drewyallop
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Has anyone played it? Impressions?
Cypress Point
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Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
Playing there in June. Can't wait. I'm under the impression it will live up to every expectation.
teacherfitter
New
Played it back in the early eighties and it was everything I expected and more. It is scenic overkill. Was participating in a Wilson World pro-am at Spyglass and Pebble with some of my members and was able to wrangle 2 tee times at Cypress, which was like pulling teeth.
I hit four greens and shot 74 but the most memorable par was on 16 (the most photographed hole in the world).
Brian Manzella
Administrator
I only played it once....(so far).
But, it is BURNED in my mind like a song I listened to a thousand times.
But, it is BURNED in my mind like a song I listened to a thousand times.
I have played Cypress once. In a way, as you progress through the course it's like playing Augusta National and Pebble Beach back to back...except it's prettier. There's a distinct inland section followed by the closing holes on the ocean. That being said, there are at least 3 of the goofiest holes I've ever played on such a highly rated course.
There's a par 4 in the middle of the course that plays 7 iron wedge. I guess it's a driveable par 4 except that the green is a tilted horizontal sliver surrounded front, back, and sides by heather three feet high. How do you drive that?
I nutted my drive on 17 right where the caddy told me to hit it (one of the few times all day), right in the middle of the fairway. I get to my ball and there's a giant tree in between me and the green! From the middle of the fairway! My best shot option was a 30 yard hook out over the ocean and back to the green.
On 18 the trees are so close and hang over so far you feel like you're walking through the jungle with Tarzan! It's a cramped little hole to top off such a masterpiece.
The other 15 holes are a combination of stunning beauties and textbook examples of strategic golf design.
There's a par 4 in the middle of the course that plays 7 iron wedge. I guess it's a driveable par 4 except that the green is a tilted horizontal sliver surrounded front, back, and sides by heather three feet high. How do you drive that?
I nutted my drive on 17 right where the caddy told me to hit it (one of the few times all day), right in the middle of the fairway. I get to my ball and there's a giant tree in between me and the green! From the middle of the fairway! My best shot option was a 30 yard hook out over the ocean and back to the green.
On 18 the trees are so close and hang over so far you feel like you're walking through the jungle with Tarzan! It's a cramped little hole to top off such a masterpiece.
The other 15 holes are a combination of stunning beauties and textbook examples of strategic golf design.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
I played it five times between 1981 and 1992. We played in the early spring when it was usually really wet. Ever have a well-hit drive back up? I’ve also played all the other courses on the Peninsula, and this one stands alone as by far the best (for the purist).
Old School Golf at it’s finest: best piece of land in the universe, no carts (only caddies), greens as good as San Francisco Golf Club (they have most of the same membership), and a layout that puts a premium on accuracy and shotmaking--not distance. Guess who holds the course record?
It’s not a grind like Spyglass or the Bayonet Course over at the old Fort Ord, but watch out if the wind is blowing.
I played it with persimmon and ’77 Staffs, so it’s probably a whole new ball game with the new ball and equipment. You have to go for the green on 16, but you’ll understand why some of the Crosby field used to hit 6 iron to the little fairway on the left. I’ve scored well there despite some not so strong finishes on the last four holes (distraction?). It’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing golf.
One last thing for the non-Californians: Beware the ice plant. Don’t be messing around with your Tour Pitch in this stuff. I’ve seen balls around the green go anywhere from six inches (straight down) to 50 yards (screamers). It’s pretty to look at though.
I played it five times between 1981 and 1992. We played in the early spring when it was usually really wet. Ever have a well-hit drive back up? I’ve also played all the other courses on the Peninsula, and this one stands alone as by far the best (for the purist).
Old School Golf at it’s finest: best piece of land in the universe, no carts (only caddies), greens as good as San Francisco Golf Club (they have most of the same membership), and a layout that puts a premium on accuracy and shotmaking--not distance. Guess who holds the course record?
It’s not a grind like Spyglass or the Bayonet Course over at the old Fort Ord, but watch out if the wind is blowing.
I played it with persimmon and ’77 Staffs, so it’s probably a whole new ball game with the new ball and equipment. You have to go for the green on 16, but you’ll understand why some of the Crosby field used to hit 6 iron to the little fairway on the left. I’ve scored well there despite some not so strong finishes on the last four holes (distraction?). It’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing golf.
One last thing for the non-Californians: Beware the ice plant. Don’t be messing around with your Tour Pitch in this stuff. I’ve seen balls around the green go anywhere from six inches (straight down) to 50 yards (screamers). It’s pretty to look at though.
Joe Duffer
New
A Picture Says it All... The Par 3 15th
My son and I were there in late July 2008... I'll never forget the experience and joy we shared.
My son and I were there in late July 2008... I'll never forget the experience and joy we shared.
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drewyallop
New
Yeah, the memories.
Played it when cap my was 15 and I had no business being there, but through friend of member our foursome got on as unaccompanied guests.
Tee offs started at 7.30. Show up with a big cart bag and your caddy immediately dumps the clubs on the ground and grabs one of the ratty carry bags hanging in a dead cyprus. Into the locker room to change shoes. Custom mahogany lockers of cabinet maker quality. Small brass name plates and surprisingly there are no celebrity names except Clint Eastwood. But lots of pictures of Bing and friends. The locker rooms, pro shop and restaurant are small and modest clapboard structures, white with green trim. No grandiose architecture, no tennis, no pool. This place is about golf and nothing else.
The pro is exceptionally welcoming. No airs here even though we are definitely are of the hoi polloi. There is a nice selection of logoed stuff but lay down a card and you are told politely that "those" are not accepted here. Cash only and you wish you could pull out a fat roll and peel off a couple of hundreds.
On to the first tee. Caddies carry two bags and you are told before hand that the tip is $50 each. My caddy was a local guy and this is all he did even though he was lucky to get a member loop twice a week. There just is very little play on this course. Besides the unaccompanied guests that day there was exactly one member twosome - two elderly ladies being chauffered in a cart. Caddies get a lot of playing time.
We start. Our two handicapper whiffs his first drive, as in misses the ball completely. We are bent over spitting. The caddy smiles, tosses him a ball and says "reload". He mashes a rocket dead straight. And off we go.
I don't know how to explain it but as soon as you step off that first tee you enter another world. The course seems to enclose you in a bubble and everything else falls away. Mystical is probably too grandiose a word but it may be close.
The course is a masterpiece. Every hole has something. There is one par five when you look down the fairway you see nothing but huge bunkers marching left and right the whole length. But get on the green, look back and you see nothing but grass. Another requires an approach to a two level green. Short and ball comes back to you like a puppy dog. Long and you are in the ice plant and dead.
Then there is 15 and 16. Hadn't made a putt all day. On 15 I put it close and a nervous 2 putt gets par. 16, it is getting late, the mist is closing in and the green is barely visible. Two guys go for the bailout on the left. I pull a 3 wood, the caddy gives me a look, I take driver. "That's what I want to see" he says. My only thought is to just let it go and it does, into the mist and on to the fringe. Caddy says I think that is on. At this point I am content to return to the parking lot. But a half decent chip to four feet and one spastic putt and I'm in with par. Not much is said but everyone is there with smiles and hugs. Never have felt closer to three guys in my life.
17 and 18 and I am back to my usual game but somehow it doesn't seem that important.
Loading up in the parking we see a rusted out jeep with a wire hanging out of a taillight pull in. Out gets Clint in bluejeans, there for some practice. Kind of completes the day for us.
That night some serious celebration.
Played it when cap my was 15 and I had no business being there, but through friend of member our foursome got on as unaccompanied guests.
Tee offs started at 7.30. Show up with a big cart bag and your caddy immediately dumps the clubs on the ground and grabs one of the ratty carry bags hanging in a dead cyprus. Into the locker room to change shoes. Custom mahogany lockers of cabinet maker quality. Small brass name plates and surprisingly there are no celebrity names except Clint Eastwood. But lots of pictures of Bing and friends. The locker rooms, pro shop and restaurant are small and modest clapboard structures, white with green trim. No grandiose architecture, no tennis, no pool. This place is about golf and nothing else.
The pro is exceptionally welcoming. No airs here even though we are definitely are of the hoi polloi. There is a nice selection of logoed stuff but lay down a card and you are told politely that "those" are not accepted here. Cash only and you wish you could pull out a fat roll and peel off a couple of hundreds.
On to the first tee. Caddies carry two bags and you are told before hand that the tip is $50 each. My caddy was a local guy and this is all he did even though he was lucky to get a member loop twice a week. There just is very little play on this course. Besides the unaccompanied guests that day there was exactly one member twosome - two elderly ladies being chauffered in a cart. Caddies get a lot of playing time.
We start. Our two handicapper whiffs his first drive, as in misses the ball completely. We are bent over spitting. The caddy smiles, tosses him a ball and says "reload". He mashes a rocket dead straight. And off we go.
I don't know how to explain it but as soon as you step off that first tee you enter another world. The course seems to enclose you in a bubble and everything else falls away. Mystical is probably too grandiose a word but it may be close.
The course is a masterpiece. Every hole has something. There is one par five when you look down the fairway you see nothing but huge bunkers marching left and right the whole length. But get on the green, look back and you see nothing but grass. Another requires an approach to a two level green. Short and ball comes back to you like a puppy dog. Long and you are in the ice plant and dead.
Then there is 15 and 16. Hadn't made a putt all day. On 15 I put it close and a nervous 2 putt gets par. 16, it is getting late, the mist is closing in and the green is barely visible. Two guys go for the bailout on the left. I pull a 3 wood, the caddy gives me a look, I take driver. "That's what I want to see" he says. My only thought is to just let it go and it does, into the mist and on to the fringe. Caddy says I think that is on. At this point I am content to return to the parking lot. But a half decent chip to four feet and one spastic putt and I'm in with par. Not much is said but everyone is there with smiles and hugs. Never have felt closer to three guys in my life.
17 and 18 and I am back to my usual game but somehow it doesn't seem that important.
Loading up in the parking we see a rusted out jeep with a wire hanging out of a taillight pull in. Out gets Clint in bluejeans, there for some practice. Kind of completes the day for us.
That night some serious celebration.
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