The Golf Club at Copper Valley

Peaceful, walkable course in the oak studded foothills. Fairways are wide open where a few holes require water carry, and houses do not crowd the fairways. Greens are generous. Pace of play will be slower during months with shot gun starts and full tee sheets. Lots of wildlife and views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

$80

Fast greens true and smooth. Ice on 1&10. Ice water about every other hole. Chilled towels delivered on back 9. Yes it was really hot. Starter got us off early as booked players were late.

Great course nice clubhouse

Only downside was over watering making a few bad areas.

To golfers like me stuck in the traffic jams and the stress of the high cost of living in the Bay Area, Saddle Creek is the ultimate value-oriented escape.

It's tucked away in tiny Copperopolis in Calaveras County among the foothills of the Sierras. Inside the gated community are welcoming resort-style amenities that help public golfers feel like a member during their visit or stay.

Golfers staying in the plush Lodge Bungalows can simply park their car and never leave. The staff will deliver a golf cart to your door for your round.

Even if you aren't playing, the clubhouse and its fine Copper Grille restaurant and the practice area are all centrally located within walking distance. The fitness center complex, located a short drive away, features an outdoor pool and hot tub perfect for the family, along with outdoor horseshoe pits, tennis courts and bocce ball courts.

The course, designed by Carter Morrish, is the center of this universe. It rolls up and down the surrounding hills amid dozens of spectacular homes. No two holes run parallel to one another. The wide fairways are generous, but if you do go astray, tall fescue will devour your ball. Uphill holes (such as no. 6 and no. 10) and the approach shots over water on the par-5 eighth and the par-4 ninth holes are the toughest challenges.

It's about as close to a five-star golf experience as a hidden gem can get.

It doesn’t take long on the course at Saddle Creek to realize this is a special layout. Set in the rolling foothills of Copperopolis (“Copper” to the locals) the course fully utilizes the natural elevation changes and grasslands to create a very challenging yet playable course.

I think my favorite feature of this track is that each hole is a fully contained individual course element. If you hook or slice wide of the rough, there is no waste area or “backup fairway” from another hole playing back the other way. There are literally no two holes adjacent to one another. Instead there is just natural grass that I’d guess average between 18 and 24 inches high. In other words, if you miss wide right or left, get into your bag because you are not likely finding, let alone playing, that ball. However, what this creates, is the feeling – at almost all times – that it is just you and the golf course; and this is great. Because, really, who wouldn’t want their own private golf course… and this is how playing Saddle Creek feels.

All of that said, most holes have generous enough landing areas (and an ample first cut of rough) so that, by and large, you won’t get into that much trouble. There are a few long carries off the tee that, frankly, in previous years would have intimidated me. For example, I don’t think I’d want to be anything short of 180 of the tee on #17 and most of that is over a grassy waste area from which you simply are not getting your ball back. Yes, you should be able to routinely clear that, but standing there looking at it, it can be a bit intimidating.

None of this should push a player away from Saddle Creek. It’s challenging, yes, but it is a beautiful course that is ultimately playable for all but the most casual golfer. And there are some opportunities to really feel good about your game. When I stuck the green about 15 feet from the pin on the par 3 (182, from the whites) 14th hole I felt like I had hit the shot of my life, and you can’t get that feeling without a little challenge present.

I chose to walk the course, and that might be a bit much for some. As mentioned above it winds through the hills with a decent amount of elevation change and some longer treks between holes. It’s certainly walkable and I’m glad I did, but it’s worth noting that I don’t think anyone would classify it as a “walk in the park.”

The staff was friendly and engaging, showing genuine interest in me and my travels. I really enjoyed my interactions with everyone I met from Saddle Creek. This is certainly a course I recommend, and another one that I would make the effort to return and play again.

I can only imagine that the reasoning behind this is that golfers don't want to give away the secret to what a fine resort and course are tucked away in a little town called Copperopolis! Well, I don't either so here goes.

Stay Away! I did the stay and play package and it was... "terrible". Got two rounds of 18, breakfast overlooking the 9th green (pictured) and a 1 night stay where the practice putting green was 5 feet from the back door of my well appointed bungalow (yuck!) The online price was unbelievable, so I called them to confirm it. Hint: Off season weekday for way under $200. Can I say it was $158? Well, I just did, so there! Don't take advantage of this! The course fairways and bunkers are well kept and in amazing condition. (If you are into that sort of thing... ) Most don't like that, so stay home! There are lots of sloping challenges, water hazards and course wildlife (pictured). Wild turkeys on a golf course? C'mon now! Couldn't concentrate on my shots for 3 holes after seeing this. All I could think about was pairing them up with gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce! Nearly ruined my game!

The staff were all warm and welcoming. Pro shop was super friendly, starter gave me tips for the course, restaurant had great food/view (pictured) and gave me the option of taking it to go. Heck, I was even given a smile and greeting from the greens keepers! With that attitude, how do they expect to keep this place running?! Oh and my golf cart was waiting for me at the front door for my morning round. Again, the nerve!

Seriously though the only negative, and the starter warned me of this: the rough is very rough. This may be due to the crazy rainy season this year and they haven't been able to give it a proper mowing? So I wound up losing a lot of balls. I have to admit though, I don't have much patience to look for lost balls, 30-45 seconds tops.

To reiterate, you shouldn't come and stay or play golf here. That way you won't regret not spending a lot of money, not playing a really top notch, well conditioned / challenging course and meeting the great staff out there off the beaten path. You're probably much better off doing a stay and play for $300 or $400 in Monterey or Palm Springs. Yeah, that's what you should do......

Out of the way but worth it. Course in great condition, especially after 3 days of heavy rain. Interesting, challenging layout. Staff very accommodating and food excellent. Very nice bungalows to stay in, with play / stay packages.