Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete
Cinnabar and Wente are probably the 2 most hilly / greatest vertical variance courses on that list. Although there are a couple hills at Carmel Valley Ranch that are just a little ridiculous, I think I've posted the view from the tip tee box for one of them in this thread. 90% of that course is pretty flat though.
Bayonet + Black Horse have some pretty decent elevation changes as well where quite a few holes play significantly uphill or downhill. Wente also has a couple holes where you need to carry ravines / ditches that can be a royal B, and the wind can be difficult to read with the carries.
I'm obviously biased a bit as I tend to mostly play from HMB down to Monterey though. Presidio in SF is also pretty hilly, Harding Park eh kinda hilly. Coyote Creek Tournament course is hilly with some carries, but their Valley course is pretty flat. HMB is relatively flat and level with a few decent hills on the Ocean Course and a couple on the Old Course. Ocean course has better views and more friendly lack-of-OB areas, Old Course is more technical with sharp 90 degree doglegs with trees and houses that prevent you from cutting the corner so if you hit your driver 290-300 you might only pull it out for like 6 holes. Several par 4s you'll run out of fairway + rough around 250 due to the dogleg and be in someone's backyard.
I'd say Monterey sounds like your top spot for now, with bonus rounds at Bayonet & Black Horse plus a round at Cinnabar, with your main rounds being at Spyglass / Spanish Bay / Poppy while you're there. BBH + Cinnabar would be the icing on the Spyglass / Spanish / Poppy cake. Pasatiempo would be amazing to jump on if you can manage it but tbh I'm not sure how easy it is to get a tee time there as it's semi private.
Some pics here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/golf/commen...at_pasatiempo/ |
I played Poppy Hills a lot when I lived in San Jose. Since I was working about 70 hours a week and a new golfer started at 32 (translation I sucked) that course ripped me up. Same at Bayonet. Isn't that the one with an "Amen Corner"?
Heck back then I was lucky to play San Jose muni or Santa Clara muni twice a month. Now I'm retired )for 25 years) and playing golf 4 times a week I'd like another shot at those courses.