In the hilly landscape of Poway in San Diego s North County, Maderas Golf Club stands out as one of the premier public-access courses in all of Southern California. It s a popular high-end tee-time option located roughly 45 minutes from the heart of downtown San Diego. In 2000, Johnny Miller collaborated with Robert Muir Graves, making it one of the last designs in Graves s long career. Not long after Maderas Golf Club opened it appeared on Golf Digest s Top-100 Public Courses list. It remains a fixture on Golf Advisor s Top Courses in California honor roll. Though elegant homes sit on ridges above the playing field, the routing spreads out in the gorgeous ruggedly hilly Southern California countryside. Players often feel like they are immersed in a natural realm. While the setting is inspiring, this course presents a tough challenge for golfers of all skill levels. With six sets of tee markers, Maderas Golf Club extends from 4,967 yards to 7,167 yards. For your enjoyment of the game, it s critical to choose the correct tee box. Forced carries off the tee and narrow fairways make for a very tough challenge. Maderas Golf Club s fairway turf is nice to hit from, but it also yields considerable roll out. Since the terrain tilts throughout the routing, balls often roll into either the rough or much worse trouble. Even from the fairways, lies and stances are often either canted or possibly awkward. When you get to the putting surfaces, the undulating greens are no guarantee of a two-putt. Maderas Golf Club s large greens are multi-tiered with lots of slope. The tone of the round at Maderas Golf Club is set right from the start with two decidedly uphill holes followed by a big downhill par 5 highlighted by a fabulous panoramic view. The whole day presents test after test of thrilling variety. The stronger and more exhilarating back nine features numerous back and forth holes etched into a hillside. With the beauty, challenge and variety of holes 14 through 18, Maderas Golf Club rewards players with as enthralling a finishing stretch as you ll find in the San Diego realm. Those who want to warm up before their tee times will find a driving range, a short game area with practice bunkers, and a putting green. The club also has a snack bar and grill restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and a view of the 18th hole. The entire staff at the club takes pride in providing friendly and devoted customer service. Maderas Golf Club is by no means an inexpensive tee time, but it s one of San Diego s finest courses and not to be missed.