Gleneagles Golf Course

I went back in August just to say that I’ve played this course. The photos are far from helpful.
–Staff is friendly and courteous (saved themselves from 1 of 5)
–The course is 9 holes with different tee boxes so that they can say it’s an 18-​hole. So you play the loop twice.
–Half the course is dirt and wood. I’m not overestimating that amount. The drought has completely destroyed this course.
–Constant Police sirens alarming throughout the background. Keep in mind you’re in one of the worst parts of San Francisco and it may be unsafe to even drive here. Definitely do not take the bus here (I am a S.F. native).

Course is in pretty shoddy condition (thanks drought!), but everyone is super nice. It’s actually a pretty challenging course (even harder when your ball constantly rolls off the fairways of dirt). Full disclosure: I’m terrible at golf, but this course seems like a great place to learn due to the somewhat relaxed nature and feel of the course. There’s a footgolf [soccer golf] course setup as well, so it’s definitely on the more casual end of courses.
Good:
1) Friendly!
2) Casual
3) Cool bay views
4) Challenging
5) Solid club house
Bad
1) Poor condition

I’d like to leave 2.5 stars, but since that’s not an option, I’m going with 3.
The bad:
1.) Terribly maintained course. As some reviews say, the fairway is literally dirt until you are 150 yards to the green. Guess the CA drought is taking its toll.
2.) Neighborhood feels a little unsafe.
3.) Ran out of carts when I played.
4.) Not really an 18 hole course. 9 hole course with two different tees at each box.
5.) No ladies tee
The good:
1.) Very, very affordable. $ 25pp
2.) Challenging, but not ridiculous. Only one lost ball for me! (And several found ones in the bushes…)
3.) Nice views of the bay at a few holes.
4.) Grass isn’t so bad if you are good and able to hit right onto the nearby fairways on the first shots.
5.) Cute cat on the course :)
Note: I am by no means not an expert player, just play recreationally for fun.

I go way back with Gleneagles, back to the days of Eric DeLambert running the course, refusing to put in yardage markers, and insulting my game (darn truthteller), and back to the days of Billy Smith pouring the most liberal drinks in town! I still remember those single malts after being tortured by the course.
But, if you are a real golfer, true to the traditions of the game, this is the place to play when in SF. It is a harsh test I warn you, never mind that its only nine holes with two tee boxes, it is a great and humbling experience.
A lot of folks claim to remember Trevino’s visit, and I can recall nursing a Glenfiddich and seeing Herman Mitchell walking up from the parking lot with Lee not far behind. He shot a 73 that day and praised the course to the skies. I wasnt there for the next days 76 but sure wish I had been!
I live in Stockton now, a legitimate 7 handicap, retired and recovering from quadruple bypass surgery, but I intend to play the course again Cardiologist be damned!

This is the best golfing experience that any of our group can remember. Tom & his group have done an outstanfing job. Lisa always makes our day the very best. The service level is unparalleled @ any other course that we have ever visited.

The folks at Gleneagles have done a great job getting the course back into good shape.
If you haven’t played it recently, you should check it out.
If you have never played it, be ready for a tough test of golf. You need to play it at least a couple of times before you can expect to post a decent score.
The greens are in great shape and they are very fun to putt. The fairways have rebounded nicely from last summers drought. Kudos to the staff on a great job!

Bad stuff out of the way first. Not in the best area by any stretch of the imagination (but, you’ll be fine as long as you keep your head about you). Not the best kept — but completely understood given limited budget.
Good stuff. This place will kick your ass, grind you down, make you cry, quit golf, then come back for more. It’s insanely difficult, creatively laid out, windy at times, hilly all the time, and absolutely packed with character. The greens are in excellent shape, the bar is brilliant, you feel like you’re getting a little slice of SF history every time you go, and the price is more than affordable (about $ 20 for 9/​$ 35 for 18). Bartender Brad is my boy.
If you’re looking for a real challenge, don’t mind posting a high score, alright with playing golf in the middle of the projects, want some good whisky, get here ASAP.

Get out the watering can. Unfortunately this course has suffered badly from the California drought and is dying of thirst. The course is not looking so good and I find it quite an embarrassment that it calls itself Gleneagles.

Amazing layout and scenery, but terribly maintained. $ 20 greens fee adequately represents the quality you can expect.

Let’s be honest: this place is never in very good shape. However, it’s definitely a fun course to play. I have come back here over and over again with the boys & enjoy myself, and get a great workout. And there’s nothing wrong with their watering hole. An incredible selection! If you’re happy to play a course where you’re never going to be in a rush and there will never be anybody bothering you, knowing the condition will be mediocre at best, this is it. Nothing pompous, just an honest golf course.
Oh yeah, it is always fun to play next to some pretty dilapidated housing project!

I’m not a golf elitist nor care if bins of beer cans are full (and I’m not exactly helping) but I am addicted to the game! So gleneagles is perfect for me and is slowly becoming my regular course. Terribly difficult course so I actually really like the second 9 because I get a crack at redemption.
THE STAFF deserve 10 stars. Warm, friendly, and proud of their establishment. They are low key and easy going but also havehigh expectations for fast play and respecting the culture at GE! Much respect!

Hello fellow golfers and Unilocalers,
This place is something else, let me tell you! I say that in neither a positive or negative manner! Playing this course for the first time was definitely a challenge. Luckily we had a member of our threesome who was experienced at this course and was able to give us pointers as we went along. This will be a course that you either like or hate in my opinion. I welcomed the challenging course and did notice that it was not the best kept or well maintained as other course that I have played. The ninth hole was the most challenging to me (hint, stay along on the right side). We were able to get a great deal and overall, I did enjoy it. Playing nine holes ended up feeling like we played 18!
I think it would take me a couple more times playing this course to really begin to understand nuances of the course layout, it is very tricky and at the same time very scenic. Just so that you are aware, the course generally slopes towards the Cow Palace. Keep that in mind for shot placement, it is a son of gun when the ball begins to roll and roll and roll.
The staff was great and accommodating, thanks Lisa! I would definitely come to play it again and look forward to it!
See you at the first tee,

I love Gleneagles because it’s so unique. The staff is friendly and honest. I told him that it’s my first time there and he explained to me that it’s a difficult course, the fairways are beaten up, but the greens are nice. I then proceeded to play one of the most challenges courses of golf I have ever played… and enjoyed every minute of it! It’s reasonably price (~$ 20 for 9-​holes on a weekend). I know that it’s not your typical country-​club course that’s well-​kept, but I believe that’s what makes this course so fun to play on.
Be prepared to have a ton of fun (and some frustrating moments) at Gleneagles. The experience is definitely worth the amount I paid. I will definitely be back to improve my score!

This is a great test of golf, you have to think. and hit good shots and be able to read the greens. it’s that simple. To those whining about the tee boxes/​fairways. go play somewhere else, this is not the course for you. The Glen has character, and is a tough course, and it’s not for everyone which is fine by me. I think this place has some of the best greens around, if you can figure out these greens you will be back!

This review could be summarized in 2 words: I WISH
— I WISH it was half-​decently maintained:
They totally gave up on several components of this course. It’s like they had to pick who to push off the tower.
— I WISH Fairways have not been abandoned. They «kind of» take care of the Fairway areas you are suppose to land the ball (220 yards out for Par 4 and 5.) You are on dirt if you are short.
— I WISH Greens weren’t a lottery in term of conditions. It truly depends on the day and weather condition, but if there is something they work on, they are the greens.
— I WISH they had money to re-​vamp it.
— I WISH didn’t look like a dump with corroded trash bins overflowing with bottles and junk on the course.
If these wishes were to become reality I would be truly happy to be playing here, I still go, and it says it all.
Every time I go I feel like an inside hope to see it improved… hope is still there but course has not improved yet.
This course has so much freaking potential, it’s super challenging, it’s scenic (forget the project and look at the Bay on hole #3), people (staff and patrons) are cool and friendly.
Keeping my finger crossed for a brighter future.

This golf course is not the spawn of Satan, it is Satan.
A nine hole course with 18 separate set of tees to make an otherwise blissful morning round of golf into pure He**.
1^st hole. Locals tell me, aim left and your ball *should* end up on the right hand side of the fairway.
Really? Aim towards the woods?
So I did. A perfect drive with just a hint of a fade landing just off the fringe. Then my ball decides to slowly roll from the left hand side of the fairway and bounce it’s way to the right resting under a log.
I cursed. Yes I frickin’ did.
Bogey*. And fortunate at that.
This is the hardest 18 holes of golf I have ever encountered in the most beautiful city this side of Paris.
I would say leave the driver in the bag, but in reality it’s going to be long day no matter what.
* To make this story more dramatic, my «Bogey» was actually a «Double”/

Want a beautifully manicured fairway? Rough that looks like the fairway? Go play somewhere they make you tuck your shirt in…
Projects scare you? I hear the ‘burbs have nice big open courses where you will never see a homeless person or a pothole. Of course you would have to go live in the burbs then… It’s just people, people, living their lives as best they can.
Tree branches too much for you? See above… Up in Sacramento they have courses where the trees look like toothpicks… branches won’t bother you there and if you can’t drive straight you can still play.
Course too challenging? Try mini golf, I hear the putting is top notch.
Cats bother you, off in the distance? It’s not like they steal the balls. And they keep the rat population from the ‘scary projects’ down.
Greens too fast for you? I hear foam practice balls roll slower… Maybe that would help.
Tee boxes not pretty enough? What? your game is based on how pretty the tee boxes are? Really?
Wondering where the green in the pictures went when you go play in August? Can I just say Xeriscaping? Play in the spring if you need green. Or bring spray paint. I hear they use spray on green on the courses down in Santa Barbara during dry years…
Is the «hard dirt on the fairways» hurting your clubs? Try not hitting the dirt. Hit the ball instead, makes an amazing difference in the life of your irons, and in your handicap…
More expensive than (fill in anywhere other than San Francisco and Manhattan)? Well that may be because you aren’t in Kansas anymore, Toto.
Not scenic enough for you? Yosemite has a lovely course that has views. You are in the heart of a big city after all…
Oh my. No water fountains? No ball washers? Not enough yardage markers? Please, they have all those amenities at Harding and The Olympic. For a price, and on a limited availability. And tuck in yer shirt while you are at it…
If you miss the entrance slow down, you’re driving too damn fast.
Losing your balls among the clover flowers? Sounds as if you need bigger balls. Drop a new ball and play. Don’t slow up the course. Those nice guys behind you saying «No problem, take your time» are thinking «put a nickel in it, you ass». Let them play thru if you want to do an Easter egg hunt for lost balls.
Cart paths too rough for you? Pull or carry your bag like everyone else, save the cart fees and get some exercise you lazy sap.
If the course was maintained impeccably the fees would be absurd, instead of the complaints.
Whingers need not apply and no fornicating cats allowed.

The course gets 1 star, the nice staff makes it 2.
Lets start with the course. Although they claim 18 holes, its only 9 with different tee box locations. As others have mentioned, the fairways don’t really exist. Its mostly dirt, weeds, rocks, some various lengths of grass, and cats… seriously… cats everywhere. Usually most courses have problems with geese, but Gleneagles has a stray cat problem.
This course is definitely challenging, but not in a good way. It’s challenging because its in such terrible condition. I’d rather spend my money elsewhere.
The extra star goes to the staff. The barkeep/​starter was really nice when I got there. He asked me if this was my first time there (which it was) and he walked outside with me and gave me a few pointers on the course layout and some tips.
I’m making an effort to experience every course in SF, but I think one time at Gleneagles is enough for me. I probably won’t be headed back.

Last Sunday after 8am church with the missus, I pulled into Gleneagles’ half-​full parking lot expecting a quiet golf outing. I proceeded to walk into the pro shop, which to my delight wasn’t a pro shop at all, but rather a fully stocked bar. I uttered maybe two words before I was asked «fernet or jaeger?» and a fernet shot was thrust into my hand.
I need to start golf rounds like this more often.
The 9-​hole course is very difficult and they play «preferred lie,» meaning you’re allowed to move your ball within a club-​length on any shot because of the course’s difficulty. The course may be challenging, but it’s great fun and the people make it even better. Several members asked me to join their threesome which was great fun. The bartender /​course attendant Lisa was awesome as well.
The golf was great (esp for $ 22.50), but it was the fun, friendly culture that will bring me back to Gleneagles many times more.

Why is this place so cheap? Because you need the extra money to finance your balls.
Bring extra balls, and perhaps paint those balls bright pink! A few of our best drives, right down the middle and a decent amount of distance, resulted in lost balls, either because they blended in with the white flowers or got lost in the thick grass. There are all sorts of hidden ditches, dirt piles, and holes right in the middle of the fairways for balls to hide. The fairways aren’t mowed down low enough (maybe because it’s been too wet, but it was definitely dry today — no mud at all), and on some holes, all rough right beyond the tee box (yeah, I had some bad shots, admittedly).The fairways definitely needs to be kept up better, because hitting a decent drive but losing the ball in plain sight is way too frustrating.
Also, it was really strange that we were required to wear real golf shoes for the sake of the course’s condition, when it was pretty bad before we got there, from no fault of some shoes. However, the greens were in pretty good condition, and the people working here were really nice, so I’ve got to give some credit for that.
The comments from other Unilocalers about the ghetto aspect to this place is really undeserved and disheartening. It’s not dangerous or ugly there (well, the sign needs some work… tinyurl​.com/​4​y​a6vhd), and the comments about only a fence separating the course from the projects makes the residents of the neighborhood sound like zoo animals, not people. Fences typically delineate property lines, and I’ve seen plenty of them at golf courses, so I wouldn’t be concerned.