Bay View Golf Club

not a playable course, too rush to reopen It sounds like the course improved a lo, in reality it will take a long way to go. It is so tough to play in a place full of bare ground, fairway, green like unpaved mountain road. However, it has potential to upgrade, the view is not bad, could be a good place for hiking now.

Based on prior reviews, it sounds like conditions have improved from years past and new ownership seems to be moving things in the right direction (e.g. new carts, greens, and bunkers), but they still have a ways to go before I’d consider going back. For context, I’m a 3 index and played with three others who would ordinarily shoot high 80’s or low 90’s on most courses. Granted, this was my first time playing the course and my unfamiliarity with Bay View may have factored into playability, but I’ll let you be the judge. On #3 (a short uphill Par 3), I knocked my approach shot 12-feet past the pin, barely tapped my birdie putt, and watched the ball trickle 12-feet by the hole. On the next tee shot, I hit a cut onto the right side of the fairway which slopes severely to the left and my ball didn’t stop rolling until it ended up in the left rough. Others in the group landed in, but couldn’t hold, the fairway. My proceeding 80 yard approach shot landed 15 feet short of a middle pin and ended up 10 feet off the back of the green. The middle pin on #8 was cut on the crest of a severe hill and another player took at least 6 putts before picking up. My approach shot on the 150 yard Par 3 Thirteenth landed pin high and rolled back to the front of the green, while my playing companion ended up in the fringe long and did well to three putt from there. I was the only player in our group that didn’t have at least one 4-putt and we each saw good shots end-up with terrible results on multiple occasions. If it was simply an issue of questionable pin placements or the occasional bad lie, I’d consider a stronger review, but the combination of severely sloping terrain, patchy conditions, and fast greens made this course virtually unplayable. As it was, I had to strike the ball exceptionally well and drain a couple bombs to keep it in the 70’s. In retrospect, I’m not sure there’s much they can do other than water the fairways (which will lead to sloppy conditions), grow out the rough (which will lead to impossible approach shots), and slow down the greens (which will eliminate the primary redeeming quality of this track). There were some good views and the staff was friendly, but the course setup and conditions felt like a kick in the teeth.

My friends and I decided to give the course a try since it has gone through "renovations" and a name change. I've played this course numerous times when it was Summitpointe. I've always enjoyed the layout and the views of the course but haven't played here in years. Some of the reviews I've read from others said they liked the changes that were made. Well, either they've never played it before or they just don't remember what the course was like. The layout has not changed one single bit. The ONLY renovation to the course was on hole number 7. This is the hole that leads right up to the clubhouse and driving range. There used to be water that ran across the fairway which would force you to use an iron or possible a fairway wood to lay up before the green. That water is no longer in front of the green so if you are courageous enough to hit driver, feel free to do so. The cart GPS will show you water, but trust me, it is not there. Drive up and take a look yourself. Now I'm not an expert so maybe they made some minor tweaks to the course and the greens, but honestly I couldn't tell at all if there were any changes. The greens were super fast as many others indicated, which is not so bad. But holes 3, 8 and 13 are absolutely ridiculous and diabolical if you are not below the hole. On number 7, I was putting downhill with no break and about 6' from the hole. I barely even tapped the ball and it rolled 10' past the cup. On hole 13. I was BELOW the hole about 8'. My putt ran just above the hole on the right side of the cup and continued to circle back downhill on the left hand side. It literally rolled all the way back to where I originally putted. Crazy. Should I come back and play, at least I'll know how to play those holes. The fairways were in terrible shape but in all fairness they are still working on them and with the recent fires and dry weather, it's understandable. I will say the bunkers are much nicer than they used to be. The biggest upgrade they made easily was to the carts. They are super comfortable and have GPS. You can connect your phone via bluetooth to play music as well as text the clubhouse to print your scorecard at the end of the round. As for the staff, well my arrival experience was not very good. Upon check-in, my buddy and I walked in at the same time. The gentleman at the counter was very rude to my friend. Instead of asking him to politely wait outside since only 1 person is allowed at a time, he basically pointed at him and was like "nope, outta here, get out". He was even a little short with me when he asked me some questions. Just not very professional and unfortunate. I shared my experience with the starter and he was very apologetic. Overall, I really do like the course but probably will not come back any time soon, mainly due to the price to play. $75 to ride under the current conditions is really not worth it at all. Maybe $55, maybe.....

First time playing here and was really impressed overall. The course is challenging but enjoyable. The fairways are being grown back and for the most part they are it’s just certain pockets .The greens were nice and well kept they played super fast that day so it’ was better to aim short and putt up the hill. The carts are newer with the touch pad hanging down nice if you don’t have a range finder like me. Excellent location on the mountain with incredible views of the valley. The downside of being up the hill is the service is bad. Stayed after playing and had a few beers at their cool outdoor patio area that has big screen and views of the course. Excellent service from the bar staff that day friendly and attentive. I would say this course really stands out among the rest.

New owners have started taking this course back to what it once was so I give them huge kudos for that(not an easy undertaking)and it takes some time but,greens are fantastic,bunkers are great,tee boxes are are good as well,Carts.....My goodness we all know what a wreck the carts were previously,well these are about as comfortable as a cart gets and with GPS and other lirrle perks.Fairways still need some TLC but they are getting there and tons of clean up on all the shrubs and bushes around the lakes and sidelines.truely a fun round that will soon be what this course once was and with a NEW name to boot"Bay View"

What I like about this course is the fun variety of holes and yardages and scenery. The staff was really great and was a lot more attentive than most places have been during covid. We got an absolutely killer GolfNow deal, so was easily worth it today.

Now I don't think I'd be willing to pay over 70 to deal with these greens. They were fast, but with too much tilt for the speed. I would suggest that the course superintendent remember that the average golfer is not a single digit handicap. There were a few holes that were essentially unputtable from above the hole. That's perfectly fine for Dustin Johnson. Not so much for Dave Johnson the electrician.

It was my only complaint

I share the sentiment with a lot of other reviewers... this is a fun course, and with some maintenance improvements to the fairways, can be a top course in the area (IMO). The layout is a lot of fun with some reachable/shorter par 4s along with some tighter fairways and blind shots on some holes. Playing from the blue tees, there are some more difficult angles and the elevation changes will lengthen some seemingly shorter holes, I noticed that there is a lot of repair going on in the fairways, so you need to be careful of that and make sure your cart doesn't go into those zones, but overall a fun course for the money.

The course layout is not daunting from a length standpoint and there’s plenty of doglegs that traverse the hilly valleys. You will have lots of uphill, downhill and sideways shots on almost every hole. The course conditions are absolutely better after going throughout the upgrades and naturally the price point has tripled as a result. Staff was very friendly and they do have the best golf carts I’ve ever driven. GPS, Blu tooth, lounge chair like seats and coolers to keep your drinks ice cold. The bar service was good too with pretzel buns for their hot dogs. I was given a voucher for a free walking round after 2p and a free hot dog upon check in.

You should know that the greens here will be the most difficult you’ve faced. Even before the course upgrade, the greens were always ridiculously tough. You need to be below the hole. I’m not exaggerating about the US Open title. If you’re above the hole, you will find it impossible almost every time. A tap can produce a 40 ft putt. They are in great condition, firm and roll like it’s glass.

The course is fun and gives you so many shot varieties from tee to green. Just don’t let the tough greens get you down. You’ll just have more stories to tell that people won’t believe. My playing partners both made putts after their ball fell in backwards from a foot above the hole. You just have to see it to believe it.