Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, San Jose, CA

watch out snakes!

Very, very nice course

I just played Cinnabar Hills for the first time, and notwithstanding that I played my first nine (Mountain) about as badly as I've ever played, I still enjoyed the day. The couple I played with told me that the Lake 9 is the hardest of the three, but I didn't find it that way. Playing it smart, with a lot of 3-woods or long irons off the tee, can keep you from getting into the trouble that awaits an errant shot with a driver. The greens were in excellent condition, as was the course in general. The clubhouse is immaculate and I found the staff to be both professional and personable. I'll definitely play here again.

Cinnabar Lake Course

Lake is the most difficult of the 3 courses, yet even for my 16.6 index a real treat to play. The #1 par 5 is long and has a abyss in the dog leg left that owns many many golf balls. Today the pin was tucked all the way back behind a serious set of bunkers which makes the fairway approach risky or opt for a 90 degree turn. Number 2 is a short but treacherous par 3. To play right side into the green is not only prudent but with one of the fastest greens on the course you never want to be a little long and right, slopes left to right. Pass the cup you will likely find the 2nd cut or worse. 7 is a par 5 that has a barranca right about good driver distance. 3 wood from tee is sometimes advisable, especially from the middle tees. Number 8 par 3 is a little like tossing a marble onto a saucer from 20 feet. High and really soft landings help here. Surrounded on three sides by cattails, creek and probably 1000 golf balls. Love it.

One of the two good 9's at Cinnibar

Both the Lake and Mountain 9's at Cinnibar are challenging, fair tests of your game. Tremendous eye candy throughout, starting with a beautiful par 5 stretched out beyond the elevated teebox. The greens are subtle and fast, but not tricked-out and roll true. The twilight rate at Cinnibar is the best deal in Northern California golf, and playing at that time will also reward you with some spectacular sunset views. Reasonable pace, due in part to GPS equiped carts allowed on the fairways. Great, but crowded range and large practice green and short game area. Cinnibar is a must-play for the visiting golfer, but make certain that you are playing the Lake/Mountain duo.