Anyone Ever Play Rancho San Joaquin in Irvine, Ca???

[agoodmanmbk]

played there today and it had to have been the worst fairways I have ever played. brown, patchy, etc. Not to mention the greens seemed like that havent been cut in a long time, playing very VERY slow. American Golf owns this place. Any suggestions on reasonable places to play in Orange County/SOCAL that isnt such a crap course but isn't too pricey???

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

played there today and it had to have been the worst fairways I have ever played. brown, patchy, etc. Not to mention the greens seemed like that havent been cut in a long time, playing very VERY slow. American Golf owns this place. Any suggestions on reasonable places to play in Orange County/SOCAL that isnt such a crap course but isn't too pricey???

Interesting.  While I have never considered this a very nice course, I have never seen it that bad.  Usually, it's just really soggy.  In fact, I am playing there on Saturday ... hopefully it's not as bad as it was for you today.

Mile Square Park in Westminster is not very expensive and is fairly nice (I think) but I haven't played there in a long time.  Everything south that is decent (Oak Creek, Strawberry Farms, Arroyo Trabuco, Monarch Beach, Tijeras Creek, Talega) are all double the price of RSJ or more.

[Beachcomber]

RSJ is my stomping grounds.  And it is a dive.  I swear the course is getting worse and worse - day by day?  They've been pumping a lot of money into the clubhouse this summer (surrounding areas).... So I'm hoping once that gets finished... They start allocating their budget back into the freaking course because  it is brutal.  But for the price (use Golfzing to get discounted rates at RSJ)... It is hard to beat.  Especially since I live about 10 minutes up the street (Jamboree and University).

Mile Square is a great muni.  I like it... And they have 36 holes.  I should probably play over there more often... But it is about a 20 to 25 minute drive door to door.  Plus, you typically have to go to the course and 'walk-on' if your a single.  So it isn't as convenient as RSJ from my view point.

I've heard Anaheim Hills is decent.  I haven't played there.

Costa Mesa is supposed to have a solid muni - but I haven't played there.  But I've heard the rounds there are slower than hell... But the conditions are supposed to be very - very good.

http://costamesacountryclub.com/

[Lihu]

RSJ is my stomping grounds.  And it is a dive.  I swear the course is getting worse and worse - day by day?  They've been pumping a lot of money into the clubhouse this summer (surrounding areas).... So I'm hoping once that gets finished... They start allocating their budget back into the freaking course because  it is brutal.  But for the price (use Golfzing to get discounted rates at RSJ)... It is hard to beat.  Especially since I live about 10 minutes up the street (Jamboree and University). Mile Square is a great muni.  I like it... And they have 36 holes.  I should probably play over there more often... But it is about a 20 to 25 minute drive door to door.  Plus, you typically have to go to the course and 'walk-on' if your a single.  So it isn't as convenient as RSJ from my view point. I've heard Anaheim Hills is decent.  I haven't played there. Costa Mesa is supposed to have a solid muni - but I haven't played there.  But I've heard the rounds there are slower than hell... But the conditions are supposed to be very - very good. [URL=http://costamesacountryclub.com/]http://costamesacountryclub.com/[/URL]

Thanks for the tip. I might play Los Lagos in a couple weeks.

[agoodmanmbk]

Originally Posted by Lihu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

RSJ is my stomping grounds.  And it is a dive.  I swear the course is getting worse and worse - day by day?  They've been pumping a lot of money into the clubhouse this summer (surrounding areas).... So I'm hoping once that gets finished... They start allocating their budget back into the freaking course because  it is brutal.  But for the price (use Golfzing to get discounted rates at RSJ)... It is hard to beat.  Especially since I live about 10 minutes up the street (Jamboree and University).

Mile Square is a great muni.  I like it... And they have 36 holes.  I should probably play over there more often... But it is about a 20 to 25 minute drive door to door.  Plus, you typically have to go to the course and 'walk-on' if your a single.  So it isn't as convenient as RSJ from my view point.

I've heard Anaheim Hills is decent.  I haven't played there.

Costa Mesa is supposed to have a solid muni - but I haven't played there.  But I've heard the rounds there are slower than hell... But the conditions are supposed to be very - very good.

http://costamesacountryclub.com/

Thanks for the tip. I might play Los Lagos in a couple weeks.

I agree I live in Irvine and it is right down the street. I played today for free because of all the GolfZing points ive earned from tee times. (upside). I think its also funny they havent put a dime into the course itself but seem to take initiative to fix the patio area of the snack shop. Maybe they figure you play on such a shit course their high selling point is a $7 turkey on rye with a $7 tall boy. Costa Mesa sounds interesting thank you for the link. I played with a couple of guys today that said Shorecliffe in San Clemente is a really nice course, narrow fairways and a lot of hazards but priced around $30 during the week. Couldnt find the course on GolfZing but seems legit.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

I agree I live in Irvine and it is right down the street. I played today for free because of all the GolfZing points I've earned from tee times. (upside). I think its also funny they havent put a dime into the course itself but seem to take initiative to fix the patio area of the snack shop.

I find it amusing that they had to add a handicap ramp from the proshop down to the course.  How many people in wheelchairs play that course?

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

I played with a couple of guys today that said Shorecliffe in San Clemente is a really nice course, narrow fairways and a lot of hazards but priced around $30 during the week. Couldnt find the course on GolfZing but seems legit.

I will be interested to hear what you think.  I never cared for Shorecliffs, but it's been so long since I've played there (10 years at least) that I can't really offer a fair opinion.

But if you're coming all the way down here, I believe that San Clemente Muni is a nice little course (and cheap), or if you keep a look out on golfnow.com, etc, you can get deals (weekday afternoons usually) for Talega, and I really like that course.

FYI:  Arroyo Trabuco (which isn't relevant anyway because it's pricey) is apparently going through an issue with diseased greens.  Haven't seen it myself, but heard it's a mess.  Don't go there!

[justtapitin]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

I find it amusing that they had to add a handicap ramp from the proshop down to the course.  How many people in wheelchairs play that course?

I will be interested to hear what you think.  I never cared for Shorecliffs, but it's been so long since I've played there (10 years at least) that I can't really offer a fair opinion.

But if you're coming all the way down here, I believe that San Clemente Muni is a nice little course (and cheap), or if you keep a look out on golfnow.com, etc, you can get deals (weekday afternoons usually) for Talega, and I really like that course.

FYI:  Arroyo Trabuco (which isn't relevant anyway because it's pricey) is apparently going through an issue with diseased greens.  Haven't seen it myself, but heard it's a mess.  Don't go there!

+1 for Talega....but the 1st par3 is my nemesis!!!!

Very well kept course,I think....

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

I agree I live in Irvine and it is right down the street. I played today for free because of all the GolfZing points ive earned from tee times. (upside). I think its also funny they havent put a dime into the course itself but seem to take initiative to fix the patio area of the snack shop. Maybe they figure you play on such a shit course their high selling point is a $7 turkey on rye with a $7 tall boy. Costa Mesa sounds interesting thank you for the link. I played with a couple of guys today that said Shorecliffe in San Clemente is a really nice course, narrow fairways and a lot of hazards but priced around $30 during the week. Couldnt find the course on GolfZing but seems legit.

Hhahaha so true about RSJ.  They are the laughing stock of Orange County.  The course could be legit if they had a greens keeper who knew how to manage his crew.

Lastly... Sorry but I've heard the opposite about Shorecliffs.  That it is a goat track and not worth playing from what I've been told... But, I have never played it to really say.

San Juan Hills is a decent course.  I liked it the few times I've played.

[agoodmanmbk]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Quote:

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

I agree I live in Irvine and it is right down the street. I played today for free because of all the GolfZing points ive earned from tee times. (upside). I think its also funny they havent put a dime into the course itself but seem to take initiative to fix the patio area of the snack shop. Maybe they figure you play on such a shit course their high selling point is a $7 turkey on rye with a $7 tall boy. Costa Mesa sounds interesting thank you for the link. I played with a couple of guys today that said Shorecliffe in San Clemente is a really nice course, narrow fairways and a lot of hazards but priced around $30 during the week. Couldnt find the course on GolfZing but seems legit.

Hhahaha so true about RSJ.  They are the laughing stock of Orange County.  The course could be legit if they had a greens keeper who knew how to manage his crew.

Lastly... Sorry but I've heard the opposite about Shorecliffs.  That it is a goat track and not worth playing from what I've been told... But, I have never played it to really say.

San Juan Hills is a decent course.  I liked it the few times I've played.

have you guys ever played Rio Hondo in Downey. I know its pricey but ive played there before and I love the length of the course and it seems to have perfectly held up greens and fairways.

[mplsgolfer]

Good ol RSJ, the course I learned to play golf on. The course I learned not to slice on too, thanks to Hole #3 and Harvard Ave.

[Lihu]

have you guys ever played Rio Hondo in Downey. I know its pricey but ive played there before and I love the length of the course and it seems to have perfectly held up greens and fairways.

Also sounds interesting. Thanks. I need to get my iron work in shape for any new courses, though. Try in a couple months. Plus RSJ might shape up after a few rains. I might try it, if it's still that cheap when the rains come to water it better.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

played there today and it had to have been the worst fairways I have ever played. brown, patchy, etc. Not to mention the greens seemed like that havent been cut in a long time, playing very VERY slow. American Golf owns this place. Any suggestions on reasonable places to play in Orange County/SOCAL that isnt such a crap course but isn't too pricey???

OK, I played there today.  (Played like doodoo, but that's not really relevant here)  It was as I expected ... mediocre shape at best, but that's pretty typical.  Soggy as a mother&%^ker, which I will never understand because it never rains here!  Why are you watering it so much?!?!  Greens, slowish and spongy to the point that there are footprints everywhere.

Worst part, though, was the pace.  We finished the front nine in exactly 3 hours.  Luckily the slow ass beginners directly in front of us took a lunch break so we cut past them, and the group in front of them sped up the pace a little, so the back we managed in 2 hours.

Wouldn't have minded any of it if I played better though.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

OK, I played there today.  (Played like doodoo, but that's not really relevant here)  It was as I expected ... mediocre shape at best, but that's pretty typical.  Soggy as a mother&%^ker, which I will never understand because it never rains here!  Why are you watering it so much?!?!  Greens, slowish and spongy to the point that there are footprints everywhere.

Worst part, though, was the pace.  We finished the front nine in exactly 3 hours.  Luckily the slow ass beginners directly in front of us took a lunch break so we cut past them, and the group in front of them sped up the pace a little, so the back we managed in 2 hours.

Wouldn't have minded any of it if I played better though.

RSJ is SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.  What time did you tee off?

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

have you guys ever played Rio Hondo in Downey. I know its pricey but ive played there before and I love the length of the course and it seems to have perfectly held up greens and fairways.

I've never heard of Rio.  I'll have to look it up.

[agoodmanmbk]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Quote:

Originally Posted by agoodmanmbk

have you guys ever played Rio Hondo in Downey. I know its pricey but ive played there before and I love the length of the course and it seems to have perfectly held up greens and fairways.

I've never heard of Rio.  I'll have to look it up.

fees are in the 50's or 70's i beleive. but the fairways are sometimes a little difficult because the greens end up near other tee boxes but its pretty flat but a lot more trees than RSJ. I actually liked it but it was  alittle too pricey. Other than that its worth the drive if you are like me and live in south orange county(irvine)

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

RSJ is SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.  What time did you tee off?

Yeah, I had forgotten because the last few times I played there were a Thursday morning, a Saturday morning at 7am, and of course our adventures in the dark a few weeks back.

This was 10:22 ... right smack in the middle of the morning and just enough time to allow a ton of slow 4 and 5-somes out ahead of us.

[Beachcomber]

Yeah, I had forgotten because the last few times I played there were a Thursday morning, a Saturday morning at 7am, and of course our adventures in the dark a few weeks back. This was 10:22 ... right smack in the middle of the morning and just enough time to allow a ton of slow 4 and 5-somes out ahead of us.

Yeah that had to be brutal. It is terrible because they do nothing to speed play. 7 minute intervals, and they let 5somes. All adds up to a long day.

[justtapitin]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Yeah that had to be brutal. It is terrible because they do nothing to speed play. 7 minute intervals, and they let 5somes. All adds up to a long day.

I've played there few times this year and remember that front nine is ALWAYS slow...especially because of first 4 holes.

It gets a better on back nine though.....

Took nearly 6 hours to finished last time I played and haven't play since....that was painful.....