Pros:
* Plenty of elevation change.
* Groomed and maintained
* Pretty location
* Low key vibe
* Plenty of parking
* Good tees and baskets
Cons:
* Cost is same for 9/18
* Took a minute to find some tees
Other Thoughts:
This is one of the few courses in the bay that I had yet to play. I didn't really make an effort because of the 3.5 star rating and distance from my home (Livermore). I have to say I'm glad I finally made it.
SETTING - 4
This is in a pretty little valley surrounded by expensive T&C homes. This makes for a quiet and secluded round of DG. It's a little out of the way but once you arrive, there is plenty of parking. Clubhouse is minimal. No services nearby.
COURSE LAYOUT - 3½
This place is all about elevation and slopes. There is a lot of up and down. The first hole (also #10) presents a long, sloping descent into the valley. The uphill fairways are shorter and not too brutal.
Several baskets are on slopes or have mild drop offs behind them. A couple of baskets have convenient backstop slopes. The basket at #18 has a significant slope that can be an ego breaker after a long day.
Really liked the use of water. #1/10 has an easily avoidable pond but #3/12 has a true water carry. #3 is easier to make but #12 forces you to make a decision - carry the longer distance over the pond or layup to the right.
At no point are you ever truly challenged with obstacles. You might have to get around something if you throw a wild tee shot but there's very little trouble on the fairways. This isn't a bother for the first time around but might get stale after getting through this course a few times.
There's also never really a threat to be out of bounds. There are a couple of places where a natural shot might threaten OB but these spots are next to jumbo wide fairways.
MAINTENANCE - 4
It's a local nine hole ball course and maintained like one. It's not country club velvet fairways but it's not a scrub patch muni course.
The tees are nice rubber tees. I don't remember them being bumpy or uneven. I stumbled on one tee but that was likely me. Cement pads would bring up the rating for sure. Baskets are nice and easily visible.
SIGNAGE/ROUTING - 3
Tee signs were fine but signage to the next hole was lacking. The first time around we had to look for the tee on almost every hole. The map is sparse on details and provides very little help.
FINAL SAY
We had so much fun at this course that it feels wrong to rate it 3.5 stars. But if I consider other courses in the area, it's definitely better than the three star courses but not as good as the four star courses. So, I'd say 3.5 stars is right on BUT don't hesitate to go play it yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised.