There is a golf course in Corning, California that stands not as a pastoral retreat but as a shimmering hallucination in the dried-out gut of the Sacramento Valley. It is called The Links at Rolling Hills, and it was designed, against all odds and sane advice, by the eternal outlaw of American golf: John Daly. Yes, that John Daly. The man of mullets, Marlboros, and mid-round Diet Cokes. A living contradiction—half-savant, half-shambling Greek tragedy—who somehow poured his chaotic gospel into 18 holes of scorched earth and impossible ambition. This course is not merely shaped by Daly's vision. It is haunted by it. From the first tee, you feel it. The fairway dares you. The bunkers leer like open mouths. The wind is not a natural occurrence here—it is a spiritual trial, summoned by the wrath of some ancient force displeased with the irrigation system. Daly did not design this place for balance or serenity. He designed it the way a man builds a fortress during a nervous breakdown: big, bold, fearless, and full of doom. The layout has the markings of a man who once drove a ball 400 yards through a headwind and then lost to his own appetite. There are elevated tees that make you believe you can fly, followed by greens that punish every delusion. On the back nine, the land folds in on itself. The fairways twist like the corridors of a dream. The par-3s are short but violent. The par-5s are invitations to hubris. And yet—there is genius here. A raw, unfiltered genius. Daly has built not a course, but a psychological crucible. His design lures you in with promises of birdies, then strips away your swing, your focus, your very sense of identity. Somewhere around hole twelve, I found myself weeping into a clubhead, not from sorrow, but from the weight of realization: I was not playing against the course. I was playing against myself. The greens are fast. Almost too fast. Like wet glass in a fever dream. The rough is not thick but strategic—it exists precisely where your ball will land when hope turns to recklessness. I could feel Daly’s laughter in the wind, faint and deranged. After the round, I wandered into the casino, past blinking slot machines and the hollowed faces of men who had lost everything but their golf gloves. I sat at the bar, ordered something brown and unspecific, and stared into the neon void. The Links at Rolling Hills is not a golf course. It is a mirror. It shows you who you are beneath the khakis and polos, beneath the swing tips and yardage books. It strips you bare and says: this is the truth of your game, and perhaps, of your life. John Daly did not design this course to be fair. He designed it to be honest. And that is far, far more dangerous. Five stars, for a terrifying, brilliant, and unforgettable golf experience. Bring sunscreen, and possibly a therapist.

Marshall/Pro and pro shop employee are so rude, they ruined a great day of golf with friends. The pro wants you to take lessons but he is so unfriendly and condescending why would anyone want to take lessons from him? Does he not know that he would get more business if he was just friendly? The course is great but due to these two employees I don’t want to give them any more of my money. This seems to be an experience that many others I’ve talked to have had with these employees. Not sure why they want to chase off paying customers. Play at your own risk. Hope they won’t harass you like they do so many.

I made a stop here, to play this interesting looking GC, because I really like links courses. Because of bad experiences, I walked to the first tee to see how the conditions of the tee box and fairway are and on my way I came by the 17 or 18th hole and there was a traffic jam with four flights on this hole. If I spend a bit more money, I cannot accept slow play and crooked tee boxes with tall grass. The tee box looked okay but not prestine. I play just 3W and long grass makes it impossible to swipe the ball from the tee. In the end it didn't matter because I was not allowed to walk the course. I replied that I will be faster than most golfers riding a cart and walked out. So, maybe a one star review is not fair. Keep this in mind. One star because this was the first GC of many golf courses on my long journey playing Golf from Seattle to San Francisco who did not allow to walk the course. Golf is a sport and I like to walk and play fast. I am 60 and I will walk a course till I die. Usually playing alone 3h for 18.

I highly recommend The Links at Rolling Hills!!! Friendly and knowledgeable staff Brad The Club Professional is extremely knowledgeable! Both myself and my 15 year old son signed up for 4 lessons each with him and I was able to dramatically drop my handicap. The course is great to play I bring my little guys with us to golf as well and never any issues.

What a great course! I'm an out of towner, and I have been playing quite a few courses in the Yuba City / Chico area. Even in the winter, this course was great! The fairways were a bit yellow and the grass looks dead, but hitting off it felt like a normal fairway to me. The course is very challenging, and long. And I think the best part of everything is how affordable it is! $50 for 18 holes and it includes a cart. And the play it back rate is only $25! I will definitely be coming back. In the summer, I bet this course would be just as nice as resort courses... Pace of play was slow, 4.5 hours.