harding pricey for an out of towner sure but also so much better.
if i had to split 10 rounds between harding and presidio i wouldn’t play presidio.
HMB ocean and corica south probably the best other 2 public options in the inner bay area
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If I had to split ten rounds, would personally play Presidio 7 times and Harding 3. I find Harding extremely unimaginative: flat, with narrow fairways and thick rough as the only defense. Presidio has challenging greens, elevation changes, side-hill lies at times, and some great views. Just my $.02.
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I’m in the Presidio>Harding camp, as well, in regards to which one I enjoy playing more. Even though value is not great at Harding for an out of towner, it is a major championship golf course. Would definitely be cool to say you played it. You can go see where Morikawa hit the tee shot on 16. Lots of other history there, too. Also, seeing where the make pros tee off from on 18 in person is bonkers.
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Hey folks, I’m playing Marin CC Saturday and wanted to see how walkable it is (need to get in walking shape for upcoming golf trip). I play and walk at Fountaingrove so am fine with a walk no worse than my home course. Thanks in advance.
Played it a few times and always walked. Fun, quirky course. Enjoy!
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Great, thank you!
Always been curious about Marin CC. Take pics and provide feedback if you don’t mind
Sure thing. No promises as to quality.
I love how photos from 1996 now look like they are a hundred years old.
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I failed to take photos at Marin CC. My apologies. My excuse? None. As I drove out the gate after my round, I remembered, “Oh shit, I didn’t take any pics.” I guess I’ll plead old age.
I had booked the round through Troon Prive to get my friend’s daughter out as she wanted to scout the round in advance of a Mid-Am qualifier this summer (she played at Oregon State and is getting back into the game after graduating 2 years ago; I’ll call her Marie). It turned out that a friend who is a member was able to join us for the front 9, which was great as the front 9, more than the back 9, requires local knowledge.
We teed off a bit after 2 pm, and were rained on the first hole after which it abated, returning briefly after the turn for a hole. It had poured the night before and yesterday morning, as there was standing water in a couple bunkers. Nonetheless, the fairways were still firm and the greens firm enough that it was hard to find your ball mark. Talking with another member, he said the place always drains well and they play year round no problem. Absolutely pure greens. Slick, but not offensively so. Lots of break, but not silly.
I learned that Marin CC gets about 50,000 rounds a year of play, which is crazy high for a private club. So, there were some divot lies to contend with. It’s tougher to get on with that level of member play; I think I got lucky through Troon Prive as folks saw the weather reports. The weather helped as we only saw a few other players all day and got around in a very leisurely 3:50.
Membership seemed friendly. We had a round post-round in their clubhouse and it was pretty lively. The clubhouse (fun fact: built by a buddy of mine) was nice but not opulent in any way, which I like. Well, not outwardly opulent. The men’s locker room was gorgeous.
The course is short; a longer hitter probably would not hit driver more than 4 or 5 holes. Quirky for sure, but definitely challenging. Pretty tight off the tee, although several holes have adjacent fairways which may spare you. No real native areas to lose balls, although there are a couple of creeks and ponds. Definitely a very fun course.
The wind kicked up on the back nine and it got cold. Notably, the 15th hole is a 170 yard par 3 from the blue tees, and Marie hit her 230 club (3W) pin high with solid contact.
Walkability? It’s not a flat parkland style, but was much easier than my home course. I walked and carried no problem.
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any thoughts out there on Half Moon Bay Old vs Ocean from those who have played both? based on social media alone, Old is more popular but the Ocean certainly has my interest. might try and get out there next week if they havnt punched recently
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Ocean is a better overall course in my opinion. The Old Course has one of the best golf holes in the state of California with hole 18 but is otherwise unremarkable. It’s built through a neighborhood and it gets a little claustrophobic because the homes are too close to the course.
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Most of us lean Ocean. Open, better views.
Old is fine. Mostly Parkland. Two cool holes are 17-18.
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Ocean. I don’t fuck with the old. Plenty of unremarkable courses out there that wind through neighborhoods
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this is the exact validation I was looking for. thanks fellas
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Ocean is a fun course. Good Arthur hills design with sweeping views of the coast on most of the property. Good par 3s/4s with a few weird par 5s, a true Arthur hills course.
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Agree with them all. I live in Half Moon Bay and always prefer the Ocean course. Old Course your playing through houses until #17, and #18. If you want to see the view of #18 of the old course grab a drink at the Ritz on the patio there. Ocean has a lot more scenery and is wide open 
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Heading to the Bay Area next month (~6/28-6/30), anyone want to get together and play? My surrounding dates are flexible, but I am playing TPC Harding Park on Saturday, 6/29 for a work event.
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