Metropolitan Golf Links

Breathtaking views and championship style golf await you in Oakland with today's feature: $39 for 18 Holes with Cart and Range Balls at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland ($82 Value. Expires August 30, 2013!)

Conveniently located on I-880, Metropolitan Golf Links is a top-notch facility with all the bells and whistles, overlooking the Bay Area with a nearly endless horizon. Offering a great golf experience on a classic links course, the spectacular view of the San Francisco Bay is an added bonus.

Course designers Johnny Miller and Fred Bliss call Metropolitan an "American links." Playing the wide-open fairways, puddle jumping from green to green, can present a unique challenge. The layout of the course presents a particular challenge — the direction of the wind changes from hole to hole. As expected in a links-style design, there are few bunkers and water hazards, but the ones that are present are perfectly positioned. So, strategy and shot selection will be critical to find the greens.

Testing all levels of players on four sets of tees, Metropolitan Golf Links stretches out over 7,000 yards from the back tees. The balanced front and back nines couple to play for a par of 72. Choosing your route over the straight holes, doglegs and double-dogleg changes from round to round and there are many ways to score well, even with a slightly above-par course rating of 73.8/131.

Besides the fantastic round, Metropolitan Golf Links also is home to several other options for improving your golf skills. First, the Winner of the NCGA Golf Magazine Best Driving Range in the East Bay Area — one of the only all-grass ranges in the Bay Area — tends to your full-swing practice needs. The private short game area give golfers access to a two-hole location, practice bunker, and two-target green, perfect for chipping and putting. Finally, professional instruction is top-notch, capitalizing on the pristine practice facilities.