Why is your course great

[Michael Morandi]

Full disclosure: I’m a member of the CalClub  but I’ve also been a member of Loch Lomond (Weiskopf), Hudson National (Fazio) and Springdale (Flynn). I  have played thoughout the UK and northeastern America.  My handicap over the past 50 years has ranged from 0-8. That said, no course has provided more options than CalClub. Virtually every hole  provides both the ground and air game, so long as you can spin the ball. There are 144 bunkers, none eye candy, so that even the switch back holes  on the inward  9 do not seem linear and adjacent. The greens are as pure as any I’ve encountered. Given the tight surrounds you can chip or putt in many cases from 10 yards out. It’s a second shot course with some strategy off the tee. No course in my half century of golf has tested my skill and creativity as CalClub. Challenging without being brutal like Carnoustie, Shinny, Chicago or Oakmont, all of which I admire. Almost perfect. And then there is the post round hang.

[Michael Morandi]

I forgot to mention the tight lies in the fairways at CalClub. They make you a better ball striker.

[Phil Young]

Although I only played it a single time, I was deeply impressed by the course at the Cal Club. What made it very special for me was that I played it with Kyle Phillips not long after he restored it. It was one of those extremely rare moments when one gets to see a golf course through the eyes of the architect. 

[Steven Wade]

I’ll play along: Philadelphia Cricket Club. I have been lucky enough to play some great golf courses, but few I’d want more as my home, play everyday course than Wissahickon. I find it to be a consistently compelling collection of golf holes offering options and variety in spades. I could type too much about Wiss, so I’ll show constraint.


I think the St. Martins 9 hole course is such a treasure. I can play out there by myself in about 1 hour and hit real golf shots onto interesting greens. I think the zoysia regrass there was briliant and it offers great playability year round. But it’s also a great place to teach my daughter the game. It offers the option for a 2 or 4 hole loop and is never crowded.


Unfortunately I think the club missed the mark with Militia Hill. It is almost certainly a product of its time and had the club waited just a few more years perhaps something different would have happened? Had the club gone in a different direction with a more satisfactory outcome I think it could have really elevated the club into the next echelon.

[Steven Wade]

I read this thread as if it had a ‘club’ instead of ‘course’ in the title. Thankfully I didn’t get into the racquet sports facilities. 😉

[Pierre_C]

Michael,

    I'm fortunate to have a friend who is a member at CalClub and play there when I'm in Palo Alto. After CPC, CalClub is my favorite course West of the Mississippi. I agree, the course isn't brutal but challenging. I would say the back 9 can be extremely challenging when it gets windy.

My favorite holes are 3, 7, and 12. The 3rd (tee shot through narrow gap of trees w/a baby L-R fade) & 7th (great risk-reward hole, L-R fade, carry the ravine & ball rolls down in front of green) are visually my favorites which requires correct club selection & skillful tee shot. 12th, a great par 3 trying to hold the green, which becomes extremely challenging when hitting into the wind.

If I had to point out a weakness with CalClub, it is the driving range. I acknowledge it is difficult for a full range given the size of the property and limitation for expansion. Regardless, CalClub is an oasis.

Full disclosure: I’m a member of the CalClub  but I’ve also been a member of Loch Lomond (Weiskopf), Hudson National (Fazio) and Springdale (Flynn). I  have played thoughout the UK and northeastern America.  My handicap over the past 50 years has ranged from 0-8. That said, no course has provided more options than CalClub. Virtually every hole  provides both the ground and air game, so long as you can spin the ball. There are 144 bunkers, none eye candy, so that even the switch back holes  on the inward  9 do not seem linear and adjacent. The greens are as pure as any I’ve encountered. Given the tight surrounds you can chip or putt in many cases from 10 yards out. It’s a second shot course with some strategy off the tee. No course in my half century of golf has tested my skill and creativity as CalClub. Challenging without being brutal like Carnoustie, Shinny, Chicago or Oakmont, all of which I admire. Almost perfect. And then there is the post round hang.

[Tony Ristola]

Most clubs aren't great, but often, even the most mundane courses, produce some interesting, quality moments.

[Michael Morandi]

Very true.

[Mark_Fine]

Michael,
I love The Cal Club and have played it multiple times.  What Kyle did there is fantastic as I also played it before the renovation.  But to say there are 144 bunkers and none are eye candy   I will leave it at that. 

[Michael Morandi]

Fair enough, Mark, but I’ve seen players in every bunker on the course, except the small one up the hill behind 15. But I will concede that for the good player there are maybe 8 or 9 that are not in play.