San Juan Oaks is as good a reasonably priced public golf facility as you will find anywhere. Great practice areas (I've driven the hour each way just for extended range, chipping and putting work), clubhouse golf shop, beautiful restaurant & bar, and always excellent staff.

We played mid-week during a heat wave and with a raging wild fire (smoke in the air, particularly late in the day) an hour to the south in Big Sur and we were the last tee time on the sheet at 10:30 a.m. I'm sure those two factors were responsible for the meager turnout on such a fine summer day.

Once again, the practice areas and course met my high expectations and experience here. Tees and fairways were lush, well maintained and fun. The rough was cut down a bit and not as penal as usual. The set up can be wicked if they let that wet thick stuff grow. The greens were in great shape and rolled true, fast and have enough movement to send you muttering to the next hole if you don't pay attention. Just a blast to play this course.

The downside is the bunker situation. It appears they are letting them get hard (to hard-pan) without much upkeep, or weeding. We speculated that maybe a major overhaul is coming? I didn't check the website for info on that - maybe it's there. Cleats from my spikeless shoes didn't even make a mark and raking wasn't necessary other than the scuff mark made by the club. After a card crushing disaster I finally figured out how to not meet with said disaster and actually holed a "sand" shot (thanks to a stout flag stick, dead aim and some luck). But there is clearly an issue here. It is universal throughout this great course. I should have asked somebody about it. It did not detract (much) from the entire experience, but left us with questions and more than the usual sand trap head-scratching.

When we finished the bar was open and a bluesy rock band was playing in the main room; but no food service at all was to be had other than a fixed price menu of $32. The menu looked great, but we were looking more for a Sportsman's cocktail (check) and a burger than a chef's menu. It was late when we finished (5pm-ish) so they probably could merchandise the big menu better than the usual golfer grub. Went to the nearby bbq/burger joint and gave them our money instead. Seemed to be an odd business decision. All in all my favorite daily fee golf course in NorCal and the green parts of this place are, as always, top notch.

I've played Seascape before but can't remember it being in such nice condition and my group having so much fun. My personal "Mendoza line" is "three dumb holes and you're out" and Seascape had little problem keeping that theory well at bay. The greens and fairways were the quality of courses in the area that set much higher green fees. The weather was perfect and probably a contributing factor toward the overall enjoyment of the day.

Hit a fairway and you will have a perfect lie most times. The ball sits up so nicely. Interesting layout, not long, but challenging. Lots of tiers and slope to fast-ish greens that will leave any level of player scratching their head and defend the course nicely. Pace was a big sluggish at times, but heck, it was such a great day and the place is so pretty to look at. Nice bar/restaurant (good burger), a convenient snack shack with dogs, etc. at the turn and a great cart person we saw several times during the round. Bring a 4 iron (or a good 200 yard club) for 3 of the the par 3s.

Wow, two perfect (and that word doesn't do the weekend justice) golf days (Fri & Sat before the Super Bowl) at The Links at Bodega Harbor in Bodega Bay. Weather and course conditions were tremendous. Coming off heavy rain storms in the past month or so, the fairways were terrific with a couple of mushy exceptions here and there. Bunker sand was very good and traps well placed and challenging. Green speeds were quick without being too tough and rolled true. Pace of play got a little bogged down on Saturday, which clearly brought out a great many patient local and happy visiting players. Prices were very reasonable $60 (special) w/cart (and hot dog/chip at the turn - not my thing, but worth mentioning).

Don't let the yardages fool you - it's short on distance and very tricky to pull the right club or turn the ball in the right direction. Wind and elevation are your nemeses here. Like a 12th man in your face all day long.

With the luxury of hopping back into my buddy's cart, I walked most of the back nine and part of the front as they were such great days. Could walk the front but a lot of severe uphill holes to the top of the course. Views were off the charts. Could see forever in both directions, making it almost a distraction - in a good way. Liked the back better than front, notably because of the completely puzzling par 5 5th hole that I played by-the-book both days (par par) but still think I should have smashed a driver off the tee as it ultimately plays very short, whatever... The back nine offers a great opportunity to pull driver with generous fairways and plays through more unique looking houses until the differently beautiful and dangerous 16th and 17th holes. There you can make bird or completely ruin your shoes. The finishing hole reverts to a downhill blind tee shot and semi blind second (depending on pin placement) but is also a great way to finish with beautiful ocean and coastal views. Can't say enough about the location, service and condition of the course considering the recent weather. Go play Bodega Harbor and bring a camera. Plenty of rental options and things to do away from the course in Bodega Bay, Bodega, Tomales, Dillon Beach etc.

Played Merlot/Chardonnay on a Wednesday morning in 5 hours. Pace slowed down on Chard, not sure why, it is the easier of the two. Great NCGA member rate (less than $60), great customer service, great practice facilities, grill snack bar, etc. Played white tees and found holes repeating in terms of distance and shape. Great day. Wind minimal, greens, tees, bunkers, fairways, views, all great. Very nice course and well worth the drive from San Jose. Pretty speedy greens with plenty of slope. Check it out.

While it's not the toughest course, the Half Moon Bay Ocean Course on the day I played it again last week was visually stunning and had the most perfect weather I've ever seen on the San Mateo coastline. Played with a buddy and a single and got through 9 holes in an hour and a half. Back 9, which is more open with even better views, was about 2 hours. The greens were perfect and speedy. The ball actually rolled true & right where you aimed it - not always the case for public NorCal golf. Fairways were running nicely and looked great. Bunkers, tee boxes were 7.5 out of 10, but to be expected during this busy season. Not cheap, but worth it for a special occasion. Great customer service. A highlight was buddy snapped his tee ball on the 17th (short par three on a cliff high above the beach) onto the beach. Got to yell "fore" to people lazing on the sand who didn't know a nine iron from an iron door. A great day in Half Moon Bay. "Old Course" is next...

Played Chehalem Glenn as a mid-week single in hot weather a couple weeks ago. Sent out on 10 that day, the course was wide open and I could play at any pace desired. 10-18 plays largely in beautiful forested parkland areas with not much man made intrusion. Lots of elevation change on the first few holes on this back nine. The rough can be, uh rough, but since I had never played the course before I was pretty conservative off the tee and scored very well. Fairways, greens, bunkers all good to above average. Holes 1-9 eventually meanders through pretty dense (and nice) housing, though nothing really comes into play. Very well maintained course, reasonable pricing, not too exciting, but very playable, even for someone with zero local knowledge. The clubhouse is basic, but had friendly people and all the necessities. I'd play there again.

Were this jewel of a golf course not located in the inland shadow of the mighty Bandon Dunes Resort it too would become a destination location for the lovers of challenging park land style golf courses. I played there about two weeks ago for the first time and was very impressed with the conditions, staff, layout and difficulty at this facility - which also has some on-course lodging features I didn't know about until that day.

There is a major risk-reward component to many tee shots, as the thigh high hay/rough can gobble up your birdie hopes in a hurry. #18 in particular took my hopes of a sub 80 round straight to hell as I carded a well deserved "Nueve." (Yep, I can't even say it. I almost cried, but I think it was just hay fever). Some is less penal, but much of it makes you think twice about grabbing the driver off the tee. Great greens, bunkers, fairways and tee boxes.

The scenery is great (I seem to say that a lot about any Oregon golf course I play) and the pace was terrific. I was told by a Bandon Dunes caddie that this was a great course and one they play often, and now I know why. Take a break from the highway, or a half-day off Bandon Dunes courses and play Crossings. 9+/10.

What a difference a year has made at this venerable course. Greens are back to being what has drawn players here for a long, long time. Clearly a lot of work and assets have been poured into the entire property. From the driving range (formerly, uh, not so great), to restaurant, customer service, maintenance of non-golf areas, fairways, bunkers and greens. A great experience yesterday (6/20/15) on a perfect golf day and we look forward to brining our group back more often (again). If you have stayed away because of the decline, give this place another shot.

Played the "new" Ridgemark last weekend, and in fairness to the harsh review I gave it last time, I am happy to report things are noticeably better at this course. We all agreed the greens have never looked or played better (in the last 15 years, anyway). Mostly smooth as you-know-what, fairly uniform in speed and health. Minimal ball marks and easy to fix. The "putting on a mattress" syndrome appears to have been removed. Anyway, other improvements are in Pace of Play, carts (new) and cost.

The routing is still crazy once you leave the original Diablo front 7 or 8 (or whatever it was). The bunkers and fairways are about the same (meh, but not bad) and some tee boxes a bit crowned. Some of the old holes appear to partially maintained, but unused. For the price and relaxed atmosphere I can live with it, and will play here again. I wish all the members and former members good luck with their home course.

Wow, where to start. This former 36 hole set up is now a combination of the two - Diablo (nearest the highway) and Gabilan - mostly through the houses. The place - either course - was Ok to tolerable for years and hosted many tournaments and organized golf events. Since the July closure of 18 of the holes (an amalgam of the two courses) it seems to have fallen on very hard times. Water is the official culprit, but lack of maintenance and elbow grease seems to have capped the decline. Played last weekend. Greens always slow, overly soft and bumpy can add unsightly (loads of old and new unfixed ball marks and brown spots to the list). The new routing is a bit confusing, but temporary signs fix most of that. Never a walking friendly course, it seems all but impossible now. Some ponds have been drained. The pricing is still reasonable, but the patient seems to not be doing well. I feel bad for the members (or former members) and those homeowners who now have rotting golf hole views. Play it if you're not picky about course conditions; there are some fun holes, but be warned that as of the summer of 2014 it's not what it was.

Never played here before and called in an hour before heading to the course. Squeezed us in (twosome) with another two. The facility looks very nice, pro shop well stocked, and counter folks courteous and helpful, grill type bar (fast at the turn). No time to hit the double-decker range. Hit a few putts on sanded practice green (consistent with on-course greens, that's a plus) and teed off.

Green. Very, very green course, with penal rough (March). Kind of unusual for this year as rain has been sparse. Tight fairways (unless you include the often parallel fairways next door), that test ball striking and shot making over distance. The "Lagos" appear manmade but come into play often. Par is 68 and there are more par fives and threes than usual. Nice fairway grass, good sand. Fun course, very picturesque surroundings (who knew?).

A family of very tame (don't touch though) foxes live (and beg for golf snacks) across the bridge (which is crossed two times?) Never seen this before on a course. Big wild turkeys, tons of wildlife, etc. Greens sanded, but still fairly quick, with lots of slope, movement and challenging. Some fairway repair going on and a bit of a problem on the 18th at about 120 out that looks to be fixed soon. Liked the course but (broken record alert) didn't care for the pace. For a Tuesday morning it was molten. Probably because it is such a well maintained, fun, walkable course smack in the middle of San Jo. Check it out.

The Tournament Course at Coyote Creek is a very good golf course. Challenging, well maintained by course employees and if you search hard enough, and get on their email list, a good value. Great scenery, interesting holes and designs. Don't expect to grip it and rip it around this place, as shot shape off the tee is crucial on most fours and fives if you want par or better. Greens are difficult, with elevation, undulation and lots of pace; traps are well placed and well maintained. What could go wrong you ask?

The downside is awful - bloody awful - game changingly bad pace of play. 5+ hours (3 on the back 9) recently. It's pretty much a cart golf type of course due to some long gaps between holes. I've found the pace problem on both courses (the mate is the Valley Course - a flatter less interesting but very playable 18) and it has to be systemic rather than chronic bad luck. Maybe it's the high green fees some people suffer that causes ridiculous etiquette, but man, it raises a red flag whenever this course is considered. Ballmark damage on the greens (all of them) is also currently in epidemic mode. Who doesn't bend over to fix your own mark, and a couple more? If it's not the course maintenance staff or management that only leaves - gasp!, the client. Educate, don't tolerate.