Baylands Golf Links

This course has really gone downhill. On the first hole, the fairways are lush and very nice, but as you go through the course, you see that the course has become troubled with the gopher holes, inconsistent bunkers filled with either mud or sand dunes, which are deep and difficult to get out of, and huge patches of bear dirt. The tee boxes are also very inconsistent some of which the grass is very long and very far from smooth. The greens were consistent. But here's the worst part, Palo Alto, which is a liberal bastion has deemed that anywhere off the fairway is a sensitive environmental area. The starter takes it upon themselves to threaten you before you round. If you go in this sensitive environmental area you're subject to being kicked off the course. The only other interaction I had with course staff was on the back nine at a par five where I pulled the cart off the cart path onto the grass. I was chastised for being too close to the Green. The cart was actually parked 5 yards from the green, and 2 feet from the car path. I do this so others can drive by if they need. The round cost $120 for 18 holes, a cart, and a small bucket of balls. Really not even close to worth it.

I imagined the wind would be my nemesis. The greens, however, were complex and nuanced. Fairways were generous and stayed true to their namesake. I enjoyed my round despite not scoring well. I'm excited to play Baylands again.

Honestly there are much better courses for $90 (Bay Area resident rate) in the Bay Area. The fairways had a ton of dead spots. Greens and bunkers for good. The course is challenging, especially in very windy days. 6100 yards from the blue tees plays more like 6500+ because of the wind. Practice areas were nice, but again, for $90 I expected more out of the actual course. The starter was also unfriendly. When asked if I had played there before, I said "first time" and he let out a deep sigh like he was annoyed he had to explain the course and the meaning of the different OB stakes.