Lives
Santa Rosa, CA
Handicap
10-14
Age
45-54
Gender
Male
Skill
Intermediate
Plays
Once a week

Review Statistics

Average Rating

4.7
4.7
Total 10 Reviews

Rating Breakdown

10 Reviews
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Recommended Courses
10
Not Recommended Courses
0
Helpful Votes Count
2
Not Helpful Votes Count
0
First Review
08/08/2017
Last Review
01/25/2019

Reviews Map

Reviews

4.7
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First time playing this course
Recommended
Review has

Makani Golf Club

Played On 01/24/2019
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A must Play

While playing golf on a Hawaiian island one does usually desire holes along the ocean with the views that go along with it. Makani has nice views of the surrounding mountains but this is not a resort course. That being said, if you are a serious golfer and also enjoy an esthetically beautiful golf course then you have to play here. This was my first time playing the previously named Big island Country Club, and it appears that just within the last year this course has successfully undergone some major and successful overhauls. Here's a breakdown of my experience:
Staff is extremely friendly and helpful.
Just a golf shop with a decent supply of snacks, but no clubhouse or restaurant. Good clean bathrooms though.
Drving range has free practice balls to hit off of good new matts,
Tee boxes are clean and decently maintained.
Fairways still need a small bit of work but still playable. On thier site they let you know that they had put in major efforts to kill weeds and other evasive grass. That has been successful and fairways are well on their way to full lushness,
Greens are firm and smooth. They, like all Big Islands greens, do not run as fast as you might feel they will.
The layout is enjoyable as no holes run together, so you feel isolated most of the time though the meandering, tree-lined farways and greens. It is extremely serene and peaceful up there. Some holes are short, but they, as is true for the entire course, really, present challenges from narrow fairways, well placed bunkers, or water, or dog-legs, but the course always rewards good shots - nothing tricked up out there.
The owners and managers has put some serious time and money into this course. It is worth your time and money to play it and enjoy.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Rancho Solano Golf Course

Played On 10/05/2018
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good challenge and value

Course is in great shape from your opening tee shot to your final putt. No straight holes - plenty of curves and slopes. Greens are huge but run true, and you better position your approaches well or you will be dealing with a difficult put. All that being said nearly all holes are fair. The two for which you need to be prepared are #11 and #12. The former is a par 4 where even when you get your drive to the front of the water, the next shot is still a longer one full carry. The latter is a long par 3. 190+yds, of carry - and that's hoping there is no wind in your face.
Overall, Rancho Solano is a nice and fun course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Rancho Solano Golf Course

Played On 01/02/2018
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Worth it

First time playing Rancho Solano. For early January the course was it decent shape, so I imagine it is very nice in Spring/Summer. No straight or flat or horizontal holes. No flat or slow greens. However, the course does not play difficult - just a fair challenge, though I would imagine that there are some pin placements that would be somewhat diabolical. Fairways are mostly forgiving, but there is some water, and a couple of forced carries on the back.
Pace this day was a little slow, but I'll play there some more to judge that aspect further.
Overall no real complaints, so get out there.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

The Bridges Golf Club

Played On 12/01/2017
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart

A must play, but be prepared

The Bridges is in excellent shape:
-Smooth tee boxes
-Fairways like carpet
-Firm but true greens
For these reasons you must play there at least once - Just be mentally prepared. I played from the whites which is 6100 yds. I used driver 3 times. This is a placement course. Fairways are either narrow, or winding. If you do find a fairway then greens are usually accessable, but probably are not any flat puts. Nothing crazy mind you, but know where the undulations might be and try to stay below the pin.
I usually would not complain about a bad hole, but I am here: #14 is not a fair hole. I have no problem with a long hole, or a narrow one, but it seems the only reason this hole exists is to frustrate. the sign at the tee box reads(as close as I remember), "190 to gully/250 to carry." Tee shot is down hill, so maybe 230-235 to carry, but there is no room to miss left(tall growth) or right(hazard/OB). Just a narrow landing area over a 50yd chasm. So your lay up leaves you a 220-230 2nd shot up hill with long bunker on right side. Other than one simple par 3 the other holes provide a fair challenge - playing this course is good for your game - but #14 feels like a bad design that proves nothing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Chardonnay Golf Club

Played On 10/26/2017
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Worth it

I teed off as a single at 8am. I hit extra shot on/around every green, and I still finished at 11:45.
Course is in all around excellent shape. No wind on front 9 this day, but it started to pick up at the turn and I was undone at 16 and 17, which are difficult in best of circumstances, but dead into a 15-20 gust was daunting.
Don't let possible breezy conditions scare you though. The course is challenging but fair, and a great layout.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 10/31/2017:
Thank you for the 5-star review! Please come back and visit us soon!

Tilden Park Golf Course

Played On 09/12/2017
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nary a Flat Lie

Tilden is a nice course. Great choice when a heat wave hits the area, though other times in the spring and summer an early tee time might run into fog issues with the first two holes which are the highest part of the course. Speaking of the first two holes - what a tough start for the men! 400yd par 4 straight up hill followed by a tight downhill then uphill dogleg left par 4. Of course few holes are breathers. Very few flat lies, or wide straight fairways, but I would not call Tilden "tricked up". It is an old fashioned test, and because the course resides in the Berkeley hills it rarely if ever gets sun-baked so fairway and green conditions are great.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Diablo Creek Golf Course

Played On 08/24/2017
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Best course, best price in area

I play lots of golf in this general area and I am of firm belief that Diablo Creek is the best value. The tee boxes, fairways and greens are all in good shape. Yes, there are a few spots here and there that need some TLC, but overall the fairways provide good lies and greens run smooth.
Wind can create more of a challenge on the front as it is more exposed - especially on the lengthy 4th hole. The back 9 provides more trees for protection.
A major caveat for 1st timers coming out there is that the white tees play 6400 yds, so don't just step up to the whites and think it's like most courses. There is a gold set that plays 6000.
Fairways are narrow and if you find yourself above the hole expect a tough putt.
I paid $44 for green fee, cart and lunch (drink not included) which is a great deal.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Foxtail Golf Club - North Course

Played On 08/23/2017
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best maintained public course in the area

I've played all the local 18 hole courses from Santa Rosa to Petaluma and while I am a fan of most, in my opinion Foxtail North is in the best shape. Lush fairways with extremely few dry or wet spots, and greens are very green and run smooth. Not many straight and or flat hole designs. Seven holes have water to consider or creeks to negotiate. Bunkers are placed quite strategically, and there can be some challenging pin placements as almost all greens have slope - just try to stay below the hole. To sum it up there are no trick or gimmicky holes - Foxtail North rewards good shots.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate

Chardonnay Golf Club

Played On 08/15/2017
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Worth a trip

Other than a few water collection spots on an occasional fairway, the course is in terrific shape tee to green as you play your way through the vineyards. Wind required some thought in playing, but it wasn't as strong to be frustrating. Forgiving fairways throughout, but be prepared for all shape and sizes of greens.
Staff is friendly and works to get you out as quickly as possible.
Last but not least - enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Napa Valley!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Diablo Creek Golf Course

Played On 08/07/2017
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

A decent course

I play here a few times a month and I enjoy this course. Today was an outlier as the wind blew moderately across the course which I feel is the worst kind. Over the years though I do not recall wind issues at DC. The big challenge this day was that we followed a senior tournament, pushing the round to 5 1/2 hours! I can attest to the fact that on weekdays the course plays under 5 hours, so advice is do not play there mornings on Mondays.
I paid $44 for golf, cart, an lunch through GolfNow. Usual rates with cart are mid $40 range, but from tee to green the course is in good shape.
Also be aware that white tees play 6200-6400 yds.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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