Check putter angle, for a 12-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Putting~18 min12 HCP3 drills
Alignment37%
Aim25%
Precision12%
Practice Programs
Complete Golf Practice Blueprint for Cottonwood Golf Club
Discover tailored practice programs for this course.
Total Programs
13
13 complete programs built for this course
Unique Drills
59
Total unique drills across all programs
Skill Pillars
12
Accuracy · Aim · Alignment · Dispersion · Distance Control · Green Reading
Session Durations
6
3 days , 4 days , 5 days , 6 days , 8 days , 9 days
AccuracyAimAlignmentDispersionDistance ControlGreen Reading+6 more
Lakes Practice Profile
We've mapped a comprehensive practice profile for Lakes, identifying the specific skills this course demands most. The skill distribution below shows which areas of your game will be tested most frequently based on the hole-by-hole analysis (hole handicaps, stroke index, yardage, etc.), while the handicap ranges indicate the typical player profiles who perform well here.
Focus your practice on these key skills to maximize improvement and lower your scores. Check the practice programs below for targeted drills that address these specific skills.
Skill Distribution
Scoring 29%Distance Control 23%Aim 17%Alignment 14%Accuracy 14%
Handicap Performance Insights
The handicap ranges shown represent the typical performance levels for this course. Players within these ranges can expect competitive scores, while those outside may yield benefits or may need additional practice in the highlighted skill areas to perform at their best.
17.7
Average HCP
10.9
Minimum HCP
31.6
Maximum HCP
Top Drills
Featured Drills for Lakes
Most-used drills from for this course. Practice as standalone drills or scroll down for full programs.
Putting18 min
Putting Aid: String Line, 10/20
Make 10 out of 20 putts, underneath the hanging string line.
Short Game26 min
Chip | Deep Rough and Other | Uphill/Downhill
Hit two buckets of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) from the sloped deep rough and other extreme grass types; one bucket from the uphill slope and one bucket from the downhill slope.
Driving Range30 min
All Wedges (LW to PW) | Tendencies Discovery
Discover tendencies amongst wedges raise awareness, what is likely to happen in a given situation. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Short Game26 min
Chip | Deep Rough and Other | Above/Below Feet
Hit two buckets of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) from the sloped deep rough and other extreme grass types; one bucket with balls above feet level, one bucket with balls below feet level.
Short Game26 min
Chip | Rough | Uphill/Downhill
Hit two buckets of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) from the sloped rough grass; one bucket from the uphill slope and one bucket from the downhill slope.
Putting18 min
Putting Aid: Chalk Line, 10/20
Make 10 out of 20 putts over the chalk starting line.
Course Details
Everything you need to know about Lakes.
Contact Information
📞
Phone
+44 (0)1250 872622
📠
Fax
+44 (0) 1250 872622
Giving lessons at Cottonwood Golf Club? Get featured here.
Facilities
✓Driving Range
✓Putting Green
✓Chipping Green
✓Practice Bunker
✓Motor Cart
✓Pull Cart
✓Golf Clubs Rental
✗Club Fitting
✓Pro Shop
✓Golf Lessons
✗Caddie Hire
✓Restaurant
✓Reception Hall
✓Changing Room
✓Lockers
✗Lodging on Site
Location
3121 Willow Glen Drive
Course Description
Cottonwood Golf Club is a public golf course located in Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, offering an 18-hole championship course named Ivanhoe. The club hosts tournaments, provides lessons and clinics for all levels, and features a bar and grill for players and visitors. It emphasizes value and accessibility for East County residents, with convenient proximity to downtown San Diego. The facility also offers round passes and programming for clubs and groups.
public golf course • san diego golf • el cajon golf • golf lessons • tournaments • tee time • round passes • clubs & groups • bar grill • golf instruction • family golf • golf club memberships • golf course details • value golf • weekday golf deals • golf • golf course • public course • clubhouse • driving range • recreation
Course Information
Holes
18
Par
71
Type
Parkland
Architect
O. W. Moorman/A. C. Sears
Opened
1953
Google Reviews
Business Claimed
⭐3.9(400 reviews)
View on Google MapsCottonwood Golf Club Social Media Presence
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Programs
Skill-Based Practice Programs for Lakes
We studied the course layout and prepared practice programs to lower your scores. The programs are purpose-built for each tee to align with the course strategy. Each program consists of curated drills, with pre-defined modules designed to deliver results.
Filter programs by category (select one)
Showing 13 Programs
% match to course practice profileHit short putts until smooth, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Putting~18 min17 HCP3 drills
Aim38%
Alignment23%
Stroke22%
Land inside 2 feet, for a 23-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min23 HCP9 drills
Scoring38%
Accuracy28%
Distance Control9%
See landing and roll, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min17 HCP4 drills
Scoring45%
Accuracy30%
Visualization25%
13 Week Flagship Program for Lakes
A complete and progressive long-term development curriculum mapped from easier to harder drills, specifically for Lakes. Start with the basics and work your way towards more challenging drills. Commit to 13 weeks of training and get in proper shape. Four days counts as a week.
Week 1≤ 3 days
Putting · 6 ft (2m) only
Control Every 6 Ft Putt
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Weeks 1–2≤ 3 days
Putting · 9 ft (3m) only
Hit Center Of Cup From 9 Feet
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 12.0
Weeks 2–3≤ 5 days
Short Game · Chip
Avoid Three-Putts
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 3–5≤ 7 days
Short Game · Chip
Chip Through Gate for Aim
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 25.0
Weeks 6–8≤ 7 days
Short Game · Bump'n'Run
Thread the needle: roll your Bump'n'Run to tap-in range
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 23.0
Weeks 8–9≤ 6 days
Short Game · Chip
Chip 10–25 Yds From Rough
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Weeks 9–10≤ 3 days
Driving Range · Woods (Hy,5W,3W)
Stop Missing 3-Wood Fairways
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 10–11≤ 4 days
Driving Range · Wedges (LW,SW,GW,PW)
Challenge: eliminate off-target wedge shots
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Weeks 11–13≤ 7 days
Driving Range · Wedges (LW,SW,GW,PW)
Land it soft: consistent length on short shots
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 11.0
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Keep within 2 yards, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Driving Range30-43 min17 HCP4 drills
Scoring34%
Dispersion33%
Precision17%
Control driver distance, for a 6-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min6 HCP3 drills
Distance Control35%
Scoring23%
Trajectory22%
Chip to the green, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Short Game23-26 min35 HCP5 drills
Alignment24%
Aim24%
Distance Control21%
Chip from rough, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min17 HCP6 drills
Alignment23%
Accuracy23%
Distance Control18%
Chip through gate, for a 25-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min25 HCP9 drills
Aim31%
Scoring21%
Distance Control16%
Unlock Your Golf Potential
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get StartedConvert every opportunity, for a 4-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min3 HCP3 drills
Distance Control50%
Trajectory25%
Dispersion10%
Pinpoint sand shots, for a 8-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min8 HCP3 drills
Precision29%
Aim24%
Distance Control15%
Control 3-wood dispersion, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP3 drills
Scoring24%
Precision19%
Mechanics15%
Hit within 2-3 yards, for a 11-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Driving Range30-43 min11 HCP8 drills
Distance Control38%
Scoring31%
Accuracy14%
2026
Prepare for Tournaments at Lakes
Follow a complete multi-week structured practice program ahead of the upcoming events and arrive prepared.
No upcoming tournaments at this time.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Lakes
Get answers to common questions about playing Lakes and what to expect.
How difficult is Lakes for mid-handicap golfers?
Lakes presents a demanding test. This slope level makes it manageable compared to championship venues. The course rating of 70 reflects on scoring relative to par 71.
What tees should a 15 handicap play at Lakes?
A 15 handicap golfer should consider tees closer to 6000 yards. The back tees extend to 6500 yards, which makes approach shots longer and scoring more challenging.
What is considered a good score at Lakes?
With a course rating of 70 and par 71, a mid-handicap golfer would typically score in the mid to high 80s. Stronger players aiming to break 71 must manage approach shots and avoid penalty strokes.
How long is Lakes and how does yardage affect play?
Stretching to 6500 yards from the back tees, it does not overwhelm length but rewards accuracy.
What type of course is Lakes and how should I play it?
The course follows a traditional Parkland design philosophy. Overall, the setup will reward players who place the ball in safe positions far from hazards. Also, type of shot is more crucial rather than just trying to gain distance.
What features make Lakes strategically challenging?
The combination of a slope rating of 120 and yardage reaching 6500 yards creates consistent pressure on approach shots. You will need to balance risk and reward, especially on longer par 4s and protected greens.
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Same Architect
Courses by O. W. Moorman/A. C. Sears
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Showing 2 Courses
Ivanhoe
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Lakes
Cottonwood Golf Club
El Cajon, California