Links at RiverLakes Ranch

Overall-3- The design, value and facilities are all very good. The condition of the course is mostly above average, but the few remaining greens in bad shape and the inconsistent bunkers limit my overall rating to average.

Pace-5- Sunday midday and the course was ours. We never had anyone in front or behind for a nice leisurely sub 3.5 hour pace.

Course conditions-3- Tees, fairways and rough are all lush and if anything a tad on the long side. Occasional areas of divot damage on tees and fairways but never anything terrible. The green appearance all over the course is a welcome respite to the brown areas that most Valley courses have this time of year. Bunkers were hit and miss with some being waterlogged, some being hard pan and many that were recently worked and very playable. The greens, which had been lost and were completely gone over the last few years have mostly returned. Roughly 2/3rds were in very good shape and the others were poor at best. (Why not all of them have returned is unknown but certainly they are headed in the right direction.) All were running at medium to slow speeds, which is not bad with all the tiers and slopes.

Staff-3- Friendly and helpful, I had limited interaction so I cannot comment and/or rate in depth.

Value-4- We had a hot deal so the price was fantastic for a weekend round.

Layout-4- Very good layout and design. Holes encompassed; long, short, left, right, wide, narrow, big greens, small greens. The mix of holes allowed for varying strategies and the chance to use many different clubs. Technically not a links so rather than have a semantic debate lets just say that for Valley public courses the design is well above average.

Amenities-4- Practice areas and bar/grill/banquet areas were ample and in good condition.

This course will easily garner four stars once the rest of the greens and the bunkers have been bought up to par.

Decent course - some of the WORST bunkers. There's NO sand. Sand is something you hear about - but do not have. It's called RIVER-lakes as a reference point. Mostly becauase the bunkers are basically RIVER BOTTOM! It's just dirt. So - heaven help you.

If you ignore that one thing - a nice course overall. Nice greens mostly and fairways are pretty well maintained.

I played other courses recently and this is the best maintainer so far. Fairways and greens are in great condition.

The last time I played this course, it was a six hour round on a Monday afternoon and the greens were painted mud. What a turn around.

I now only get to play this course once a year due to the league I belong to. I came out thinking that I'll put up with a run down course. Boy, was I wrong.

Played on Friday morning so the pace was great. The layout has always been good. But, the surprise is the condition of the course. Actual grass on the green with minimal pitch mark (I fixed few on each hole). The fairways were in good condition also. I understand the course fired the old greens keeper and hired a new guy - kudos for a job well done. There are still few greens that needs more time (#14 & $18). Overall, this course reminds of the course that first opened way back in 1999. Way to go guys! Keep it up.

I shot a 75 witch is 2 strokes better than my best golf score. The greens finally gave me a break.

Great day at the course, weather, staff, course and players. we are out doing what most people would want to be doing if they choose to do so.

Last time I played this course, the greens were terrible & the fairways were dry. The drought really did a number on this course. But now that rains have been more frequent, the staff did a great job of bringing the course back to great conditions. I love the challenges presented by a links course, i.e. undulations throughout the fairways, multi-level greens. This course, now in great shape, is really worth a revisit.

The repairs to the devastated greens are complete . They are in FANTASTIC shape now . Great golf at a great prive

The pace was slow, but that's pretty common at this course. The greens were in rough shape for a while, but they are coming back nicely. The fairways are pretty moist and forgiving compared to the dirt/clay fairways of the public courses.

Course is good shape except the rain caused slower greens. It was hard to get a feel for the pace of the greens.

I have played this course in both summer and winter while visiting family. I am from Oklahoma so I do know something about hot summers. I would never play this course in the summer for some reason the greens keeper has lost the greens for the past few years. As to why I would never play this course again. I have never been on a course where it takes so long to play. I went off at 11:50 am. It was my broth-n-law and me and we finished at 5:45 pm waiting on every hole. Went into the clubhouse at the turn and asked if they could help us and all I got from them was that I will just have to wait my turn. People call us from Oklahoma a bunch of hillbillies. I promise you this. This whole course and the people running it are much worse. Save your money put a tuna fish can in the ground out in the field and you will have a bette time.

The a very fun course to play. With a few minor changes it could be one of the best courses in the area. The bunkers need more sand and the greens are now starting to get back into good shape. Overall it was a great course to play.

This course was great to play at and it had some beautiful holes, especially the 18th. It was a little bit longer and more challenging than I anticipated, which made it a lot of fun, but I would not recommend it for beginners. The food is also some of the best I've ever had at a golf course. The greens and fairways could have been in slightly better condition, but overall, I would golf there again if I'm in the area

I play this course quite often. I live within a mile. I always enjoy the course as it is a bit challenging and in good shape. Play can be slow sometimes. I almost always find a GOOD deal on GolfNow.

Slow play restaurant grill was closed when we were there at 4:00 appetizers didn't look good.

This was my second time I got to play this course I am not from this area, but had a good time like the course lay out. pace of play was kind of slow but I had nowhere to go. Golf now gave me a good deal. When I go out of town I always use golf now.

I was told when I checked into our hotel as well as read in numerous reviews that this is the best public course in Bakersfield. If that's the case then WOW. The course is average at best and the greens are in horrible shape. I playe cral munis here in Vegas that blow this away. Definitely not impressed.

Most of the greens pretty bad shape again. Always a good deal using golf now

This course is unique in that it is a Links style course which is rare to see in the states. Lot's of bunkers and they all vary in depth and length, one fairway bunker is 200 yards long. Each hole is different and not similar to the next which is refreshing. The clubhouse is like a country club, the bar/restaurant is excellent, lots of TV's, food is great and big servings, and they have an excellent beer/wine selection

Very nice course that could be great if they did not lose their greens EVERY summer. Bunkers need help. Fairways and tees great. Pace of play is slowed every Saturday morning by the best players who are in a skins game and think they are on tour. Five hour rounds the norm in am. My kid and I can play 18 in afternoon in 3 hours.