Palo Alto Hills (CA)

[David_Tepper]

I can't remember this course ever being mentioned here:

https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/brian-costello-recaptures-the-magic-at-palo-alto-hills

[Alex Miller]

I believe this is the updated planned routing (wouldn't let me embed)


http://jmpgolf.com/azwp/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/PAHGGCC-Conceptual-Renovation-Plan-Colored-June-1-2015.jpg

[David_Tepper]

Alex -

Have you ever played there? I have once or twice, but it was at least 25 years ago. The course is on a hillside slope.

DT

[Matt_Cohn]

I'm not sure there's a less-discussed course in the Bay Area, though it seems like that might be about to change.


That whole string of peninsula clubs—Green Hills, Burlingame*, Peninsula, Menlo*, Sharon Heights, Palo Alto Hills*, Los Altos (*=I haven't played)—doesn't compare especially well, in terms of quality of golf, to collections of suburban clubs in other major metro areas. They're all nice, and the clubhouses are sights to behold, but you don't hear people raving about the courses generally speaking.


Of course, Cal Club was in that same category 20 years ago!

[Alex Miller]

Alex -

Have you ever played there? I have once or twice, but it was at least 25 years ago. The course is on a hillside slope.

DT

I haven't but the plan looks more compelling that what I saw on google earth! Sounds similar to my home courses in socal built on hillsides.

[Kalen Braley]

Matt,

I never played any of them when I lived in NorCal, but I lived/spent most of my time on the other side of the bay.  I guess the question is, do they fly under the radar and deserve more chat?

P.S.  I'm guessing there has been more chat on GCA about the Emerald Hills 9 holer than any of those others combined! 

[David_Tepper]

Matt -

Good comments. Peninsula did have a face-lift/renovation within the past 20 years. I can't remember who did the work. Menlo had a major renovation, done by Kyle Phillips, about 5 years ago.

At some of those courses it seems like the 360-380 yard par-4's are always playing uphill into the wind and the 420-440 yard par-4's play downhill & downwind. As a result, you are hitting the same clubs into the greens on all those holes!

DT 

[DFarron]

I'm not sure there's a less-discussed course in the Bay Area, though it seems like that might be about to change.


That whole string of peninsula clubs—Green Hills, Burlingame*, Peninsula, Menlo*, Sharon Heights, Palo Alto Hills*, Los Altos (*=I haven't played)—doesn't compare especially well, in terms of quality of golf, to collections of suburban clubs in other major metro areas. They're all nice, and the clubhouses are sights to behold, but you don't hear people raving about the courses generally speaking.


Of course, Cal Club was in that same category 20 years ago!

Menlo is in my opinion is the second best course in the Bay Area after Cal. Very hard to get access but a pleasure to play.

[David_Tepper]

The renovation at Peninsula was done by Ron Forse.

[Jeff_Brauer]

The 5th green looks interesting on plan!