Hello oobers!

I'm Stewart, originally from Scotland but thrown out of my country for not being able to play golf, a legal requirement for all males over the age of 18. So, I found myself in the San Francisco Bay Area and figured that if I ever want my passport back, I should probably learn this curiously addictive sport.

I've had a couple of lessons, bought some clubs even, but it's still early days. I measure my success not in decreasing numbers of strokes but in decreasing numbers of balls lost. Right now my lost ball index (LBI) is about 2.4. Considering that the only course I've played is the 9-hole all-par-3 course in Golden Gate Park, where the greatest water hazard you'll face is a small muddy puddle just behind the 7th green and sand traps all have Auto Putt'n'Returns installed, you can see that I've got some way to go.

Tomorrow I play my first full 18 holes. Wish me luck and, if you're on a plane near Oakland airport tomorrow, I wish you luck, too!

bm~

Well you picked a nice city to live in and it has some wonderful public golf courses like Lincoln, Harding or Sharp. If you're on the east bay, Tilden Park has a great layout and I like the view of the bay from Lake Chabot GC (as well as the 600 yd, par 6, 18th hole).

Thanks for the tips! I hadn't heard of Tilden but I'll be sure to check it out. I'm going to play Sharp Park this weekend. Figured I should get a round in before they close it .

I had a trip to Napa Valley a few months ago and played 3 really nice courses. Hiddenbrooke, Paradise Valley, and Blue Rock Springs. You are fortunate to have so many quality places to play there. Hope to go back soon.