aliikane10

Royal Hawaiian is a very unique and challenging course carved in the jungle of the Koolau mountains. Really looks and feels like you are deep in the jungle. Definitely one of the most popular courses on the island for those vacationing on Oahu.
It is a target golf and shot makers course as there are penalties surrounding every hole. Some greens are extremely difficult approach shots. Really fun to hit shots on the tough holes though.

Course conditions were just average the day I played and greens were kind of slow, but in their defense, the course is very difficult to maintain.

Not a course I'd play regularly, but fun every once in a while.

Not typical Hawaii course. Most of the courses on Oahu are wide open with generous fairways. However, Ewa Beach is more narrow with lots of trees. Very good layout and course conditions are good. Good practice putting and chipping green, but no range.

Both courses are good and conditions are usually very good. Well designed, greens are good, and practice facilities are good.

Don't get me wrong, Coyote Creek is a great facility, but I do have a few suggestions. Range balls are pricey and are quite old. Also, the greenside bunkers are rock hard. In my opinion, it is ok for fairway bunkers to be rock hard, but greenside bunkers should have loose sand. I wish golf courses would find a way chop up the rock hard bunkers so they have some loose sand.

The piece of land that Emerald Hills is on is nice. The course is in poor condition and greens are not good. I guess it is good for beginners to hit some golf shots.

FYI: The picture listed is not Emerald Hills. Not even close to it. Lol. That is mainly why I wrote this review.

Baylands is a good muni track. Nothing that will wow you but good for the price. It is definitely better than the old course (aka Palo Alto Muni). Condition of the course is very good. Fairways are Paspalum (I think) and greens are bent grass. Greens are little on the slower side but they they are quite undulating so understandable.

Overall design is decent. However, there are a few goofily designed holes that I am not fond of ( #9 and #17). #9 plays downwind (most of the time) and drives down the middle of fairway will collect in the waste area making it difficult to find ball. I hit my best drive of day down the middle to lose my ball. #17 is too long of par 3 (230yards) that plays into the prevailing wind. So, into a stiff wind (20-30mph) can play up to 260-270yards which is ridiculous for a par 3.

The new practice facilities are very good. They have large undulating practice putting green, chipping green, driving range (mats), and short game area. The clubhouse is remodeled and looks better.

Be ready for the wind if you play here. It blows at least 10-15mph most of the time. Afternoons will get 15-20mph winds.

Cinnabar is a great track in rural San Jose. It consists of three nines. Every hole on the course is totally different. You will never be playing a similar hole for any of the 27 holes out there. It is a challenging course and if the wind picks up (which it does in afternoon most days) it gets very tough. Definitely one of the better tracks in the South Bay Area.

Course conditions are very good. Some of the quicker greens in the area. Green complexes are tough and difficult to hit greens. Greens are firm and fast so getting it up and down is challenging. Fairways are generous on most holes but wind can wreak havoc on hitting fairways because of big elevation changes and forced carries on some holes.

Facilities are very nice. They have a nice clubhouse with good food and eating area. Three practice putting greens and one bunker/chipping green. Range is good with ability to hit off grass on certain days.

Not sure how they manage groups though. Every time I go there, it seems like the course is empty everywhere but all the groups are bunch up in the same area. Seems like they could be dispersing groups on different nines to space the groups better.

The Bridges is one of the better courses in the East Bay Area. The layout is great and every hole is different. It is home of one of the biggest greens in the Bay Area, if not the biggest. Lots of elevation change which makes it tough. It plays pretty long because there are some long par 3s and par 4s. There is a lot of trouble off the tees but fairways are generally pretty generous and there is usually one side to miss it to. Green complexes are pretty difficult so bring your short game as greens are not the easiest to hit.

Facilities. Pretty nice big clubhouse with restaurant. Not much in the way of good practice facilities and everything is spaced far apart. Range is across the street. Mats only. Putting green in the range. Chipping green near clubhouse. Big nice putting green near entrance.

Condition. Condition of the course is usually very good. Greens are some of the better ones in the area for public courses. Usually quick greens but hold pretty well.

Pace of play. Good on weekdays. Weekends can play slower of course. Also, as mentioned before, The Bridges has one of the biggest greens (#16) in the East Bay Area if not the biggest. I paced it off at 75 yards long!!

Canyon Lakes is Ted Robinson Jr design course, so the layout is pretty good old style track. However, bring your accuracy because it will be tested all day. Shorter course. I only used driver twice and still could of gotten away with not using driver all day. Canyon Lakes is a very narrow track. Can play very difficult if ball striking is in question. Greens are deceivingly fast and a lot of break. Some very unique holes.

Facilities. Clubhouse will be very nice. They are in the process of renovating it and will have a brewery there so I am sure it will be a hangout spot for locals. Not much in the way of practice facilities. No practice range but have hitting nets for warming up. Small putting/chipping green near 1st tee.

Condition. Course condition is decent. Greens are in pretty good shape. There is room for improvement and cleaning up some areas. Bunkers seem to be well maintained.

Seemed like a lot random people were walking on the course from the surrounding homes even though public access is forbidden. #18 has good views of San Ramon and one of the better holes.

De Laveaga is a tricky course. Nice looking course with lots of trees. Very tight but short. You really have to place your shots. Most par 4s and par 5s don't need a driver. Best to play conservative off the tee.

Course is well maintained. Greens are in good shape.

Facilities are not bad with a range, chipping, and putting green.

One of the things that is weird is the frisbee golf right on the course. Kinda slows things down but not horribly. I had a 5-some playing frisbee golf and a group trying to get a frisbee out of a tree. I think it was only a 4 hour round because it is such a shorter course.

Talega is good course. Good views. Not super difficult of a course but the wind makes it much harder. Layout is good with a few holes that are designed kinda strange that left me scratching my head. Haha. Views are very nice. Greens were receptive and rolling pretty true. Overall very good course.

Facilities are pretty good. Range, chipping/putting green. Club house is nice. The area is a nice residential area.

The condition of the course was decent for drought conditions but not as bad as many reviewers have said. There were some areas that need work but not deal breaker. Greenside bunkers were pretty hard. However, overall it is still a fun course.

Industry Hills is a very good but tough course. You really have to have some local knowledge or have played it a few times to know where to hit it and miss it. Some really tough long par 4s and par 3s. Very tricky layout with big elevation changes. The course has some very unique holes and no hole is the same.

It is very nice setting in the middle of urban SoCal. Feels more secluded than it is. The course conditions I played were very good. It was much greener than a few other SoCal golf courses I played.

Both courses get a fair amount of play because the LPGA has played there for the Kia Classic. However, the "Ike" course is supposed to be the signature course.

Few things I don't like. Not a big fan of blind shots and big elevation changes. It is pretty much a cart golf course. I don't think they allow walking on the Ike course. Practice facilities are not very good and spread all over different places on the property. Lastly, there are quite a few holes that are cart path only. Some make sense because of the danger, but some doesn't seem unnecessary.

All in all it is a fun course and conditions are good, but you definitely have to get to know it.

Live about 50 miles from Sharp Park. Never played there, but decided to try it out because it is designed by the great Alister MacKenzie. For those who don't know, MacKenzie designed Augusta National where the Masters is played and other great courses like Pasatiempo. It is muni course played mostly by locals. It could be transformed into a great course but would need a lot of money to transform it.

Sharp park is a well designed course on a great piece of property next to the ocean. However, the condition of the course is not great. The course has lots of potential but the California drought and being city owned makes it difficult to improve the course. The track has some really good holes. Greens were in decent shape but were super slow. Many of the fairways are brown. Number 4, 5, 6, and 7 are temporary greens at the moment.

Limited practice facilities. Just a practice putting green. No range. They do have some nets but they don't look operational.

Bridges is a challenging course but fair. Really fun course. Layout is very well designed and every hole is different. Off the tee the course is fair and you generally have one side to miss a tee shot. I think #16 is the biggest green in the entire Bay Area and it quite impressive. There are some quirky holes that have some large forced carries like #14 where you have to hit a iron off the tee short of the ravine (unless you can bomb it with at least 260 yard carry) then have a 190-210 yard shot to an uphill green. Not the best of designs but is the one-off of a well designed course.

It is especially tough when the wind picks up from the south. The course was designed predominately to have wind from the north-west so it when it blows from the south, it ticks up the difficulty.

Condition is pretty good considering the drought conditions. The greens are decent but slower than I like (I like them really fast so most can ignore this) and they do have a lot of pitch marks on the greens from a lot of play. Otherwise, they roll decent. Bunkers are very good in comparison to most public courses and they use very good sand.

Pretty good facilities. They have a great putting green that is gigantic and very undulating. Range is good but off mats.

Poppy Hills is very well known but doesn't get the "wow" factor like the neighbor courses like Pebble, Spyglass, and Spanish Bay. However, it is still an excellent track and good enough for the PGA tour's ATT tournament.

The course is on an amazing piece of property that has just towering pine trees on the entire course. It is like a nature hike while playing golf. The redesign is very good and definitely was needed as the course was getting outdated and needed to save water. They definitely made it more challenging but it is not super difficult. You have to play a few times to get to know the course and there are few holes that are kinda weird and difficult but otherwise it is a well designed course. Not super long if you play from the tips and is around 7000 yards but definitely challenging for the really good golfers.

Condition of the course is very good. However, the greens are slow for my liking. I prefer greens that are at least 10+ on the stimp and they were pretty slow and fuzzy. Bunkers are excellent. They use the best sand I have seen for bunkers.

Facilities are pretty good with a grass range. Good practice putting/chipping green. Clubhouse has been remodeled recently and the pro shop and restaurant are really nice.

Definitely worth a round if in the area.

Coyote Creek has been going through some changes lately. They are changing the structure of both the membership (semi-private to tournament couse and public to the valley course) and renovation of the bunkers of both golf courses . Both courses are good and they have been known more as the "player" courses because they are long, tough, and playing conditions are tough with wind usually 10-20 mph.

The changes of late are mainly to the bunkers to make the course easier and more playable. Before the bunkers were not getting much attention and were more like hardpan waste bunkers. Now the bunkers all have fresh sand and made quite a few of them are smaller. The changes are good and make the course better but layout is still the same.

Condition of the course is very good and probably in one of the best conditions I have seen. I have played dozens of rounds there over the years.

Facilities are very good and practice facilities are one the best in the area with the grass range and pitching green being a rare commodity.

Be ready for some wind 10-20 mph if playing in the afternoon.

San Juan Oaks is a fantastic course. California is in a major drought however the course is in great condition. Greens were rolling very quick and no browning. The day I went, the wind was blowing from the north about 10-15 mph which is the prevailing wind.

The course has totally different front and back 9s. The front 9 is fairly flat and wide open while the back 9 is very hilly and landing areas are much smaller. The front 9 is much easier than the back 9. There are few holes that are extremely difficult on the back 9.

The facilities are very good. Gigantic grass range is awesome and the practice putting green is one of the best around. They also have a chipping/pitching green with a sand bunker. Great place to practice. The clubhouse is very nice and big. Pro shop is well stocked with tons of stuff.

One of the best courses in the area, but far from the SF Bay Area.

Callippe is a really great course. Amazing piece of property and amazing views. The golf course is two totally different nines. Front nine is wide open and generous off the tee and less undulating. However, the back nine is much tighter and mor undulating. It is almost like two different courses. You definitely change your strategy and game plan for each nine by playing more grip it and rip it for the front nine and better course management for the back nine. Greens are undulating and tough to read. Disclaimer: I used to work for the golf course design company that deign the layout so I may be a bit partial. Haha.

Facilities are very good. Decent range and you can hit off grass sometimes. Good chipping green and a mini-like putting green ( you will understand that statement once you putt on it). Clubhouse is really nice and they have a great bar area and is an excellent place to sit outside and eat with awesome views.

My only gripe is how they book the course and pace of play. The time I was there was weekday and couse was busy but not super crowded. What was annoying was I was told that they threw a few groups in front of us at the turn that slowed us on back nine substantially. The front nine took 2 hours and 15 minutes while the back nine too 2 hours and 45 minutes. We had to finish under darkness when normally at the time we started, we would finish no problem. Part of the problem is that the course is vey hilly and lots of locals like to walk (which is fine because I like to walk) however maybe make it mandatory carts in busier days or allow maximum of only three walkers in a group. When groups are playing at at a steady pace around a 4 hour round, I think most people are satisfied. What was funny was the Marshall was talking to us for playing slow, when we were not the hold up and we're waiting on every shot. He should of been talking to the front groups. The pace of play is always dictated by the slowest group in front.

Crystal Springs is old style course. Decent layout and surroundings are nice. Lots of trees. Practice facilities are just average. Average range off mats but buckets are on the higher side. Two practice putting greens with no short game area where you can chip. Green fees are reasonable and you can play for 40 bucks with cart.

The problem with this course is pace of play. Lots of walkers which is ok but since it is a hilly course expect long rounds. Also, the way the front 9 is designed, there is a lot of perpendicular slope on the fairways. So you can hit your ball on far left of fairway and it will end up in the far right of the fairway. A lot of balls are lost this way and adds to slow play.

Last two times I have played at CS, the 6th hole was clogged up. 3 groups waiting on tee and 2 other groups on the hole. Ridiculous.

Shadow Oaks is a fun course but plays lot tougher than the scorecard shows. At 6600 yards from the tips it seems fairly short, however, add in the slope of the terrain, wind , and soft conditions then you have a course that plays very long.

The course is a modern course that takes some local knowledge to play well because there are some blind shots and some key areas to avoid. It has some awkwardly design holes but overall is a good track.

On the day I went, greens and bunkers were well maintained but the fairways and rough were not in the best shape. Rough around the greens was very inconsistent height and lots of areas where they over-watered it and led to some really muddy areas. The greenskeeper needs to re-calibrate the watering schedules. I have several embedded balls just around the green and lost a few balls within 10 feet of the green because the rough was so long or it was too muddy.

The facilities are good. Grass range, nice clubhouse, and good food. It is a good place to hang out. Small practice putting green.

If they maintained it better, it would be really good. But for the price you can't ask for much and just take the conditions.

Harding is a great course. Very good layout. Has the name because President's Cup and Senior PGA. Definitely a tour quality track. Course is in good condition, but greens were slower the day I played. Practice facilities are just average.

Staff is rude and don't know how to handle book a course, so they probably shouldn't be working in the golf customer service industry. The course was empty and I mean empty. 3 groups went out around 3pm and I broke off from my group and nobody was in front of me for entire front 9. The staff rushed me and acted like there was no space on the course. They acted like it was some major golf tournament on PGA tour.

I have talked to many people that live in the area and they avoid Harding Park even though they get amazing resident rates because the staff treatment to customers is so bad.