Woodside
Menlo Country Club
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 71
- Yards
- 6802
- Slope
- 133
- Rating
- 72.7
Public
Semi-private
Private
Menlo Country Club, set in the wooded hills of Woodside on the San Francisco Peninsula, is one of the oldest private clubs in the West. Founded in 1904, this member-owned club pairs a classic country club atmosphere with a thoroughly modern 18-hole championship golf course. Framed by mature trees and rolling terrain, the layout offers a refined and challenging experience, complemented by an elegant clubhouse, fine dining, and a strong sense of community in the heart of the Bay Area.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Established | 1904 (course opened 1912) |
Architect | Tom Nicoll (original, 1912); Kyle Phillips (2014 renovation) |
Type | Private |
Holes / Par | 18 / 71 |
Yardage | 6,802 yards |
Course Rating / Slope | 72.7 / 133 |
Grass | Bentgrass greens, Bermuda fairways |
Location | Woodside, California |
Course History
Menlo Country Club was established in 1904, making it one of the oldest golf and country clubs in the Western United States. The original golf course opened in 1912 to a design by Scottish-born professional Tom Nicoll, who laid out a number of courses in California. Expanded to a full 18 holes soon after, Nicoll's routing served the membership for more than half a century.
Robert Trent Jones Sr. carried out a renovation of the course in the late 1960s. Decades later, architect Kyle Phillips undertook a comprehensive rebuild, moving nearly 100,000 cubic yards of earth to construct 14 new holes and substantially redesign the remaining four. The reimagined course reopened in 2014 with a par of 71.
The Design & Architecture
Kyle Phillips' 2014 redesign gives Menlo a distinctly modern character while respecting its wooded Peninsula setting. Playing to a par of 71 and stretching to roughly 6,802 yards, the course features strategic bunkering, subtle elevation changes, and firm bentgrass greens set among mature trees. Bermuda-grass tees and fairways provide reliable turf through the seasons, and the routing rewards thoughtful positioning over raw length.
Playing the Course
With a course rating of 72.7 and a slope of 133 from the back tees, Menlo offers a genuine test for the accomplished player while remaining enjoyable for members of all abilities. The tree-lined corridors demand accuracy off the tee, and well-guarded greens place a premium on approach play and a deft short game. Multiple tee options let golfers tailor the challenge to their game.
Know Before You Go
Menlo Country Club is a private, member-owned club; access is generally limited to members and their guests.
The club is located at 2300 Woodside Road, Woodside, California 94062.
For membership or event inquiries, contact the club at (650) 366-5751 or visit menlocc.com.
Beyond golf, the club offers an elegant clubhouse with fine dining, social spaces, and event venues.
History
Year built
1904
Architect
Tom Nicoll (original, 1912); Kyle Phillips (2014 renovation)
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