess with your swing. Greens were as pure as can be. Super fast and smooth with some tough pin locations. Having the caddy helped a bit but our caddy was newish and did miss a few reads but never to the wrong side. Sand traps were great although wet from the rain. Carts are nice with a good GPS.

One new thing since the last time I was here is the addition of the 19th hole which is a 75yard par three over water and built into the side of the lava field the resort is on the left of the lake. Very stunning hole and I could sit on the balcony all day watching people play the hole.

Overall this place is still worth a play even at the expensive rack rates. Being all inclusive for food and non booze drinks helps a lot with sticker shock. The word on the street is that once everything is completely done they may go semi private with the only way to get a time is to book a room or wait until 2 days prior to snag a time or join the waitlist. Its going to be too popular with both the LPGA and PGA making stops every year.
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Tee boxes opened today. Course back in regular play. The tees look good and the greens have come back very nice. Fairway... » More

Tee boxes opened today. Course back in regular play. The tees look good and the greens have come back very nice. Fairways were all clean and gave good lies and decent roll out. Bunkers IMO still need some TLC but they are getting better. Great customer service in shop by Christian and Mateo and the great Oscar in the grounds crew who always has a smile and hello. Great weather day for golf after a cold morning. POP was right on 4 H and it seemed much faster.
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Played yesterday. Course was busy due to CIF Tournament on the South Course.

It has been approximately a mon... » More

Played yesterday. Course was busy due to CIF Tournament on the South Course.

It has been approximately a month since the greens were aerated. They were still a little bumpy. The rest of the course was damp due to watering. Tee boxes were being repaired and there were some temporary tee boxes in several holes. POP was just slightly over 4 hours.
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