Category Archives: California Golf Courses

March 20, 2013 · 8:06 pm

Mountain Springs Golf & Country Club Review

Mountain Springs Golf & Country Club Review Sonora California 378-2

Opened in 1990, Mountain Springs Golf and Country Club is 18 hole public golf course located just outside of Sonora in California’s Gold Country. Weaving through the area’s golden hills, the course offers a creative concept and open design that demands golfers to make a plethora of accurate as well as blind shots. Unfortunately playing conditions can be hit or miss making Mountain Springs anything but a destination course and one only mildly worthy of a stop for those passing through the area.

17566 Lime Kiln Road
Sonora, CA (Google Maps)
209.532.1000
Mountain Springs Website

Men’s Tee Par 72 (rating/slope)

  • Black 6559 yards (72.0/131)
  • Combo 6411 yards (71.3/129)
  • White 6119 yards (70.1/125)
  • Gold 5580 yards (67.6/119)

Women’s Tee Par 72 (rating/slope)s

  • White 6119 yards (74.5/130)
  • Gold 5580 yards (72.5/127)
  • Red 5073 yards (70.0/122)

Scorecard: click here
Course Designer: Robert Muir Graves
Course Record: 63

Typical Playing Season (open year around)

Green Fees (18 holes)

  • Mon thru Thurs- $16-27
  • Fri- $19-32
  • Sat, Sun, Holidays- $22-40
  • Senior- $17-40
  • Junior- $13

Memberships

  • Golf membership are available. Click here for details.

Rental Fees (9/18 holes)

  • Cart (no GPS)- $8/15
  • Clubs- $20
  • Pull cart- $8

Range Fees

  • Small- $5
  • Large- $8

Practice Area

Driving Range
Mountain Spring’s easterly facing matted driving range is situated on the top of the main hill overlooking the course.  Less than 300 yards in depth with a dramatic fall off to the landing area, the range is adequate for warming up but far from ideal for extended practice sessions (particularly when working on distances).

Putting Green
Two medium-sized putting greens are located between the Clubhouse and Pro Shop.  The greens can accommodate multiple golfers, are good for extended practice sessions, but aren’t necessarily representational of the slop changes found on the course.

The Course

Design & Layout
Weaving through the hills of California’s Gold Country, Mountain Springs offers a creative concept and open design that demands golfers to make a plethora of accurate as well as blind shots.  The course is harmlessly Continue reading →

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January 14, 2013 · 6:08 pm

Emerald Lakes Golf Course Review

Emerald Lakes Golf Course Review Elk Grove California 151

Located south of Sacramento, CA on Hwy 99 is the short 9 hole public course of Emerald Lakes.  Flat and walker friendly, the course challenges golfers with elevated greens, water hazards on six holes, maturing trees, and an overhead power line.  Emerald Lakes is ideal for advanced beginners or anyone seeking an uncomplicated and relaxed golf experience.

10651 E. Stockton Blvd
Elk Grove, CA 95624 (Google Maps)
916.685.4653
Emerald Lakes Website

Men’s Tees Par 33 (rating/slope)

  • 2334 yards (31/104)

Ladies Tees Par 33 (rating slope)

  • 1872 yards (30.7/99)

Scorecard: click here
Course Designer: Rick Yount
Course Record: 58

Typical Season (open year around)

Green Fees (9/18 holes)

  • Weekdays- $14/21
  • Weekends- $17.50/27
  • Seniors- $12/18 (weekdays only)
  • Juniors Weekdays- $8/14
  • Juniors Weekends- $10/18
  • Last Light- $12 (2 hours prior to sunset)

Rental Fees (9/18 holes)

  • Carts- $6/12 (solo rider)
  • Pull Carts- $3
  • Rental Clubs- $7.50

Range Fees*

  • 30 Balls- $3
  • 90 Balls- $8
  • 150 Balls- $12

*Range typically open from dawn to 10pm

Practice Area

Putting Greens
There are two small greens at Emerald Lakes located on the east side of the clubhouse, one for putting and the other of chipping/sand practice.  The greens are Continue reading →

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June 26, 2012 · 9:23 am

Twain Harte Golf Club Review

Nestled in the central Sierra Nevada mountains is the small town of Twain Harte and its short but compelling 9 hole golf course.  The course winds its way through the surrounding woods, offering a beautiful and quiet setting that is reason enough to stop, play, and enjoy if one is ever in the area.  Surprisingly though Twain Harte’s simplistic layout presents a subtly challenging golf experience and one in which the majority golfers will find it difficult to shoot their handicap.  An overall great golf experience when the course is in optimal playing condition.

22909 Meadow Lane
P.O. Box 333
Twain Harte, CA 95383 (Google Maps)
209.586.3131
Twain Harte Website

Men’s Tees Par 29 (rating/slope)

  • Blue 1632 yards (58.1/89)
  • White 1721 yards (58.4/90)

Women’s Tees Par 32 (rating/slope)

  • Red 1721 yards (58.7/95)
  • Gold 1769 yards (59.4/97)

Scorecard: Click here
Course Designer: Bob Baldock
Course Record: 51

Green Fees (9/18 holes)

  • Mon-Thurs- $15/19
  • Fri/Sat/Sun- $17/22
  • Seniors- $ 11/15
  • Juniors- $11/15
  • Call for Twilight Rates

Rental Fees

  • Carts- Not available
  • Pull Carts- $3
  • Rental Clubs- $7
  • Junior Rental Clubs- $3

Range Fees

  • Twain Harte has no driving range

Practice Area

Located to the clubhouse and the first tee, Twain Harte offers a small putting green that is somewhat representative of the conditions found on the course.  Adequate for warming up and short term practicing of putting/chipping.

The Course

A small gem in the Sierra Nevadas, Twain Harte’s 9 holes that are carved into the surrounding woods presents a captivating challenge.  Though somewhat Continue reading →

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March 28, 2012 · 8:20 am

Wildhorse Golf Club Review

Built in 1999 and located on the northeast side of Davis, CA, Wildhorse Golf Club was intended to be higher-end golf experience from that of the city’s original course, Davis Municipal (click here for review).  Though the layout and length of the course is more demanding, and somewhat more aesthetically stimulating, the overall upkeep and playing conditions found at Wildhorse makes the course an underwhelming golf experience.  Hence, Wildhorse is only an reasonable golf value when one is paying twilight or heavily discounted green fees.

2323 Rockwell Drive
Davis, CA 95616 (Google Maps)
530.753.4900
Wildhorse Golf Club Website

Men’s Tees Par 72 (rating/slope)

  • Black 6828 yards (73.0/135)
  • Blue 6335 yards (70.4/128)
  • White 5917 yards (68.6/122)

Women’s Tees Par 72/73 (rating/slope)

  • White 5917 yards (73.5/135)
  • Gold 5212 yards (70.2/120)
  • Red 4565 yards (66.8/115)

Scorecard: click here
Course Designer: Jeffrey Brauer
Course Record: 60

Green Fees

  • Mon-Thurs-$25-31
  • Friday- $30-40
  • Sat-Sun-Holiday- $35-50
  • Senior-$28-45

Rental Fees

  • Cart (no GPS)-$5 (free during twilight)
  • Rental Clubs- $25
  • Pull Cart- $5

Range Fees (45 balls per token)

  • 1 token- $6
  • 2 tokens- $10

Practice Area

Wildhorse Golf Club has a large matted and grass driving range which faces in a northerly direction.  The range is completely exposed to the prevailing cross winds, lacks natural targets for aiming purposes, and yardage markers are limited.  Practicing conditions during the summer months can be uncomfortable do to the lack of shade.

An expansive putting green is located to the east of the driving range (past the cart shed). The green is largely representative of conditions found on the course, can accommodate multiple golfers, and is solid for extended putting and chipping practice.

The Course

Once a promising Continue reading →

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April 27, 2011 · 12:41 pm

La Contenta Golf Course Review

Located outside of Valley Springs at the base of the California foothills, La Contenta Golf Club is an 18 hole public golf course offering one of the most reliable and reasonably priced golf experiences in Calavaras County area.   Situtated in a housing development the course weaves through low lying hills and offers golfers a simplictic to puinishing golf experience.

1653 Highway 26
Valley Springs, Ca 95252 (Google Maps)
Phone: 209.772.1081
Fax: 209.772.1085

http://www.lacontentagolf.com/
 

Men’s Tees Par 71

  • Black 6425 yards (69.9/129)
  • White 5895 yards (68.2/128)
  • Red 5150 yards (65.1/121)

Women’s Tees Par 72 

  • White 5895 yards (73.7/136)
  • Red 5150 yards (69.5/127)

La Contenta's signature hole the downhill Par 3 13th

Scorecard: click here
Course Designer: Richard Bigler
Course Record (Men): 60

Green Fees

  • Weekdays- $12-24
  • Fridays-$15-29
  • Weekends/Holidays-$16-34
  • Senior (Mon-Thurs)- $20
  • Junior (Mon-Thurs & after 12pm  Fri, Weekends, Holidays)- $10-15

Rental Fees

  • Single Cart- $16
  • Double Cart- $32
  • Clubs- $15
  • Pull cart- $3

 

Chipping green and practice nets for warming up

Practice Area

La Contenta has only mats and nets to hit into for warming up.  A driving range located on the opposite side of the road, but operating hours and reliability are unpredicabile.

There are two putting greens, a small green located next to the practice nets and a larger green on the eastside of Continue reading →

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March 17, 2011 · 1:07 pm

Delta View Golf Course Review

The view from the 17th tee at Delta View

*Special thanks to Mr. Park for his contributions and photos for this review

In the hills of Pittsburgh, CA overlooking the California Delta is the 18-hole public course Delta View. The original nine (now the back nine) was designed by Alister MacKenzie and boasts some of the more challenging green designs in Northern California.  Unfortunately, course’s maintenance is not always up to par with the course’s design.  Nonetheless, if you are in the area and can play at a discounted rate, Delta View is worth at least one visit.

2232 Golf Club Road
Pittsburg, CA 94565 (Google Maps)
Phone: 925.252.4080
Fax: 925.439.8287

http://www.deltaviewgolfcourse.com/

Men’s Tees Par 71 (rating/slope)

  • Blue- 6317 yards (71.3/133)
  • White- 5758 yards (68.3/125)

Women’s Tees Par 72 (rating/slope)

  • White- 5758 yards (72.3/127)
  • Red- 5261 yards (70.9/123)

Course Designers: Robert Muir Graves (front nine) and Alister MacKenzie (back nine)
Course Record (Men): 64

 

Delta View's putting green

Green Fees

  • Resident Weekdays- $11-22
  • Non-Resident Weekdays- $11-27
  • Resident Weekends- $13-36
  • Non-Resident Weekends- $13-41
  • Seniors Weekdays (until 12:59 pm)- $16
  • Super Seniors (+75) open to close- $3
  • Weekday Special (10am-12:59pm)- $27 walking or $32 w/ cart
  • Weekend Special (10am-12:59pm) $43 w/ cart

Rental Fees

  • Carts- $22-30
  • Pull Carts- $5
  • Rental Clubs- $15

Driving Range

  • Small bucket- $4
  • Medium bucket- $6
  • Large bucket- $8

 

The driving range at Delta View

Practice Area

Delta view features a large open lighted driving range which faces in a southerly direction towards the foothills leading up to Mt. Diablo.  The range is all grass, but conditions can be hit and miss. Additionally, the facilities lack yardages and good targets for aiming, making the range less than ideal for practice sessions.

The putting green is located next to the first tee box and is large enough to accommodate multiple golfers.  Even though the green is representational of speed and slopes found on the course, it’s also known to have a few dead spots for time to time.

The Course

Playing only 6317 yards from the tips, Delta View is on the shorter side, even for a municipal course.  Since the course was built-in two phases by two different designers, Continue reading →

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