Sharp Park Golf Course

Designed by the celebrated architect Alister MacKenzie and opened in 1932, it holds the distinction of being the only public oceanside course MacKenzie designed in the United States. Owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco, this affordable municipal 18-hole layout blends rolling coastal fairways, strategic bunkering, and dramatic ocean views into a round that connects modern players to the golden age of golf course design.

Course History

In 1930, San Francisco commissioned Scottish-born architect Alister MacKenzie, fresh from his work on Augusta National and Cypress Point, to design the city's third municipal golf course on land bequeathed to San Francisco by Honora Sharp. MacKenzie's plans envisioned a genuine seaside links built directly against the Pacific, and construction was carried out with the help of his associates Robert Hunter and Chandler Egan. Through 1931 the property's ocean lagoon was deepened into a fresh-water lake, and fairways and tees were laid out among islands and spits before the course opened for play in 1932.

Decades of coastal erosion, storm damage, and shifting maintenance priorities altered MacKenzie's original design, with bunkers lost and greens shrinking over time. The course later became a focus of preservation advocacy, championed by groups such as the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, who fought to protect it and restore MacKenzie's design intent while balancing habitat concerns for endangered species that share the site.

The Design & Architecture

Sharp Park is celebrated as the only public oceanside course Alister MacKenzie designed in the United States, sharing with the Eden Course at St. Andrews the distinction of being a MacKenzie-designed municipal seaside links. The layout showcases his hallmark strategic principles: wide, rolling fairways that offer multiple routes to the green, cleverly positioned bunkers, and contoured putting surfaces that reward thoughtful shot-making over raw power. Set against sea walls, dunes, and a coastal lagoon, the course captures the windswept character of classic links golf within an accessible municipal setting.

Playing the Course

Playing to a par of 72 over roughly 6,481 yards with a course rating of 71.5 and slope of 121, Sharp Park offers an honest but manageable test for a wide range of golfers. The coastal breeze off the Pacific is the defining variable, turning otherwise moderate holes into demanding challenges and rewarding players who can control ball flight and club selection. Firm, links-style turf and the ever-present wind give the round a distinctly different feel from an inland parkland course, making it a rewarding day out for those who appreciate seaside golf.

Know Before You Go

• Location: 1 Sharp Park Rd, Pacifica, CA 94044, about 15 miles south of San Francisco along the coast.

• This is an affordable public municipal course operated by the City and County of San Francisco, open to all players.

• Book tee times in advance online, and call ahead at (650) 359-3380 to confirm conditions.

• Come prepared for coastal weather: wind, fog, and cool temperatures are common, so bring layers and rain gear.