Talega Golf Club — Local services in San Clemente

Played this mid May of 2024. Short version is that the course is challenging with a mostly fun and interesting mountain layout, but the conditions make not worth the $150 a round we payed. We payed equal or less, for much better courses in the area.

The main clubhouse is a picturesque building and I can see why it is popular as a wedding venue. No complaints about proshop or staff.

Snack shack by the clubhouse is made delicious and very hearty breakfast sandwiches and burritos.

Starter was a very nice guy who gave us some good recommendations for the rest of our trip.

We didn't use the range, as you have to drive in your car to get it. Not accessible by golf cart.

There was no on-course beverage cart. This seems like a huge miss, but to be fair, perhaps they were just not out on that day.

The carts were fine but the GPS units were embarrassingly ancient. Usually, not a big deal to me, except that there are a good handful of tricky holes with blind shots where you just have to hit and pray you can find your ball.

There is one hole on the back (15 IIRC) where you are just expected hit driver over some trees at a pole far off into the distance. No info on how far, or which side of the pole to be on, nada. We had one player hit a great drive a bit right of the pole, ended up good. One player hit a great drive a bit left, and ended up OB. It just felt silly.

The GPS is supposed to alert you when the landing area is clear to hit into as it is completely blind. Ours did not, so we hit and ended up hitting right into the group in front of us. After we apologized and got ready to hit our shots, the group behind us dropped balls right on top of us. It is a dangerous and the GPS alert system obviously didn't work.

That blind/forced carry of the hole itself felt like a huge gimmick. The tee box should just be moved to a place where you have a chance at playing an actual golf shot. I don't mind a hard course, but players should have the opportunity to hit a good shot and if they do, they should not be penalized.

General course condition was just okay. Fairways were a little rough and with plenty of over cut/dry marks from the mowers.

Greens were very good. They were well-maintained, soft and rolled true.

Lots of target golf and definitely a place where a little course knowledge would go a LONG way. Tons of elevation change and tons of side to side slope on a lot the fairways. You would play all subsequent rounds very differently from how your played your 1st. I would not take beginners here.

We loved how the course design followed the natural contours of the land and was overall pretty interesting. No repetitive driver/wedge/putt play here.

If the conditions were improved a bit, the carts and tech were brought up to modern standards, and a few spots were made a bit more player-friendly, then it would easily bump the entire experience up a few notches. It just needs some love. We had a great day, but not sure we'd go back.

Given all of the above, it didn't feel like much of a value at $150. Particularly with how much good golf is...

I’ve played here a few times and in the past have always had a good experience, but this time I made a teatime at 12 o’clock and then I went in at 10:30 and asked if I could if there were any teetimes a little earlier and there was one opening at 10:57 AM, I was just a single. I explained that I had a grandchild that I needed to go Take him to jiu-jitsu at 4:30 PM and ask for a kindly if I could move from 1204 to 1157 again I was just a single and it was 20 minutes away from the earlier teatime. The lady would not change my teatime because she said I had paid a better rate for the 12 o’clock Although Obviously no one was going to come in the next 20 minutes and take the earlier spot. Anyway, she was very cold and very unfriendly. I even offered to pay the difference between whatever the rate was at 10:57 AM versus 12:04 PM and she would not allow me to do that. She said I would have to Pay $138 the price for the full teatime at 10:57 AM instead of the difference. It was very un customer oriented. Finally another gentleman came in and realized how stupid the situation was and at least allowed me to pay the difference between the 1204 teatime and the 1057 a M teatime so I could get out an hour early again so I could go watch my grandson. Anyway, it was a very un pleasant experience and then on top of that the golf course was not in good shape. All of the tee boxes were filled with manure. I think they should tell you that before you go out. Or at least have a decent rate if they are repairing the course in any significant factor which they were. Not happy and not pleased and probably will not go back again. There are plenty other choices in the area With better quality course, friendlier staff for the same...

Talega Golf Club was beyond what my husband and I could've ever imagined for our wedding last October! The venue is gorgeous, the food was amazing, and we have nothing but incredible things to say about Michael, the event coordinator.

He was also our day-of coordinator, and he, alongside his incredible assistant Myra, truly made the day unforgettable. Michael and Myra's attention to detail and dedication to us on and before our big day was outstanding - we felt so well-taken care of, and we knew the day would go off without a hitch because of them. Our appreciation for Michael and Myra are endless!

Their wedding package inclusions made our planning process so seamlessly easy! The choices for linens, tables, chairs, etc are all gorgeous and just what we wanted for our big day. The courtyard where we had the ceremony was clean and well-kept, and had the perfect backdrop for our altar. The cocktail area was gorgeous and had plenty of options for seating or standing without feeling cramped. The reception area was perfect for dinner and dancing - there was plenty of room for all of our tables, dance floor, bar, and DJ booth! Dinner selections were inclusive to all diets and we still get complements on how incredible the food was - we totally agree (best food we've ever had at a wedding, and that's not even us being bias lol). All of the waiters/bartenders were so sweet and made sure our guests were well-taken care of all evening.

My husband and I will always have nothing but amazing things to say about Talega, Michael, and all of the wonderful staff. Thank you for making our special day even...