Posted on July 24, 2018July 19, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Streamsong Resort BLUE COURSE Streamsong Florida

Streamsong Resort (Blue Course)

Streamsong, FL

Reviewed by: zeppelin51423, manhattan beach

Golf Course Playing Conditions 9.04 IMMACULATE

You don’t typically just stumble into a top 15 public course in the US but that is kind of what happened yesterday. I had a business trip to Florida and decided I would bring my clubs along as I had an off day on Monday. I searched around for courses in the Orlando area and most were undergoing maintenance. Without many solid options nearby and having heard of Streamsong’s greatness I decided to rent a car and make the drive (1.5 hours) south on Sunday evening. Given the timing they had plenty of (cheap) availability at the lodge, which i found out later was only at 19% capacity. The only course open for play Monday’s is the Blue course. I ended up paying 36 Monday with a $55 replay rate.

The Blue course was phenomenal. The front 9 stacks up with any 9 holes I’ve played. Dramatic bunkering, nice elevation changes, huge greens, big fairways & lots of scoring opportunities. Although i thought the front was the better 9, the back is still quite strong. The course is very forgiving off the tee it certainly has greens that will keep your short game in check. The course conditions were fantastic. I was shocked that the greens were as quick/true as they were given the heat/humidity/rain but I would say the were 10.5+ on the stimp rolling even quicker down grain. The fairways were near perfect and I can’t fault the course, service, or facilities.

I can’t wait to return to play both the red and newly opened black course! A couple things to note, the course is walking only UNLESS you get a caddie. Although the course was plenty walkable, in the summer heat/humidity, walking 36 was tough but definitely worth it.

Posted on July 23, 2018July 19, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course Stateline Nevada

Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course

Stateline, NV

Reviewed by: biggsy1969, Dana Point

Played here on 7/9 which was the last day of public play before the course shuts down for the American Century Celebrity Tournament. This is my 3rd time playing here in the past 9 years. Each time has been a special day for me, but considering the tournament conditions and the grandstands and TV towers peppered throughout the grounds, it was EXTRA special on this day. The conditions are the best I have ever played: fairways were pristine, tee boxes were great, greens rolled true and fast. The rough wasn’t too penal but “grabby” if you didn’t come in steeply enough. At over 6,000 feet above sea level, I found my ball flew a little bit farther (good for the ego), but made it hardest on approach shots from inside 125 yards. For example, I hit an approach wedge on #16 that I absolutely nutted and was sure it would be on the stick and yet had to watch it fly 20 yards over the hole. Oh well, can’t complain with hitting a pure shot.

We played in exactly 4 hrs and 25 minutes. And honestly, I would have been much happier with a 6-hour round so I could enjoy it longer (I’ll never say that about another course).

Although it is pricey, if you get the right weather and stop to enjoy the views, you will not be disappointed.

Saw a lot of celebrity athletes playing practice rounds during my day (Greg Maddux, Marshall Faulk, Doug Flutie, to name a few). What a great day!

Posted on July 22, 2018July 19, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Primm Valley Golf Club LAKES Primm Nevada

Primm Valley Golf Club (Lakes)

Primm, NV

Reviewed by: caligolfer1031, Paramount

Played on Saturday morning with an 8am tee time. POP was a very relaxed 3 hours. Check in was pleasant and quick and they brought a cart out to my car when I pulled in. After check in they told me to see the starter outside, but she was no where to be found. So I went to the first tee and took off by myself.

The fairways have a slightly brownish tint to them but was very lush and nice to play from. Noticed many unfilled divots and I used two bottles of sand during my round. Never affected any shots. Some soggy area’s, but not sure if it was from sprinklers or maybe an over night rain.

Rough was in decent shape and could be a factor in club selection. Most of the rough has hills and would be thick enough to stop the ball from rolling down to the fairways.

Tee boxes were a mixed bag, some thin, some needed mowing (especially the par three 12th which was like teeing up a ball in the rough).
Bunkers looked decent. Was in one fairway bunker and was nice to play out of. Very course sand with a few rocks.

Greens were medium fast and putted OK. Greens were difficult to read as the putts didn’t break as much as they looked. They are in a fight on the greens with another grass or fungus trying to take over. You can see where they have pulled up the patches of the grass or fungus.

I enjoyed the round and will return again soon….I hope.

Posted on July 22, 2018July 19, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK Guru ReVisit Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada

Reflection Bay Golf Club

Henderson, NV

Reviewed by: sdscratchorbust, Scottsdale

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 9

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 14

[/su_column] [/su_row]

Played here Saturday morning with the Greenskeeper OG’s. JohnnyGK live and direct, Kevbig, and mpisarski01. Big shout out to Kev for hooking up the hometown discount, and Johnny for making the drive much appreciated.

I don’t need to rehash all that was said below as they are spot on. It’s a beautiful course. Great views and water elements, as well as forced carries over ravines. Every hole was different and it felt like many different types of courses blended into one with a wide variety of holes. The views of the reflection along the water are one of a kind.

It was a shame it was so unbearably humid at the end because it took a lot of the enjoyment away but the course is one of a kind. Only minor nitpicking was the shaggy greens but you can’t win them all.

Course’ layout isn’t too difficult but I rarely had a flat approach which led to the difficultly and emphasis on shot making and ball striking here.

Great time with good people and a great course.

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

GK Plays Roundup Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club

Bullhead City, AZ

Reviewed by: apisarski, Costa Mesa

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 14

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 15

[/su_column] [/su_row]

Decided last minute to drive out for the GK Event on 7/15 after some convincing by JohnnyGK and mpisarski01. I was at first skeptical about playing anywhere in Laughlin, let alone in July with the heat, but I’m extremely happy I did. Laughlin Ranch is a hidden gem and rivals many of the Palm Springs course at a much better price. I will be playing here anytime I’m close.

Mpisarski01, Kevbig, and teed of first just after 7. It was muggy but manageable with some lingering cloud cover with the storms from then night before. Considering how much it rained conditions were amazing and improved as the course dried out. Tee boxes were lush green and for the most part very flat. Fairways were almost perfect carpet like grass. I dont think I had a bad lie all day.

Rough was short and not very penal. The only time we had any trouble was if you were off in the dirt which was very soft and soaked from the rains. The only real negative to speak of all day was the bunkers. Some had a decent amount of small rocks but really weren’t all to bad. Hard to tell what they are normally like because they were still very wet.

The grounds crew were not able to cut the greens before we played due to the overnight monsoons but the still looked great and roll true. They were pretty slow and soft but not to the fault of the crew at Laughlin Ranch. All in all a beautiful and challenging track that I cant wait to play again. This place is a steal for the price and conditions, two thumbs up!

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Group 1

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Group 2

[/su_column] [/su_row]

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Group 3

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona LINKSOUL Twinsies

[/su_column] [/su_row]

Posted on July 21, 2018July 17, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Santa Barbara California

Rancho San Marcos Golf Course

Santa Barbara, CA

Reviewed by: roarksown1, Playa del Rey

Played our GK Cup matches at Rancho San Marcos on Sunday and, after having waited a year to finally come back to this super fun course, it did not disappoint at all. The staff was fantastic all day long and did us a solid by allowing us to play our replay match free after the initial $65 greens fee – what a steal. The drive up is beautiful and when you get the course, it just feels like you get even more of that.

We pretty much had the course to ourselves the entire day and all 36 holes, which was a bit crazy. However, it was over the 100 mark so that may have kept the crowds away. We were not complaining one bit. Kudos again to the staff for taking care of us and having water every four holes or so. It was necessary.

Layout at RsM is one of the most fun you’ll likely ever play, and the setting is terrific. As for the conditions, really good all around for the most part, but there were a few spots that needed some attention, but totally understandable with the heat wave currently. The fairways definitely had plenty of lush, but you could certainly find a dry or thin spot here or there, especially around the greens. The rough is playable but anything just off the fairways is serious trouble. Tee boxes were in good shape for the most part, but the bunkers I found to be a little lacking overall. A lot of thin bunker shots that were played more like chips than sand shots.

Greens were very nice. The held shots well, had plenty of tricks to them (tough to read!), and rolled medium-fast (with a tiny bit of edge on the fast side) and stuck to their lines for the most part. There were a few areas that didn’t have the best coverage though, but for the most part they were solid and fun to play.

Carts are nice but no GPS or USB ports. There are also some 4×4 areas on the course where the cart path just ends and you have to get squirrely, but nothing to worry about for the most part.

In summary, a great deal of thanks to Rancho san Marcos for styling us out and showing how much they appreciate the GK community. I’ll play here any time I can. You should, too.

Posted on July 20, 2018July 19, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK Guru Visit Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada

Reflection Bay Golf Club

Henderson, NV

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 18

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

[/su_column] [/su_row]

Had a super time playing with GK’ers Kevbig, mpisarski01 and sdscratchorbust Saturday morning. We teed it up at 6:50am and got around in 4.15 hours. Golf course was in great summer shape and as a first timer playing it, I loved the layout. Been wanting to play here for over 10 years and the golf course met my expectations.

There are a wide variety of holes with about 4 or 5 playing next to Lake Las Vegas and others rolling up, down, dogleg left, dogleg right through canyons. Green complexes are all well protected and interesting as you would expect from a Nicklaus design. Although I did think for a Nicklaus design the greens were rather tame. Not as much undulations or as slender…this is a good thing in my book. I think where there is the most demand on your game is your approach shots. There never is an easy one and the first hole greets you with long par 4 forced carry over water for a second shot.

Conditions are very good for the Summer. With all the recent rains I will project the fairways will only get lusher as weeks pass. Greens rolling nice and not too summer bermunda turf slow. There is just no way a golf course can chance cutting greens low with average temps over 100. Bunkers in great shape with quality sand. Tee boxes lush and level. Rough was not that high but still very difficult to play from due to the sticky humid day and ball tending to sit down in the bermunda turf.

As for service, excellent. Very friendly and professional. Saw many marshals and on course beverage service.

I’m impressed with Reflection Bay Golf Club and would like to return to play it in the Fall to see what it’s like after over-seed. As of now a great summer option.

Posted on July 19, 2018July 18, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK PLAYS Roundup: Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club

Bullhead City, AZ

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 1

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 4

[/su_column] [/su_row]

Was a super fun GK Plays outing despite only 14 players and I thank everyone that came!

I had not played Laughlin Ranch since January and then it was a very nice conditioned rye turf course. This time around it would be a bermunda turf course. Not all golf courses transition well from rye to bermunda and vice-versa….I can safely to say Laughlin Ranch Golf Club transitions phenomenally. The course was lush bermunda everywhere. I only wish the night before the course did not get slammed by monsoons since this caused the maintenance to not be able to cut the greens that morning before our round. Hence we had slow surfaces to play however they rolled true and held shots great. Another thing worth noting is the golf course is currently doing a bunker renovation filling in some traps, reshaping and turning sand. Last time out that was not taking place yet. It’s an eye sore at times but nothing that significantly impacts play.

As far as an outing host, fantastic. The staff is great to work with and even handled a late night pairing change effortlessly. All the golf carts were staged correctly and afterwards we had ample room in their SLATE restaurant (delicious appropriately priced food). I liked how the driving range and practice putting green are perfectly position to both the 1st and 10th tees. The entire property is themed “Gold Miner” with authentic old mining equipment used as decorations throughout. Really brings a fun ambiance to the place.

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Hole 17

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club Bullhead City Arizona Practice Facility

[/su_column] [/su_row]

GK will for sure be having another outing here. Maybe even as soon as early next year.

Posted some photos…check them out. Also compare them to the January photos I posted to get an idea of how different the golf course looks from Winter to Summer yet still awesome.

Highly Recommended.