SF Bay Area Golf Courses.

The San Francisco Bay Area presents many opportunities for great golfing on a wide variety of courses, most of which offer coupons and specials.  Also, San Francisco and the Bay Area are noted for fine dining, and many excellent restaurants are located in close proximity to golf courses. You can put your clubs to the test and then relax over drinks and a delicious meal to complete a perfect day.

Before selecting a course to play, it's a good idea to call the clubhouse to get details about any coupons and specials which may affect your opportunity to play the game. Also, are there any renovations taking place? Are greens being aerated? What's the average time to play the entire round on weekdays? on weekends? Does the course sell golf clubs, other equipment, and clothing? Are refreshments available from a cart or at a stand? Is water available around the course? How does the course accommodate the handicapped?

Ask about twilight and super twilight tee times. You start playing later in the day at reduced rates. The times will vary from course to course and from season to season.

Some courses offer early bird specials, too. Early morning is an especially good time to play if you'd like to try a course alone or with just a few people around.

A beginner to golf usually starts out playing on a 9 hole course. The holes are shorter than on an 18 and you'll start improving your game more quickly than if you try 18 holes. If 18 hole courses are all that are available in your area, ask if you can just play 9 holes. Most courses are accommodating and will let you do so. You'll pay a less expensive price too. As you gain more confidence, start venturing out playing 18 holes. You can always quit early if things aren't going well. Just be prepared to play 18 holes in 4-5 hours rather than the 2-2 1/2 hours for 9. Beginners can rent drivers, irons, and putters at most courses.

Reservations are usually preferred when you have a twosome, threesome, or foursome. Singles are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and when there is an opening with a group going out, a single will be called to join them. "Walk-ons" are allowed, but there may be a wait to get on. If you have a fivesome, some courses will allow all of you to go out if you rent powered carts. Many places will split your group as a threesome and twosome and allow a single "walk-on" or another twosome to join your groups.

Welcome to SF Bay Area golf courses.