I have played Stevinson Ranch Golf Club a handful of times over the last few years. The course is in a rural setting a little south of Turlock and about halfway between Interstate 5 and Highway 99. The group I normally play with at Stevinson is spread throughout the Bay Area and the Central Valley – so Stevinson is quite convenient for all of us.

I guess I’ll get the bad news out of the way first. If you want to play Stevinson Ranch on a weekend before the twilight rate starts then the green fee is $95 – which is too much. So, I normally play in the afternoon when the rate drops to $45. Also, take it slow on the back roads getting here as they are bumpy and have lots of potholes. Besides those things, Stevinson should be a good experience.

Overall, I’ve found the course fun to play and can usually shoot my handicap here. I most recently played from the champion tees (72.7/129/6646). The first hole is a bit tricky with some trees to avoid, but then the course is straightforward until the 13th hole. The closing holes can be difficult, especially if the wind is blowing.

There is a good mix of short and long par-4’s and the par-5’s are reachable, even from the back tees. That can lead to some pars and birdies. The par-3’s force you to pick a line for a birdie, but there are bail out areas if needed. The layout allows for some wild shots and if the tall grass is cut down, then there are only a few hazards to worry about. The playability is one of the best things about the course.

The conditions are usually very good. However, for today’s round I’d say things were just so-so. The greens were cut longer and had some variance in turf quality. The fairways and tees were in good shape.

Stevinson Ranch always seems to be rated well by the various golf magazines. And, I can see why. I’ve always enjoyed my rounds here as long as I avoid the nearly $100 green fee. For a course in the Central Valley, Stevinson Ranch is as good as it gets. I’ll say that if I have to pick between either of Diablo Grande’s courses or Stevinson Ranch, I’d give the edge to Diablo Grande – just because I like the hilly setting better.

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):