Peacock Gap Golf Club

Played here for the first time over the weekend and came away disappointed. Its not a horrible course, but for $ 90 with a cart, its hardly worth it especially if you compare it to courses that are in the same vicinity such as San Geronimo.
Lets start with the good. The course has a great layout. It has some great and visual appealing par 3s. It has great vibe with the deer roaming around the course. The driving range is very nice and you’re hitting off the grass. The staff is great. Everyone was super nice and awesome from the guys at the pro shop to the starter, to the service cart to the marshall. We got paired with two guys walking that not only played slowed, but walked slow as well. Combine that with the fact that they weren’t that good lead the marshall to give us a heads up to pick up the pace, but he wasn’t an ass about it like some courses I’ve been to.
Now the bad. The course is in bad shape. The fairways had plenty of dirt spot. More than you’d suspect for paying that kind of dough to pay. A perfect drive down the middle doesn’t always result in a good lie. I’m also no stranger to geese poop, but on #16 (par 3), it could have easily been the best par 3 on the course. When we got to the tee, there was around 100 geese on and around the green. I hit a shot right on to the green and the geese didn’t even flinch. I literally had to shovel poop off the green with a wedge in order to putt. Everyone in our group had to. That pile we all shoveled off to the side had to have been near a foot tall.
I rarely walk off a course thinking that it was severely overpriced, but after the round was over here, I felt kind of ripped off. Not only is this course in bad condition, but its also short. If this course was even in decent condition, I wouldn’t have any complaint. It definitely has potential. But for the price, go play San Geronimo which is $ 25 cheaper. I know you have to look at the location of a course but since I’m willing to drive everywhere in the Bay Area to play golf, I have to compare each to all that I have played. So I had to think about all the courses I’ve played that were $ 90 – 100 or less (with a cart) that I would play before playing Peacock Gap again. Poppy Ridge is $ 97 on a weekend and 100x nicer than this course. I mentioned San Geronimo. I’m in SF and play Harding Park for that same price. So the list would be pretty long.

Beautiful course. Never overly packed. Price with cart is reasonable but it did go up.
Grass driving range.
$ 17 for a large bucket (about 100 balls). Way overpriced if you ask me. Crazy .
Food here is great. Gotta try it.

Beware Unilocalers, the management of this golf course is now inflicting punishment on Unilocalers. After a very bad experience last year with a rude pro shop attendant for which I left a bad review and subsequently wrote a letter to the management and head pro for which I got the response that I, the customer, was wrong, and he, the rude employee was right. I also got a limp canned reach out from the company that they apparently hired to right the ship (read all previous bad reviews that refer to rudeness) and I decided to let it go at that. I should mention that I have been playing Peacock Gap since 1987. 1987! I was in the hospitality business for 30 years. I should also mention — and you may look at my reviews — that I have given glowing reviews and not so good reviews. In fact, Unilocal has invited me to be a ‘Elite Squad” reviewer. Regarding Peacock, I have NEVER been treated so rudely and I have NEVER treated anyone in such a way when I was in the hospitality business. In fact, an apology was usually the protocol. Apparently, Peacock Gap plays by it’s own rules.
Today, I decided to give the course another try and made a tee time with my name for four players. I was met outside the pro shop by the head pro who informed me I was banned from Peacock. Apparently, since he mentioned the Unilocal review I had made, Unilocaling bad reviews gets you kicked out of Peacock Gap. My two friends and I left the course never to return.
Let’s ask the question. Who kicks customers out after 29 years of business?

I have been playing a Peacock for twenty years now and I have to say that after many years of challenges that over the last five every year is better than the last. First the course, it is a flat course, get over yourself if you think that is boring. The tee boxes and fairways are both in good shape, level and well maintained. They lost a few greens due to a fungus a few years ago but they are back and in very good shape. They layout itself is pretty good, you need to be able to work the ball both ways off the tee most of the par fives are reachable but you need to hit two good shots and all but the 10^th is a challenging par three. If the rough is grown out is can be challenging but most of the time they keep it down and you should be able to shoot a good score here. There is water that comes into play on a number of holes so be mindful.
The starter and pro shop guys a effiecient and friendly, I wish they had a marshall that was a bit more aggresive. (Please stay up with the group in front of you!). The shop itself has the bare essentials ie balls tees and rentals but not much else. They do rent push carts though, a nice option on this track.
The beer cart is rarely timely or well stocked so hit up the shop before and at the turn. I will never understand this it. Should be a no brainer.
The food at the restaurants is pretty good, about what you would expect and maybe a little better for a golf course. The service tends to be slow and not very professional. They are all very nice and mean well but not very professional or well trained.

I really enjoyed playing this course! It is in a nice area of San Rafael, it has a grass driving range and it is walkable. The course itself is very flat and pretty easy to play. No matter where your ball lands, most likely you will still have a relatively straight shot to the green. Also, the ladies tee box gives you a great advantage which I really appreciate!
When we were there about ²⁄₃ of the course was in great shape and the other ¹⁄₃ wasn’t. So just keep that in mind. They also nickel and dime you. A small bucket of range balls is $ 9, small bucket. And lastly, each tee time is 9 minutes apart. So I would recommend getting out before 8 or you will probably be spending a decent amount of time waiting at each hole.

I love this course. Excellent grass driving range and a professional staff. The course is fun and challenging. When we played it was the beginning of fall. The greens where very bumpy and long. Some of the holes where hardpan with grassy patches. In all fairness we are in the middle of a drought. The golf carts are equipped with GPS which makes it easy to calculate distance from the hole.

The latest incarnation of Peacock Gap is yet another failure, of sorts. First the good news, It finally got made into an easy playing muni course with reasonable rates and good amenities. The website is good, it’s all spruced up and the greens, tee boxes and fairways are usually in good shape. It does have a good driving range where you can hit off natural grass and when relaxing you are in a wonderful pastoral setting.
Here is the bad news: Management is not fit to run a business in the service industry. The owners are movie theater tycoons and their management style reflects this. They are bean counters. Tee times are booked too closely together so play is often slow and an occasional 6 hour round can be had more than occasionally. Bar drinks are poured weak, food is overpriced and service can be abysmal. All of these things happen everywhere, but the modus operandi at Peacock Gap appears to be to never-​ever make it better.
I have waited 45 minutes to tee off and when i walked off i was not given a refund but was instead offered a rain check. I have waited 20 minutes for a plate of tacos after waiting 20 minutes to order and when I cancelled the order so that I could leave i was told it would be right up, which it was, but cold, and when I then refused to take it i was told i could switch to something else but i would still be charged. They will never donate anything, time, money facilities, anything to charitable organizations or schools but instead gouge at every opportunity. If you are ever wronged, even when they admit it is their screw up, you will never ever be able to find a manager or supervisor in any way empowered to make it right or refund your money.
In summation, if you want a nice easy round of golf in a nice setting with reasonable prices then go to Peacock Gap with the understanding that your round may be delayed for hours, your food might be cold, your beer warm and the warm and friendly staff will always graciously allow you to fill out a survey card so that you can rate your experience which they will immediately pass along to the management who will use it to wipe their behinds.
Go to Indian Valley or San Geronimo instead.

I have been playing at Peacock for 20 years. The property has changed hands a few times during these years, and there have been ups and downs. But in the recent past I have experienced poor course conditions and poor management than I have in the past. A friend of mine have been playing on weekday afternoons for a number of years, and more recently our experience has been less than stellar for various reasons. We have encountered slow play over the last months. One time we were paired with two golfers that did not handle slow play all that well, and at one point during the first nine holes almost came to blows with the offending group ahead! But today a whole new facet of poor management occurred. We went off the first tee with a single directly ahead of us and a twosome ahead of him. The first nine holes took my friend and I one hour and fifty minutes to play! We were thinking how we might be able to complete the course in well under four hours, and being we started the round at almost three o’clock, the thought of getting home for dinner at a reasonable hour was exciting! But, after exiting the ninth green and walking to the tenth tee our hopes were dashed. There was a foursome on the tenth tee and another foursome on the green. My friend and I just did an about face and called it a day. Before leaving, I went to the pro shop and asked if they had just let groups go off the tenth tee. The employee said they had indeed allowed that to happen. There is a need for some new ideas on course management here. Promoting fast play and customer service should be paramount!

This is a fun, pretty easy course. You can find good deals depending on when you actually want to play, but their prime-​time prices are pretty steep and not really worth it. Only problem is it’s a bit of a hike finding another course if you want to play in Marin (San Geronimo is next closest — more difficult and less «fancy». Or scoot up the road to Petaluma and consider Rooster Run or Oakmont.)
It’s an easy course to walk, quite flat. I’m a fairly high handicapper and played on a Wednesday at 2 PM in 3 hours (walking). If you take a cart they recently installed GPS — nice!
They do have a pretty good indoor/​outdoor restaurant and bar and do a number of specials (like $ 1 oysters, etc.) and a cart is usually comes around pretty often.
They have a pretty good free chipping/​putting area. However, I find it pretty outrageous that they charge $ 9 (!!) for 30 balls at their driving range. They tout that they are a grass driving range, but Rooster Run has a very nice grass range (and super practice area in general) and you get 105 balls for $ 10.
Currently (in the drought) the greens are good and soft, the rough is pretty well shaved down and the tee boxes and a fair amount of the fairways are pretty dry.

This is a great course for everyone from beginning to pro level. Of the 18 holes, there are many fun and challenging ones, but also the occasional chance at birdie or eagle. The greens are in great shape and there are a few fun holes abounding ponds/​lagoons. Overall, a great course for a better price.

Played Peacock Gap the other day and didn’t think it was in very good shape. I hadn’t played there for awhile and was surprised to learn that the price had gone up 2 dollars for a round on Monday morning. Then went I started playing the course the first hole that I came to that had water on it it smelled like a sewage plant! The whole course smelled horrible so it wasn’t very enjoyable. I asked somebody that worked there and he blew me off with the excuse of «It’s the city’s fault». I will not be playing there any time soon.

It’s a step above a basic muni course. The greens have finally come back after a long battle. The price has crept up and up and now it is way overpriced for the level of course — however the pace of play is better than normal. The price ($ 104 for a Sunday round and a small bucket) may be turning away a lot of people. It’s certainly not worth the price. The staff is very nice.

Very poor service bartender very bad no food service and drinks very watered down …

What struck me most about this course were the awesome homes alongside the course. Once in awhile our foursome would stop just to admire the homes. Driving from the City, we began to fantasize about living here as we kept seeing our dream home.
We checked in at the pro shop amd was greeted by the friendly staff. Later when we finished, the staff welcomed us back. The most friendly staff we’ve encountered.
This course is very long, and has several hidden creeks. We pushed our carts. I don’t think we’ll do that again. Go with an electric cart. Save your energy.
Not far from the City; great weather; nice greens.
No specials but affordable green fees.

It’s a good course– decently maintained, fairly friendly to the average golfer, walkable, great practice facility, terrific instructors, competitive green fees.
My issue is the same with most courses these days– no 9 hole rate. PGA acknowledges golf is in decline, and has made a push to make it more popular. One way they have is to encourage 9 hole play. There have been numerous articles about it and in fact July 23 was USGA sponsored Play 9 day. Handicaps are posted via combined scores. I know I’m not alone in that I just can’t put 4 hours into a golf game these days, well over 5 when you time it from leaving and arriving home.
I asked about it at the pro shot and got a snickered, ‘no.’ When asked why not, I got a shrug. I was told I was welcome to play nine and pay the full 18 rate– um no. So I wrote the GM and head pro, with suggestions like offpeak only, long lunch 9’s, back 9 only, trial basis etc. I never even got a ‘no thanks.’ Take a star off for customer neglect.
I know it would take effort for the starters to time it, but they do have starters, so it wouldn’t result in anarchy, especially if 9’ers were only allowed during the slowest times. And, it can’t be so hard to manage that it you turn away anyone that wants to get in and out without an all day experience. There can’t be many people going out after 3PM in the winter, and no golf course is so busy to ignore filling gaps. Meanwhile, Peacock is off my rotation and I’m giving the two nine hole courses in the county all my golf money.

Place was great. Especially when they allow a bunch of Unilocaling goofballs in! Chef Mario was working his tail off at the mashed potato station. Met a bunch of new people that I hope to see again! Oscar Blues and Gloria were a nice treat. Love Unilocal’s Field Trips. A great big thanks to Kevin, Marina and all of the staff!

Since the complete remodel of the event facility, restaurant & bar — This place really is destination worthy.
The location and views are beautiful. During spring the surrounding hills are verdant. This is one of the prettiest places in Marin county.
I enjoyed the food at the restaurant. Some creativity happening with competent prep.
I hit a basket of balls and used the practice putting green. The condition of the grass in those areas is good, certainly better than my home course (Oakmont in Santa Rosa, Sonoma county).
I plan to play a round soon and will post an update.

The course is good, love the real grass driving range, staff is extremely friendly and they have some amazing instructors. Definitely the best golf course I’ve been to and the range café is delicious.
Not only that but they’ve doubled the size of the parking lot and have a new clubhouse. Keep on the good work,
Eliot

Ok I finally went back to Peacock Gap for the 1^st time since March… I will start with the good.
The conditions were great. What Peacock Gap has done with the greens is remarkable. Slightly slow but what a turnaround from last spring! We could easily make putts now. The conditions and the course I give 4 stars. All of the staff I encountered were courteous, warm & friendly.
However we had other golfers bark at our group a couple of times. Why do the regulars /​members feel compelled to marshall the course themselves with anger & selfishness so quickly? The way is see it, if you don’t respect your fellow golfers you are disrespecting the game and for certain the course you are playing.
We were a 4 some following a 3 some. This 2 some behind us caught up to us at the 4^th hole & started yelling at us on the 5^th. There was plenty of room for courtesy here. We would have let them play through if they would have asked. We were all playing our shots as soon as we got to the ball and playing «ready golf».
A little courtesy goes a long way but anger goes nowhere good. It colored the rest of our round… and not a pretty color.
They need to realize Peacock gap is a PUBLIC course and we were playing on a sunday morning. Not exactly conditions to expect «fly through 18» golf.
One could say that there is always a couple of bad apples, etc. but this has happened the last 3 times I’ve played Peacock Gap. And like I said, I do not experience this anywhere else and I play every week (at least once). I have played San Geronimo 6 mornings in the last 6 weeks & have had nothing but pleasant interactions with other golfers… for example. Just read other reviews and you will find this is not an isolated incident.
If it weren’t for the rude golfers Peacock Gap would easily get 4 stars. I strongly encourage Peacock gap to contact their members and remind them how important courtesy to other golfers is to the course & the game. (I can describe the twosome PGGC if needed)

Worst greens on the planet.
I would rather putt on the tarmac at JFK!
Come on guys you cannot charge 36 bucks in the afternoon for something like that.
Hard pan greens (basically for non golfers is hardened mud ground) are a disaster.
Fairways are okay.
If this course had good greens it would be really fun as I appreciate the layout and the terrain.