Inland Empire Golf Course Reviews
Empire Lakes Golf Course ReviewRancho Cucamonga, CA
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Empire Lakes Golf Course Overview: Arnold Palmer designed golf course with
vistas of the San Bernardino Mountains on a
clear day. A decent golf course with a
few very well designed golf holes and a short, easier, but more memorable front nine, and a longer, punishing back nine. The best of either
side are reviewed below:
Empire Lakes Hole 2: Not a particularly difficult hole, but the backdrop of snow-capped mountains in the winter is arresting. Only a poorly struck tee shot will find the water on this short par three.
Empire Lakes Hole 2: Not a particularly difficult hole, but the backdrop of snow-capped mountains in the winter is arresting. Only a poorly struck tee shot will find the water on this short par three.
Empire Lakes Hole 3: Best golf hole on the course, and one of the better short par 4’s in the Inland Empirt. At 334 yards, only an iron is needed off the tee, but this iron must clear the water short and avoid it right without being pulled into the bunkers or mounds left of the fairway. The approach must negotiate the lake right again with the slope of the green decidedly pushing the ball that way. The best approach to the green is from the right and, thus, presents the gutsy player with a better shot at birdie.
Empire Lakes Hole 4: Another short par 4 dog leg: this one to the right. The approach must be a lay-up short of the rock filled hazard that cuts across the middle of the hole 70 yards from the green. Any approach shot that is duffed or pulled left will find the wash or some very deep rough guarding the seemingly wide open green. (not pictured)
Empire Lakes Hole 7 (right): This long par 3 will gobble up any shot hit right into a massive lake. The green is also well guarded with bunkers and from the elevated tees, this hole provides a nice view of the surrounding area.
Empire Lakes Hole 7 (right): This long par 3 will gobble up any shot hit right into a massive lake. The green is also well guarded with bunkers and from the elevated tees, this hole provides a nice view of the surrounding area.
Empire Lakes Hole 9: A strong par 4 to finish the front nine. At 432 yards, a solid drive must be hit to leave a relatively short shot to the green that is nestled against water front-left. Any shot pushed right is down a hill and makes hitting the green in two nearly impossible. Likewise, any shot hit too far left might find the lake and leaves a much more daunting approach.
Empire Lakes Hole 10: The first golf hole on the back nine is a tough dogleg right with a tee shot featuring trouble on either side of the fairway and a sloping green. Nice views of the mountains behind.
Empire Lakes Hole 17: While the majority of the back nine is tough, but fairly boring, this long, difficult par 3 is tough, but not boring. The green is wide and has a decent amount of slope, but the real trick is avoiding the massive bunker that fronts the green. With a long iron or fairway wood from 225 yards, this is not an easy task. (not pictured)