In my previous life as a software salesperson, I played a lot of public golf in the bay area. Of course, this was only after hitting 100% of my quota for the month. A good portion of that golf was played at one of my favorite spots just south of San Jose, CA, Cinnabar Hills. After a decade as a golf photographer, fortune smiled upon me when I got the call to capture the magic of Cinnabar Hills on an official photoshoot. It was time to return to my previous stomping grounds.
There are 27 holes of golf at Cinnabar hills with 3 separate 9 hole golf courses. The Lake, Mountain and Canyon courses all offer a unique set of challenges and were all designed by John Harbottle III. Playing through the trees and through the undulating terrain, the Canyon is by far the most dramatic and unique set of golf holes. The Lake and Mountain wind over the rolling hills of southern San Jose and play through sprawling terrain. Fortunately for the photographer, dramatic views spill out on just about every hole. Here are my favorite 10 images from my return to San Jose at Cinnabar Hills.
#10 - Wooden Fence From the Fescue
The 8th hole on the Mountain course is not only fun to look at but also a lot of fun to play, just make sure to keep it inside of the fences. I love when I am able to compose a shot that has a compositional element snaking diagonally out of the frame. This particular fence suits my preferences just right and it guides the viewer’s eyes to the 8th green set into the base of the hillside. The late evening sun lights up the fairway and excites my golf soul.
#9 - Misty Mountain Hop
Despite the Led Zeppelin namesake for this photograph, this is the opening hole on the Canyon nine. Vapors began to rise from the ground as the dense early morning fog lifted and the sun began to hit the dew soaked turf. It was a glorious little moment with the sun’s rays shooting through the clouds that only lasted several moments. The first green is tucked into a cozy setting in the hillside and offers a taste of the challenges to come.
#8 - Opening Cliffside Conundrum
A big drive on the first hole of the Lake course will give the golfer an opportunity to reach this green in two shots. However, any less than pure approach will confront a myriad of hazards short and to the left. The wise and patient golfer lays out to the right and plays a wedge in for a chance at birdie. I like to chunk my approach into the bunkers and try my chances from the sand. A slight elevation from the drone does a great job at revealing the entirety of the hazards. A beautiful wispy blue sky completes the photograph.
#7 - Shadows and Sand
The third hole on the Lake course offers a downhill and dramatic opening tee shot. However, I much prefer the look from the right hand side of the golf hole on the approach to the green as the sun begins to eclipse the green. A strong white flag in the front of the green really captures the viewer’s attention set against the shady brush beyond the green.
#6 - Lake Party on the Lake
The 7th hole on the Lake course offers one of the few encounters with a water hazard at Cinnabar Hills. Like many other holes at Cinnabar Hills, this one is a lot of fun to play. A hazard limits length off of the tee box, so almost every golfer is forced to confront the dangers of the lake on the left. The dramatic skies add a nice touch to this elevated drone shot left and short of the green.
#5 - Live Oaks and a Long Iron
The 2nd hole on the Canyon course has always been one of my favorite golf holes at Cinnabar Hills. Nothing more than a long iron is required from the tee box and the short approach shot plays over a dry creek bed to a tucked and multi tiered green. Here we find the putting surface shining in the late morning light from the right hand side of the golf hole. Another wooden fence adds some character as the Canyon nine begins to set the tone.
#4 - Warming Up
When I warm up at Cinnabar Hills I like to pop over the left hand side of the driving range and take in this grand vista. It is just a few steps up the embankment and this view will be revealed. Once again we find one of the most scenic holes at Cinnabar, the first on the Lake Course. If this little preview doesn’t get you excited to go play some golf, then there is something wrong with your golf sensibilities.
#3 - Morning Delight
The 5th hole on the Mountain course gets some of the best early morning light on the entire property as the trees on the nearby hillside cast perfect shadows across the green and the fairway. Usually I like to hustle around the golf course to catch a plethora of early morning photographs from different vantage points. However, this was such an enjoyable spot on the golf course, that I spent the majority of the morning enjoying the view and making sure that I got this photograph just right.
#2 - Seventeen at Sunset
There is no finer place to spend the final few moments of daylight at Cinnabar Hills than on the highest point on the property. The 8th hole is a glorious par 3 perched on top of the canyon and looks absolutely spectacular as the sun goes down. Most golfers will also remember the upcoming and dramatic downhill 9th hole which provides a sprawling view of the entire property. Do your best to arrive on the 8th hole, hopefully your 17th, just in time for sunset and you will be rewarded handsomely.
#1 - Layers on Layers
One of my favorite things to find as a golf course photographer is a composition that offers a multitude of layers with slightly different tones of color. This view from beyond the 1st hole of the Mountain course looking towards the 4th hole provides exactly that. All of my photographs in this top 10 have layers, but this photograph has approximately 16 layers that all blend seamlessly from one to another. When I first noticed this composition, I slammed on the golf cart breaks hard. I quickly composed my shot and captured the magic. John Harbottle III certainly had a way of creating views that would stop you in your tracks.
Cinnabar Hills is conveniently located about 45 minutes south of SFO airport on your way towards the Monterey Peninsula. You can usually find a tee time for around $100 and it provides a great option for some public golf in the bay area. The entire experience feels remote and you will not find a single residence near the golf course. Be sure to see why the locals love Cinnabar Hills and book your tee time today.