California Golf Club
South San Francisco, CA • Private
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Overview
For a course that featured Alister Mackenzie bunkers (added just two years after it first opened), Cal Club was never considered the equal of its near neighbors, No. 35 Olympic (Lake) or No. 33 San Francisco G.C. That’s partly because it was so claustrophobic, not just from dense trees, but from its truncated front nine reworked in the 60s by Trent Jones after road expansion took two holes. Architect Kyle Phillips resolved the problem by clearing trees and creating five new holes, including a new par-4 second in the old practice range and a new dogleg-right par-4 seventh atop a previously unused mesa in the middle of the course. Best of all, he re-introduced Mackenzie’s glamorous bunkers. Cal Club is now much closer to its top-ranked neighbors.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Inaugural appearance on America's 100 Greatest.
2023-'24 ranking: 71st (highest).
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
Previous ranking: 101st.
Best in State: Ranked 15th, 2015-'16, 2019-'20. Ranked 16th, 2013-'14, 2017-'18. Ranked 25th, 2011-'12.
2023-'24 ranking: Ninth (highest).
Previous ranking: 13th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Terrific old school design that completely takes advantage of a rolling piece of land. Great conditioning with the best greens in the area and fast bouncy fairways. The course changes character on the holes added by various designers, but holds together well as a whole. There is remarkable variety in holes, terrain, and shots required. You will truly use every club in the bag."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the best courses in the US and not just NorCal. Conditioning is fantastic and allows for different shots off the tee and into greens. Each hole presents a new challenge and truly keeps the golfer engaged."
Read More2024
Review
“Golden age design that has firm and fast fairways with beautiful bunking throughout. Hilly piece of property that is actually an easy walk due to its excellent routing. Beautiful clubhouse that contains many historical items. Staff and membership were most welcoming. Definitely play here if offered the opportunity."
Read More2024
Review
“Cal Club has quietly (or not so quietly) become the darling of the San Francisco golf scene, both for its well renovated course and its laid-back club atmosphere. The course is wide and strategic. Its first two holes are the dominant memory for me, with connected fairways and a ridge that keeps the first time player slightly unsettled. Decent shot options tee through green exist here. If anything, its layout variety causes a few holes to blend together and making parts of the course less memorable. The course has just enough quirk and fun to make it one of the more enjoyable courses among the San Francisco elite courses."
Read More2024
Review
“Originally designed by Willie Locke and A. Vernon Macan in 1926. Later Alister MacKenzie redesigned the bunkering and at least 2 greens, Kyle Phillips in 2008, restored the course to its original design. Great, challenging course with excellent conditioning and a fun variety of holes along with elevation changes and some nice views of South San Francisco"
Read More2022
Review
“Some of the most artistic bunkering I've ever experienced. The architects use of the bay to frame the 6th hole is exceptional. The greens are somewhat tame compared to other MacKenzie courses I've played such as Crystal Downs or Pasatiempo, but yet very challenging and provide numerous pin location possibilities on virtually every hole. The towering trees frame the holes beautifully, yet do not hinder play excessively."
Read More2022
Review
“* The flow of the holes are fantastic however many of them were similar in that they would bank in one direction off the tee and go in the opposite on the approach. Many of the doglegs contained only inside bunkering. Par 5's and 3's are utilized in only 2 directions. * Lovely bunkering all around adding to the character. Together with the flow and views it's a fun place to play a round. * Greens were the weakness in the design in that they are fairly flat and not so interesting likely due to green speeds. There were however many pin positions that can be tucked into fun places such as the back pin on 4 within the funnel. The approaches on the other hand were very interesting with chances to run the ball up when playing firm. On this day the fairways were relatively soft with bumpy greens but held approach shots well with firm bounces."
Read More2022
Review
“A visit isn't complete without taking a look in the clubhouse at the history that has been preserved about the club, the architects, and past events. Higher handicapper always has a routing option to play each hole, and the low handicap player will not be disappointed in the test of their game."
Read More2020
Review
“What an amazing place to play. Conditions are perfect with firm fairways and greens. True roll on the greens. Gorgeous views and plenty of room to play. You aren't spending time looking for balls. A fun membership in which to get a game together and the clubhouse is steeped with history."
Read More2019
Review
“Nice slice of Australian Sand belt. Great variety. Stunning property with San Fran in the surrounds. Absolute joy to play."
Read More2018
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