Mare Island golf course is a beautiful and well cared for course.While not overly difficult the surroundings are very tranquil and the scenery is excellent.The food in the clubhouse is also very good and plentiful!
Driving there sets the mood. The history, the still in use buildings and the relics that cover the shipyard make you realize you are headed into the past. You are going to play a course that Admirals, Generals & statesmen played.The drought has hurt the course, like every course I've played these last few months. But they have maintained the greens extremely well and the tee boxes are in great repair. There are quite a few elevation changes and it will certainly test your accuracy. The views cannot be overrated: From Napa valley to San Francisco, the bay and then Mare Island itself. The experience of walking through bunkers as you are playing continues the feeling you had when you drove in. The wind can be quite a challenge, but worth the risk it adds.. The bar/ restaurant has limited menu, while the service is very friendly and accommodating. In fact the entire staff is good. I will return and hope you give it a try.
The course was in pretty good shape. The original 9 holes still have that old school feel while the newer 9 holes bring the challenges of shot placement golf. There seems to be a reemergence of popularity here at the island. There is new construction in the way of a new large deck for afternoon lunches or upsetting outside to enjoy the views along with some interior remodeling. This was great to see. Last time I visited this course it was a ghost town filled with only a few retired sailors who live in the area. I am excited to see the general manager begin to turn this place around. Will go back again very soon.
Friendly, not crowded on a weekday, scenic course, interesting holes. Their rental clubs were better than my regular clubs. $45 green fees (18 holes), $35 rental clubs for an $80 plus outing. Being from Seattle I though that was high, but my buddy who lives near by says normal for the area. They have coupons that make it reasonable by Seattle standards. Get a cart unless you like hiking hills.
The rudest staff imaginable. Marshall was very unprofessional. Other players screaming at each other using profanity. Horrible experience for my children who are both excellent golfers and have golfed in many states and several courses in California . I should have known by the area surrounding golf course which looks like a gang infested slum. Gang tags and burnt down buildings everywhere. Numerous old buildings falling down with broken windows and homeless areas. Not a safe area.no wonder it is for sale.
Although this course can be overgrown in some places others are nicely manicured. It appears to be built on some genuine bunkers so there is some history to the place and the views are great especially from the back nine. It is very hilly an challenging to a beginner. The staff was friendly and helpful and the food in the cafe was great. The drive in through the sadly deteriorating Navel base was a bit depressing but I would go back.
Although it's 18 holes, this may be a rather short course but it's still a challenge and very fun to play
I got a Groupon for this course, or we probably would never have found it. And I'm glad we did. We had to go through the old Mare Island Naval Shipyard, which is pretty depressing - abandoned buildings and lots of nothing. Then you get to the course, right by the water. The course is well maintained, and the employees are very nice and friendly. We went on a Saturday afternoon, the day before the course was closed for aeration. I'm hoping that contributed to the very slow play - we were on the course for 4-1/2 hours and only completed 14 holes before dusk made us give up. We'd like to play it again - it's a challenging course, hilly and very long. But next time I'll plan a whole day, and get lunch after the first nine. Neither of us are really great players (we scored in the low 50's for the first nine holes) but play enough to appreciate a well-maintained course in a really weird but attractive place.
Apparently this course had some big issues that got it lousy ratings a year or so ago. Those were not there when I played10/12/2013. The greens were in excellent condition and well manicured. Tight, but very well maintained.The bunkers, which I became well acquainted with, were well sanded. The course was a bit worn, as you would expect this late in the season, but were still good and obvious effort is shown. The prices were a good bargain too. It has some vertical challenges and incredible views of the SF/San Pablo bay & Napa river and hills. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is that they are still growing toward 5, just not quite there. I'm picky with 5 star ratings. I feel they'll get there soon though. The wind can come into play because of the location. But it also comes into play at Pebble Beach & St. Andrews. so no big deal. Just have an A game going on those days :-). The staff was excellent and knowledgeable, and very accommodating. I plan on returning in late Spring, and then regularly even though it is 50+ miles from my home.
No boring same hole look alikes here. Hole number 3 will need to thread the needle and take in consideration of the wind. #5 long par 5. #7 is difficult with green on high top, #8 over pond par 3,T-off on #11 is decieving. Keep in mind wind on remaining holes. Short par 3 on 17 use 1 or 2 clubs more to reach green due to above and wind in face. Wind behind use 1 club more than normal. Good luck.