San Geronimo Golf Course

The hills may scare you on the drive in, but this roller-coaster has a gentle start, and not too many bumps.

San Geronimo Golf Course features enough twists and turns to keep you interested, as well as solid conditions and a not-too-extravagant price. All in all, it's a solid deal that's worth playing more than once.

The 1967 Robert Muir Graves track - Graves also designed Paradise Valley in Fairfield and worked on Green Valley's redesign - is located just west of Fairfax and has received plenty of awards in the North Bay area.

The reasons are simple. Graves combined well-placed bunkers with undulating greens and enough trees to keep you honest. Throw in water on half the holes, and a wild ride on the back nine, and you have a challenge that still can yield a good score.

San Geronimo measures just 6,801 yards from the black tees, but still has a 73.5 rating with a 138 slope.

Score early. Graves started with a straightaway par-4, followed by a short, straight par-5, that should put a smile on your face.

The signature third hole, a long par-3 over a hazard with two bunkers fronting the green, follows. Ignore the water and trust your yardage, even though you may have to add a club into the prevailing wind.

The fourth and fifth holes are long, but still straightaway. Keep your good round going and then hold on.

The sixth hole should give you a wake-up call, a short par-4 across a hazard with all kinds of tree trouble down the right side. Hope you miss left if you miss at all.

Water comes into play on the next two holes, and the front side ends with a short par-4 that is deceptively tough, with an uphill approach to a tricky, three-tiered green.

The back nine is wonderful, if you can keep your wits. It's much tougher than the front, but also more fun. The greens also are noticeably smaller, so make sure your irons are warmed up.

It starts with a great dogleg-left par-5 with an elevated tee. Resist the temptation to cut the corner and aim for the trees on the right. There's nothing but trouble down the left side.

No. 11 may be the hardest hole on the track, a long, dogleg-left par-4 with an approach across a creek to a well-guarded green.

More beauty awaits. In fact, the only hole that really makes you shrug your shoulders is No. 14, a roller-coaster of a par-4 with a blind tee shot uphill. Take the extra time and drive to the top of the hill first, then aim just left of the barber pole.

The finish is excellent, with a short par-4 to an elevated green at No. 16, followed by a dogleg-left par-5 at 17 (again, don't try to cut the corner).

No. 18 is one of the best holes you'll find anywhere, a dogleg-left par-4 around the biggest pond on the course. A tree also guards the middle of the fairway, and the small green is fronted by two bunkers.

The upside here is variety, especially on the back nine. You should use every club in your bag, and a good score will definitely give you a great sense of accomplishment.

Conditions also are solid, and the greens are true, if a little slower than you may be used to. The cartpaths could use a little work, so don't let your foot get too far from the brake.

There is no sprinkler-head yardage, but there are 200-, 150- and 100-yard markers on every hole. The course also has a high-quality yardage book that gives other pertinent information.

Shortcomings are few, but include minimal signage. Drive under Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to get from No. 2 to No. 3, and go past the clubhouse and over the bridge to get to the back nine. When in doubt, consult the map on the back of the scorecard.

The fees also are a little steep, but not too exorbitant. And after all, this is Marin. Give your pocketbook a break and play during the week.

The 65-mile drive also may test your patience, but take a deep breath on Highway 37 and you'll be fine. The real fun is driving the back nine in your cart.

Directions - Take Interstate 80 west to Highway 37 west. Take Highway 101 south. Take the Central San Rafael exit. Turn right on Third Street, which turns into Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Stay on Sir Francis Drake for eight miles. The entrance to the course is on the right.