San Francisco Golf Club, located in San Francisco, California, is a private 18-hole golf course designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1915, with renovations by Tom Doak in 2015. This par-71 course spans 6,836 yards from the championship tees, with a rating of 73.5 and slope of 135, set on rolling terrain with cypress trees and ocean views near Lake Merced. Known for its exclusivity and historic status, the club has hosted events like the 2000 Walker Cup and offers amenities such as a clubhouse, dining, and practice facilities for members. Its classic Golden Age design emphasizes natural contours and strategic bunkering, ranking it among Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Courses.

The course plays as a classic Tillinghast layout with tight, contoured fairways and small, firm greens that demand precision and creativity, particularly on holes like the par-4 7th with its blind approach. Golfers face challenges from deep bunkers and subtle elevation changes, requiring strong short-game skills and strategic positioning off the tee. Players often describe it as “timeless and demanding,” praising its walkability and the way wind from the Pacific adds variability, making it a favorite for low-handicappers who appreciate its old-world charm and test of fundamentals. Playability is high for experienced players, but the course’s subtlety can punish aggressive play, rewarding those who adapt to its natural features.