Northern California is home to many great golf courses, but which ones stand out as the best?
After multiple interviews with passionate and dedicated golfers, several courses emerged as common favorites.
10. Tracy Golf and Country Club
The Tracy Golf and Country Club, located in Tracy, Calif., is the home course for the Tracy High boys’ and girls’ golf teams. It features a spacious, championship 18-hole layout and scenic views. Lucas Nguyen, a current member of the Tracy High golf team, said, “I like the Tracy golf course because it is very beginner-friendly.”
9. Pacific Grove Golf Links
Pacific Grove Golf Links in Pacific Grove, Calif., offers incredible views, with the Monterey Bay visible from some fairways and portions of the course running along the coastline. This classic, historic course also features modern elements that enhance the overall experience.
8. Castle Oaks Golf Club
Castle Oaks Golf Club in Ione, Calif., provides a challenging and scenic experience. The course is named after the oak trees that line the fairways and Preston Castle, a local landmark. Jacobus Brakkee, the current captain of the Tracy High golf team, said, “The course suits my eye well off the tees and is typically always in good condition.”
7. The Reserve at Spanos Park
Spanos Park Golf Course, located in Stockton, Calif., features a links-style design and resembles a classic course. The stunning backdrop of Mt. Diablo makes the course even more memorable, with remarkable sunsets adding to the experience.
6. Corica Park Golf Course
Corica Park, named one of the top 15 municipal courses in the country by Golf Magazine, boasts two unique courses: the North Course and the South Course. The park also features a par-3 course with an Australian sand-belt style design.
5. Poppy Ridge Golf Course
Located in Livermore, Calif., Poppy Ridge is one of the best courses in California. It’s a challenging course with many hills and turns, but its beauty and fun design make it a must-play.
4. Half Moon Bay Golf Links
Half Moon Bay Golf Links is an exceptional course with 36 holes divided into two 18-hole courses: the Old Course and the Ocean Course. This challenging and stunning coastal course is the perfect place to spend a weekend.
3. Bayonet Golf Course
Bayonet Golf Course, located in Monterey, Calif., offers breathtaking coastal views. Justin Kiester, a Tracy High alumnus and former golf team captain, said, “I love that it’s right on the coast and that it is always cold and nevergets too hot there.”
2. Presidio Golf Course
Presidio Golf Course, located near downtown San Francisco, offers a stunning forest setting and a variety of terrains that make the course both challenging and fun.
1. Silverado Golf Club
Silverado Golf Club features a challenging layout and picturesque terrain. The North Course appeals to more experienced golfers with its obstacles, while the South Course attracts players of all skill levels with a more casual play style. Mason Davis, a Tracy High alumnus and former golf captain, said, “There are beautiful views, which I think is very important for a nice course.”
