The Olympic Club - Lake Course

The Olympic Club was founded in 1860 as an athletic club, making it one of the oldest athletic organizations in the United States. The Lake Course was designed by Sam Whiting and Willie Watson and opened in 1924, carved through dense eucalyptus and cypress forest along the Pacific coast south of San Francisco.

The Lake Course has hosted five U.S. Opens in 1955, 1966, 1987, 1998, and 2012 and is famous for producing upset champions. Jack Fleck stunned Ben Hogan in a playoff in 1955, Billy Casper overcame Arnold Palmer in 1966, Scott Simpson edged Tom Watson in 1987, Lee Janzen won in 1998, and Webb Simpson took the 2012 title. The course also hosted the 1958 U.S. Amateur and the 2021 U.S. Women's Open.

Prior to the 2012 U.S. Open, the club redesigned the par-3 eighth hole and converted the 16th from a par 5 to a par 4. Despite measuring under 7,200 yards, the Lake Course remains one of the most demanding tests in championship golf.

The Olympic Club Lake Course is a tight, tree-lined parkland course wrapped in coastal fog and eucalyptus. Fairways are narrow with punishing rough, and greens are small and well-defended. Despite measuring under 7,000 yards, the combination of fog, wind, tight corridors, and difficult green complexes makes this one of the hardest courses in the country.

The Pacific marine layer frequently rolls in, reducing visibility and making club selection challenging. Dense stands of Monterey cypress and eucalyptus create a cathedral-like atmosphere unlike any other championship venue.

Accuracy off the tee is paramount. The fairways are narrow and the rough deep, so keeping the ball in the short grass is essential. Take one less club off the tee if needed to find the fairway.

The greens slope more than they appear, particularly in the fog. Trust your yardage numbers rather than your eyes. The closing stretch from 16 through 18 is one of the most demanding finishes in championship golf.