NorCal Players...Which course do you belong to?

[gambit]

Thinking about joining a course to make my home course for the first time. Which ones do you prefer and why, i.e. benefits?

[somedevil]

Do a little research and go to the clubs that are close to you. Ask to talk to the club President. Ask about monthly turnout. See if they have a guest tournament you can play in to meet some of the members. I belong to Paradise Valley in Fairfield....bunch of nice guys.

[ryancjordan]

FWIW I am in your exact boat. This would probably get a better response in the "California" section. I posted a similar thread here: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/558981-private-course-recommendations-in-the-east-baysf-bay/

If it helps, I am currently looking at joining Mira Vista CC in El Cerrito after examining all my options.

[gambit]

[quote name='ryancjordan' timestamp='1325707951' post='4028213']
FWIW I am in your exact boat. This would probably get a better response in the "California" section. I posted a similar thread here: [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/558981-private-course-recommendations-in-the-east-baysf-bay/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...east-baysf-bay/[/url]

If it helps, I am currently looking at joining Mira Vista CC in El Cerrito after examining all my options.
[/quote]


Didn't think about the California section like a dummy.

Oddly enough, I just got some info yesterday from Mira Vista and they have some very reasonable prices. Have you played that course before and how does it compare to some of the icer courses out here. Unfortunately, the wife said nope cause they have no pool. Now I'm thinking about Callippe.

[ryancjordan]

[quote name='gambit' timestamp='1325708539' post='4028259']
[quote name='ryancjordan' timestamp='1325707951' post='4028213']
FWIW I am in your exact boat. This would probably get a better response in the "California" section. I posted a similar thread here: [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/558981-private-course-recommendations-in-the-east-baysf-bay/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...east-baysf-bay/[/url]

If it helps, I am currently looking at joining Mira Vista CC in El Cerrito after examining all my options.
[/quote]


Didn't think about the California section like a dummy.

Oddly enough, I just got some info yesterday from Mira Vista and they have some very reasonable prices. Have you played that course before and how does it compare to some of the icer courses out here. Unfortunately, the wife said nope cause they have no pool. Now I'm thinking about Callippe.
[/quote]

Ohh interesting. Their director of membership left me a msg this morning and I think I am going to go check out the place. I imagine my gf will veto due to no pool as well. Good luck and please stay in touch with what you find. I would love to play more and I think joining a CC would be a great step toward that.

[gambit]

[quote name='ryancjordan' timestamp='1325711578' post='4028569']
[quote name='gambit' timestamp='1325708539' post='4028259']
[quote name='ryancjordan' timestamp='1325707951' post='4028213']
FWIW I am in your exact boat. This would probably get a better response in the "California" section. I posted a similar thread here: [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/558981-private-course-recommendations-in-the-east-baysf-bay/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...east-baysf-bay/[/url]

If it helps, I am currently looking at joining Mira Vista CC in El Cerrito after examining all my options.
[/quote]


Didn't think about the California section like a dummy.

Oddly enough, I just got some info yesterday from Mira Vista and they have some very reasonable prices. Have you played that course before and how does it compare to some of the icer courses out here. Unfortunately, the wife said nope cause they have no pool. Now I'm thinking about Callippe.
[/quote]

Ohh interesting. Their director of membership left me a msg this morning and I think I am going to go check out the place. I imagine my gf will veto due to no pool as well. Good luck and please stay in touch with what you find. I would love to play more and I think joining a CC would be a great step toward that.
[/quote]


The only thing I'm concerned about with joining Mira is will I get bored of playing that course and just keep paying to pay? It looks awesome though and they'll give you the tour and let you play to see if you like it. Not sure if you have the pricing info, but if you want it PM me your email and I'll forward to you.

[ryancjordan]

I did get the pricing info, but it would be interesting to compare to make sure we got the same info, pming you now .

[Swingem]

Where in the Bay Area are you located? There are so many great courses, Callippe is one (except for the 18th, one of my least favorite holes in all of golf). I used to be a member at The Bridges in San Ramon, a tough but excellent track. I dropped the membership because I like to play a lot of different courses.

[gambit]

@ryan - I didn't get a PM for you. Which membership type were you looking at. I can post on here what the price was.

@Swingem - I'm located in Castro Valley. I haven't played the Bridges, mostly due to EVERYONE telling me how hard it is to the point it's unfair. I love Callippe, and even though the 18th isn't my favorite it's not that bad I don't think. They designed that hole to make birdie attempts really hard. Fortunately for me I'm still looking to par that hole.

[Swingem]

@gambit: If you havn't already, check out TPC Stonebrae. It's a David McLay Kidd design and a fantastic golf course. No pool though. If you tell them you could be interested in joining, they might let you out for a round or two.

The Bridges is not that bad if you can hit your targets, there's just not much room for error. If you can keep it in play good scores can be had, and every hole is interesting. I've never gotten bored playing there.

Funny about Callippe, I've always felt like they built 17 great holes and then ran out of real estate, so they built the 18th on what was left. I mean, where else does the 18th finish behind the clubhouse. lol!

Other full CC options in the area are Castlewood, Black Hawk, Diablo, Round Hill & Ruby Hill. Depends on your budget. Good luck on your search.

[gambit]

[quote name='Swingem' timestamp='1325784008' post='4032743']
@gambit: If you havn't already, check out TPC Stonebrae. It's a David McLay Kidd design and a fantastic golf course. No pool though. If you tell them you could be interested in joining, they might let you out for a round or two.

The Bridges is not that bad if you can hit your targets, there's just not much room for error. If you can keep it in play good scores can be had, and every hole is interesting. I've never gotten bored playing there.

Funny about Callippe, I've always felt like they built 17 great holes and then ran out of real estate, so they built the 18th on what was left. I mean, where else does the 18th finish behind the clubhouse. lol!

Other full CC options in the area are Castlewood, Black Hawk, Diablo, Round Hill & Ruby Hill. Depends on your budget. Good luck on your search.
[/quote]


Actually requested some info from Castlewood so waiting on that. Stonebrae is just too crazy priced. I think the lowest I saw it for was with a 45 grand initiation fee. If you don't mind me asking, how much was the Bridges and did they have different levels of membership? From what I hear they have some really good instructors over there and I'm definitely going to be taking some much needed and overdue lessons this year.

[Swingem]

[quote name='gambit' timestamp='1325784269' post='4032765']
[quote name='Swingem' timestamp='1325784008' post='4032743']
@gambit: If you havn't already, check out TPC Stonebrae. It's a David McLay Kidd design and a fantastic golf course. No pool though. If you tell them you could be interested in joining, they might let you out for a round or two.

The Bridges is not that bad if you can hit your targets, there's just not much room for error. If you can keep it in play good scores can be had, and every hole is interesting. I've never gotten bored playing there.

Funny about Callippe, I've always felt like they built 17 great holes and then ran out of real estate, so they built the 18th on what was left. I mean, where else does the 18th finish behind the clubhouse. lol!

Other full CC options in the area are Castlewood, Black Hawk, Diablo, Round Hill & Ruby Hill. Depends on your budget. Good luck on your search.
[/quote]


Actually requested some info from Castlewood so waiting on that. Stonebrae is just too crazy priced. I think the lowest I saw it for was with a 45 grand initiation fee. If you don't mind me asking, how much was the Bridges and did they have different levels of membership? From what I hear they have some really good instructors over there and I'm definitely going to be taking some much needed and overdue lessons this year.
[/quote]

Check out their website for current membership pricing. There is also a gym less then a mile from there called Club Sport, with full pool & health club amenities, and there may be some reciprocal value.

[TheOrange2002]

Of the examples listed so far, you are mixing privates with publics, and then you throw the variable in that the wife wants a pool.

If the wife's vote of a pool is part of the equation, then you need to pick a club that is within a relative short distance to where you live. I can't see living 20-30 miles away from the pool and your wife being happy with that.

What do you want out of your club? Do you want the ability to be able to play whenever you want? To not pay green fees? Are OK with $ 700 a month in dues?

Or a Men's Club that has monthly tournaments? You have to fight with general public for tee times? Cheaper rates, no monthlies?

From Castro Valley, your private options are limited, other than Stonebrae there isn't anything within what I would call a reasonable driving distance.

[gambit]

[quote name='TheOrange2002' timestamp='1325795518' post='4033699']
Of the examples listed so far, you are mixing privates with publics, and then you throw the variable in that the wife wants a pool.

If the wife's vote of a pool is part of the equation, then you need to pick a club that is within a relative short distance to where you live. I can't see living 20-30 miles away from the pool and your wife being happy with that.

What do you want out of your club? Do you want the ability to be able to play whenever you want? To not pay green fees? Are OK with $ 700 a month in dues?

Or a Men's Club that has monthly tournaments? You have to fight with general public for tee times? Cheaper rates, no monthlies?

From Castro Valley, your private options are limited, other than Stonebrae there isn't anything within what I would call a reasonable driving distance.
[/quote]


I know I have private mixed with public. I initially started looking at public. Then I saw some really good deals at Mira Vista and kept on looking, i.e. Sequoyah, Orinda, etc. Private started sounding more appealing because I wouldn't have to battle for tee time or pay for each round and can play/practice as much as I wanted. Mira Vista only offers golf. Wifey was like WTF, I'm not watching you play for 4 hours hence the search for other activities like a pool. Then the prices started to really jump. Sequoyah not so bad, but I'm not paying 30K initiation, plus $700/month. Plus I have a baby, so I started thinking if I'm going to join a private club maybe I should wait so that when she's a little older she can come and enjoy it too. Now I'm back to joining Callippe I think. Sorry for the overkill.

[TheOrange2002]

[quote name='gambit' timestamp='1325798283' post='4033893']
Now I'm back to joining Callippe I think. Sorry for the overkill.
[/quote]

No problem, no overkill ...

Calippe has a pretty sharp website for the Men's Club. My only complaints with Calippe is that it is a pain to walk and it has been painfully slow each time I have played it. If their tournaments go off later in the morning, I don't think you can count on quick rounds of golf.

So on the public side, I also like Monarch Bay and Metro courses, I have no idea about their golf clubs though.

Los Positas is a pretty simple drive for you ... on weekends.

[Swingem]

[quote name='TheOrange2002' timestamp='1325801870' post='4034173']
[quote name='gambit' timestamp='1325798283' post='4033893']
Now I'm back to joining Callippe I think. Sorry for the overkill.
[/quote]

No problem, no overkill ...

Calippe has a pretty sharp website for the Men's Club. My only complaints with Calippe is that it is a pain to walk and it has been painfully slow each time I have played it. If their tournaments go off later in the morning, I don't think you can count on quick rounds of golf.

So on the public side, I also like Monarch Bay and Metro courses, I have no idea about their golf clubs though.

Los Positas is a pretty simple drive for you ... on weekends.
[/quote]

Agreed with Orange, Callippe pace of play can be epic, and it's a challanging hike. Monarch, Metro and Los Positas are nice, just don't know if I'd want to play them all the time. Poppy Ridge in Livermore is excellent. I was looking at memberships at The Bridges and you could get an individual golf membership there (unlimited golf) and a family membership at Club Sport, and still come in under $700 mo. Food for thought