Features

Golfing around... San Francisco

27 Jun 2011 by ScottCarey7
Minty Clinch tackles the velvety greens of four Californian courses.

1. HALF MOON BAY GOLF LINKS

Where is it? 55km south of San Francisco

What’s it like? The Old, the first of Half Moon Bay’s two courses, was designed by Arnold Palmer in 1973. It majors on real estate, with expensive villas set among Monterey cypresses and pines on both sides of most fairways. Lakes with herons perched in fishing mode on the banks come into play on half the holes, most of them on the back nine. People-watching is equally intriguing, with sleek citizens reading newspapers over coffee in living rooms overlooking tees and greens.

The par-three 17th bursts out on to the ocean, preparing the way for the dramatic 18th, a magnificent hole with wave-lashed rocks to the right and the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay hotel straight ahead. The Ocean course, which was unveiled in 1997, is altogether more spectacular with no houses and expansive Pacific views. It is not long by contemporary standards, but bunkering and unpredictable winds put a check on low scoring. Again, the best comes last, with the final three holes snaking above the roaring surf. Pause a while and you may spot pelicans, dolphins and migrating whales. As a climax to a late round on Saturdays and Sundays, a bag-piper will play you in at the 18th.

Contact 2 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; tel +1 650 7261 800; halfmoonbaygolf.com

Price Old and Ocean: US$160 Mon-Thurs, US$185 Fri-Sun. All green fees include buggy. Twilight rates US$50-US$95.

Club hire US$65, Taylor Made or Cobra

Club hours Sunrise to sunset year-round

Minimum handicap None

Facilities Two 18-hole courses – Old (6,404m, par 72) and Ocean (6,080m, par 72). Practice area and putting green.

After the golf The Mullins bar and grill, named after the grandfather of coastal golf in this area, is all things to all players – a cosy drinking spot with bar snacks and a restaurant with a full menu that includes fresh pasta, seafood, catch of the day and assorted steaks. The tempura prawns are highly recommended. The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay (ritzcarlton.com), located between the 18th greens on the two courses, is a luxury billet with fine dining and terraces overlooking the cliffs.

2. HARDING PARK

Where is it? 11km southwest of the city centre

What’s it like? This is a quality public course within 2km of the Pacific on the same terrain as San Francisco and Olympic clubs – exclusive venues that only admit those with elite connections. If you don’t have them, head for Harding, which hosted the 2009 Presidents Cup between the US and the rest of the (non-European) world and guarantees you a warm welcome.

Built in 1925, and comprehensively revamped in 2003, it is composed of inner and outer loops, with Lake Merced encircling much of the back nine. Although water doesn’t come into play, it is often visible – the lakeside 14th and 15th are particularly attractive, though the gunfire from the shooting range 100m away is distracting. The overall style is naturally contoured parkland, with wide fairways and no rough, the best format for getting sporting four balls round fast. The impressive cypress trees are the dominant feature – despairing cries of “timber” are not unknown.

Contact 99 Harding Road; tel +1 415 6644 690; harding-park.com

Price Harding Park: US$150 Mon-Thurs, US$170 Fri-Sun. Fleming: US$26 Mon-Thurs, US$31 Fri-Sun. Twilight and off-season reductions available. Golf cart US$8.50 per person.

Club hire Cobra; US$40 Harding Park, US$20 Fleming

Club hours Sunrise to sunset 365 days a year

Minimum handicap None

Facilities Harding Park: 18 holes (6,259m, par 72). Fleming: nine holes (1,980m, par 30). Grass driving range, chipping area and putting green.

After the golf The hacienda-style clubhouse was rebuilt from scratch in 2005, and Cypress Grill overlooks the lake and is open 7am-9pm in summer (shorter hours in winter) for breakfast, lunch and drinks, but not dinner.

3. MAYACAMA GOLF CLUB

Where is it? 90km north of San Francisco

What’s it like? Charlie Schulz, Peanuts creator and golf fanatic, tried and failed to get permission to build a course on these rolling hills for 18 years, but the developers who bought him out were more successful.

Elegant Mayacama, located between the Napa and Sonoma valleys, celebrates its tenth anniversary this August. The course is a Jack Nicklaus signature layout, which means the maestro put his mark on every aspect. Although the natural contouring meant he moved less earth than he often does, his features include aggressive bunkering and complex two-tiered greens.

The operating style is yesteryear – no buggies, no trolleys and compulsory caddies for tee times before 2pm – but Mayacama’s USP is its close connection with local vineyards. Members have wine lockers stocked with up to 60 bottles, and it’s not unusual to celebrate a good round by popping a few corks.

Contact 1,240 Mayacama Club Drive, Santa Rosa; tel +1 707 5692 900; mayacama.com

Price Members’ guests £77, guests £201 (unaccompanied but sponsored by a member, weekdays only). Caddie £12 plus tip.

Club hire £31, Cobra or Titleist

Club hours 7.30am to dusk, closed Tuesdays

Minimum handicap 24 men, 36 women; no certificate required

Facilities 18-hole course (6,204m, par 72), grass driving range, short game practice area and three putting greens.

After the golf A Mediterranean clubhouse houses a library, games room, and sitting room, as well as the wine locker area. The terrace with a gas-fired brazier is a popular drinking spot and the spa is state-of-the-art. The Grill Room is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

4. LINCOLN PARK

Where is it? 8km west of the city centre

What’s it like? The first three holes on San Francisco’s oldest municipal course (now the first, 12th and 13th) opened in 1902. Further holes were added from 1909, and play was free until 1917, when the full 18-hole layout was completed. Even in the 1920s, the charge was a modest US$2 a month for a course on spectacular cliffs near the Golden Gate Bridge. Since the bridge was built in 1937, the par-three 17th has a dramatic signature hole, with a tee shot upwards heading towards the huge red metal span. Short and hilly with fairways lined with mature trees, Lincoln is a historic treasure, but both greenkeeping and clubhouse need the serious investment that is promised.

Contact 34th Avenue and Clement Street; tel +1 415 2219 911; lincolnparkgc.com

Price £23 Mon-Thurs, £25 Fri-Sun, twilight from £13.

Club hire Cobra, Titleist, MacGregor, £15; golf cart £16

Club hours Sunrise to sunset

Minimum handicap None

Facilities 18-hole course (4,952m, par 70), putting green.

After the golf A basic American restaurant serving hamburgers and hot dogs.
Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls