I have been putting off writing this golf review for some time because of the recent wildfires around Santa Rosa. Having lived in California for a short bit of time I realize how serious these events are, and how dangerous they can be to all people involved. I am so sorry for all those who have lost loved ones, homes, and had their lives uprooted.
Mayacama was a special one. Out in wine country, this place is immaculate, and quite a trek for 18 holes. The layout seemingly stretches for miles, with many long jaunts between holes. This was one of the very few rounds of my life where I was completely gassed walking up the last hole.
At Mayacama you’re going to get a little bit of everything. You might tee off way up high one hole and hit to a lower fairway, or it may be an uphill tee shot to an uphill green, but you will still see a flat hole from time to time, hitting into the skinny part of the green, as Nicklaus so loves. For a Nicklaus course, the greens were a lot more undulating than what I was expecting. There are many circumstances to which you can play the slopes to your advantage. Luckily for us, they had just had their member guest and the greens were rolling at a 14, pure.
I would label Mayacama as a championship test. Our caddies told us that if a member were to break 80 on a regular day, then it would be a rare occurrence. Mayacama plays long for 6800 yards, and mainly because it is a difficult layout. There are no “breaks” or easy holes along any stretch. The layout requires accuracy and placement, whether that be off the tee or on your approach. Mayacama is a very tough layout to be wayward off the tee or scrambling around greens. The advice seems redundant and simple, but so true. Fairways and greens all day.
The surrounding ambience of Mayacama was one of my favorite. It feels like you’re at a resort or retreat in the middle of wine country, with a world class golf course attached to it. A lovely experience that I thoroughly enjoyed all the way from the golf, to inside the clubhouse, and to the beers on the veranda watching the sunset after the round. Mayacama is a special place, and I wish the best to all the people of Santa Rosa.
-golfcourseraterguy
The approach into hole 1
Hole 2 Par 5
Hole 3 Par 3
Hole 4 Par 5 tee shot
Hole 4 par 5 approach
Hole 5 par 3
Approach into hole 10
Hole 14 par 3
Tee shot from hole 15 par 5
Approach into hole 15 par 5
Hole 18 par 5
