Shadowridge Golf Club Course Review
Introduction
Shadowridge Golf Club is a private golf club located in Vista, California near Carlsbad. It was built and designed in 1981 exclusively by David Rainville. Situated in a housing development, it snakes its way out and then back in on each 9.
Stretching 7,002 yards from the back tees, it is not short on distance. Rated 74.1 with a slope of 131 it may not play as tough as other courses but it is still a challenge for sure.
Conditions of Shadowridge Golf Club
The conditions at Shadowridge Golf Club were excellent. While they do not over-seed like that of Aviara or Torrey, their greens were the best of our trip. They were truly amazing. Fairways were in decent condition, but good considering it was the middle of winter. To be honest, I would really like to see this place in the spring. I would imagine it would be in really good shape.
Pro shop and Practice Areas
The pro shop is located just around the corner from the clubhouse and restaurant (which looked really nice). It was a bit dated but just like most pro shops, had anything you would need really. Not impressive, but ample.
The range is just to the side of the pro shop. It is average size. Behind the range, or at the end of it, you will find a small chipping area with a good size green and a small bunker. This area is protect by a net from the range. There is also a large putting green near the first hole by the clubhouse and pro shop.
The Front 9 of Shadowridge Golf Club
Hole 1 starts you off with a par 5 that turns right. Any long hitters may have trouble going through the fairway as it turn right. A well place drive just past the corner can get you to the green in two. Avoid the bunkers on the left off the tee. There is a bunker to the right in the lay up area, but it is far enough to the right that it shouldn’t come into play. the green drops of pretty severely to the right, so try to avoid this area. Just long is the best miss.
Hole 2 is a straight ahead par 4. Put your tee shot in the fairway here avoiding both bunkers that are on either side. While the back of the green drops off, it is still a better miss than the front bunkers. Just right of the green behind the bunkers would be the favorable miss.
Hole 3 is an uphill par 4 that bends ever so slightly to the left (It looks and feels more though). Avoid the penal bunker on the left off the tee. Just long or left here is a good miss. The key here is having a good tee shot.
Hole 4 is the first par 3 of the front. It is fairly straight forward. Just make sure you clear the front bunkers. They can run up a score quickly.
Hole 5 is the shortest par 4 on the front so you will need to take advantage here. Avoid the bunkers that on either side of the fairway. Longer hitters may be able to fly them. The only key to your approach here, and most of the day, is making sure you clear the front bunkers. You don’t want to fly this green either so make sure you take a confident swing.
Hole 6 is a par 4 that comes back from where you just came. It plays 60 yards longer so you will need to find the fairway here. Left or just long will be your best misses, but a tree will guard the left hand side and may cause you some trouble if you move the ball left to right.
Hole 7 is a mid range par 5 but will be tough to get there in two unless you can bomb it accurately. There are 3 bunkers lining the fairway here. The left one will still allow you to advance the ball a ways down the fairway while the right one will block you partially. Obviously hit the fairway but miss it left if possible. Anything 85 yards or longer left on the approach will keep you clear of any trouble on the lay up. Just short or short right are the only misses. This green is big and you should have a wedge in your hand so take dead aim.
Hole 8 is a nice down hill par 3, with water just short of the green. The bunkers aren’t too deep or penal here, so don’t be afraid of them if you aren’t afraid of a little sand. Just long would be the best miss but too long may bounce and go OB.
Hole 9 is to tough a finishing hole for the front, but you have to hit the fairway. Anything in the bunkers off the tee will cause issues. On your approach, just short is the best miss. Anything left of the green has a chance to bounce and end up near the outdoor patio of the restaurant. Anything right my bounce and roll down near the first tee.
The Back 9 at Shadowridge Golf Club
Hole 10 starts off the back with a nice slightly up hill par 4. Just avoid the traps on the right. The approach is simple here, with plenty of room to the right and short of the green.
Hole 11 is a down hill par 4 with a fun tee shot. If you keep it in the fairway, this hole isn’t too long. Anywhere else, it will play much longer. A straight fairway wood off the tee catching the hill is fine. Just short and right are you best misses.
Hole 12 is a short par 3 and the easiest course on the hole. Just avoid the bunker on the front right, as it is the most penal. Just long is fine as well.
Hole 13 proved to be the toughest on the course for us, as it’s rated the toughest on the back. Longer hitters have a chance to go through the fairway and into the water off the tee. Anything too far left may block you from going at the hole. Got to hit the fairway here. Your approach looks tougher than it is. Just short, staying left of the water, or just long are the best misses.
Hole 14 is the first par 5 on the back. Just avoid the solo bunker on the left off the tee. The lay up may prove to be the toughest shot on this hole. With bunkers laying left and right of the fairway, a good strike will be needed. Short left or back right will make for the easiest up and downs if you miss the green here.
Hole 15 is a longer, slightly down hill par 3 over water. Left over the water or long is better than the water but won’t be easy up and downs. Being just short right of the green is the best miss but you need to hit this green.
Hole 16 is the shortest par 4 on the back and has scoring potential. Keep it out of the bunker on the left and the trees on the right and you will have a good look at the green. There are a couple sand traps guarding this hole, but there is plenty of room otherwise. Just right of the green is the best, but deep left isn’t bad either if you miss the green.
Hole 17 is a short par 5 at 521, but it plays much longer. The tee shot feels much more narrow than others, and you must miss the bunkers that guard either side of the fairway. If you lay up 100 or more out, you will take away the bunker that lies on the left. It’s further of the fairway and shouldn’t come into play if you want a closer shot into the green. A good miss would be just short of the green. The front right bunker is the least penal bunker of the 3.
Hole 18 is a great finishing hole. A somewhat blind tee shot. the bends ever so slightly to the right. Just keep the ball left of the trap and you should be fine. Your approach may have a downhill lie to a green that is situated just over a small pond. Best placed to miss are short, jut right of the water, or a touch long or deep right.
Conclusion
We enjoyed our round at Shadowridge Golf Club and were pleasantly surprised by the condition of the greens. We can’t say enough good things about them. The staff was friendly, accommodating and very welcoming considering we were not members.
The layout was solid with enough holes to eat your lunch but others to make a good score to keep you coming back. A very fair courses indeed. Did I mention how good the greens were?
I’m sure we will want to play Shadowridge Golf Club the next time we take a trip to the San Diego area.
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