I had a spectacular day at the Cal Club on Friday. The weather was beautiful (mid-60’s, not a cloud in the sky), but very windy. The course was in terrific condition and played very firm everywhere; my host told me that the greens, which were in great shape, were running a bit slower than normal because they had recently been topdressed (he said “sanded,” which I am assuming was topdressed). Here are some other thoughts:
1. Many holes have either really fun banks off of which approach shots can be played or areas in front where balls can be bounced into greens. Because the course is really firm, these are legitimate options—my host’s pitch of choice from about 40 yards is a low punch runner that he has perfected, and on 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 17 I played shots to bounce toward the pin from the side or in front.
2. Because it was really windy, the contrast between the uphill and downhill holes on the back nine was huge--the downhill holes played downwind (making them short but tricky with the 2nd shot), while the uphill holes played into the wind (making them really hard). With that wind, there was certainly nothing repetitive about those holes, contrary to my initial post. And even without that wind, the holes are certainly pretty different. So I was wrong about that one.
3. Several holes have cool views that the redesign embraces, but my favorite spot is around the 11th green, which has slopes all around it, the clubhouse above it, the 18th green to the side, and a good view of most of the rest of the bank nine.
4. I didn’t mention the 7th hole in my original post, but my reaction to it on a second play is that it seems a bit out of character with the rest of the course, but I like it as a hole – there’s a lot of room left, but the wider you go left (and away from the bunkers), the blinder the second shot. And it wasn’t an option for us with the wind we had, but I suspect on calm days, and certainly on days where the wind is behind, it also presents the possibility of trying to sling one left to right down the slope toward the green with the driver . . . which also brings a big number into play. So lots of options with (as Matthew said) corresponding effects on the difficulty of the next shot.
5. I’ll stand by my views about 5 (which several others have echoed). It’s probably more strategic than I had originally remembered, since the layup to 100 yards brings sand into play on both sides. But still probably the weakest hole on the course, IMHO.
6. I’ll admit I was wrong about 3. I had originally thought it was overly penal, but even into the wind, it’s not that long, and if you bail left, you’re appropriately stuck with having to work the ball around the trees or leaving yourself with a pitch. The greensite is awesome too.
7. As for the par 3s, I love 12, and think 8 is solid. 6 is cool but pretty penal, especially in the wind we had. 16 has been improved by the new fence, such that it doesn’t feel like you reach over and grab whatever the neighbor is cooking on his grill. It also presents a different shot than the other holes – I hit 8 iron on 6, 6 iron on both 8 and 12, and gap wedge on 16. But it still feels squeezed into that space.
8. The clubhouse is very old school and feels like you're stepping back in time to the California of Reagan or Nixon. Very cool (to me at least).
9. I asked for their special/standard drink, which was good but not great IMHO. I think they said it’s absolute/lemon/sour mix/grenadine/something else.
Bottom line: great course, great club, surprised it isn’t ranked higher.