San Francisco Golf Club
San Francisco, California
An A.W. Tillinghast masterpiece hidden in the residential hills of San Francisco, SFGC is widely considered one of the 20 best courses in America. The compact layout features dramatic cypress-framed views, wildflower-dotted roughs, and some of Tillinghast's most creative green complexes.
History & Heritage
The San Francisco Golf Club was founded in 1895, making it one of the oldest golf clubs west of the Mississippi. The club initially played on a rudimentary course before settling at its current location near Lake Merced. In 1915, the legendary A.W. Tillinghast was commissioned to redesign the course, creating what many consider one of his finest and most underappreciated works.
The course occupies a remarkably private and secluded setting within the residential neighborhoods of San Francisco's west side. Tillinghast crafted a compact but brilliant routing that maximizes the natural terrain, featuring his trademark bold bunkering and inventive green complexes. The famous 7th hole, known as the "Duel Hole," overlooks the site where the last legal duel in California took place in September 1859.
In 2001, Tom Doak was brought in to restore the greens, and in 2006 he completed a restoration of the original 13th, 14th, and 15th holes, bringing the course back to Tillinghast's original vision. San Francisco Golf Club remains one of the most exclusive and least-photographed top courses in America, fiercely guarding its privacy while maintaining its place among the nation's elite.
Signature Holes
Known as the "Duel Hole," this iconic par 3 overlooks the site of the last legal duel in California. The downhill tee shot plays to a narrow, kidney-shaped green surrounded by Tillinghast's dramatic bunkering with sweeping views beyond.
A massive-scale par 4 that sets the tone for the round. The expansive fairway gives way to one of Tillinghast's boldest green complexes, perched above deep bunkers.
A strong finishing hole that demands a well-placed drive and precise approach to a green protected by Tillinghast's artful bunkering, providing a dramatic conclusion to the round.
A demanding par 4 that plays through a corridor of mature cypress trees to a green with complex contours, requiring both power and precision.
What to Expect
San Francisco Golf Club offers an intimate and exclusive golf experience on one of the finest Tillinghast designs in existence. The compact layout is packed with strategic interest, featuring bold bunkering, inventive green complexes, and the natural beauty of mature cypress trees and wildflower-dotted roughs.
The course plays firm and fast, with the coastal climate keeping conditions cool year-round. The setting feels remarkably secluded despite being in the heart of San Francisco, and the lack of real estate development along the course boundaries preserves the timeless character of the design.
Playing Tips
Course management is essential at San Francisco Golf Club. Tillinghast designed the holes to reward strategic thinking over raw power, with many greens offering clear advantages for approaches from specific angles. Study the pin positions carefully and plan your tee shots accordingly.
The firm, fast conditions favor a ground game approach, particularly around the greens where bump-and-run shots are often more reliable than high-spinning wedges. The marine layer and ocean breezes add an extra dimension of challenge, so take an extra club when the wind is up.
Highlights
- ✓ A.W. Tillinghast masterpiece — top 20 in America
- ✓ Cypress-framed Pacific views
- ✓ Hidden residential San Francisco setting
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public play San Francisco Golf Club?
What is the Duel Hole?
Who restored San Francisco Golf Club?
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