laurenbelger

This course remains one of my favorites. I enjoy trying to overcome any challenges or obstacles that may have befallen me during a prior round.

The course, especially most of the tee boxes, need a lot of TLC. Some tee boxes were virtually a sandbox with not a single blade of grass to stand on, and uneven to make matters worse. I still enjoy playing the course given the course lay out, as long as I get a Hot Deal. I would not pay full price for this course until conditions dramatically improve.

I enjoyed this course. The fairways seemed wide and forgiving. The rough was easy to get out of. The price seemed a bit steep but I'm glad I got to experience this course. Nice driving range and short game facilities.

I really enjoyed playing the course. I look forward to playing it again.

My husband and I drove over an hour one way to play this course. While the layout of the course itself was nice, and I was happy to get a last minute tee time that would allow us to finish 18 holes (assuming 4-1/2 hour round with wait), finishing before dark was in jeopardy from our first tee shot. The course was backed up more than I have ever experienced in 20+ years of golf, with an extensive wait on each hole. It didn't help that the club let a group of five, mostly inexperienced golfers (3 of them hitting from the blue, which was painful to watch) go out. When I called the clubhouse on the 3rd hole to see if we could get a raincheck for another day, I was told that bc I booked through GolfNow, they would be unable to give me a raincheck. That is ridiculous! Shawn, a manager, said there was nothing he could do about a raincheck since it is the course's policy to not give rainchecks if the booking is through GolfNow. I wouldn't have even thought about the course if not for GolfNow so it is ironic that they seemingly want to penalize those who book through a website that routes business their way. Shawn, and the woman who answered the phone who referred me to Shawn, both said it was so busy because there was a tournament that morning. By their tone, they seemed to think I should be more understanding of the situation knowing there was a tournament that morning. No, I'm not more understanding or empathetic to the situation. So, they get the tournament money from the tournament players, and then take advantage of the poor suckers who have the misfortune of not being psychic enough to know that there would be an incredible back up on the course for the rest of the afternoon. Wow. Fortunately, the group immediately ahead of us decided to play the front nine again, which left us to witness the atrocities of the group of 5 playing the back nine. A Marshall did come along and said something to the group that eventually sped them up.
Thank you. And, fortunately, we were able to finish right as it got dark. While I like the course itself, despite the winter conditions, the experience with the course management, including the rather chilly reception at check in (I left that part out earlier), leaves much to be desired. I'm not sure I could recommend the course to someone else, without some pretty serious warnings first.

I still really like this place but things were a bit rough when I played it on Saturday. First, the starter was an incredibly nice guy. He came to pick me up from the driving range right before my round since there was not a cart available when I checked in. Speaking of driving range, I was very disappointed when the key that I use for the balls did not work, despite me using the key only one time before, months ago. I had to walk all the way back to the clubhouse from the driving range, which is not a real short distance, which cut into some of my practice time. And then when I finally got my cart, there was a plastic panel sticking out from the cart, like the cart had seen better days. Fortunately, the plastic part didn’t stick out too far to hurt me, which was my concern, but it was certainly unsightly. But, I can’t wait to play the course again—it is one of my favorites.

My husband and I played this course for the first time and really enjoyed it. There’s no big, fancy clubhouse but all of the requirements, including a nice snack bar, are available. The one disappointment for me was that there were no bunkers. That’s probably a good thing, since I struggle in bunkers, but if you like bunkers, you will miss them on this course. Since the course is elevated, there are gorgeous views to be hard on numerous holes. I will definitely be back!

Monarch Beach is easily one of my favorite courses. Each hole is unique and challenging. Gorgeous views of the ocean from multiple holes, especially the third hole, which is adjacent to a beach. Kaitlyn in the pro shop also adds a great touch to the experience with her wonderful customer service. She even remembered me from about six weeks ago when she put me in touch with someone who could order a special shirt for my husband. She could recall very specific details of our prior conversation. Very impressive! I can’t wait to play again in two weeks!

I knew in advance that the course did not have a driving range, the pro shop was in a trailer, and what I understood to be the old clubhouse was boarded up (which you really don’t see until after the 18th hole). We were informed by the very friendly starter that the course just opened back up in August 2020 under a new name after being closed for five years. So while the curb appeal was not there, the course itself was rewarding to play. The starter also explained that a new pro shop is in the works. The hotdogs were delicious as well. Like many of the courses I have played lately, the grass is yellow and spotty in areas but that seems to be the norm during the winter months at most places, including at one of the most exclusive golf courses in San Diego. I really have no complaints about that as I still had a good time striking the ball and enjoying the uniqueness of each hole. The greens were in great shape. With all that said, it was an extremely pleasant experience, with amazing views of snow capped mountains from many of the holes. It was worth the half hour drive for my husband and I to play here on a Sunday afternoon. I look forward to returning.

Got lucky and played with my daughter on a gorgeous day. Sensational views of the water and islands. Perfect way to work on my iron game. Staff friendly and professional. Will definitely be back!

First, I love Mount Woodson Golf Course… so much so that I drove over an hour to get there. When thinking of golf courses, it is at the top of the list due to the beauty of the course and it’s surroundings. And we can’t forget the Mount Woodson bridge— that alone is amazing! So my husband and I were quite surprised that we were seemingly being followed by the Marshall, even though our pace of play was spot on, keeping up with the group in front of us. The Marshall was with us for the seventh and eighth holes, not only watching us, but later recounting several of our shots to us. At no time did he tell us that we were playing slow or that we needed to pick up the pace. He was just there…watching. My husband and I are proficient golfers. My daughter, who was also playing with us, is also a proficient golfer, getting a birdie on the seventh hole. Maybe the guy was just bored, or just overly friendly, but it left us with a very uncomfortable feeling. We golf a whole lot, and play at many different levels of courses, from the moderately priced to Pebble Beach, and are not accustomed to being followed like that. I think that lessened the experience, more so for my husband. I’ll definitely be back, although I don’t think my husband will be as excited to return.

I really like this course. In fact, it’s one of my favorites. But it was disappointing that despite having a 1:20 tee-time (where we’re trying to get in as many holes as possible before dark for our $50 each), we couldn’t tee off until about 1:35-ish because 1) we had to wait on a cart and then 2) we had to wait for a 2 some who were nowhere in sight once we finally got our cart. When they did finally appear, they were going to walk the course. Nothing wrong with walking....perhaps they had to because of no carts. But being told by the starter (repeatedly) to wait for them to materialize when there was no one in sight playing in front of us, was tremendously disappointing. If they were walking, I don’t understand why they were not present at the designated tee time. And this course covers a large area—often significant distances between holes. So, again, disappointing that my husband and I couldn’t just hit and move on, allowing the very nice couple to walk the course at their pace. Anyway, I still love the course but I hope to not have a repeat of that scenario.

Nice course. I look forward to playing it again soon.

My husband and I really enjoyed our round of golf at this course. While there were groups in front of us, the pace of play was more than reasonable. Two groups let my husband and I play through since it was just the two of us--this is without us asking or crowding the groups (in fact, they insisted on us playing through as we told each group that their pace of play was fine and was not an issue for us). Each hole was unique and enjoyable to play but included plenty of challenges. I will definitely add this course to my list of favorites.

My daughter and I had a great round of golf at this course. The grass was a bit long off the fairway, making our errant balls difficult, if not impossible to find, but the course is gorgeous and I look forward to playing here again. The pace of play was perfect. We played on a weekday at 1:40 and we were able to finish with plenty of daylight left (just before the time change). Each hole was very unique and picturesque. This may be my new favorite course.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find a nice green course to play despite it being winter. The courses my husband and I have been playing recently have been very nice but understandably brown and yellow in just about every place except the tee box, the fairways and the greens. Black Gold is pretty and very well-maintained. I’m not sure I care for the layout of the first and ninth holes as they are parallel to one another and apparently it is very easy to hit a tee shot onto the wrong fairway. Fortunately this did not happen to me or my husband but there was a delay in me teeing off the first hole as a player on the ninth hole was looking for his ball and ultimately found it on our fairway. The same thing happened with the 2 guys paired with us when we made it to the 9th hole—they both hit their balls to the first fairway, by accident of course, but since there is little separation between the 2 holes, it’s very easy to do. With that said, all the other holes were quite distinct and a lot of fun to play. It’s my husband’s new favorite course and he’s looking forward to playing it again.

I played this course with my husband and teenage daughter for my birthday.. We all had a great time. From the warm welcome we received from the attendants in the parking lot, to the very friendly starter, we had a great time. They even provide you with a nice bottle of water. Even though the course is not as green and lush due to the time of year, the course is gorgeous. It definitely ranks up there as one of my favorite courses.