StoneTree Golf Club Reviews in Northern California, San Francisco/North Bay Area - Greenskeeper.org Free Online Golf Community


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StoneTree Golf Club - $$$
9 Stonetree Lane • Novato, CA 94945 • (415) 209-6090
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oliversax - Houston, TX
Terrific golf experience all around. The layout is fun, yet challenging. Almost every hole has good risk/reward, such as 2 reachable par 4's: the one on the front has a creek just short of it, so you better make sure you can carry 280+; the one on the back is built on a ridge w/ fall off on both sides into dense woods and steep cliffs. The 2 short par 5s are reachable as well, but again, trouble abounds nearby. What I like most about this layout is that good shots are rewarded, so much so that if you are playing well, you may think the course easier than the high slope/rating, but if you are not precise w/ your long game, you will shoot 10 strokes above your hdcp in a blink of an eye.

Conditions are as good as any course I've ever played. In 2 words, well manicured. Greens roll true so there's no excuse for bad putting. Golfers could repair their divots a bit more diligently, but every course has this same complaint. Fairways are spongy, a hint of dampness so you should not expect much roll. The evenly cropped fairways allows your ball to sit up just the right amount, no lies too tight or too settled-down. Tee boxes were nice and flat, also evenly mowed. Even the traps were well manicured, with just the right amount of fluffiness and consistency, no hard pan underneath.

Staff was extremely accommodating, bringing us a new cart on our 2nd round when our battery ran low. We'd forgotten a few items in the exhausted cart and they ferried those items out to us as well. This is as close to country club experience as you can get.

I even liked the hitting bay (in lieu of a driving range). It's a large bay that can fit 6-7 golfers at a time. Right before a round, I only want to warm up, not try to fix any swing flaws. So being forced to hit into a net alleviates my tendency to 'fix' any ball flight problems. I'm way too mechanical and this was the perfect solution for me.

Pace of play was decent. They stagger teetimes 10+ min. Our 4some waived 3 groups by and still finished us 4.5 hrs eventhough it was our 1st time playing. The 2nd round, w/ just 2 golfers, we were on pace to finish 18 holes in 3 hrs.

Cons?
-The refreshment cart was manned by a guy. I'd prefer a member of the fairer sex.
-There are not attachments on cart for sand bottles to refill divots while playing. I was catapulting green scalps all over the place and felt guilty for not repairing them, esp. when the conditions are so pristine.
-I have a laser rangefinder so didn't need a GPS, but for those that don't, they should have Skycaddies for rent since cart didn't have them and the yardage on sprinkler heads were not easy to find when you need them.

In summary, the most important criteria for me when rating a course are:
-layout
-conditions
-staff
-pace of play
Stonetree exceeded my expectations in the top 3 categories. I usually play Presidio when I come to San Francisco, but from now on, I'll make the effort to drive 35min out to Stonetree. Head & shoulders better golfing experience.

Posted: Friday, September 12, 2008
Member Since: October 9, 2003
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cjlangston - sausalito
8.18.08
StoneTree started to punch and sand their tee boxes today

Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Member Since: October 25, 2004
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shebylo - Mill Valley
This course Always presents well. It is a good lesson in golf.
No faults found at all.
Good staff and drinks cart very often.
Enough said.

Posted: Friday, July 18, 2008
Member Since: August 18, 2007
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shebylo - Mill Valley
Hot (85) dry breezy day. The course presents very well. Extremely lush all areas. Fairways are cut down and dry making the ball run, but sometimes into trouble. That is the beauty of the layout.
Grass in the rough thick and lush and difficult getting the ball out skillfully. Greens were a bit slow and being allowed to grow. Could be due to the heat, but held very well on approaches. Drinks cart around very frequently, and all staff were pleasant. Downside: only hitting nets for warmup, no water stations on course BUT free bottled water at clubhouse. Huge practice green.
First class clubhouse with great bar. Reasonable twilight rate $55.

Posted: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Member Since: August 18, 2007
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2down - Bay Area
StoneTree is in fantastic shape. This is a Johnny Miller design, which means you can expect a very challenging round of golf. Customer service in the pro shop, on the course, and in the bar/restaurant is excellent. My only complaint is the $120 cost of a weekend round. The carts do not have GPS, so plan to bring your SkyCaddie.

Posted: Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Member Since: April 25, 2008
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tahoegolfer - tahoe city
The back nine is the interesting golf on the course. The front is flat and boring. All $100+ course should have a driving range and more than 3 holes on the practice green.

Posted: Sunday, March 16, 2008
Member Since: March 16, 2008
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scotchblade - San Rafael
I finally got around to playing Stonetree, even though I live in the area. It was everything I had heard it was. Challenging and in terrific shape although a few of the greens had that mottled look and were a little bumpy. Those holes up in the hills are gorgeous. This course will test your game. I would not recommend it for occasional players - it will eat you up. They allow walking, but it's a strenuous hike up the elevations and between holes. Stonetree kicked my butt the first time and I can't wait to try it again. Courses like this make you a better golfer. Join the Player's Club and play for $59 Mon-Thur, an excellent value.

Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Member Since: January 19, 2007
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mahapalani - los gatos
I would play this course again, because the second time around is bound to be better. It's hard to settle in the first time here. The $$$ is all about #15 &16, two of the most beautiful holes you will ever play. On a sparkling fall afternoon one could hardly be in a more enchanting place than on the 15th tee, then slowly going down the fairway to the green, coming off the high of 15 and then following that up with 16. If only there was a course with 18 holes like these these 2! Course is in great shape, $120 is a bit much but twilight for $80 is more like it. Very friendly A+ staff, give StoneTree a try, just realize it's a Johnny Miller design . . .

Posted: Sunday, November 11, 2007
Member Since: July 4, 2006
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bUZZ451 - Sacramento
Stonetree a winter course. Handles rains, niormally in good to very good shape. BUT has a few chincy holes, in particular when you are in the back 9. Yardages are difficult because of the elevation of some greens. Staff friendly, golfers can be difficult some feel their country club types other are just pushy. Stonetree does not hesitate to charge top dollar especially Frid-Sunday. Should be noted that the Golf Course doanted all green fees for a fallen firefighter.... Cool

Posted: Saturday, November 10, 2007
Member Since: December 13, 2005
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goody - Seattle
We really enjoyed this course. Roughly half the holes are flat and reasonably interesting but not very memorable. The other half in the hills are remarkable. The course is in beautiful shape.

Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Member Since: April 17, 2006
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oldbull - Bakersfield, CA
Played on 4/27/07 at 9:30am. This is one of my favorite courses in the Bay area. I was surprised that the greens were a little ragged and bumpy(for early spring), tho still very fast. Overall the course was in excellant condition, very nice soft sand. The 9 mountain holes are truly spectacular. My partner, playing the course for the 1st time, commented how every hole was different. It's hard for me to understand the negative comments about the flatland 9 holes. This 9 is very "links" like in their feel. The holes all vary in lenght and direction, and because of constant wind and water in play on every hole require careful thought about shot placement. Unfortunately some of the water hazards are dry. This is an interesting and tough golf course, bring 1 ball for every stroke of your handicap.

Posted: Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Member Since: February 8, 2004
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cow2215 - los altos
agree with other poster, split personality course in terms of holes being either flat or roller coaster through the hills. greens are very contoured, so blind uphill shots to greens are a tough deal first time around, on many of them hitting to the wrong area makes 3 putt a good outcome. greens were true and fast, a little inconsistent on speed b/c some were more sunbaked/dry, but not too bad.
POP was good, 4.5hrs on a saturday, marshals were always around, friendly but firm on pace. value is not great - $120 for a weekend, given the uneveness of the course's shot values. ***no range, just hitting scrubby balls into a net.

Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2007
Member Since: November 16, 2004
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thomashdcp3 - alameda
I finally played this course this summer, after expecting it to be as good as all the publicity hype says it is,and here's what I found.... It is half great and half ordinary. When you get there,it looks like a luxury private club/resort place with giant luxurious clubhouse. the staff is helpful enough.Lets see what the course looks like. The view from the first tee is surprizingly ordinary,a short ,straight ,flat par 4,that looks well manicured,but hardly breathtaking. the next 6 holes are pretty much the same,well manicured, short,and ordinary. a few of these holes had a glimmer of quality,style,like what you'd expect of an exclusive private course, but just a faint glimmer.
But then ,at hole 7,on the other side of the course,it suddenly became a totally different golf course.Beautiful landscape,and vistas that you just want to stand there and enjoy.A dogleg uphill,with undulations,and ancient style;followed by a par 3 shot across a gulch,another brilliant view;followed by another spectacular view down the 9 th hole.3 wonderful elegant,beautiful golf holes on the front nine .
Then,back to the boring flat side to hole 10,11,and 12,all dull,ordinary,uninspiring layout(what's up with this golf course?!)... and Then...back across to the other hilly side to the final six holes.... and these holes,13 through 18 are without doubt,six of the most beautiful vistas I've ever played golf on. These handful of magnificent holes are what makes Stone tree special,and while I wouldnt pay full price to play this course,it is worth playing if you can get a discount,if only to enjoy the last six holes.

Posted: Saturday, September 9, 2006
Member Since: September 8, 2006
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