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Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club
Played On 10/08/2017Return after a long absence
I played this course many times 10+ years ago, this was my first time back in a while. They've since remodeled, and changed the hole order (which was not only confusing, but somewhat convoluted). Some very long cart drives between holes (making walking this course an impossibility).
Fairways and tee boxes in pretty good shape after a long summer, greens were exceptional. Way too much hard dirt just off the fairways, though -- which doesn't make the course "demanding," but a bit silly. Miss a tight fairway by 5 yards and you're in dirt. Ugh.
I like the challenging setup, but some holes are rather contrived (like a 295-yard par 4 where you *cannot* drive the green, but MUST lay up to less than 150 yards). And the "driving range" into nets, while free, wasn't a very good warm-up.
Overall I enjoyed playing, and the actual course was in quite good shape, but I didn't feel as much "challenged" as I did on the old layout as I felt manipulated into no-choice shotmaking. At the price I paid ($33), I'd play again. At $65 or more, I probably wouldn't.
The Vineyard at Escondido
Played On 08/26/2017Enjoyable course, other than the hole we skipped...
I've played The Vineyard dozens of times. It's always in excellent shape, the staff is always helpful, and the layout moderately challenging. Quite enjoyable, other than the one problem they haven't solved: they overbook.
Went off about 10:30AM on a Saturday. Group of 3 in front of us. Backed up and waiting 10+ minutes per hole by #2. Yes, by hole #2. The foursome in front of the threesome in front of us were...um...not good golfers, and were duffing shots, hitting 2-3 tee shots each on every hole, and taking forever. With no action whatsoever from course marshals.
Eventually the group in front of us skipped a hole to go past them. Two holes later we did the same skipping #7 entirely to avoid a 7-hour round.
I really enjoy playing this course. It's always in outstanding shape (and in the middle of August in San Diego, that's saying something!). But they need to do something about the pace of play, take charge of it, or people like me aren't going to play there. It's too frustrating, and I hate paying for 18 holes and playing 17.
Native Oaks Golf Club
Played On 07/30/2017Just right!
Woods Valley is a great mix of challenges. The two nines, front and back, almost play like two different courses -- the front is mostly wide and long, more like a links course, while the back is windy, hilly, and tree-filled. It's one of my favorite local courses.
Only downside: if you use the GolfNow GPS tracking, it confuses the fairways/greens on holes 9 and 18 (#9 fairway shows yardages to #18 green, and vice-versa).
Woods Valley is always a great value, the staff is outstanding, and the course is kept in great shape. Worth the drive to the "country."