San Francisco Golf Club

Its A.W. Tillinghast-designed course, opened at its present site in 1915, is routinely ranked among the top courses in America and the world, prized for its serene, secluded setting, classic strategic design and immaculate conditioning. Members and their guests enjoy a peaceful, walking-focused experience far removed from the bustle of the city.

Course History

San Francisco Golf Club traces its origins to 1895, making it one of the oldest golf clubs on the West Coast. The club moved to its present site in the Ingleside neighborhood in 1915, where A.W. Tillinghast laid out the course that endures today. Tillinghast, one of the greatest architects of golf's Golden Age, shaped the greens and bunkering that established the course's enduring reputation.

Portions of the property were altered in the mid-20th century when a freeway cut through the eastern end, and in the early 2000s the club engaged architect Tom Doak to restore Tillinghast's greens and original design characteristics. The course has since been consistently ranked among the finest in the country, including a place in Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Courses in America.

The Design & Architecture

Tillinghast's routing weaves through a rolling, tree-lined property, demanding thoughtful shot placement over raw power. The course is celebrated for its bold, strategic bunkering and its beautifully contoured greens, hallmarks of Tillinghast's work. Its most storied hole is the par-3 7th, known as the "Duel Hole" because it overlooks the site where U.S. Senator David Broderick and Judge David Terry fought California's last notable duel in 1859; granite markers still note where each man stood.

Playing the Course

A round at San Francisco Golf Club is a walking-first, classical experience defined by firm, true bentgrass greens and demanding approach shots. The par-71 layout rewards precise positioning off the tee and a deft short game around Tillinghast's cleverly defended greens. Its secluded, tree-framed setting gives the course a quiet, timeless atmosphere that stands apart from the surrounding city.

Know Before You Go

• Strictly private and invitation-only; access is limited to members and their accompanied guests.

• Located at 1310 Junipero Serra Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94132; phone (415) 469-4100.

• A classic walking course; expect a caddie-oriented, traditional country club experience.

• Don't miss the par-3 7th, the historic "Duel Hole," among the most famous one-shotters in American golf.