The Golf Club of California

First, I will preface this by saying it was a rainy day, all day. Course had very little business. We saw three groups all day. That said, unless you discount my round, I should get the same level of service as any other day. Coming from the hospitality world (retired), this should be a standard. Here’s what I got:

No one greeted us until we got inside the golf shop. Check in was basic. Not noteworthy nor worthy of a compliment. She gave me a cart key and told me to take a cart in the breezeway. The first two rows had no windshield….on a rainy day. That’s not on her. Cart barn staff should have moved those equipped with them to the front. I went back in, asked for and got one with a windshield. Cart had a cooler and club cleaner. Always a good combo.

The course? Great tee boxes. Fun layout. However, lots of different grasses everywhere. At least it wasn’t dirt but it gives the image of a lessor course. Greens and bunkers were excellent.

Then came the 12th. I’m about to hit my approach and see at least 10-12 balls on the green. I get to the green and see ball marks and all the balls already on & around the green. I look across the water and see an employee with a club (another near him) in the cart barn doorway waiting for us to leave so they could continue hitting balls. I had to repair their ball marks and clear balls from the green in order to putt! In other words, the 12th green looked like a practice green.

Next, the return. No one to greet us at the end because they were too busy hitting onto a green from the cart barn. Then I ask if there is food and I’m told to go to restaurant and ask. Again, in the hospitality world, don’t send people to answer their questions. Shop staff is just chatting with no work….make a call.

Finally, the restaurant. Menu was as basic as it gets. Hot dog, burger, chicken strips, French dip (which they didn’t have), nachos, salads. Basic. Asked for hot dog with cheese, onions, relish. It came with a slice of cheese melted over it, including over the sides of bun. It’s literally how a 10 year old kid would do it.

Summary: course is great. Staff, even accounting for weather, needs improving. At least understand that just because it’s raining, guests deserve the same level of service as any other day since they paid the same as any other day. Not sure if I’ll be back.

I am an 8 handicap who plays weekly in the Los Angeles County area. I was vacationing with family in Carlsbad and looking for a course to play. I've played the Torrey Courses, Aviara, Arrow Wood, and the Crossings. In my opinion the Golf Club of California is a far more enjoyable course than the latter two on that list.

It was a warm summer day in the 90's but I didn't mind the heat at all. Teeboxes were level and had plenty of grass, fairways were firm and rolling out, and the greens were soft and fast. Bunkers had some of the best sand I've seen in a while. Couldn't have asked for better conditions in the summer.

Played 2pm to get their twilight rate and finished in 3.5 hours. The course layout was really creative and unique. There are forced carries from the tees and well-protected greens. One thing I really loved about the course was that it wasn't just a typical back and forth course where 3 holes are always alongside each other. Each hole felt "framed" and designed with intention. It is quiet and the local scenery is beautiful.

In my opinion the only two things that were lacking were the lack of refreshment carts/water stations and the poor condition of the golf carts. Other than those two things, I highly recommend this course if you're in the San Diego County area!

I have played this course for nearly 20 years, but this was the first time back since 2020. Not a good homecoming after getting a golf cart which was weathered and dirty. I would expect better after paying a premium price to play.
The staff was friendly and helpful, but there was no hope for the course which has been under watered for some time. Rather disappointing for course that use to be in top shape and playability.
Until management gets serious about retaining (and watering) a great layout… it will not be on my short list of courses to play. Just a shame!

Having lived in Fallbrook for 7 years I have played here often, but after our move to Carlsbad, I have played here a bit less. However, I highly recommend the course. The facility handles many weddings and other non-golf events, I have not participated in any of those things, but I have been to the 19th hole bar/snacks/meals area which I would rate below the golf course experience, but fear not they have the best cart service in North County San Diego. Most weekends you can have your snack and libation needs tended to by Kerri. Friendly, Funny, quick with a joke, and mixes as well as any bartender. She always adds a smile to the day, even if your game isn't on track. The course is interesting, with lots of challenging dog legs and elevation varied approaches. One par three has a sand trap in the middle of the green (for better or worse). You don't need a long stick to score, no pun intended, but having good short iron play is paramount.

One of the best layouts in North County.. Not an east course but extremely fun.. Not for the beginner.. Great staff that is always prepared...

No complaints about the course and staff, I give both the thumbs up given the reasonable green fees.
Course needs marshals enforcing pace of play, way too slow.

Even though we could only play the first nine this course is always fun.

Solid course. Enjoyed the layout very much. Fairways could use some work. Greens and tee boxes were in excellent shape. Golf carts definitely need replacing.

Fairways need water
Greens good
course layout challenging

This is a great layout which is very challenging from tee to green so choose your tees wisely. The greens are in excellent shape and are tricky and fast. The staff is very accommodating especially Jordan in the pro shop. This is a must play.

Over the last year or so a lot of improvements have been made to the course layout (eliminating grass areas which seldom come into play), which has improved the health of the fairway areas. In addition, the sand traps have all been upgraded with an abundance e of white sand, adding to the playability from them as well as the appearance. Overall, the condition of the course is at a high level (including the greens). The course rods challenging, requiring strategic placement of drives and approach shots. Lots of fun- and the staff is great to deal with.

The personal in the club house are grumpy and attitude is less than desirable. Forced us to tee off prior to our tee time. Put getting players out over taking frost delay. First 4 holes the fairways were ice. If the pro shop personnel had a better attitude it would make the experience a lot more enjoyable.

The only hole I didn’t like was hole #2. Too narrow of a spot to line up for the green.

One of our go to courses.. Excellent course with superb layout

Price is great. Layout is super cool. Greens roll true and fast. Fairways were great and lots of nice tee boxes

This is a challenging layout. You will need to make good decisions because trouble lurks around each corner. It is a beautiful scenic course and the indoor staff and cart staff are outstanding. The pace of play was slow and the Marshal could’ve helped that. The starter was stubborn and borderline rude when I asked for one of the 50 other carts that had a window cover due to rain. He said those are for other golfers. It rained and I didn’t appreciate getting wet. I’d rate this 5 stars but for the starter. Here’s some advice: treat everyone equally.

Starter was super great as well as the pro shop attendant.. so not thing is I couldn’t find the snack shop or club house or maybe I just saw “closed signs” at 10:45am.
But overall this place is well worth the price and the drive to get there..