This course presents many challenges, but the biggest challenge for me is that it is such a beautiful and well-maintained course that I love to be there, but it is so hard for a bogey golfer that if y... Continue »

This course presents many challenges, but the biggest challenge for me is that it is such a beautiful and well-maintained course that I love to be there, but it is so hard for a bogey golfer that if you're a little off you're going to shoot a big number. The fairways are lovely, but often you will find yourself with an uneven lie, so you'd better be able to play the ball above and below your feet. The rough is also beautiful, and it will catch you ball and sap your drive if you venture in. Beyond the cut rough are the uncut grass (about a foot high and nearly unplayable) and the scrub bushes and weeds. Beyond the bushes and weeds are the creeks, so be prepared to lose some balls. The greens are very fast and very few are relatively flat. Beware the side hill and downhill puts. I had a side hill put on 18 that must have broken 25 feet. The bunkers could use some fresh sand, but that was the only area where I could see room for improvement.

This course requires you to think, to hit the ball straight and in the air, and to leave the ball below the hole. If you can do that, you will love this course. Johnny Miller obviously designed this course for serious golfers, not hackers. I play to a 17 handicap, and I think my ability is right at the threshold to play this course. If your handicap is above that, you may just want to think about playing elsewhere.

Note that the 5th (par 3)and 6th (par 5) holes of old are now 17 and 18. Hole 15 (old 17) which crosses two creeks has been lengthened to 509 yards from the white tees, and may be the hardest hole on the course, although 14 (split fairway with a long uphill second shot, assuming you can't carry the creek, 250 yards on the fly, with your tee shot) is a close second). On 16 make sure you know where the flag is, because it could make a big difference in the club selection for the second shot.

The pace of play the day I played (the day after the U.S. Open finished) was slower than usual, but there was a group in front of us that clearly was in over their heads. The one marshal we saw all day told us that he advised them to play a scramble, but I don't think they took his advice. Our round took 5 hours, but 4:15 is more like it.

The Bridges Golf Club Course Review
San Ramon California Golf Course Reviews