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Golf Course Review Elkins Ranch Golf Course Fillmore California

Elkins Ranch Golf Course

Golf Course Review Elkins Ranch Golf Course Fillmore California

Reviewed by: Long4par, San Diego

Playing Conditions 7.15 GREAT
Playing Conditions 7.15 GREAT

Was in the area on Saturday and wanted to give this course a try. Got out around 9 on Saturday at what looked like a pretty busy time. They were doing split tees starting and we started on 10. Not sure why maybe they had a tournament going at the same time. Course is in really good shape.

Tees boxes were a little beat up but plenty of places to put a tee. Fairways were nice and lush with almost no brown or hard pan spots. Rough was thick and made you work to make a good shot. Wasn’t in a bunker but they looked very playable. Greens were nice and lush and showed subtle signs of punching. Speed was good but they were to bumpy for me and maybe need to be cut and rolled.

Pace was good for first 9 about 2:15 but the other 9 (front) slowed to a crawl. Took over an hour to play four holes. I could not handle the pace and left around the sixth hole. I saw to many groups out of position in front of us including one group which was a hole behind the pace. No Marshall on the course that I saw at least.

$60 for a weekend round is a good deal and would definitely give the course another try!

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Golf Course Review Oak Valley Golf Club Beaumont California

Oak Valley Golf Club

Golf Course Review Oak Valley Golf Club Beaumont California

Reviewed by: noeldaof, Antelope Valley

Golf Playing Conditions 7.73 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.73 GREAT

Saturday the 20th, October, about noon was when we tee’d off. It was breezy, but a nice clear day of mid 70s.

There was a twosome- a father and son who I was paired with. In front of us were a foursome who was fast in some holes but very slow with more than a few holes making it a 4 hours and 20 minutes round total- not that bad, but it didn’t help to see that there was no one in front of them for about 2 whole holes.

It was a busy day, there were a lot of people on the range and we see the carts making the turn from the ninth- the parking lot was almost full that day.

The Review

Their aeration was done more than a month ago and the course is looking good. The greens were rolling nicely and fast (thumbs up on that!). The fairways were also nice and lush but there’s a few areas that were over watered but it wasn’t much in play. The teeing grounds looks good, too. The bunkers looks like sand were added, but it was mixed with lots of gravel/pebbles (about the size of a penny- I didn’t care for it at all. The rough was tall in many areas that were not in play, but along both sides of the fairways, you can see that they’ve mowed it down nicely. So it was maybe 3 and 4 inches tall and boy it was lush and it made it a little difficult to find the ball much more getting out of it.

The guys at their pro shop are always good including the starter up at #1. The beverage cart came around at least three times.

Final Thought

So all in all the course is in good shape and it looks like it will only get better through the winter and we can definitely see many rounds here or at least this course will be a choice contender for the winter.

Good job Oak Valley GC!!

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GK Guru Visit Golf Club at Terra Lago (SOUTH) Indio California

Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 12

The Golf Club at Terra Lago (South)

Golf Course Review Golf Club at Terra Lago (SOUTH) Indio California

Reviewed by: sixpez, Rancho Mirage, CA
Golf Playing Conditions 6.48 GOOD
Golf Playing Conditions 6.48 GOOD

Played here this morning with JohnnyGK and Nickesquire. We started around 7:20 and enjoyed a nice relaxed pace after letting a couple twosomes through. At the moment, both courses are open, though North is shutting down for its over-seed after this weekend. South just came out of the over-seed and that’s why we opted to play it.

The Review

As Nick noted, the course was in pretty good overall condition and definitely better than when I was here last summer. It’s still a bit rough around the edges and it may never be completely pristine like some courses out here, but the fun/challenging layout and unique desert setting help balance that out. The tee boxes were mostly quite good with just a few a little thin on the over-seed coming through. Same with the fairways. There were a few small sandy/dead spots here and here, but mostly nice lies throughout. The rough mostly okay. There was some obvious storm/flood damage on the front nine where some mud and water washed through lower-lying parts of the course, but nothing too bad. The greens were good with the Bermuda still holding strong as the rye starts to come in. A little slow, but should smooth out as the season progresses. I was only in one fairway bunker and it was fine. All bunkers seemed a bit hit or miss from what I observed, though.

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Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 10
Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 10

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Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 9
Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 9

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Final Thoughts

Though this place is a little rougher around the edges than some courses in the valley, I would still recommend either TL course. I’ve always said that these are two of the more underrated designs. I also contend that South is way underrated compared to North, which typically gets more acclaim. Both offer a unique and mostly secluded setting with the rugged desert all around, and the layouts are very interesting, challenging and fun. Definitely far from your cookie-cutter “Palm Springs resort/community” courses, and I like that. Seems the management has this place headed back in the right direction and I’m excited to see it. Thanks to the staff for having us out today!

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Golf Course Review Carlton Oaks Golf Resort Santee California

Carlton Oaks Golf Resort

Golf Course Review Carlton Oaks Golf Resort Santee, California

Reviewed by: Long4par, San Diego

Golf Playing Conditions 5.61 GOOD
Golf Playing Conditions 5.61 GOOD

Played this am in about 4:15 pace.

Course is in good overall shape. Just like most courses in San Diego it’s not lush but decent. Tee boxes were mostly good, didn’t have a hard time finding a place for the tee but some were a little uneven. Fairways are green with brown patches. Not a real issue if you keep it in the fairway, but if you miss the fairway a little expect a hard pan lie. Green-side bunkers were good but fairway bunkers were hard. Greens were the best part of the course. Back 9 greens were better then front but overall they are in good shape with medium speed.

Course is walkable and they offer a different green fees for walking and riding. I will play the course again and if you can find a good deal I would suggest giving it a try!

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Golf Course Review Boulder Creek Golf Club Bolder City Nevada

Boulder Creek Golf Club

Golf Course Review Boulder Creek Golf Club Boulder City Nevada

Reviewed by: larryq2001, Brea

Golf Playing Conditions 8.60 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 8.60 GREAT

Participated in a 2 day tournament at Boulder Creek the weekend of 10/13. I play in this tournament every year and so look forward to it. For one, this tournament is a lot of fun and 2, BC is always a fun venue. This year was no exception. Wonderful golf course. Played a practice round on Friday and they gave us the resident rate. Nice guys!

There are 3 nines here and all in in great condition. A desert course with desert bushes and hard pan lining the fairways. Go in there and you can still play your shot unless your ball rolls under a bush. The layout is fairly flat. Some doglegs and some minor elevations but for the most is straight away. All of the fairways have been over seeded so in the fairway, you will have a great lie. The rough is not too thick and is playable. Oddly enough, the rough around the greens was very thick. Dormant Bermuda but still playable. Bunkers were also in great condition.

The greens were not very fast but rolled great. They looked much faster as they were cut pretty low. I have seen them much faster but I am thinking they are still in recovery from aeration.

I love playing here. The weather in October is great. The views of the surrounding hills/mountains are worth a couple of pictures. Great practice area with a huge, grass driving range. They also have a nice bar/restaurant and the food is very tasty. What’s not to like? Already looking forward to next year’s tournament!

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GK Rolls out UPDATED GK Coupon for Club at Sunrise Las Vegas Nevada

The Club at Sunrise Hole 1

Club at Sunrise GK Coupon

GK Rolls out Updated GK Coupon for Club at Sunrise Las Vegas Nevada

It’s back.  It’s updated.  And it’s only available here at Greenskeeper.Org.

When playing golf in Vegas you have a plethora of high end courses to play.  But what if you don’t?  Just out of over-seeding, enjoy golf that won’t set you back a few hundred.  Try the Club at Sunrise and enjoy some of the best conditions that won’t hurt your pocketbook.

Latest Review

rob1563
Posted: 09/08/18 4:55p
Member Since: Jul 3, 2010
From: Las Vegas

Playing Conditions 6.90 GOOD
Playing Conditions 6.90 GOOD

Played on Friday, 9/7, with John_T. We were looking for a round while most courses are closed for re-seeding and found plenty open times at Sunrise.

Conditions were excellent tee to green. Relatively flat and damage free tee boxes. Rough was varied from about 1 inch to over 3 in some areas. Bunkers had some of the best sand in the valley and easy to hit out. Fairways were lush, with some wet, soggy areas. The greens! Oh my gawd, the greens. Simply phenomenal. Absolutely no sign of aerating 2 weeks ago. Smooth as glass, very little amount of ball marks, and running medium speed but sped up as the day warmed. Just incredible conditions for the end of summer in Vegas.

Only complaint: they started us on 10, behind a Men’s group scramble when the front 9 looked empty. We caught them in a few holes and slowed to a 2:15ish time. Men’s group only played 9 and we played the front in a casual 1:30.

Here’s the incredible part: we paid $29 local rate, which included $10 credit in the Winterwood Grille. I only wish it wasn’t such a difficult drive for me from the far Northwest. Sunrise is being added to the rotation.

Club at Sunrise Las Vegas Nevada Golf Course GK Coupon
Club at Sunrise Las Vegas Nevada Golf Course GK Coupon
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GK Guru Visit Golf Club at Terra Lago (SOUTH) Indio California

The Golf Club at Terra Lago (South)

Golf Course Review Golf Club at Terra Lago (SOUTH) Indio, CA

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 6.48 GOOD
Golf Playing Conditions 6.48 GOOD

Played with sixpez and Nickesquire Thursday morning. Was my first time playing Terra Lago after all these years. It pleasantly surprised me. I knew not to expect excellent playing conditions typical of the higher end Palm Springs golf courses which I have been accustomed to playing. Also the South golf course was fresh out of over-seeding. What surprised me was how interesting, challenging and flat out fun the layout was. As a first time player that loves shot value, this course is loaded with them. Risk/reward tee shots, intimidating bunkers, lots of doglegs, forced carries over water, tough green complexes, hazards on both sides of every hole, elevated tee shots, a fantastic signature par 3.  It was a blast.

The Review

As far as conditions, very good. Interestingly is after the round I talked with the Superintendent who informed me the greens are not over-seeded with rye but rather Poa. That they are tiff Bermuda surfaces that do well the majority times of the year but need a cool grass added for winter play. This explains why the greens rolled so well. They are basically all Bermuda with some Poa sprouting through. I was told the greens right now are as slow as they get and to expect them to gradually become faster and firmer. Makes me want to head back there for sure. With all those undulations and tricky pins, must be diabolically fun when they are running faster.

Fairways in very good shape mostly lush with some thin spots. Rough mostly lush green-side and adjacent to the fairways with occasional thin/bare areas. Bunkers, well groomed but in many cases very firm and depleted of quality sand. Fairway bunkers overall in poorer shape than the green-side bunkers. I did find a couple in decent shape and got used to the firm texture. Tee boxes in very good shape with exception to the gold tees on the 17th hole.

Service was friendly and excellent all day. After the round I grabbed a bite to eat in the restaurant. Decent burger with tasty fries and great view of the signature holes on the North Course.

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Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 14
Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 14

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Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 16
Golf Club at Terra Lago SOUTH Indio California Hole 16

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Final Thought

Overall, I’d play the South Course again and want to try the North Course. If the track was manicured better and in the kind of conditions of a PGA WEST, Desert Willow Golf Resort or Indian Wells Golf Resort the layout would be on par with most of those playing experiences. Granted the courses I mentioned do have higher levels of service and amenities but my point is this place has great bones with a ton of upside potential. It looks to be moving in a positive direction. CHECK OUT the photos I just posted. Recommended.

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Golf Course Review Bayonet Black Horse Golf Club BLACK HORSE Seaside California

Bayonet Black Horse GC (Black Horse)

Bayonet Black Horse Golf Club (BLACK HORSE) Seaside, California

Reviewed by: mcantos, lake forest

Golf Playing Conditions 8.00 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 8.00 GREAT

Played Bayonet today on a beautiful cool but sunny day. I teed off at 9:20 and was never held up in fact we played in 3hr 40 min.

On to the course, the course was in fantastic shape. The fairways were great condition and the speed of the greens were very quick. Lots of break on the greens. Everything about the course was in top shape, and I highly recommend either course if your ever in the area.