Tilden Park Golf Course- Berkeley

I am standing at the foot of Heartbreak Hill, dear readers, and it is the first tee at the Tilden Park Golf Course. Some experts say Tilden's first hole is the toughest opening hole in Northern California. I am willing to say the toughest anywhere: 404 yards and STRAIGHT up hill, with a mean left-to-right tilting fairway. It is, for my money, the hardest hole to par on the course (although the handicappers call it third). A tough way to start a round on this venerable example of NorCal golf.

Built in the early 1930s, and designed by William Bell Jr., it is the place I always take out-of-town guests to play. Located in the hills above UC Berkeley, this very mature, undulating course is a great example of what golf in the Bay Area was meant to be.

It’s scenic and tree-lined. Don't be surprised to see deer and other wildlife around the course (especially in the morning).

Now, all that maturity makes it a pretty tough place to play. Those trees are really pretty to look at, but not much fun to hit out of (if you can find your ball in them at all). This is my favorite example of a "keep the ball in front of you" course. It doesn't play long, 6,294 yards from the Blues, 5,823 from the Whites and 5,399 from the Reds, so sacrifice some distance for accuracy. It also only plays to a par 70, but it doesn't feel like its giving you two strokes when you're out there!

Some of the other stand-out holes are No. 3 (464 yards from the back tees, 377 from the middles) and as far down hill as No. 1 is up hill. From the whites, I have seen someone drive it. This hole even opens up a little about halfway down, so grab the big twig and go for it. There is a small road that runs through the fairway about 150 yards from the green. End up in short of the road and you're looking at anywhere from an 8-iron to a wedge home. Clear the road on your drive and you are massive! Just don't be long with your second shot, or the swamp will swallow your ball.

The home hole, No. 9 is also neat. It’s an uphill, dogleg left that often sends short second shots back to their place of origin. Better to be long on the uphill approach.

The backside has some interesting holes as well, with two long par 3s--No. 11 is 199 from the whites, and No. 16 is 186 from the whites--and a great golf hole in No. 12. On this par 4, your drive is uphill and blind. And over a deep ravine. Your second shot is over another creek to a tough green. An easy place to lose a ball, and some strokes, even though it only plays 300 yards.

Tilden is in great shape. Some drainage work was done a couple of years back, and it seems to have rid the course of its one major setback: always being at least a little wet. The greens are tricky, but not lightning fast. The fairways and rough are quite distinguishable, and the hazards are fair. Play this place smart - or it will school you.

The amenities put this place over the top. GPS systems on the cart let you know how far you are from the flag at all times. The driving range is new, equipped with two tiers, heaters, lights and TVs for Monday Night Football (open till 10 PM). It was voted one of the top ten new ranges in the country by "Driving Range" magazine. And speaking of magazines, "Women's Golfer" voted it one of the top ten "Women golfer friendly" courses in the U.S. (Are there too many golf magazines, or is it me?).

Finally, dear readers, the "Grizzly Grill" has some of the best food (and beer) I've ever tasted at a golf course. And you can order it by phone from the 9th tee!

These guys really have thought of everything.

By Mike Roth
Assoc. Editor, sfbaygolf.com

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