Golf in or near San Francisco

[kekoa]

I need one, maybe two courses to play in April. I've done most of the pebble courses so I'm thinking of Half Moon Bay this time around. I'm staying at Fisherman's Wharf and willing to drive an hr for some really good golf. I appreciate the recommendations.

 

Oh if someone can get me into Olympic club, I'm all ears. :taunt:

 

thanks

[Malones19]

Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz would be my reco. I am headed down and will be checking out Baylands Golf Links and Corica GC - South in addition to a couple others

[WestCoastHacker]

Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz would be my reco. I am headed down and will be checking out Baylands Golf Links and Corica GC - South in addition to a couple others

 

Fully agreed on Pasatiempo. Everyone should try to play it at least once.

[dmarch]

Playred TPC Harding Park yesterday and totally enjoyed the experience.

[dmarch]

Regarding Corica Park, played there today and also enjoyed the round. Greens are excellent.

[kekoa]

Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz would be my reco. I am headed down and will be checking out Baylands Golf Links and Corica GC - South in addition to a couple others

 

Fully agreed on Pasatiempo. Everyone should try to play it at least once.

 

Thanks guys. I played there once several years ago and it was in horrible shape due to drought. What are the thoughts on HMB?

[carrera]

HMB Ocean (skip the Old...it is an Arnold Palmer course that weaves through houses) is pretty wide open and fun to play. It is one of those attempts to build a "links" like course on land that isn't really links, but ignore that and have a good time. The Ritz is one of the best in the world if you can manage to stay there.

 

Play Pasatiempo for sure.

[James the Hogan Fan]

The Old Course at HMB is your typical upscale neighborhood course, except for the closing stretch. Weaving through houses, It’s in great shape most of the time but has little to do with oceanside golf, 18th hole notwithstanding. I liked it as it’s in better shape than most courses I play. But given the choice... The Ocean Course I have never played, but I have walked it and it is more open and the views are spectacular. It also hosts US Open qualifiers from time to time.

 

I’ll throw out Presidio if you like elevation change and small greens. It’s a shorter course (6500yd) but demands precision with every shot. Played there paired up with Olympic members who said they really enjoy it as a change from their usual but the sameish feel. (Wouldn’t know, I don’t meet the requirements to be allowed to look at Olympic) I really like that style of golf course.

 

Harding Park is your 2020 PGA champ host, so there’s that.

Corica South was... not great pre-renovation, now its supposedly top notch.

 

And then I’m going to say Callippe Preserve because it’s my home course and although it’s nothing special, it’s pretty around sunset and a lot of fun.

[jwellefson1]

I played Harding Park and Presidio a couple months ago, I recommend both! I played Presidio with Cal Club members who both really enjoy it. It has really nice bunkering and fun elevation changes. Harding Park is a blast too, it's a really pleasant, visually-pleasing walk. It would be good even if it weren't hosting the PGA next year. If you're willling to drive I'd go to Pasatiempo, not playing there was my only regret all trip. Either way, have a blast!

[Chanceman]

I played Cinnabar Hills, San Juan Oaks and Wente Vineyards and all were really good. Not up to Pasatiempo of course but still worth playing. Sonoma, on the Napa valley side, is also a solid track. Yocha Dehe is a terrific course but some miles away towards Sacramento. And Northwood also, a hot little 9 holes up at Russian River.

[timmy8151]

Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz would be my reco. I am headed down and will be checking out Baylands Golf Links and Corica GC - South in addition to a couple others

 

Fully agreed on Pasatiempo. Everyone should try to play it at least once.

 

Thanks guys. I played there once several years ago and it was in horrible shape due to drought. What are the thoughts on HMB?

 

You must have played Pasa before their water tank project. They are now using recycled water and are less dependent on rainwater. Also, with the winter we’ve had around here course should be lush and green

[North Texas]

Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz would be my reco. I am headed down and will be checking out Baylands Golf Links and Corica GC - South in addition to a couple others

 

Fully agreed on Pasatiempo. Everyone should try to play it at least once.

 

Thanks guys. I played there once several years ago and it was in horrible shape due to drought. What are the thoughts on HMB?

 

You must have played Pasa before their water tank project. They are now using recycled water and are less dependent on rainwater. Also, with the winter we’ve had around here course should be lush and green

 

Played Pasa in October, 2017 and it was in great shape.

 

Played HMB Ocean course in 2010 and it was a really fun and enjoyable course. Especially the last few holes.

[kekoa]

Ok, we were going to give Pasa another shot, but they are punching everything a few days before so that's out.

 

 

Help me chose:

 

Option A- Harding Park and then another 18 at nearby course

 

Option B- 36 at HMB.

[James the Hogan Fan]

It’s really a coin toss. Personally I would go HMB just because of the ocean views and the setting, assuming price is not an issue. A Harding/Presidio twin bill would be great for other reasons, namely cypress-lined parkland (major championship) golf. All of those courses would be in good shape.

 

Summary: you can’t lose!

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Play pasatiempo.

[carrera]

(Wouldn't know, I don't meet the requirements to be allowed to look at Olympic).

 

Not sure what you mean here. I was a golf member at Olympic for 30+ years (started as a junior member), so I don't understand what you mean.

[Chanceman]

(Wouldn't know, I don't meet the requirements to be allowed to look at Olympic).

 

Not sure what you mean here. I was a golf member at Olympic for 30+ years (started as a junior member), so I don't understand what you mean.

It could mean he was turned away at the gate by a very unfriendly person like I was after inquiring if I could look at the course and visit the pro shop.

[James the Hogan Fan]

(Wouldn't know, I don't meet the requirements to be allowed to look at Olympic).

 

Not sure what you mean here. I was a golf member at Olympic for 30+ years (started as a junior member), so I don't understand what you mean.

It could mean he was turned away at the gate by a very unfriendly person like I was after inquiring if I could look at the course and visit the pro shop.

 

I meant, in a slightly jealous way, that I lack the financials, connections, etc. to play at the Olympic club, such that I couldn’t offer a firsthand account of those courses, and tongue-in-cheekly tried to illustrate how far away I am from that.

 

I have, in fact, looked longingly at Olympic from the highway and from a hot dog stand at the 2012 US Open. It’s a fantastic course.

[carrera]

Don't sell yourself short or assume that something isn't possible. My dad was a bus driver (and not a member - he didn't even play golf until later in life) and I joined there as a junior member (and I wasn't a stud golfer or anything). In my 30+ years there I met folks of all backgrounds. Maybe it has changed in the five years since I quit, but I doubt it.

[1b!ggolfnut]

If you can swing it play the Cal Club... best in SF imo 

[TheGooch]

Harding

[jwellefson1]

1b!ggolfnut said:

If you can swing it play the Cal Club... best in SF imo 

Agreed 110%. Cal Club is one of my absolute favorites, its incredible!

[Schley]

> @carrera said:

> Don't sell yourself short or assume that something isn't possible. My dad was a bus driver (and not a member - he didn't even play golf until later in life) and I joined there as a junior member (and I wasn't a stud golfer or anything). In my 30+ years there I met folks of all backgrounds. Maybe it has changed in the five years since I quit, but I doubt it.

 

Well said Careera, in general most clubs aren't as exclusionary as most think in their membership. There are those that always will be impossible (CPC, LACC, Long Island elites, etc.), but I know Olympic has a huge membership, one of the biggest in the country due to having the club downtown, 2 coures, many non-golfers. I played there a couple years ago and heard like 4,000 or more members at that time.

[Fore Putt]

> @Chanceman said:

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> Not sure what you mean here. I was a golf member at Olympic for 30+ years (started as a junior member), so I don't understand what you mean.

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> It could mean he was turned away at the gate by a very unfriendly person like I was after inquiring if I could look at the course and visit the pro shop.

 

Sounds like he was doing his job of only allowing in members and their guests?

[kekoa]

So we opted for HMB over weekend and overall I enjoyed both courses with the finishing holes being extra special. If I had a choice, I would just play the ocean course next time.

Here are the only pics I took.