San Francisco in Sept/Oct

[jkim27]

I consider Harding my home course and a must-play, but they are on an aggressive aeration schedule to prep for the 2020 PGA. Definitely walk Harding as well. The only thing with Harding is that it's a bit of an easier track. Presidio is much more interesting and more difficult than Harding.

 

Also keep in mind that if you are playing in the afternoons or twilight, you can get some bad/foggy weather so I'd recommend playing in the mornings. Typically less fog in Sept/Oct but just something to watch out for.

[Jack Pearsall]

Cinnabar is very nice, SJ tho. Harding yes. He likes Presidio. Hiddenbrooke, but it’s been awhile since he played it...

[Fairway14]

My SF area list of public courses worth playing are :

1) Harding

2) Lake Chabot

3) Crystal Springs

4) Sharp Park

[trilinkrealty]

Presidio was really cool I thought. Humble brag- I parred 18 in pitch black lol

Corica Park super awesome and fun.

 

Hiddenbrooke also great. Especially for value

 

Pasatiempo is worth it if you can. Will make for a long day though.

[jjr]

I'm going to throw this out there, no one ever mentions Gleneagles GC at McLaren Park, yes it's in a bad area, sure you could get mugged or murdered ( I've played it dozens of times without issue, ( I was a private club member in the Bay Area for 20+ years) it's only 9 holes, but, if you want a tough test of golf on a hidden gem you have to go play it at least once or 10 times. Search it on Google, great articles on the track. I think it's rated in the top 10 for 9 hole courses in the US. Don't expect private club conditioning, do expect it to be tough test if you're not striking the ball solidly.

[colinhlau]

Another plug for Pasatiempo! Devote the time and money and go play it, you won’t be disappointed. Just remember to check out Dr Mackenzie’s house on the Par-5 sixth hole (there’s a plaque on the cart path). A very cool feature!

[fullbodyfix]

Looks like everyone has you well covered - just want to second trying lesser known Corica South and Baylands links. Both run fast and firm, are more reasonable, similar drive to others, fun with main protection being wind & speedy greens.

 

Gluck

[Shakester]

I'm not sure whats going on with Harding, but its getting tough to play. The greens aren't in good shape. Seems like they're not doing anything, in terms of upkeep, until its time to get ready for the PGA Championship. I played there recently and the greens were filled with divots and were really bumpy.

[Milosh11]

I feel you Shakester......The condition of Harding's greens seem to always be in flux & it has crushed my soul (and wallet) more than once by paying premium prices for average to horrible green conditions.

 

I Just played a tournament at Corica South on Saturday 9/21. The layout is amazing and unique for this area & course is in very good shape, with the greens being a solid 9+. I've played it 6-7 times now & it has yet to disappoint. If you play Corica, get out early if you can as the wind & crowd make for slow afternoon rounds.

[ButterCutter2]

i did lake merced & pasatiempo in the same day about 11 months ago & it was great. both accessed through thousandgreens, where the pasa guest rate is 1/3 of the public rate. lake merced is very solid & right in daly city. i'd say of the private clubs mentioned by others, that & the stanford club are the type of places where a friend of a friend or a call from your home private club could get you on unaccompanied for <200 bucks.

[Sanfran328]

Unfortunately, I have to agree about the poor condition of Harding Park. I live less than a mile away from the course, but now usually drive elsewhere to play. It was awesome when it first opened after the re-design, but the emphasis now is on the high end events, and the everyday golfing public loses out. I get a good rate walking with a residents card, but would not pay the out of town rate. I’ll add that I have no problem paying higher rates at other well designed courses in good shape. Locally, Half Moon Bay comes to mind.

 

I played this week with poor greens and heavily overwatered fairways that were like wet sponges. This is all in preparation for next year’s PGA Tournament. I understand that preparing for such an event takes some work, but this follows a trend at this course.

 

The driving range nets blew down during last years winter storms, and they will not replace them until after the PGA next year. So there is no driving range to warm up for your round, only a net to hit into. The putting greens and chipping area are closed one day a week, I think Wednesday.

 

There are no flushing toilets or drinking water on the course other than the club house, and no benches on the tee boxes. I have played at numerous TPC courses, and I’m sad to say that Harding lags far behind every other one for basic amenities.

 

This is truly a great golf course, a wonderful design, and the guys in the pro shot are awesome, starting with John. It’s just too bad how the everyday golfer is overlooked. In their defense, I do think that dealing with the politics of San Francisco is probably a big factor in allocating expenses. Sandy Tatum did an incredible job in getting the funding for the course redesign in a city where most politicians view golfers as privileged elitists. So I guess we’re lucky to have what we have.