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 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.

Posted on April 13, 2018April 4, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Oak Quarry Golf Club Riverside California

Oak Quarry Golf Club

Riverside, CA

Reviewed by: colby022002, Fontana, CA.

Played here Monday 4/2/18. Got paired up with 3 other guys who all were friendly. Pace of play was 4 hours for us.

Course is in great shape. Very green and clean. I didn’t see many dead spots at all and everything looked to be watered. I fixed all divots and scuffs on the fairway to keep them looking amazing.

Staff was friendly and I always love playing this course! I paid $50 but would have paid $75 for this.

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Oak Quarry Golf Club Hole 18 Riverside CA

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Oak Quarry Golf Club Hole 14 Riverside CA

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Posted on April 12, 2018April 4, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review Rhodes Ranch Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada

Rhodes Ranch Golf Club

Las Vegas, NV

Reviewed by: kevbig, Las Vegas
Had a buddy in town visiting so we got out to RR early Monday morning at 7:15. Check-in at the shop was quick, friendly, and efficient. Their outside services had several people out sick that morning so one poor guy was pulling carts, loading bags, & starting all by himself. Despite all that he was really friendly and things were running on time. Kudos to him!

The Review

Tees- Above average coverage with only one box that I can remember not being flat. Normal damage on the par 3s and short 4s.

Fairways- Really lush and full coverage as is to be expected right around March Madness in Vegas. Cut semi-tight allowing for some nice roll out.

Rough- Lush and pretty thick. Balls could easily sit down and require some strength to get back into play.

Bunkers- Was in a couple and they had nice soft sand. Didn’t see any issues with other players in the group either.

Greens- I’d say they were above average as well. Different mixes of grasses that gives that splotchy look. Some greens early in the morning were bumpy but that might have been an issue of maintenance not getting to them yet because as the day went on, they got progressively smoother and quicker. They held well and were rolling at a medium pace.

My Humble Opinion

Overall RR is a fun track to play. Beware though houses are on the majority of holes. Most are set back far enough as to not be an issue but I can definitely see some wayward shots sending some warning shots across the bow. The layout itself is a nice mix of holes. You have reachable par 5’s except #9 which is 571 yds from the blacks. Par 4’s are a nice variety of longer holes and shorter risk/reward challenges. Par 3’s are really fun. Although they’re all similar in distance, they are all very fun and picturesque. One is all carry over a lake and another is surrounded on both sides by sand and waterfalls. Really strong set of par 3’s in my opinion. Saw the beverage cart out a few times. RR doesn’t get the acclaim as some of the other courses in the valley, but I’d highly recommend it and you can usually get some good deals here unlike many other courses in Vegas.

Posted on April 11, 2018April 2, 2018 by Vic Flores

Recent Golf Course Review CrossCreek Golf Club Temecula California

CrossCreek Golf Club

Temecula, CA

ALERT: Aeration
Will be aerating the greens 4/2 & 4/3.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Reviewed by: sd3bs, Temecula, CA

Third off in the morning with a finish of a little of four hours. Those who play here know that a quick round is usually not going to be the case. The staff knows of Mr. GK here very well!

The tees were all in nice shape with a few being a little sloped and thin.

The fairways look very green and are in real good condition but most were very firm with large bounces and roll (not always in the right direction). The grass in the fairways was thick from the recent rains and kept the ball up nicely for approach shots. The rain also has made the rough treacherous to hit from but it will keep most off line shots in play (just very difficult to play from). The green side rough is also extremely thick and swallows up shots that do not find the putting surface.

The traps were the low point of the round. All were in need of sand and seriously in need of a good raking. Some of the green side traps were damp mud with standing water. I’m sure that the course will have the traps in much better condition by months end when they host the Temecula Valley Amateur.

The greens will be punched in a couple days and the are in need of it. Most of the greens had quite a bit of roll out and were not holding shots great. The rain has also slowed down the greens and many were somewhat bumpy. Those that have played here a few times know the greens are usually very quick and true – I’m sure in a couple weeks that the greens will be in fantastic shape.

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CrossCreek Golf Club Temecula California GK Review Guru Visit - Hole 7 Looking Back — CrossCreek Golf Club Temecula California GK Review Guru Visit – Hole 7 Looking Back

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CrossCreek Golf Club Temecula California GK Review Guru Visit - Hole 18 — CrossCreek Golf Club Temecula California GK Review Guru Visit – Hole 18

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The GPS on the old rickety carts has helped those who don’t use range finders.

The front nine is fairly flat while the back nine has elevation changes and more difficult layouts. The surrounding area and views along with the wildlife make this an enjoyable course to play. Highly recommended.

CrossCreek Golf Club Temecula California Eat & Play GK Coupon