Nine Hole Courses

Blackberry Farm GC

22100 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, 95014. Pro Shop (408) 253-9200. Fax 255-5235.

Fairly nice 9 hole Municipal course. Good for beginners. Par is 29, for women and men (same tees), and yardage is 3182. Fees are $6-$18.

• This one is great, if you like waiting!

Emerald Hills GC

938 Wilmington Way, Redwood City, 94062. Pro Shop (415) 368-7820. Fax 366-4760.

9 holes, par 54 (54.2). Green Fees: $5-$10. No power carts.

Gavilan GC

5055 Santa Theresa Blvd., Gilroy, 95020. Pro Shop (408) 848-1363. Fax 848-2716.

9 holes, 3795 yards from the blue tees. Green Fees: $9-$15. Cart Fee: $16. Par is 60 (57.5), 60 (57.5), and 60 (59.5) from the blue, white, and red tees, respectively.

Gilroy GC

2695 Hecker Pass Road, Gilroy, 95020. Pro Shop: (408) 848-0490. Fax: 842-2409.

Municipal, 9 holes. Green Fees: $12-$20. Cart Fee: $22. Yardage is 5939 from the blue tees. Par is 69 (68.6), and 72 (70.5) for the blue/white, and red/yellow tees, respectively.

• Here's one with kids tees!

Gleneagles International GC

2100 Sunnydale Avenue, San Francisco, 94134. Pro Shop: (415) 587-2425. Fax: 587-8434.

9 holes, 6042 yards from blue tees. Green Fees: $11-$24. Cart Fee: $ $22. Par is 72 (73.6) from black, 70 (71.1) from blue, and 72 (75.6) form yellow.

• Quite a tough "9 holer."

Pleasanton Fairways GC

Oval of the Racetrack, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, 94566. Pro Shop: (510) 462-4653.

9 holes, 3428 yards from white (and only) tees. Green fees are$8-$19.50. No power carts. Par is 60 (55.9) for men and 60 (57.7) for women.

Pruneridge

400 N. Saratoga Ave., Santa Clara, 95050. Pro Shop: (408) 248-4424. Fax: 248-4424.

9 holes, 3720 yards from white tees. Green fees are $10-$12 and half price, on weekdays, for children with a provided discount card. Par is 62 (56.3) from white, and 62 (60.0) for women. Double deck driving range and lessons are available. Located on Saratoga Ave. just north of Pruneridge.

• This is one of our favorite "9-holers." This course is usually in good condition, and is pretty easy to get on, even with late notice. Excellent for beginners. Also has special kid's tees.

Sherwood Greens GC

1050 North Main Street, Salinas, 93906. Pro Shop: (408) 758-7333.

9 holes, 2646 yards from yellow/red tees. Green Fees: $5.50-$11. Cart Fee: $10 (for seniors only). Par is 56 (53.7) from yellow/red for men, and 56 (56.1) from yellow/red for women.

Springtown GC

939 Larkspur Drive, Livermore, 94550. Pro Shop: (510) 455-5695. Fax: 455-0152.

9 holes, 5710 yards from blue tees. Green Fees: $12-$20. Cart Fee $20. Par is 70 (67.1) from blue/white (for men), 70 (70.4) from white (for women), and 70 (67.9) from red.

Valley Gardens GC

263 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 95066. Pro Shop: (408) 438-3058.

9 holes, 3530 yards from white tees. Green Fees: $8-$11. Pull-cart: $1.50. Par is 60 (56.5) from white, and 64 (57.4) from red.