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Location
Redwood City, CA
Yelping SinceOctober 2006
Find Me Inthe sky or a golf course
My HometownCleveland, OH
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I try to understand why people review golf courses when they don't play the game
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI've actually been to the places I review...
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadAtlas Shrugged
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One of the cheapest ways to play a round of golf on the Monterey Peninsula.
Take some time before teeing off to read up on the history of the course so you can appreciate what it must have been like playing here in 1897. The only course older West of the Mississippi is the Presidio in San Francisco.
The course is not terribly difficult. Tee to green distances are short, the fairways are reasonably wide and there are a reasonable number of trees. Whether you have a natural hook or slice, either one will get you into trouble as the course is surrounded by OB markers on both sides at different points. Oddly enough, as you progress through the course, the homes get nicer and nicer. The house to the left of the first tee box is an absolute dump, but there are some beautiful homes on the Back 9.
All in all, the course is in decent shape, although I wish Pebble Beach Resorts would take a little more pride and work on some of the waste areas and bunkers. Definitely worth $100, but not much more.
Take some time before teeing off to read up on the history of the course so you can appreciate what it must have been like playing here in 1897. The only course older West of the Mississippi is the Presidio in San Francisco.
The course is not terribly difficult. Tee to green distances are short, the fairways are reasonably wide and there are a reasonable number of trees. Whether you have a natural hook or slice, either one will get you into trouble as the course is surrounded by OB markers on both sides at different points. Oddly enough, as you progress through the course, the homes get nicer and nicer. The house to the left of the first tee box is an absolute dump, but there are some beautiful homes on the Back 9.
All in all, the course is in decent shape, although I wish Pebble Beach Resorts would take a little more pride and work on some of the waste areas and bunkers. Definitely worth $100, but not much more.
Keeping it at 3 stars, but this place is dangerously close to getting a 2-star rating. The bunkers are in horrendous shape. The edges are no longer defined, the sand is thin and heaven forbid they rake them each day. We played at 6:45am this morning and they were not raked from the day before. C'mon Poplar! Don't let it get any worse!
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2/23/2007
This course stirs up a varying set of emotions. Read on...
I like the course itself. At a slope of 111 from the forward and 117 from the back tees, it's wickedly simple. The course is quite flat, although they have done a small amount of sculpting more for aesthetics than anything else. One seemingly small thing that I like about this place is the scorecard. Rather than simply listing the different yardages, they list the approximate handicap range for that set of tees. Although everyone thinks their handicap is lower than it really is, it still seems to provide a little better guidance as to which tees you should use.
They have a very nice restaurant on site and an impressive Pro Shop for a public golf course. The staff has always been very pleasant when we have golfed there.
Now for the bad part. I have teed off here as the very first foursome in the morning and made it all the way around in 3:15 without hurrying. I have also teed off as the 5th or 6th foursome of the morning, and it has taken up to 5 1/2 hours. For some tragically bizarre reason, there are groups of senior citizens who INSIST on grabbing those early tee times, then playing soooooo slooooooowwwww it will drive you insane. The marshall did absolutely nothing about it. One morning we teed off behind four elderly ladies who REFUSED to let us play through. Out of pure boredom, I started tracking one ladie's score. It took her 15 strokes from tee to holing out on #14. I'm not kidding. Again, the marshall did nothing. They should have been stopped at the turn and told to wait while others played through. At Cinnabar, they would have been pulled off the course completely.
My advice: play this course. I promise you will enjoy it, especially if you're a mid to high handicapper looking for a pleasant and simple track. However, make certain you are one of the very first tee times of the day. Otherwise, bring a book...
6/15/07 Update: Nothing new to add. Nice course, five-hour round. Used my Treo to catch up on a lot of old emails.
9 StoneTree Lane
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 209-6090
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 209-6090
StoneTree Golf Club
Categories: Golf, Venues & Event Spaces
Nice, but with a number of issues.
The course is a little tight, but not so tough that a beginner couldn't come out and have a good time. You might want to bring a few extra balls because there are plenty of places to lose one. If you normally play from the whites, this is your chance to move back to the blues. The course is shorter than most around the Bay Area.
This is one of those pseudo-private country clubs. However, it is flat out the cheapest "country club" in the entire Bay Area. A membership here is MUCH cheaper than a round of golf every other week on the peninsula. Add to this a very nice clubhouse with restaurant/bar facilities and a locker room, and it's an absolute bargain. (The bar food was fantastic.) If I lived closer, I would pick up a membership here.
Unfortunately, the greens here have serious problems. There is a disease which is causing spotting all over the green. Putts do not roll true out here at all. Too bad, because that's the only real black eye on the course.
There is no driving range which, for a "country club" is inexcusable. In other words, if you are a member, you have nowhere to train other than to hit balls into a net. I have to believe that with all the open land around, they could acquire a couple acres to build a range.
Some of the members were a little snooty which, considering the dirt cheap membership fees, seemed slightly idiotic. This ain't no Olympic Club or Sharon Heights.
All in all, a great bargain if you live close by and a decent course if you're within 30 minutes. However, i wouldn't drive any further than that to give it a try.
The course is a little tight, but not so tough that a beginner couldn't come out and have a good time. You might want to bring a few extra balls because there are plenty of places to lose one. If you normally play from the whites, this is your chance to move back to the blues. The course is shorter than most around the Bay Area.
This is one of those pseudo-private country clubs. However, it is flat out the cheapest "country club" in the entire Bay Area. A membership here is MUCH cheaper than a round of golf every other week on the peninsula. Add to this a very nice clubhouse with restaurant/bar facilities and a locker room, and it's an absolute bargain. (The bar food was fantastic.) If I lived closer, I would pick up a membership here.
Unfortunately, the greens here have serious problems. There is a disease which is causing spotting all over the green. Putts do not roll true out here at all. Too bad, because that's the only real black eye on the course.
There is no driving range which, for a "country club" is inexcusable. In other words, if you are a member, you have nowhere to train other than to hit balls into a net. I have to believe that with all the open land around, they could acquire a couple acres to build a range.
Some of the members were a little snooty which, considering the dirt cheap membership fees, seemed slightly idiotic. This ain't no Olympic Club or Sharon Heights.
All in all, a great bargain if you live close by and a decent course if you're within 30 minutes. However, i wouldn't drive any further than that to give it a try.
Okay, before everyone gets mad at me for adding yet another new entry for Wynn, here's the catch. The Country Club @ Wynn Casino is NOT the golf course. It is the bar/restaurant at the golf course. As of today, you will notice that all 23 of those reviews were written by people who have never played the course.
When it first opened, the Wynn Golf Club was open only to hotel guests for the staggering price of $500 per round. Later, as the economy soured, it was opened up to anyone who had the pocketbook to afford it. More recently, they have begun offering discounted rates to attract enough golfers to keep the caddies busy. $300 will get you on the course Mon-Thur. The rate goes to $375 Fri-Sun. This includes a caddy, rental clubs, rental shoes, golf cart, bottled water and various sports drinks. Actually not a bad deal in my book. I played the course twice in the same day as the replay rate was only $200.
The layout is tough. Only one of the par 4s is less than 400 yards. That hole is 386 yards but has an optical quality to it that will make you swear it's the longest hole on the course.
Many courses are not memorable because all the holes look the same. You will find it difficult to remember this course at times because each and every hole is incredibly different. Between streams, bridges, ponds, bunkers and even waterfalls, each hole is a little piece of artwork. Go to the Wynn website for pictures and more information.
This is a must-play, even if it's only once in your entire life. At times, it is impossible to believe your right on the Las Vegas strip, with only the towering Wynn and Encore casinoes to remind you where you are. The staff will treat you like a celebrity from the moment you check in at the pro shop. A personal concierge will escort you to the locker room and ensure everything is taken care of.
A few final tips:
Bring a camera
Bring your own golf balls
Bring a change of clothes (they have showers in the locker room)
Enjoy yourself regardless of how you play
When it first opened, the Wynn Golf Club was open only to hotel guests for the staggering price of $500 per round. Later, as the economy soured, it was opened up to anyone who had the pocketbook to afford it. More recently, they have begun offering discounted rates to attract enough golfers to keep the caddies busy. $300 will get you on the course Mon-Thur. The rate goes to $375 Fri-Sun. This includes a caddy, rental clubs, rental shoes, golf cart, bottled water and various sports drinks. Actually not a bad deal in my book. I played the course twice in the same day as the replay rate was only $200.
The layout is tough. Only one of the par 4s is less than 400 yards. That hole is 386 yards but has an optical quality to it that will make you swear it's the longest hole on the course.
Many courses are not memorable because all the holes look the same. You will find it difficult to remember this course at times because each and every hole is incredibly different. Between streams, bridges, ponds, bunkers and even waterfalls, each hole is a little piece of artwork. Go to the Wynn website for pictures and more information.
This is a must-play, even if it's only once in your entire life. At times, it is impossible to believe your right on the Las Vegas strip, with only the towering Wynn and Encore casinoes to remind you where you are. The staff will treat you like a celebrity from the moment you check in at the pro shop. A personal concierge will escort you to the locker room and ensure everything is taken care of.
A few final tips:
Bring a camera
Bring your own golf balls
Bring a change of clothes (they have showers in the locker room)
Enjoy yourself regardless of how you play
Note: PRIVATE CLUB
Extremely exclusive country club and golf course.
Totally old school. Really enjoyed the atmosphere in the men's grill and on the course. The food was fantastic and the beer was cold. I had the Cobb salad and a couple of the guys I was with had Crab Louie's. All were perfect.
As for the course...the NCGA usually gets course ratings correct...usually. This is one of those rare exceptions where I think they got it wrong. The course plays a 127 rating from the tips. However, numerous tight approaches, tight tee shots and tricky greens make me think this deserves a 130 or higher. Two holes, with 18 being the most memorable, require a staggering straight tee shot to get to the corner of a 90 degree dog leg. The distance is extremely deceiving as much of the course plays uphill and into the wind. Don't think that 386 yards is going to be an easy green in regulation out here. Be EXTREMELY careful on 15 and 16. A slice on either of these holes will launch a ball directly onto Alameda de las Pulgas, and possibly require you to buy a new windshield.
The course, like most country clubs, is in phenomenal shape. The ponds are real, with blooming lily pads and everything. Much different than the concrete-lined, blue toilet water filled munis like Sunnyvale and Shoreline.
Great practice facility and nice staff make it a must play if you have the opportunity to get out here.
Extremely exclusive country club and golf course.
Totally old school. Really enjoyed the atmosphere in the men's grill and on the course. The food was fantastic and the beer was cold. I had the Cobb salad and a couple of the guys I was with had Crab Louie's. All were perfect.
As for the course...the NCGA usually gets course ratings correct...usually. This is one of those rare exceptions where I think they got it wrong. The course plays a 127 rating from the tips. However, numerous tight approaches, tight tee shots and tricky greens make me think this deserves a 130 or higher. Two holes, with 18 being the most memorable, require a staggering straight tee shot to get to the corner of a 90 degree dog leg. The distance is extremely deceiving as much of the course plays uphill and into the wind. Don't think that 386 yards is going to be an easy green in regulation out here. Be EXTREMELY careful on 15 and 16. A slice on either of these holes will launch a ball directly onto Alameda de las Pulgas, and possibly require you to buy a new windshield.
The course, like most country clubs, is in phenomenal shape. The ponds are real, with blooming lily pads and everything. Much different than the concrete-lined, blue toilet water filled munis like Sunnyvale and Shoreline.
Great practice facility and nice staff make it a must play if you have the opportunity to get out here.
711 Stanford Shoppng Center
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 323-6364
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 323-6364
Max's Opera Cafe
Category: American (Traditional)
The food is always good, but the service is really, really, really bad. Just ate there this afternoon. The restaurant was half full but it took 40 minutes from the time we ordered to get a Reuben and a Chicken salad.
I ordered the Cajun pasta which came with one, yes one, tiny piece of sausage. The sauce was bland and lifeless.
My wife and aunt both ordered the fish and chips made with Cod. It was extremely oily beyond anything I've ever seen.
The beer was cold and the atmosphere was pleasant. I'm sure there is something good on the menu. We just didn't find it when we went there.
My wife and aunt both ordered the fish and chips made with Cod. It was extremely oily beyond anything I've ever seen.
The beer was cold and the atmosphere was pleasant. I'm sure there is something good on the menu. We just didn't find it when we went there.
Note: PRIVATE CLUB
Played in the annual Peninsula Humane Society Charity tournament here on 6/14/09. Awesome tournament for a great cause. Call the Peninsula Humane Society and ask about playing in next year's tourney.
The course is very reminiscent of Green Hills Country Club. There is a lot of up and down, even more so than GHCC. They were redoing all the bunkers during the tournament and they look like they will be spectacular when they are finished.
It's a 129 slope from the Blue Tees, so it's not the toughest country club around but it's no walk in the park either. I would guess that about half of all the greens have those horrible sloped fronts where the ball rolls back into the fairway if you don't carry it to the center of the green. It seemed like every green had at least one bunker protecting it. The greens were not quite "country club" quality. Some of them had well defined areas where there was more dirt than grass. They were fairly bumpy and putts were not rolling true, at least not that day.
The staff was a little odd. Can't really place my finger on it. Most country clubs have staff that fall all over themselves to take care of the members. Here, they just sort of seemed to do their jobs and nothing more. Maybe it was due to the fact that the tournament players are not members.
The clubhouse is nice, but nothing compared to someplace like Tehama or The Preserve.
All in all, if you get the chance to play here, by all means do it. If you're looking for a membership, I would recommend California Club for Men's golf or Green Hills Country Club for more of a family atmosphere. (Tennis, swimming, dining events, kids programs, etc.)
Played in the annual Peninsula Humane Society Charity tournament here on 6/14/09. Awesome tournament for a great cause. Call the Peninsula Humane Society and ask about playing in next year's tourney.
The course is very reminiscent of Green Hills Country Club. There is a lot of up and down, even more so than GHCC. They were redoing all the bunkers during the tournament and they look like they will be spectacular when they are finished.
It's a 129 slope from the Blue Tees, so it's not the toughest country club around but it's no walk in the park either. I would guess that about half of all the greens have those horrible sloped fronts where the ball rolls back into the fairway if you don't carry it to the center of the green. It seemed like every green had at least one bunker protecting it. The greens were not quite "country club" quality. Some of them had well defined areas where there was more dirt than grass. They were fairly bumpy and putts were not rolling true, at least not that day.
The staff was a little odd. Can't really place my finger on it. Most country clubs have staff that fall all over themselves to take care of the members. Here, they just sort of seemed to do their jobs and nothing more. Maybe it was due to the fact that the tournament players are not members.
The clubhouse is nice, but nothing compared to someplace like Tehama or The Preserve.
All in all, if you get the chance to play here, by all means do it. If you're looking for a membership, I would recommend California Club for Men's golf or Green Hills Country Club for more of a family atmosphere. (Tennis, swimming, dining events, kids programs, etc.)
Very pleasantly surprised by this place.
It was my first time out which added to the difficulty simply because it's difficult to know where to place the ball from the tee box. One good piece of advice, the barber poles are NOT the 150 markers. They are actually aiming poles, so use them.
Played on a Saturday morning at 7am and the pace was awesome. We (a threesome) finished in 3 hours and 50 minutes. Unheard of for a muni. This was even with waiting on a couple tee boxes for the group in front of us. I love fast play. However, the two regulars I was with said that the course begins slowing down after the early morning crowd and can turn into a 5 hour slog very quickly.
The course is suitable for beginners as long as they play the forward tee boxes. While the course is not exceptionally long, real hackers will have an extraordinarily difficult time given the length, water and tall rough.
I found a discount tee time on GolfNow so try that before heading out.
Oh yeah, the greens are deceptively fast and very well contoured. Bring your best putting game with you.
It was my first time out which added to the difficulty simply because it's difficult to know where to place the ball from the tee box. One good piece of advice, the barber poles are NOT the 150 markers. They are actually aiming poles, so use them.
Played on a Saturday morning at 7am and the pace was awesome. We (a threesome) finished in 3 hours and 50 minutes. Unheard of for a muni. This was even with waiting on a couple tee boxes for the group in front of us. I love fast play. However, the two regulars I was with said that the course begins slowing down after the early morning crowd and can turn into a 5 hour slog very quickly.
The course is suitable for beginners as long as they play the forward tee boxes. While the course is not exceptionally long, real hackers will have an extraordinarily difficult time given the length, water and tall rough.
I found a discount tee time on GolfNow so try that before heading out.
Oh yeah, the greens are deceptively fast and very well contoured. Bring your best putting game with you.
2 Lists
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links
Well, I finally kicked…
2. The Preserve Golf Club
Note: PRIVATE CLUB This…
3. The Links At Spanish Bay
See Full List »
Just played here again on…
1. Wynn Golf Club
Okay, before everyone…
2. Trilogy Golf Club
Very nice course with…
3. PGA West: Jack Nicklaus…
See Full List »
One question before I get…
The fairways are in great shape and provide plenty of roll. The greens are in good shape too thanks to a conscientious greenskeeping staff. The course is not terribly long, but it's a little bit tight, has a little bit of water, and is just a little more challenging than something like San Jose Muni or an executive course.
I highly recommend this for the up and coming golfers of this world.