dwilburk

Recently overseeded, the course nonetheless was generally excellent from tee to green. The only niggle was that some of the traps were handpicked and beyond my ability to play properly.. The combination of desert areas, trap locations and various elevation changes gave the holes different looks and kept things visually .
interesting. Even from the white tees, the course still was no pushover lengthwise.

Old -style course lined by mature trees that cut across several ravines and creeks. Doglegs and elevation changes created challenges for tee shots. Fairways, greens and bunkers in very good condition. Pace of play was fine until the back nine, where some late-afternoon arrivals apparently started their rounds.

Fair layout, but position is important, even from the whites. Greens were not extreme with slopes. Group ahead of our foursome was slow, and course ranger failed to speed them up.

Given this year's rain, course was in great shape. Several holes pretty short, but challenging greens with lots of grain. (Check the nearest mountains to help determine direction..) Pin positions can add challenges.

Whole experience was greatly diminished by pace of play. Granted, it is high season but ... this round was being played on a "rain check" because a round on the Cypress course a few days earlier required 3 1/4 hours for nine holes. That first time, staff appeared to be push people out to the first tee, where there was no starter to sort out pairings for singles, two-somes, etc. No sign of rangers on the course either. This latest time, there was a starter on No. 1 tee, which was helpful, but again, no rangers apparent. Pace of play only seemed marginally better.
Lies on the fairways were very tight, which I think is a problem for most amateurs.
I must also note the Cypress course has a "starter" outside the pro shop who is surly and discourteous. I would not mention this but for the fact I encountered this fellow a year ago when we were visiting, and such was the bad impression he made then that I recognized him immediately.
I have a cousin who lives here and plays the PGA Champions Tour, and he has respect for Cypress as a course and particularly its greens. Too bad I spent more time dawdling on tees and in fairways than appreciating the course, the weather and my playing companions.

Course ranged up and down some pretty steep hills, making some of the longer holes tough,, but also presenting challenges on the shorter ones, where there could be blind tee shots uphill and bending left or right, and small greens that left some tough chipping if you missed them. Many fairways were lined with mature trees that could give you pause if you were prone to a wayward shot or two.
Course conditions were good, considering uneven temps that had some greens rolling much faster and smoother than others. It also was a cart-path-only day due to recent heavy rain. But it appears the course should grow in nicely with some good weather.
Playing alone, only ran into another group on 10, and they were some cheerful hackers who had no problem letting me through. I was surprised.
Staff seemed nice enough, and facilities were in good shape. Got kind of a wacky chicken caesar wrap in the bar. Apparently they had no cold chicken, so it was served piping hot with wilting lettuce and runny dressing. Probably should have let me know the situation so I could've said yes or no to that.
Good value, interesting course that should only get better during the season.

Enjoyed the layout and conditions. Pace of play exacerbated by 2-somes that might have been paired up who seemed to be sprinkled among 4-somes that were the majority on the course

Immaculate fairways and greens, nice layout, fair from the mid tees for those who don't hit 275 off the tee. Fun and scenic track.

As nice as the course was, I felt dissed by the pro shop as a single. No attempt to put me with other players. And when I was told to go to the first tee because a 2-some had just gone out, I found a 4-some playing the hole. After the round, I did not even get a nod from the pro shop guy or a "how did you like the course?"

The course in relatively flat but makes good use of grasses and smaller trees in many area to shape the holes and make them challenging. Many of the greens were small and rolling, so you needed to be in the right spot to avoid potential three-putts. Fairways, rough and greens all were well-groomed.
It was raining when I was getting ready to leave for the course and I was pleasantly surprised when I received a call from the pro shop telling me if I wanted to cancel at the last minute, I could get a refund. When I arrived, the rain had stopped and a group that had been waiting teed off. Since there was no one I could join at that time, the pro shop had a staff member go to the group and ask them if I could play through, which they allowed with no objection. The course kept my interest throughout, even though I was by myself.
The restaurant is inviting, and the bar server informed us that it's all a real family operation, with kids in the area working at basic jobs at first, then coming home from college to join the wait staff or take other responsible positions. That all shows.