Golf Top 18 Recent Courses Blog - Golf Top 18

Three Counties, Three Updates

11/4/2022

So Cal Golf Course Reviews Picture

As part of the ongoing efforts to modernize my golf course reviews (see previous blog), I've gone back and updated three golf courses that I've played in the last year, which happen to be in three separate counties of California. As part of that, I also spruced up some notes on golf courses that have since altered or closed as well. See updates on:

Buenaventura Golf Course in Ventura County
Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Orange County
Recreation Park Golf Course (Big Rec) in Los Angeles County

A Lot Has Happened Since...

5/18/2022

Normally when I go 10+ years between rounds at a golf course, there will be some changes in the form of a couple of new bunkers or some additions or removals of trees, but in the case of Trump National Los Angeles, the owner came and went as president of the United States. There were also some changes to the golf course, but that, in this case, is probably less newsworthy to most folks. Either way, the golf course is a little better than I remembered it, which is reflected in the rating, even though it still is a bit over-priced and not a top-tier golf course as a certain somebody might try to convince you.

A couple of "Local" Updates

7/25/2019

Los Angeles County Golf Course Review Picture

Knowing that I golf, people often ask me where I play. They then regret the long answer I give as there really isn't a lot of feasible/convenient options nearby. The choice for the Los Angeles "basin" golfer is between 5.5 hour rounds at cheaper public options, a few high-priced options that might get you a 4.5 hour round (maybe) or country clubs usually are beyond the means of the average golfer.

So, heading "out" is the norm and I recently updated a couple of reviews: one in Ventura County for the Vineyard Course at River Ridge (about 75 minute drive north and west) and one for Black Gold (about 75 minute drive south and east). The former is from my old "home town" so I play it more often but the latter is having it's first update in about a decade.

Running out of Holes

4/20/2019

Rustic Canyon Golf review Picture

I recently played Rustic Canyon Golf Course for the 21st time and it was as good as ever. I do have to say, at some point, either through focus on the golf itself or, more likely, just having already added most of the "best" holes on the golf course to the review, I have a hard time making meaningful updates to a golf course once I've played it 10 times or so. This time, I was able to snap a picture of the 15th hole, which I've come to enjoy more and more over the years.

A return to my nightmares...

10/30/2018

Rancho Park Golf Course Review Picture

I have many memories of Rancho Park, most of which don't give me the warm fuzzies (to be fair, the golf course itself is decent, if one can ignore the distractions). In addition to being the site of my first 6 hour round well over a decade ago, it is also the golf course I used to drive by daily on the worst stretch of my professional career, wishing that I could play golf, even there, in place of doing what I was doing. But, worse of all is the all-consuming fear of having to play the dreaded 18th hole.

The closing par five is the most terrifying hole in the world, not for any golf shot value, but from the absolute fear that is generated by being on the fairway sitting next to of one of the most busy driving ranges in the world, where the nets are just not high enough. There are dozens of balls lining the fairway, and some "Johnny-can't-swing" is two beers deep and ready to pop one over the fence and brain the unsuspecting golfer, all for a laugh or for a cry (depending on the intention of the driving range resident). Although not an official local rule, if the player can get the ball in play on their second shot, I call for the player to take automatic par and walk up the hole away from the fairway, far to the left, leave your ball as a donation to the range demons, and live to play another day.

Playing Near Legends

10/19/2015

I recently played Angeles National, one of the best public golf courses in the Los Angeles area, as part of a Junior Achievement related event (I highly recommend everyone look into the good work they do). I've updated my review by adding a few more holes. I also remember the first time I played there after it opened, I was in the group behind NFL legend Eric Dickerson. Then, a couple of rounds/years later I was in the group behind two great MLB heroes: Frank Robinson and Don Buford. They asked me to join them with about four holes to go and I can remember how nervous I was not to golf like a jackass in the company of great athletes, even if they were great in other sports.

Angeles National Golf Picture

On This Date in December...

12/6/2014

I played Rustic Canyon eleven years ago with my father, my uncle and brother-in-law. We played shortly after a fire had swept through the area, so the usually brown hazards between holes were black. After a poor front nine, I held on and made par on the last two holes to sneak away with 79 from the blue tees. It was a good day of golf in LA.

Rustic Canyon Golf Picture

A Slow Spring

6/11/2014

Los Robles Picture

Sadly, after my last posting, my month of May was more work than play. My golfing "fast" was finally broken last weekend when I played a very early round of golf at the Los Robles golf course that I hadn't played in almost 15 years, which gave me a chance to deliver a much needed review update.

However, don't fret faithful followers, I've got a lot of golf coming in the next month that will add two new states to my collection and probably at least a handful of new courses to write about. See you this summer!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

2/14/2014

Nothing says "I Love You" to my GolfTop18 Valentines like the gift of new AND improved reviews. I played the Los Serranos South Course over a decade ago and I've always been ashamed of my picture-less review, but no longer. I was able to get a couple of shots to give the reader a flavor when I was recently out there. In addition, I've also now played the Los Serranos North course, which is shorter, but similar in feel, and its review is far more robust.

Goodbye 2013

12/27/2013

Rustic Canyon Golf Picture

My golfing 2013 ended with a flurry...of bad golf shots! I wrapped up my efforts for this otherwise good year of golf with my worst scores at two courses i've played a decent amount of times. However, I was able to add in a few more photos and update the reviews of Rustic Canyon (above) and Sea Cliff (below). So, my pain is the reader's gain.

We look forward to adding more courses to the website in 2014 (plans include trips to Washington, Utah and Wyoming: all states with zero courses played/reviewed by GolfTop18 as of now).

Sea Cliff Golf Review Picture