While SoCal GK'ers prep and brace for Hilary. We got our round in. First out Sunday 7am. Watching the weather last night and checking NOAA this morning. Sprinkles on the windshield and ominous clouds... Continue »

While SoCal GK'ers prep and brace for Hilary. We got our round in. First out Sunday 7am. Watching the weather last night and checking NOAA this morning. Sprinkles on the windshield and ominous clouds coming into Truckee. The pro-shop had the rain policy posted and well explained. We decided to play and the weather co-operated. No rain, or wind and the cool weather (57) was perfect. They had Pm thunder showers and overnight rains which did not affect play much at all. Course is in the best condition of the season. The first hole was not mown yet and had many worms on it. Maintenance standing ready to blow them off as soon as we putted out. Waited for him to do this on the second and after that they were completely ready the rest of the way around. Rolling smooth with pace nice! Tee boxes (whites) back to good shape. Fairways great the mowers were out cutting them as well as the rough. Bunkers consistent and not worked lately. Good shape too with past review liners still visible in areas. After we teed off on 12 Superintendent was nice enough to stop and advise us that going forward the pins would be #1 position instead of #3 as they were up to that point. All in all it's a strong 8 imo now. Wildlife report the coyote spotted on #1 may have been the same solitary male we saw on #4 tee almost docile looked us over and didn't hesitant to come closer along the trail heading home to sleep? Adding that the daisies and other summer flowers are in bloom adding to the beauty too!

Played Sunday and noticed I need to get the course ratings up a notch or two. All good to great through the green with the exception being the bunkers, and previously mentioned white tees (prior rev... Continue »

Played Sunday and noticed I need to get the course ratings up a notch or two. All good to great through the green with the exception being the bunkers, and previously mentioned white tees (prior review) being the most played and therefore a mix of grass and filled divots.
Bunkers are a disappointment at this $$$ level. Many now showing the liner and the bottoms with not much sand mixed with the clay/dirt base material and damp to wet. If I had to say they have had little or no noticeable professional attention since two weeks ago.
Fairways are nice lies and rough grown in doing it's thing. Greens are rolling consistent and fair fun to putt, not too quick holding the high shot or the spinner. Not that I'd know that shot.
Played with a new player to the course who was dressed sharp and I recognized right away as a ball striker with power. He had us as his guide what could go wrong?
The black tees weren't set out for him that's what. First time I've played with someone who needed to move back to the tips! Lots of power and at times it wasn't controlled. However he drove at least three through the fairway into the woods with towering drives, and I felt unfair results. Coming in he drove the green on the 315 yard elevated green 18th just past the back pin. Impressive even as his 2nd, a two putt bogey result.
First out today and the course's namesake coyote is often seen in these morning hours. Unique today was on the first green we heard a pack nervously yipping and running and I looked to see the four of them being pursued by two great pyrenees happily in pursuit after them on the cart path to #2. A couple minutes of observing this going seeing the coyotes in clear view gathering on a rock and then back to golf. That was fun to see and hear.

Last round of a three day tour of NorCal took us to Coyote Moon our favorite Sierra course. Tee time was third out (we usually are first) following two related groups appeared to be the men of a wedd... Continue »

Last round of a three day tour of NorCal took us to Coyote Moon our favorite Sierra course. Tee time was third out (we usually are first) following two related groups appeared to be the men of a wedding party. Slowed our pace a little but a glorious day to play!
The vast majority of the play is from the white tees and they are showing it. Getting a bit beat up with divots but filled in with mix for the most part. We move up on a few holes and those tees as well as the blues see less action. Fairways are good not tight lies like valley high end venues. Good roll out ball sits up. Bunkers are in need of attention not machined and some wet many showing the under-layment liner in spots.
For me it's the greens. The practice green was consistent and faster speed than a couple weeks prior. The course greens all good but not as quick or consistent though the holes on speed. Hardly a ball mark to be found other than ours that's nice. They started to get a brown tinge on the back and the hand watering was starting. A warm mid-90's day at elevation. Like my score and be back soon when both will be lower?

Played 7/1 early and warm for Truckee (54) start. Was anxious to play for the first time this season and was pleasantly surprised with the good conditions.
Greens were a little slower than normal... Continue »

Played 7/1 early and warm for Truckee (54) start. Was anxious to play for the first time this season and was pleasantly surprised with the good conditions.
Greens were a little slower than normal and once I got accustomed to that they rolled mostly smooth and true. Tee boxes had been large plugged awhile back good coverage. And the bunkers have been machine groomed. Mowers were out doing tees and the surrounds.
I thought given the huge snow this year the course came through great.
It was busy and still busy when I went back yesterday for some putting on the very large practice green. Monday before the 4th and the tee sheet was full, starter busy at 5pm and after for $50 twilight rate as many as you can get before sunset.
Recommend always.

Our 2nd out beat the heat tee time was delayed 10 minutes because of Saturday afternoon evening winds blowing debris on the greens.* Never would have noticed had the starter not advised us of this. ... Continue »

Our 2nd out beat the heat tee time was delayed 10 minutes because of Saturday afternoon evening winds blowing debris on the greens.* Never would have noticed had the starter not advised us of this.
Overall from open to now with a close date of October 19th without any early snow that sticks, this course has been consistently better than average all year. Completed our 4th year of 5 rounds each season.
Good summer for growing grass in the mountains and the putting surfaces indicated that.
Yesterday however there were many more ball marks than usual. Ran nice at medium-fast. Large enough and undulating enough that attention to the pin location is vital.
Fairways also great and we hit the mowers a couple holes they are very aware and pull off and it's a quick play through (9 & 10, 15) not many bad spots through the green. Rough sticky enough but not unrelenting.
Only sore spot the bunkers as commented on by another in our group; "paying list $ at $190 you'd expect a little better upkeep." And I'd have to agree. I played them like he did rake a spot and place it.
Customer service always good and the beverage cart was out on the 15th hole making rounds for the day.
By the time we finished the breeze was kicking up. ( * Prior day Saturday "breeze" dust stormed Burning Man event in nearby NV desert zero visibility)
Would like to return in October when the greens firm up as it gets closer to end of season.

Here we go Celtics here we go... OoPs wrong sport but it's GREEN at Coyote Moon.

It's the first of 5 reviews for the year for those who want to : "Know before you go"
Read my review from 6/6 la... Continue »

Here we go Celtics here we go... OoPs wrong sport but it's GREEN at Coyote Moon.

It's the first of 5 reviews for the year for those who want to : "Know before you go"
Read my review from 6/6 last year before writing this. The conditions this year to that round a notch higher overall. We have the 10 play offer again saving +50% on the rack rate. It's a great public play course in the Sierra. Went out early and our POP was set by the maintenance which we knew of and beforehand. Were advised to respect them and not hit into them. The guy apologized for leaving the irrigation on #3 par 3 and having to return to shut it down, our longest wait of the day. Great mild sunny weather with a breeze on the back starting on 13th.

Greens: great a bit slow lush no winter kill. They look great. Lengthen the stroke properly to adjust was the key.
Fairways: Good too. A touch shaggy but no lie complaints from the short stuff.
Rough: getting thick and a few spots with patches of bare spots to fill-in. I took a drop from one spot since I needed to flop a wedge. In strict play it down conditions the player will probably get a few bad ones in the rough.
Bunkers: The sand is there and firmness fine. All need machine work. Which should be expected at a course at this $$$ range. Was in a few and one footprint necessitating a drop.

Good value and worth the Saturday day trip 80 mile one way travel. Easy light traffic back downhill to Sacramento after a lunch of Mex at Cafe Baeza. ;)

8am is the season's first tee time. Spectacular blue sky and Temp mid 40's - 70's
As expected course is in great to almost as good as I've played it condition wise.
Greens are rolling quick and ... Continue »

8am is the season's first tee time. Spectacular blue sky and Temp mid 40's - 70's
As expected course is in great to almost as good as I've played it condition wise.
Greens are rolling quick and slick and hold well struck approaches.
Tee boxes well manicured and the fairways are great too.
Bunkers are hit and miss condition wise. So just miss them. The tracks only flaw I could see right now.
The one I was in was not raked and I was in footprint in the face. I picked it up and let it roll to the bottom and dealt with it from there.
Usually late summer fall the courses in the Sierra mountains are as good as they are going to get. The moon is in this shape.
Played some a combo of gold and white tees. No rating for this combo but the tougher driving holes requiring length we moved up. Made approaches easier (shorter) in most cases. Gold tees 15th hole My partner cleared the ravine on the par 5 in three first time ever. I still hit it in the woods ;(
Looking forward to our final round in a ten play package deal we bought early season.

Sunday in the first out as a 2-some. Our ideal spot on ideal day sans the smoke from wildfires. Seems can't avoid it in the summer somewhere. We knew what to expect prepared accordingly. Course can't ... Continue »

Sunday in the first out as a 2-some. Our ideal spot on ideal day sans the smoke from wildfires. Seems can't avoid it in the summer somewhere. We knew what to expect prepared accordingly. Course can't control the weather. To the conditions.
Overall great to good and plenty. Fairways solid great to excellent. Greens good to great could be faster as starter admitted. But considering summer heat and where they came from out of winter spring (last visit June review) much improved. They take care of things here and pay attention to detail and it shows. Check-in easy. Hit a few balls into netted driving range (two stall) only slight on the facilities. The restaurant snack bar open but grill not at early hour and by the time we made turn it still wasn't as the attendant told me before tee off. Beer was cold and snacks prepackaged available. Tee sheet busy by the looks.
As summer fades to fall anticipate consistent continuation of conditions and look forward to late season near closing when they stop watering the greens and things get interesting.
For the nature lovers Three nice mule deer (hole 2/3) been around awhile now (two+years) hanging together impressive velvet racks, does nearby. Couple coyotes, (#5) too many chipmunks and squirrels to count everywhere.
Many premium balls found if you know where to look. Restocked the inventory.

We made the drive to Truckee to play Sunday morning. 20 minute "frost" delay. With temps at 46 degrees. More likely maintenance. Check-in easy and the pandemic protocols still in place.
Sunny with ... Continue »

We made the drive to Truckee to play Sunday morning. 20 minute "frost" delay. With temps at 46 degrees. More likely maintenance. Check-in easy and the pandemic protocols still in place.
Sunny with mountian breezes kicking up by our 10 Am finish.
Greens rolling medium slow. Not unexpected early season and some winter kill evident on 4 or so. Setting pins away from these tender areas. So a bit bumpy should you have to putt through these areas. A few weeks of sun and warm will help. Bunkers good no rakes. Fairways tight and rough is plush. Overall good with expectations of improving.

Our conversation with the single who joined us and has played the surrounding area courses over the last week or more indicates that most mountian courses have some areas of winter kill and maybe more than in a bigger snow year.

Coyote Moon is offering a ten round play package for $900 and throws in a twilight round for two as a bonus. 20% higher than last year. Still a "value" compared to the rack rate.
Our third year of doing the 10 play. It's just fun.