Oaks/Canyon at Blacklake Golf Course

We had a great time and finished 18 holes in less than four hours. Steve greeted us in the pro shop with a friendly smile beneath his mask and was very helpful in getting us started. He’s a nice guy and a good guy to start around with. The greens were in good shape and ran medium fast. Fairways were in the best condition I have seen them in several years.

I have played many courses around the Central Coast but not Blacklake. GolfNow had a great deal so I went and played 18 holes. The Oak and Lake 9’s were challenging and fun in different ways from the back tees. A special shout out for the putting greens they were smooth, true, and quick. It is my understanding there has been recent additional investment put into the course and it is worth your time and by using GolfNow a great value.

Beautiful day and the course was in good shape except for the water hazards having no water. The first 4 holes were a pleasure, pace of play was just right. We were in a 3 some. But the next 5 holes were a mess. Caught up to a 4 some 2 walking 2 riding. The 2 walking had no skill with golf and no thought of anyone else on the course. Especially for a Saturday. The finishing 9 were fine.

Blacklake GC was a good experience. The course uses its natural topology to make sure you think about where you tee from and shot placement. Reading other reviews of this course made me skeptical before I ever played it. Besides a few sore spots in the rough, the fairways had good grass and greens that rolled well. Bunkers were in good shape with enough sand available to make a satisfactory sand splash. Practice area was small but served it’s purpose. Range needs new balls. Needs a Marshall on duty to sheriff pace of play. Very enjoyable experience.

Played the Oaks/Canyon courses. First time to play the Oaks in a year or so. It was in pretty good shape. Like most of Blacklake, if you keep your ball in the fairway is plays pretty nice. Same for the Canyon tract. I got a very reasonable rate with a cart before noon and played easily under 3 hours. Would definitely play it again any weekday morning.

We enjoy playing Blacklake when we visit Pismo Beach nearly every September. We have noticed the course is not nearly as pretty and green as it was in earlier years.

Lots of up and down hills with blind tee shots. Lots of fun if you use your GPS and score card for directions.

This was my first visit to this course and first time playing a public course in over two years. The course and facilities seemed old and worn out. The fairways didn't have much grass or were bare is spots. The greens on the other hand were soft, lush, and played slower than I'm use to. I played the Oaks and Lakes courses where the Lakes better suited my play. I may give it another try next year in the Spring or Fall.

In the early 80s I played the original course. We were four guys in our 20s who made the trip up from Camarillo . It was a funky course with a tiny starter shack. It was paradise for four hackers. THEN came the development of what is now the Blacklake complex of homes and a imaginatively designed golf course. I came back in the early 90s only once, family obligations didn’t allow for further field trips. Today was intended as a visit to an old friend.

It was a bit shocking as the water shortages have taken a toll on the fairways now very spotty. In short the course just looks tired. The greens are excellent although the speed varies considerably from one hole to the next. The driving range is one of the worst I have ever used. The ball dispenser ran out however the starter was very apologetic and had it quickly refilled. The machine itself is clearly on its last legs. The range is reminiscent of the fields where I first learned to hit golf balls, missing only the cowpies. The balls have to be well over ten years old. They were the type ranges had when solid core balls first came in to being.

Our foursome played behind four guys who were so much like my friend and me, four decades earlier They were polite and apologetic though they didn’t need to be, We played the Oaks first …..you might want to keep your driver in the bag, and then we played the Lakes nine. After three holes we reached the tee and watched as the aforementioned foursome hit their second shots. Rather suddenly a twosome that included a third non playing woman approached, ABRUPTLY announced mind if we play through, and then IMMEDIATELY marched to our tee before waiting for an answer! We later learned they did the same to the foursome ahead of us. It was some of the most boorish behavior I ever encountered. At the conclusion of our round I reported it to the starter who seemed equally aghast.

The course is a beautiful layout which just makes it all the more sad for the lack of upkeep over the years. I told my friends, if I lived here I would volunteer to work a hole a week to just spruce it up repainted tee markers, painting a bridge’s rails and doing some weeding and trimming. With very little effort some of the courses fatigue would disappear. Lastly, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The Marshall whom they dub “ambassador” was particularly nice and clearly takes pride in his role making sure groups move along at a consistent pace.

More detail than you probably wanted or needed but overall it was a satisfying day.

Second time playing golf at blacklack the staff have been soooo friendly especially the ambassador. I be back.