Long ago, Scottish polo players longed for a game in which they could explore scenic terrain, ride an obedient mechanical horse, and wear more courageously plaid knickers. Marvel in their subsequent invention with today's Groupon: for $33, you get a $55 range card and a round of golf at Mariners Point in Foster City. A range card containing $55 worth of credit can normally be purchased for $50, and a round of golf can cost up to $16, giving this Groupon a total value of up to $66. The range card can be used over multiple visits.

Named as a favorite golf range in 2009 by Golf Digest, Mariners Point offers 64 well-manicured practice stalls, including natural grass and a challenging 9-hole, par 3 course. The double-decker driving range features on-site professionals, high-quality range balls, and power tees that automatically tee up the ball. Use the range card to purchase driving ammunition in small ($7 for 60 balls), medium ($11 for 105 balls), or large ($13 for 165 balls) baskets. Golfers receive 10 additional balls for visiting the range before 11 a.m. on weekdays. Clearly defined target greens and easy-to-read yardage markers make for far easier practice than aiming for the blowholes of passing belugas. When it’s game time, players can hit the course for a round of golf. Drivers, putters, and severely confused baseball players are treated to breathtaking San Francisco Bay views from each of the nine greens.

The course is lighted for post-sunset golf, which provides distinct advantages over flashlight tees and glow-stick clubs, known to cause inadvertent plane landings and unexpected raves. Those who have yet to whittle a set of homemade ball-whacking sticks can rent clubs from Mariners Point ($5 for golf course clubs, $2 for driving range clubs).

Reviews

Golf Digest named Mariners Point one of its favorite golf courses in the country in 2009, and Golf Range magazine included the course on its Top 100 list in 2010. Golf recommends the course, and more than 60 Yelpers give it an average of four stars:

• During the day, this par 3 course is surrounded by an eye-catching environment, and at night, this course is well lit. It is the perfect challenge for your short game. The course has a view of the water on each of its nine holes. The facility also offers the only eighteen hole putting course around. – Golf
• The conditions here are always great. – Shikshin G., Yelp