Monarch Bay Golf Club - Tony Lema Course

As you know this course brings with it an endless supply of wind lol. The morning rounds are much more docile of course.

Now I'm not saying wind is always a bad thing as you learn a lot about your ball striking when you practice and play in windy conditions, just be prepared.

The course still maintains a very chill vibe and a good selection of food and drink. One thing I noticed immediately is the greens are not the old Tony Lima greens. The surfaces are quite pure and the maintenance of the greens themselves was impressive.

Iron shots from a distance as well as around the green held and checked as they should. The putts rolled true as well.

The tee boxes were level and clean the fairways were defined and pretty well maintained.

The only real knock I would give the course that is under Management's control, is the green side bunkers are in need of dressing and sand. Actually enjoy bunker shots and I respect their penal nature when hitting an errant approach. These bunkers however are very shallow and don't have much sand at all making a standard sand shot not really viable.

Overall I was pleased with the experience and the weekday rate with a cart was very reasonable. The bunkers around the greens may be a result of the pandemic etc and I feel it's an easy fix that management will probably address based on the obvious efforts at maintaining the rest of the course.

Book a time and have a fun day!

This is one of my favorite courses to play in the east bay! Not only is it beautiful, it is a somewhat difficult and challenging layout. The back holes remind me of an Irish links course. And the fowl and wildlife are always pleasing to see. I cannot recommend this course enough! And compares to the sky-high fees they are now charging at nearby Corica Park, it is a great value for the money!

Things were good the moment we arrived. The young woman in the proshop is stunning. The skies were clear all day, but the wind picked up as the day progressed. The course has a beautiful layout with open fairways and strategically placed bunkers with soft sand and fast greens. There was a starter but didn't see a marshall, probably because the pace of play was good. Lots of players but they all kept it moving. No drink carts but drinks and food are available at the 1st/9th hole and water is available throughout the course. I would like to come back and play in the morning when the wind is calm to see how much of an impact it makes. It seemed to make things much harder.

Great course and value for the price! I look forward to coming back.

(Get there early so you can use their practice facilities. You'll be glad you got a feel for the greens)

Don't play here on the weekend. Unbearably slow pace of play. Nearly 3 hour front 9 just left after that.

Pace was good, scenery was good, everything was fine, but that horrible winds!!!

If you like the challenge against to the wind, I highly recommend this place for you.

Have fun finding a level tee box in good shape out there. Recently raised prices but not I vesting in fixing the course.

While playing the groundskeepers we’re spraying fertilizer on some of the greens while interrupting of play. Not cool!

When we said something to the people in the pro shop they agreed with are assessment but when they spoke to the manager could care less about giving us a partial refund for our inconvenience. Terrible!

Played an early afternoon tee time yesterday. Got there early to hit a few balls to warm up. Not only could I not find a bay to hit out of, I could not find a basket. Ok whatever, just do some putting. Where the starter was spending a majority of the time putting instead of sending groups out on time. They are also sending groups out in what I think are 7 minute intervals which crowds the course behind belief.

I get to the first Green and it is plugged and sanded. Pro shop did not mention it, I did not get a discounted rate and these greens were nearly unplayable. The tee boxes were not level at all with nearly no spot to tee up and not feel like you are going to fall over.

We had at some points 4 groups on certain tee boxes without a Marshall coming through once.

I had taken a long break from this place and my next break may be even longer.

The course is in good shape. Some of the bunkers didn’t have a good amount of sand in it for bunker shots so just avoid the bunkers, lol!

Pace of play was decent there was a group ahead of the group in front of us that had 1 entire hole in front of them.

This course is not as advertised. Premium pricing for a very poor condition course. Save your money. Not recommended.

The young man and woman at the pro shop were very rude, no manners or golf etiquettes.

Epic weather and course plays PDG!

This is an amazing course to play early morning, mid afternoon. Links style starts playing later in the afternoon. The greens roll true, but have a lot of divots. Anything off the tee you WILL loose, so make sure you watch your balls