Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club

Its 18-hole championship course winds through rolling terrain on the edge of Silicon Valley, offering sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and the adjacent nature preserve. A recent, comprehensive renovation reimagined the layout with a more open, rustic character, complementing the club's stately clubhouse, fine dining, and social amenities.

Course History

The club was incorporated in the late 1950s on leased land in the Palo Alto foothills, and its golf course grew from architect Clark Glasson's original vision. A nine-hole course opened in 1960, and the layout was expanded to a full 18 holes in 1961, establishing Palo Alto Hills as one of the peninsula's premier private clubs.

Over the decades the course was updated by leading architects, including a redesign by Robert Muir Graves in 1999. Most significantly, a two-year, ground-up renovation led by Brian Costello of JMP Golf Design rebuilt all 18 holes, with the front nine reopening in 2021 and the full course returning to play in 2022.

The Design & Architecture

The Costello renovation transformed the course from a tree-lined parkland layout into a more open, rustic design in tune with the surrounding oak savannah. Non-native trees were removed to restore views of the bay and nature preserve, greens were enlarged and reshaped with new tiers and pin positions, and several greens were lowered for playability. Fairways were sandcapped for firm, fast conditions, bunkers were rebuilt with CapillaryFlow liners and white sand, and drought-tolerant fescues frame the bunker complexes and transition into native areas.

Playing the Course

Playing to a par of 72 over rolling foothill terrain, the reimagined layout rewards thoughtful shot-making and course management. Elevation changes, expanded contoured greens, and strategically placed bunkering demand precise approaches, while the added championship tee lets the course stretch out for stronger players. The open, sandcapped conditions produce firm turf and plenty of ground-game options, all framed by panoramic views over Silicon Valley and the bay.

Know Before You Go

• Private, member-owned club: access is generally limited to members and their guests.

• Located at 3000 Alexis Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94304, in the foothills above Silicon Valley.

• The course completed a full renovation in 2022, so conditions and playing character reflect the modern redesign.

• For tee times, membership, or event inquiries, contact the club at (650) 917-5100 or visit pahgcc.com.