Gilroy Golf Course

Overview

Recognized as the oldest public golf course in Santa Clara County, it has kept much of its classic 1923 character: small, undulating greens, wide and generous tree-lined fairways, and a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. The property is famous locally as an 11-hole layout that most players enjoy as a quick nine or a full eighteen, making it a friendly option for recreational golfers while still offering enough challenge to test lower handicaps.

Course History

Gilroy Golf Course dates back to 1923, when it was created by a group of local farmers and businessmen who wanted a place to play the game close to home. Nearly a century later it holds the distinction of being the oldest public golf course in Santa Clara County, and it has seen remarkably few changes to its original classic routing. In more recent years the course has undergone thoughtful improvements, including a 2021 project that restored a historical hole and added new cart paths, bunkers, and tees while preserving the vintage feel that regulars have loved for generations.

Design & Architecture

The course has no single credited architect; its original design is attributed to the local farmers and businessmen who built it in 1923. What they laid out endures as a genuine old-school design: small, undulating greens that put a premium on approach play and touch around the surfaces, paired with wide, generous, tree-lined fairways that welcome recreational golfers. The routing makes clever use of the rolling terrain of the Uvas Valley, and its unusual 11-hole configuration gives players flexible options to play a nine-hole loop or a full eighteen.

Playing the Course

Playing to a par of 35 over roughly 3,000 yards from the longest tees, Gilroy Golf Course is short by modern standards but far from a pushover. The course rating of 70.5 and slope of 114 hint at a layout that rewards accuracy and a deft short game more than raw length. Small greens demand precise wedge play, and the tree-lined fairways keep errant tee shots honest. It is an eminently walkable course, well suited to a quick round, a casual afternoon with friends, or juniors and beginners learning the game, while its subtle challenges keep experienced players engaged.

Know Before You Go

• Location: 2695 Hecker Pass Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, in the Uvas Valley west of downtown Gilroy.

• Reservations: Call (408) 848-0490; tee times can be booked up to 14 days in advance (also available online via GolfNow).

• Practice: An on-site driving range and an indoor golf simulator are available.

• On-site dining: O-Town BBQ & Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and early dinner.

• Flexible play: The 11-hole layout can be enjoyed as a quick nine or a full eighteen.

• Extras: The pro shop offers lessons, club fitting and repair, and hosts community tournaments throughout the year.