Presidio Golf Course

okeee, here goes my first review here.

first off, i 'used to' consider this my home course and was an NCGA member thru here for two years when they initially offered NCGA memberships to the public. so, i played here quite often when i got good deals (under $50/round).

let's start right out and say it... the staffing sucks. but that ain't anything new for Palmer managed courses. each one i've ever played had major flaws. here? well, before they got new carts, they used to die out around the 13th hole once every three rounds or so. during weekdays in the spring, the snack shop usually isn't open. i'd say the range has the jankiest, most funked-up range balls on this planet... last time i went i had one w/ mud caked on more than 2/3 of the entire ball, and about 40% of a large bucket (that's 100 balls) are so old they had no dimples (they won't fly well- about 60% of normal yardage).

three weeks ago, i go in to get a cup 'o joe before my round... "we're out of cream." Oh. reaaaaaally? I go across the hallway, the bar isn't out of cream? Last time the snack shop WAS open, "I just opened, i can't change a $10. Sorry, I can't sell that banana and coffee to you."

Anywho, you get the idea. I have loads more stories like these. I wouldn't DREAM of paying rack rates here for their lack-of service. Nice clubhouse, decent pro shop, i guess.

It's the course that i like. the layout favors the ball striker and shot maker over the long ball hitter. but long hitters definitely can go after some fiver's and some short par 4's. it plays MUCH different when it's windy. or when it is wet. or when it is dry.

very California-style course IMHO... fits my eye perfectly... hilly, tree-lined fairways, undulating fairways, undulating/tiered greens. i doubt the greens ever roll faster than about an 8 or maybe 8.25... but the breaks are subtle. the traps on this course are a joke though... some compacted sand (like cement) others take all season to dry out, some may be a little fluffy, others just dirt underneath- no sand to speak of.

because they have a nice facility/clubhouse/snack shop you pass by three times in your round (see above for hours of operation, LOL); i give 3 stars for amenities. taking point deductions for lack of service and hospitality.

difficulty is higher because sloped fairways require shaping shots or playing shots that run onto fairways. plus some rather chunky areas thru the green make lost balls or tighter lies.

maintenance... prolly should be even lower, but the course seems in good shape before they just aerated last week. a couple years ago, the range was closed three days in a ROW, range cart broke, worker called in sick, the ball washer CAUGHT FIRE i was told... *sigh*

scenery, only up by the tower on the 17th green can you see the pacific, but the majesty of the presidio park is beautiful. props for the setting and idyllic location in the heart of SF and a day rate course worthy of anticipation before i step foot out my door.

value: well, it IS in SF... so gotta remember it ain't gonna compete against those bridge & tunnel courses (like antioch) for rates/value the same way. service sucks. the lake that shows up on the 12th fairway sucks after a rainstorm. cart path only golf in carts sucks. but the course is a wonderful track imho. just don't EVER pay $100 on a weekday or $140 on a weekend to play it- i can't see anything but a disappointment at those rates (value=0.5). paying $40-50 on weekdays to ride or $60-ish on weekends, value = 3.5-4.

wheeew. that's all folks. write a review, response, whatever. do you agree w/ my thoughts? cheers.