Posted on April 21, 2018April 18, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Los Serranos Country Club (SOUTH) Chino Hills California

Los Serranos Country Club (South)

Chino Hills, CA

Reviewed by: sparky14, San Clemente
Heads up – Los Serranos South was aerated, probably 7-10 days ago.

I was shocked upon looking at my spreadsheet to see that I haven’t been out here in almost 10 years, as I liked both of these courses. Just a little far to get here. The 5am drive from San Clemente to LS was easy, but coming back from LS to Irvine at 9:30 am took me 90+ minutes.

Outside of the aerated greens, LS South is in good shape. Fairways are plush and not too tight. Rough is hit and miss. Tee boxes were nice. I was not aware of the green aeration, so that was disappointing. They are still bumpy, but not so bad as to make me regret coming here. I am sure in 2-3 weeks they will be nice.

I still enjoy these courses. Even though I’ve played the south a half a dozen times, I still get surprised by the par 74 and the sheer length of this course. Bombs away – there’s lots of room to miss, but you’ll get some tree trouble coming back.

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Hole 9 Los Serranos Country Club Golf Tee Time Special

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Posted on April 20, 2018April 18, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review Mile Square Golf Club CLASSIC Fountain Valley California

Mile Square Golf Club (Classic)

Fountain Valley, CA

Reviewed by: chevelle, Norco

Played Tues April 17th at 7am, check in fast and friendly, no one in front of us so we got out 8 minutes early.

This course was closed last week when we played The Players so I wasn’t sure what to expect from the greens, I must say they were in much better shape than I expected.

The tee boxes were level, fairways nice, rough a little longer and being wet made it penal, bunkers sand was OK, and greens had small holes, a touch of sand you would have to clean the ball, but rolled very well, another week or 2 and they will be real nice, we were a walking three-some with no one in front of us and a riding four-some behind us that did not catch us.

Pace of Play (POP) was 3 hours,26 minutes, almost finished too soon for lunch.

Posted on April 19, 2018April 17, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Santa Barbara California

Rancho San Marcos Golf Course

Santa Barbara, CA

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

Just posted some beautiful photos of our GK Review Guru round at Rancho San Marcos Sunday, April 15th. Was super fun day and I thank everyone that could make it!

Last year was the comeback year for Rancho San Marcos after almost a decade of drought in the region. This year, great conditions remain.

Greens were smooth, holding shots and medium/fast. Fairways lush, firm and providing good lies. Rough, lush with the first cut only a couple inches and not much of a penalty to be in. However hit a shot into the native areas bordering the rough and good luck finding it. Bunkers contains clean white sand, were thin at times yet fairly maintained. Tee boxes were lush with a mix of grasses and in good shape.

What brings me back to Rancho San Marcos is the layout and location above all else. It’s secluded and gorgeous. You’re up in Santa Ynez mountains nestled into a valley next to Lake Cachuma. As you drive up Highway 154 through a small section of the Los Padres National Forest, the views and surrounding beauty really set the stage for your round. The layout features, 7 Par 4’s, 6 Par 3’s and 5 Par 5’s – which I love. Lots of risk/reward strategy.

Before and after the round, the western themed plantation style facilities combined with a super friendly staff complete the day. I just missed the last call for diner on Sunday, which was 2:30pm that day, a bit bummed about that as I love their tri-tip sandwich. Next time!

Give yourself time before your round as the practice facilities are excellent and relaxing.

Highly recommended.

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Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Santa Barbara California Hole 1 Par 5

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Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Santa Barbara California Hole 12 Par 5

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Posted on April 18, 2018April 16, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review PGA WEST Nicklaus Tournament Course La Quinta California

PGA WEST (Nicklaus Tournament Course)

La Quinta, CA

Reviewed by: zeppelin51423, manhattan beach

Played my favorite track in the desert for maybe the 5-6th time in the last 12 months Sunday, 4/15. We were the 5th group out and played in 3.5 hours (2some) and the course was in fantastic conditioning.

The dormant rough is starting to green up a bit so the contrast from the fairways to rough was nothing like back in December-February, but I want to say the course was in about as good of shape as I’ve ever seen it. The fairways were excellent and great to hit from. Tee boxes were great. Sand was a mixed bag but most green side bunkers were solid. The greens were superb. Firm & med/fast. You had to be careful when above the hole as they were rolling out fairly quick. I though the greens were in perfect condition considering you could see that summer Bermuda starting to creep in.

All in all, I expected maybe a slight drop off from when I played on the heels of the career builders event but not in any way was there a drop off in conditions.

Can’t wait to get back!

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PGA WEST Nicklaus Tournament La Quinta California Hole 10

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PGA WEST Nicklaus Tournament La Quinta California Hole 9

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Posted on April 17, 2018April 12, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review Shadow Hills Golf Club SOUTH Indio California

Shadow Hills Golf Club (South)

Indio, CA

Reviewed by: Nickesquire, Rancho Mirage, CA

Rode the Blues (6467/71.5/130) on a GN “Hot Deal” with Hillary in 3.5 hours. The weather was clear, breezy and in the mid 90’s.

First time I had played here in almost 5 years. Most holes are lined on both sides with nice track homes. Tight in places layout that offers a good variety of holes. More than average amount of sand and water features adds to the difficulty.

The tees were excellent, lush and nicely maintained.

The fairways were mostly lush and many were near immaculate. A few were thinner and showing signs of the recent heat wave.

The rough is a mixture of grasses and 95% is maintained low. Not very penal in most places except for the designated ornamental patches of wild grass that they grow high that is an almost sure lost ball.

The sand traps were near perfect. Nice, thick, excellent quality white sand.

The back nine greens were very good, firm and medium fast. The front had several greens that were browned and not in as good of shape.

Troon facility, complementary balls on the all grass driving range comes with your daily fee. This is a good course, everything about it is above average, the layout, the condition, the customer service etc. However, it just does not stand out in an area that has many excellent courses within 10-15 miles.

Recommended.

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Posted on April 16, 2018April 12, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review Lookout Mountain Golf Club Phoenix Arizona

Lookout Mountain Golf Club

Phoenix, AZ

Reviewed by: ghattock, kansas city
Played in late March while there on vacation.

Thought the staff was very friendly. Our three-some was paired with a single.

Teed off on time and pace of play was good. Course was in great shape I thought. Played 5 rounds out there this trip and it was probably my 2nd favorite course out of the 5. Played 6500 yards from blues. Hit driver 7 times. 3 woods and hybrids were sufficient off some to keep it in play. I have played almost 20 courses in the area and this I consider was in top half of those I have played.

It’s an enjoyable course with lot of elevation change. If you’re looking for a true ‘desert’ course this is probably not it, but does have a few nice views of the mountains.

Posted on April 15, 2018April 4, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Morongo Golf Club Tukwet Canyon LEGENDS Beaumont California

Morongo Golf Club Tukwet Canyon (Legends)

Beaumont, CA

Reviewed by: gary00, san clemente

Leaving another review after seeing that Gary00 had left one also. The course was very busy today. The LPGA Symentra Tour was in attendance for their practice rounds, tuning up for competition this week end. They made for some nice scenery!! Ok enough of that.

The Review

I had a 1pm tee time at an outstanding rate of $27. Couldn’t really pass that up. The course was in pretty good shape. 3.25/5 stars. The greens were firm and quick, as usual. Good coverage on the fairways, but the occasional shot from the rough was challenging. Advancing the ball was difficult. Luckily my driver was helping me look good today. The only negative I could comment on would be the tee boxes on the par 3s. Playing from the whites they were rather beat up, level but definitely in need of some attention.

I like the renovation moving the bar in the area where the pro shop was and check in was moved into another section but much smaller.

It was an enjoyable round and I’m sure I’ll be back in the next few weeks.

Posted on April 14, 2018April 4, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Pacific Grove Golf Links Pacific Grove California

Pacific Grove Golf Links

Pacific Grove, CA

Reviewed by: Alex326, Monterey, Ca

PG is always an enjoyable track. Course starts out out with two par 3’s then a driveable par 4 on the 4th hole. Front nine is set in a tight wooded scene with several looks at the ocean from a few blocks above. Hole 9 is a 220 yard par three that plays directly into the wind.

The back 9 is set right on the ocean and winds around the lighthouse. Gone are the tree lined fairways of the front with sand dunes guarding the edges of the fairway. The beauty of being right on the ocean comes with a price, as the wind will now be a factor in almost every shot on the back nine.

Hole 17 is a short iron par 3 with the ocean directly on your left and a forced carry over a pond in front of the green. It doesn’t get any more beautiful and fun than that!

Greens are small but roll smooth and are soft, easily holding approach shots. Fairways are in very nice shape as well. Tee boxes were a little thin on a couple of the par 3’s but were divot free.

Customer service is great in the pro shop. Course does have a range and carts have a USB port for charging electronics but do not have GPS. Probably because GPS devices frequently don’t work at this course. I believe it has something to do with interference from the lighthouse. Be prepared for your electronic device distance device not to work here.

Restaurant has a great view but that’s the extent of it. Food is way overpriced and garbage.

Overall, PG is a super fun course at a very reasonable price.