One thing always strikes me when I pull into the parking lot at Goose Creek. Unlike other golf courses, Goose Creek is not a golf course that was built to sell houses, and it’s not intended to be a pretty backdrop for bridal showers and wedding receptions. Like Spyglass, Bandon Dunes, and (the late) Stevinson Ranch, it is clear that this facility clearly puts golf ahead of everything else … as it should be.

I played yesterday in a GKReviewGuru group, teeing off at 12:15, with GK legends dconnally, leef2020, and weber2323. First, I would say that the practice areas at Goose Creek are unrivaled by any public course in Southern California. There is a grass driving range, and putting and chipping greens which are actually large enough so that players can find a spot to practice each element of their game before they tee off.

As for the course itself, it is the perfect mix for my game. Forgiving off the tee, but challenging on and around the greens. The tees were lush and green. The fairways and rough had nice coverage. The bunker I was in had the heavier, coarse sand, but it played fine. I loved the firmness and pace of the smooth greens, though I misread a few putts. The pace of play was about 4:30, which was just fine. Every employee with whom I came in contact was positive and professional.

If you’ve never played here, I strongly recommend making the trip. Goose Creek is a golf course designed for golfers who love the game.

Played the blue tees with the GK Gurus at 1220 on Wednesday, 2/1/17. Thanks to GKers weber2323, leef2020, and stickboy for a fun round. All three of these guys were hitting the ball solidly all day, but they let me play with them anyway, although I was having some bad alignment issues. The weather was great – sunny and warm – it got a little windy over the last 6 holes [they had the blue box on the Chris Berman tee (back, back, back!!) on #17 – all the way back in that tree funnel, dead into that wind – YIKES!!].

Conditions overall were very good. Greens were very firm, cut short and rolled fast. We saw quite a few (small) unrepaired ballmarks, and many greens had quite a bit of small debris on them. When greens are this firm, players need a little help from course in making them a little more lush to be able to control the ball – or, if they are cut this close, they need to be a little softer. For example, in almost all cases, good shots we hit to the par 3s hit and released over the greens.

Fairways had good coverage but were close cut, which resulted in fairly tight lies. Rough was cut short and very playable. Tees were mostly level and okay. We saw some minor divot damage on the par-3 tees – the sand pails there were loamy (powdery!), or so packed/old you couldn’t scrape out any mix, or didn’t have scoops(!). Traps had only a thin playing layer over a very firm base – one that I was in was very wet, the other dry and ‘cemented’.

Saw the cart girl several times and a marshal was riding around. Thanks to Johnny for setting this up, and to my playing partners for their patience. I always enjoy playing the Goose, especially with other GKers.