Franklin Canyon Golf Course- Rodeo

Franklin Canyon ranks as one of my top Bay Area courses for the value and overall experience. Weekdays you can walk for $25, although they've adopted the annoying policy of jacking up their prices a few bucks on Fridays. (Remember when Friday used to be considered a weekday?)

More and more of my rounds have been played here because you can almost always get a tee time, unlike some other munis that are always filled to the gills.

Walking-on as a single is usually no problem, but you'd better call to make sure it's not one of their senior discount days or you'll be stuck behind dozens of, um, experienced golfers. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. I hope to be one of those guys someday.)

Once you're out there, you'll see that the course is in much better shape than many others in its price range. The fairways are actually discernible from the rough. The greens are smooth and quick enough to be challenging, but hardly Augusta. (Watch out on the practice green next to No. 10, though. It's quick and slopes toward a canyon. A buddy of mine lost a ball there.)The course also seems to hold water pretty well. Last time I went out there it had just rained so much I was waiting to see Noah float by in his ark, but the course was still in good shape.

The course sits among hills in the middle of nowhere. In fact, as you tee up on No. 6, try not to be distracted by the cows watching in the gallery. Tough critics, those cows.

Three sets of tees make the course playable for everyone. The course measures 5,516 yards from the ladies tees, a comfortable 6,201 from the middle and 6,761 from the tips. Best of all, no two holes are alike. And several are the kind you actually look forward to playing. No. 9 is a 505-yard Par 5. You need to carry a canyon on your first shot. The second then gives you a choice of going over the water or laying up to the right, but even the layup area isn't big, so you have to be precise. Lots of thinking on this one, but if you can stay out of trouble, it's an easy par. (Then again, aren't they all?)

The 14th looks easy, but somehow manages to always bite me in the butt. It's a little 335-yard downhill-all-the-way Par 4. Problem is, the hole curves down to the right and there are three bunkers down the right side of the fairway. And you can't aim too far left because the overhanging trees give you an eye-of-the-needle opening to squeeze out your tee shot. If get by that one alive, the final four holes are pretty easy, which gives you the chance to go home with some good vibes.

Unless, of course, you three-putt 18, like I did.

By Jeff Fletcher
Editor, sfbaygolf.com

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