Baylands Golf Links

A few of the holes, like 1,7, and 9, follow the same route as the old Muni, but other than that, it is completely different. It has a links feel with very few trees. The greens are very challenging, with most having several distinct sections separated by 3-4 foot drops. Very difficult to read putts. Two of the par 3's are over 230 yards, and the last one played INTO a 30 mph wind. The fairways are pretty wide open overall, but there is hidden trouble on a few holes, so checkout the flyovers on the website.
Range is the same astro turf as before, but there is a really nice practice area on the right of the range, where the old #10 used to be.

This is always a windy area but on certain days when there's a big temp change the wind will whip up to 30 or 3 club ups. So best to play in the morning or early afternoon. The new layout is tougher than it was as p.a. Muni and once the fairways firm up it will play like a real links course...

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.

Baylands is an almost completely redone version of what was previously Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course. I played a twilight round on opening day, and let me tell you, the greens were absolutely perfect. I've played some excellent courses and I don't think the ball has rolled this true anywhere.

The layout is interesting, and seems to follow a trend among newer courses - no rough, just running undulating fairways that lead into penal areas. The lack of a rough reminds me of Poppy Hills, although that's the only similarity. Poppy provides a much more complete golf experience. The 2nd hole is located awkwardly, you cross paths through the 5th hole to get from 1 to 2. And on the first day of the course, the sign fell down, so it was unclear where to go.

Old PA golf course had an awkward 10th hole that wrapped around the driving range. I'm very happy with the change that was made in this area. The awkward hole is now a fantastic short game area. The 10th now goes in a different direction. Really well done.

The bunkering is interesting. There's some pot bunkers that clearly have a European influence. The fairways rarely give you a flat lie, and the greens had multiple tiers. While the fairways are wavy, the course is relatively flat. By that, I mean, that there are very few elevation changes from tee to green, and the fairways almost have mogul-like undulations.

The course is still a muni, but it's now pricing itself like a mid-premium golf course. It's nice, but if the rack rate is going to be around $100, that's too expensive. When checking in, two senior citizens learned that there wouldn't be a 9 role rate until after 3pm (which is probably the right call if you're running a course), and that their 18 hole rate would be $90, which for a muni has to be among the most expensive in the country.

I believe they removed quite a few trees, and while that's nice on some holes, it leaves beautiful views of power lines on others. The electrical wires aren't particularly close to the course, but they're very much in view. Also, there's an occasional plane taking off and landing at the Palo Alto airport.

Store and restaurant were redone as well. Some new wood flooring, new logo, etc. No real clubhouse or locker room to speak of.

On the whole, I did like the course. Staff was very friendly. It would be a much better experience at 30% lower prices. For around the $100 range, there's many better options in NorCal.

Like everybody else, I cringed when Palo Alto Mayor Liz Kniss warned golfers about the toughness of Baylands Golf Links at the course's media grand opening. It's tough, but not in the 'I don't want to play this ever again' way. I'd call it sneaky tough, despite a player-friendly 5 par 5/5 par 3 routing.
You shouldn't lose balls from the 6,110-yard blue tees, but you probably will, especially on the short par 4s like No. 5 and 7. The long par-5 third, the best hole strategically, will eat balls at will until players learn how to survive the wetland on that hole.
Baylands showcases a mix of intriguing features - reachable par 5s to start and end the round, gaping sodwall bunkers in front of the greens at No. 12 (a par 3) and No. 13 (a par 5), alternate greens on the par-4 14th hole and semi-blind approaches to mounded greens at no. 16 (a par 4) and no. 17 (a par 3).
Several greens might be overdone with undulations (no. 6 and no. 18 come to mind). However, not even a couple of three jacks can undermine the fine job done by architect Forrest Richardson in reviving this featureless muni. It's a gift generations of golfers can enjoy.