Carlton Oaks Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection

I have played Carlton Oaks a number of times over the last couple years and routinely make the drive from South Orange County to play. It is a great layout and has a price point that won't break the bank. However, despite the awesome layout, the conditions are notoriously brutal and the pace of play. The last couple times I have been here has been a minimum of 5 and 1/2 hours with the last one just shy of 6 hours. A 5-hour round is already pushing it but 6 hours with no Marshall pushing groups along is unacceptable. I would strongly reconsider making the drive back down until that issue is resolved.

Very poor fairways condition , no sand in bunker, don't why you were prevented in parts of the course the it wa maintain .

Pretty sure they have stopped seeding the greens with specialty grass for greens, the grass on the greens is long and thick making putting tough.

Expected the course to have been in better shape after the winter rains, but the greens were like carpet and there were vernal pools in surprising spots.

The course, even the cart paths, are so bumpy that my range finder went flying off a few times.

Love the layout and staff is friendly. The conditions aren’t great, mostly greens and tee boxes are often uneven.

I’ve played lots some of the local courses, this is one of my favorites for the layout and challenge, but one of my least favorite for the conditions.

pace was slow because it was crowded. still very relaxing conditions and pace was still enjoyable.

In my opinion, this is the best layout in San Diego county next to Torrey South. Yes the course is rough around the edges but here’s why: Three winters ago the torrential rains flooded the whole course. The super and his team having been rebuilding it starting around the greens and tee boxes - which are both good now. They’re doing an excellent job for how extensive the damage was. I recommend playing lift, clean, and place unless you specifically want to practice playing from bad lies. Just find decent grass and make the course play like it has better conditions. The ground is bumpy to drive on so just stay on the cart path and use 90 degree rule to minimize that inconvenience. The greens are generally probably like a 9.5 speed and roll really true. It’s absolutely worth it if you know what you’re getting into and how to manage the damage that was done by the floods so that it minimally affects your experience. This is a gem of a layout that demands good ball striking and offers many holes that can be played in a variety of ways.

Pace of play was slow, fairways a mess, rough badly overgrown. I’m newer so expect to lose balls but not because of poor overgrown roughs. I was not alone.

Overpriced play for quality of course.

Each hole is unique designed by a world class course designer but the heavy rains have left the fairways in average condition. One of the most challenging courses with more band diversity than any course I play

Tight course. As expected with all the rain it was wet

Stay in the fairway or it can be troublesome. $75 included the cart, easy to get a tee time, conditions are great on the course, if you hit off course at all, you're looking at tough terrain. Great course for a casual round.

The greens were in great condition, fairways practically non-existent. Having the good greens made the round worthwhile.