Golf courses near Rohnert Park/Santa Rosa area

[oldmotor]

I'm driving thru that area on the fifth for work. Looking just for a decent fun course. I'm looking at the Foxtail Golf course in Rohnert Park, but I've never played in that area so I'm open to suggestions. Hoping for a 11 to 12 o'clock tee time. 
                                Thanks, Mike.

[carrera]

Rooster Run in Petaluma is enjoyable.

[oldmotor]

Thanks. I saw Rooster Run this morning and it looked like it would work. I'll see if I can get on. Thanks again.

[James the Hogan Fan]

There are 8 public courses within reasonable driving of Rohnert Park:

 

Foxtail North and South

Bodega Bay

Windsor

Bennett Valley

Valley of the Moon

Rooster Run

Indian Valley

 

I think Indian Valley is the most interesting and most fun of the bunch. I say this because all these golf courses are just golf courses. Nothing spectacular, nothing exciting (except arguably bodega) so go to Indian Valley for dramatic elevation change, massive crazy greens in good shape, a decent price, and a fun time at what I'd call an almost "hidden gem"

 

It is worth noting that Windsor and Rooster, (same management) while fine courses, will not let you book as a single and you have to come to the course and hope they let you on. I prefer Rooster, but Windsor once hosted the Nike Tour back in the day. Rooster has an island green

 

Bodega Bay is uncomfortably tight with houses but the views are spectacular and the layout is actually pretty good.

 

At Foxtail the south course is a dump muni. The North is a much better course (as in "how can the same people maintain both of these). Foxtail North is a solid, decently maintained option and was my home course.

 

Bennett is short and repetitive on the back 9, with tight trees framing every hole. It's greens however are typically primo, and rates can be cheap (14 bucks to walk super twilight) Pace can be hit or miss. Ive finished both 9 holes and 18 holes on 2:45.

 

Valley of the Moon is ok but I wouldn't habe it on your radar. I go there for variety, when I know there won't be anyone.

[slocagolfer]

11 hours ago, James the Hogan Fan said:

There are 8 public courses within reasonable driving of Rohnert Park:

 

Foxtail North and South

Bodega Bay

Windsor

Bennett Valley

Valley of the Moon

Rooster Run

Indian Valley

 

I think Indian Valley is the most interesting and most fun of the bunch. I say this because all these golf courses are just golf courses. Nothing spectacular, nothing exciting (except arguably bodega) so go to Indian Valley for dramatic elevation change, massive crazy greens in good shape, a decent price, and a fun time at what I'd call an almost "hidden gem"

 

It is worth noting that Windsor and Rooster, (same management) while fine courses, will not let you book as a single and you have to come to the course and hope they let you on. I prefer Rooster, but Windsor once hosted the Nike Tour back in the day. Rooster has an island green

 

Bodega Bay is uncomfortably tight with houses but the views are spectacular and the layout is actually pretty good.

 

At Foxtail the south course is a dump muni. The North is a much better course (as in "how can the same people maintain both of these). Foxtail North is a solid, decently maintained option and was my home course.

 

Bennett is short and repetitive on the back 9, with tight trees framing every hole. It's greens however are typically primo, and rates can be cheap (14 bucks to walk super twilight) Pace can be hit or miss. Ive finished both 9 holes and 18 holes on 2:45.

 

Valley of the Moon is ok but I wouldn't habe it on your radar. I go there for variety, when I know there won't be anyone.

No mention of Northwood?

[James the Hogan Fan]

3 hours ago, slocagolfer said:

No mention of Northwood?

 

Fair enough.

 

There are also 5 courses of less than 18 holes/par 70-72 in the area.

 

Valley of the Moon has the Sugarloaf course, 18 holes in a par 3/4 mix with the longest being in the 300 range.

 

The Sonoma Fairgrounds has the Fairgrounds golf course, a 9 hole par 29 inside a horse racing track. Tiny greens, decent practice center.

 

Healdsburg Golf Course has (allegedly) Mackenzie designed greens and some fun elevation change, but on the day I played it had some of the worst pace for a 9 hole course I've ever played.

 

Sebastopol has a pitch and put I've yet to visit.

 

And then Northwood. If it were full length, 18 holes, and private, it would be an all-time classic, mentioned with Augusta, Cypress Point, and Pine Valley. It is majestic with the towering redwoods and the eternal dusk feeling as the light filters through. But alas it is not full length, nor is it 18 holes. The par 4's play 293, 382, 291, 280, 381. 

 

I played it with my old persimmon woods and 70's irons and it was perfectly adequate. But with modern equipment and distance it feels very short. The green complexes are great, the surrounds majestic for sure, and tou can see the strategy and steps required to negotiate the course... But to me it just feels lacking.

[oldmotor]

Thanks all. I did end up playing Rooster Run yesterday and had a good time. I did have to show up and get on, but it was pretty quick. Looks like I have a couple other places to check out when I'm driving thru.

[mlwenzlick]

On 4/4/2023 at 12:17 PM, James the Hogan Fan said:

 

And then Northwood. If it were full length, 18 holes, and private, it would be an all-time classic, mentioned with Augusta, Cypress Point, and Pine Valley. It is majestic with the towering redwoods and the eternal dusk feeling as the light filters through. But alas it is not full length, nor is it 18 holes. The par 4's play 293, 382, 291, 280, 381. 

 

I played it with my old persimmon woods and 70's irons and it was perfectly adequate. But with modern equipment and distance it feels very short. The green complexes are great, the surrounds majestic for sure, and tou can see the strategy and steps required to negotiate the course... But to me it just feels lacking.

Wife wants to walk in the redwoods next month when we’re out there…seems to me like it’s well worth the $30 some odd dollars? Already playing one of the Monterey tracks myself, but this seems like a great idea for a recreational golfer like her who wanted to take a hike? She loves short and/or 9 holes as well.

Edited August 16, 2023 by mlwenzlick

[James the Hogan Fan]

12 hours ago, mlwenzlick said:

Wife wants to walk in the redwoods next month when we’re out there…seems to me like it’s well worth the $30 some odd dollars? Already playing one of the Monterey tracks myself, but this seems like a great idea for a recreational golfer like her who wanted to take a hike? She loves short and/or 9 holes as well.

 

Absolutely suitable for your situation. Highly recommend it in your case. I would recommend hiking in the Jenner Headlands Preserve (20 minutes away on the coast)

 

30 minutes from Northwood is Bodega Bay. I have mentioned it's tightness but it is a great course as well. If you wanted to make a 27 hole day out of it for you with wife exploring while you play 18 and then you playing 9 together, that could work?

 

 

[mlwenzlick]

7 minutes ago, James the Hogan Fan said:

 

Absolutely suitable for your situation. Highly recommend it in your case. I would recommend hiking in the Jenner Headlands Preserve (20 minutes away on the coast)

 

30 minutes from Northwood is Bodega Bay. I have mentioned it's tightness but it is a great course as well. If you wanted to make a 27 hole day out of it for you with wife exploring while you play 18 and then you playing 9 together, that could work?

 

 

Heh if I wasn’t already playing pebble or spyglass that might work 😅. She has clients in Monterey she has to fly out for quarterly so using the free lodging as a “short vacation” for us.

[carrera]

Keep your expectations in check at Northwood (it won't make you feel like you are at a "real" MacKenzie) but an enjoyable walk around for 90 minutes in a nice setting.  Nice 10th/19th hole also.

[stooeylewis]

northwood is in excellent shape right now. i play there once a week. they do seem to like to overbook in the afternoons but if you get out early 18 is fairly quick. greens are money right now too