TCP Harding Golf Course by San Francisco Recreation and Park
San Francisco is a prime location to play golf at public courses. Think hundred-year-old Monterey Cypress trees. Epic views of the Pacific Ocean. Clouds dancing over the Golden Gate Bridge. Access to championship courses designed by famous Pebble Beach architects. Both TCP Harding Park and Sharp Park have been on the list of America’s 50 Greatest Municipal Courses by Golfweek Magazine.
Prices are reasonable: starting out at $27 for 18 holes at Lincoln Park! You can play golf all year round. Tee-times are readily available on a week by week basis. And parking is free.
Save with San Francisco Resident Card
$102 for two years. If you plan to play more than two rounds of golf, the San Francisco Resident Card pays for itself. The easiest and fastest way to get the card is to go to the pro shop at TCP Harding Course. Bring your driver’s licenses and a current utility bill or a bank statement. TCP Harding pro shop will prepare your resident card on the spot.
Lincoln Park: Play Like a Local
18 Holes, Par 68
Starts at $27
Lincoln Park is an 18 hole course in Sea Cliff/Outer Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco. It is next to the scenic Lands End Hiking Trail and the Legion of Honor Museum. Needless to say, the view is epic! Over the years, several well-known architects, Jack Neville of Pebble Beach fame, Herbert Fowler (Royal Lytham) and Jack Fleming contributed to its design. It is a relatively short course, but interesting to play with hilly terrain, strong ocean wind, and undulating greens. It requires precision and strategy as the course edges with narrow cypress-lined fairways.
The price is unbeatable. $27 for 18 holes during the week and $32 on the weekend for SF Resident Golf Card holders. Non-resident is $41 during the week and $45 on the weekend. One little secret for the non-residents: you can get resident rates after 1 pm. Book your tee time thru the SF Park & Recreation reservation system. You can’t beat this value!
TCP Harding Park: Play Like a Champion
27 Holes, Par 72
Starts at $24 for 9 holes and $54 for 18 holes
TCP Harding Park is San Francisco tradition. Opened in 1925 and named after President Warren Harding. It has a rich tradition of hosting PGA tournaments and Presidents Cup dating back to the 60s. It has drawn top golfers such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
TCP Harding Park is 163 acres of golf oasis with three 18 hole courses, a 9 hole course (Fleming), a driving range, a putting green, and a chipping green. It is located less than 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean. It is picturesque and well maintained. The Fleming 9 hole course is a hidden gem with lined fairways and strategically placed green complexes, but operates on a first-come-first-serve basis. For the rest of the three 18 hole courses, book your tee time thru the SF Park & Recreation reservation system. Best value for a championship course.
An added bonus is the Cypress Grill. On every last Tuesday of the month, it has all-you-can-eat Prime Rib night for $40 from 5-7pm. See more details on the monthly dinner. Call ahead to make a reservation.
Presido: Play Like Never Before
18 Holes, Par 72
Starts at $54
Presido has been famed by Golf Magazine as the “greatest match player in the game’s history.” The course is built over a base of adobe clay, rock, sand, or a combination of all three. Located within a national park, it is short but challenging. According to John Lawson, designer of the course, “Presidio demands accuracy, but being a long hitter, I also had to learn how to hook or fade around trees. I had the reputation of being a strong heavy-weather golfer; well, Presidio has powerful wind, rain, fog, sudden gusts, and sometimes all four on any given round.” Book your tee time with Presido Golf Course directly.
Sharp Park: Play Like You are In Pebble Beach
18 Holes, Par 72
Starts at $32
Located in Pacifica, 10 miles outside of San Francisco and not far from Half Moon Bay. Sharp Park is designed by the preeminent architect Alister MacKenzie, who also designed Augusta National (home of the Masters Tournament). Sharp Park is one of MacKenzie’s rare public courses with its Scottish seaside links character. Best value for playing a Pebble Beach like course for $32. Book your tee time thru the SF Park & Recreation.
