I've been in Santa Rosa for almost 3 years now but finally got out to Mayacama. Played just before noon on Thursday 4/17. A cool spring day with a s... » More

I've been in Santa Rosa for almost 3 years now but finally got out to Mayacama. Played just before noon on Thursday 4/17. A cool spring day with a slight breeze, typical for this area this time of year.

Mayacama is the definition of opulence. I'm a member at Fountaingrove only a few miles south of this course but everything here is on a grand scale. The drive in, the clubhouse, the practice facility, the many casitas that are available for members to rent....it's evident that this is a playground for the wealthy. Top notch facility with phenomenal customer service.

We played the middle tees playing 6,128 but with a rating/slope of 71.6 / 140. It definitely plays longer than the scorecard would make you believe. I'm sure in the middle of summer when its hot, the ball is flying and the fairways are running it will play shorter but today we made the correct decision on tees.

My buddy Richie and I shared a solid caddie, Steve. He easily saved me 3-4 strokes on the greens. The course is pure with a solid routing, visually stunning tee & approach shots and 5 par five & 5 par three layout. If you want to score here, you better take advantage of the par 5's. I had the first round I can ever think of where I didn't make a par on the par 5's. I had 3 birdies against 2 bogeys on the par 5's.

Mayacama is a walking only course where you take a caddie. The terrain is pretty wild and the back nine is all over the place up and down. The greens were a bit on the slow side (probably 10.5, maybe 11) and the collars were a little fuzzy so the few times I tried to use the Texas wedge off the greens actually cost me because I couldn't hit it hard enough to get it through the fuzzy fringes at the correct speed. The fairways were plush and the rough was just thick enough to cause some issues.

I played well so that helps with the enjoyment of the course. It's target golf and we had some pretty tough, tucked pins (11 & 15 were nasty on the edge of the greens). Even though the slope is really high, it's a pretty fair course if you have decent control of your ball. This course is likely to destroy a high handicap player. I would say Fountaingrove is easily 2 strokes harder from the same tees/distance.

Mayacama is a gem and definitely play here if you have the chance to.
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Had the opportunity to play on Wednesday 4/16 in the mid afternoon with a 3PM tee time. The course is gorgeous as it has just the right amount of ele... » More

Had the opportunity to play on Wednesday 4/16 in the mid afternoon with a 3PM tee time. The course is gorgeous as it has just the right amount of elevation change and beautiful cypress trees throughout the property. Gil Hanse redid the course with the reopening in the fall of 2022.

Played with a buddy from SoCal who was able to get us out with a very nice member who hosted us. It was a typical SF spring day, a little cool with a slight breeze but the day actually got warmer and nicer as we neared the evening. The ball definitely doesn't fly well here so even though the scorecard looks very manageable, it plays longer than the distance. We rolled the I tees which are basically the back member tees, 6,584 yards. The plates are 6,933 and I believe for USGA tournaments such as US Open sectional qualifying they will stretch it even more and bring par down to 70. This seems very much the player's club in SF. Walked right by Lydia Ko who was on the practice green with her dog.

The first couple of holes are sort of unassuming but the course gets better as it goes along and by number 6 it is in fully evident this is a great track. 7 is a stiff par 3 heading right back to the clubhouse and 8/9 are back to back par 5's. It's not penal as most fairways are wide and many funnel back to the middle, but to score well here, you will need to be on your game. The fairway turf is fairly thin so good ball striking is a must if you want to hit approach shots close. The greens were a little on the slow side for a private course, probably rolling 10.5 -11. Most greens are pretty manageable only a few had pretty severe slopes (9 was a bit gnarly). 12 & 13 are my favorite holes as you head to the northwest corner of the golf course.

Solid course that has some very sublte nuance to it. If you get the chance to play it, don't pass it up.
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