Lake Chabot Golf Course

Opened in 1923, this public layout is celebrated for its dramatic elevation changes, natural terrain, and one of the most talked-about finishing holes in the country. Approachable in price yet demanding in play, it remains a favorite among Bay Area golfers of every skill level.

Course History

Lake Chabot Golf Course opened in 1923 as a municipal course carved into the rugged hills above Oakland. Designed during the golden age of American golf, it has served generations of Bay Area players as one of the region's most enduring public golf destinations.

Over the decades the course became woven into local golf lore, at one point associated with 1964 British Open champion Tony Lema, who was tied to the East Bay golf scene. Today it operates as a city-owned facility that pairs affordable municipal access with a genuinely memorable hillside layout.

The Design & Architecture

Attributed to designers William Locke and Willie Watson, the course routes through steep East Bay terrain where flat lies are hard to find and elevation changes define nearly every shot. The design is prized more for its quirky, dramatic character than for classical symmetry, using the natural slopes and ridgelines to create a distinctive test. Bluegrass covers the greens and fairways throughout.

Playing the Course

The signature moment comes at the finishing hole, a downhill monster that stretches to roughly 673 yards and is famously billed as "the only par 6 west of the Mississippi." Elsewhere the routing rewards accuracy and course management over raw distance, with the closing stretch from the 15th onward delivering the best views, reaching all the way to San Francisco on clear days. At 5,976 yards to a par of 71, the layout plays tougher than its length suggests thanks to the hillside contours.

Know Before You Go

• This is a public, city-owned municipal course, so book tee times in advance during busy weekends.

• Expect significant elevation changes and uneven lies; a cart can be worth it on the hilly terrain.

• Practice facilities and a clubhouse are on site to round out your visit.

• Save the closing holes for the scenery, with East Bay and San Francisco views on the back nine.