Bodega Harbour Golf Links

Robert Trent Jones Jr. had a perfect round going, if only he had taken a mulligan on the first hole.

When you play Bodega Harbour Golf Links (and you should), remember that even venerable golf course designers can break unwritten design rules ... and still come away with one an absolutely wonderful track.

Jones seemingly ignored the give-players-an-easy-hole-to-start-their-day axiom, starting the round with arguably the toughest hole on the course. But take your bogey (or worse), soak in some of the best scenery this side of Pebble Beach, and record some low scores on some of the later, easier holes, and you'll soon forget what a tough beginning you had.

Bodega Harbour has it all - uphill holes, downhill holes, left and right doglegs, small greens, big greens, blind shots, lots of bunkers and a unique finishing set. And, of course, more than a dozen holes with views of the Pacific Ocean.

It also has a price that won't kill your wallet - just $60 with a cart during the week, $45 if you want to hoof it. Special deals also are available on the website at www.bodegaharbourgolf.com.

And it's closer than you might think, just 80 miles from Vacaville.

A look at the scorecard can be deceiving. The par-70 course is just 6,253 yards from the blue tees, and a mere 5,711 from the whites.

Of course, most of the holes are open to the wind that can whip along the coast. Fog can be another problem, and the dense air can leave you wondering why your driver isn't carrying as far.

There are also dozens of costly homes throughout the track, and the "golfers are responsible for window damage" signs can make you think twice about letting out some shaft.

The jitters can start on the first tee, where homes line both sides of a narrow fairway. The first is the No. 3 handicap hole on the course probably is the toughest on the track ... unlike almost every other course you can think of.

The uphill, dogleg-right par-4 is 404 yards from the blues, and a flat lie in the fairway is about as hard to find as an affordable mortgage. It also has eight well-placed bunkers, and a sloping green.

The fairway mounding, reminiscent of Scottish style courses, continues for a few holes, but then the real fun begins.

Forget about using your driver on the fifth hole, a double-dogleg par-5. Rely on the $5 yardage book to guide you to a par ... or better.

Next up is the rare treat of back-to-back par-3s, followed by a short par-5 that even high-handicappers can reach in two (maybe).

More fun awaits on the back side, highlighted by the finishing threesome that takes golfers through a freshwater marshland, known as "The Pit."

The 16th is a classic risk-reward hole, a dogleg left that measures just 303 yards from the blues. The longer you choose to carry the ball over the marsh off the tee, the shorter your approach.

Remember to take your clubs with you, because you cross a bridge to the fairway and don't return to your cart until after the par-3 17th hole. There's not much worse than facing a tough tee shot over a hazard with the wrong club in your hands.

The 18th is the longest par-4 on the track, but it's all downhill after the drive. More bunkers guard a small green.

Relax at the beautiful restaurant afterward, then plan your next visit ... course knowledge is crucial, and you'll swear you can improve your score by a half-dozen shots on your second go-around.

Remember to invest the extra $5 for the yardage book. It is thorough, and should save the first-time player at least a few strokes.

The greens are true, they hold, and there is great variety in the size, shape and slope. The fairways are solid and rewarding once you get past the Scottish-style beginning.

There are some downsides. The course is cart-path-only, and while there are yardage plates every 25 yards from 225 yards to 75, you will do plenty of walking and pacing. And because of the wind and the hills, you'll probably need to take at least two clubs with you every time you leave the cart.

But the drawbacks are minor. This is truly a beautiful, fun track, and it's easy to see why it made California Golf's list of the top 50 courses in the state.

Directions - Take Interstate 80 west to Highway 12. Take Highway 116 west to Highway 101 north for only a mile. Take the East Washington Street - Central Petaluma exit and head west. Follow the signs to Valley Ford and Bodega Bay. Look for the "Golfing" signs.