Martin Miller
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Sherwood Country Club
Thousand Oaks, CA•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Sherwood Country Club
320 W Stafford Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361-5087
United States
Overview
When Jack Nicklaus completed Sherwood Country Club for industrialist David Murdock in the late 1980s, critics immediately compared it to Shadow Creek, which Nicklaus felt was unfair, since his land—a river valley with homesites on high surrounding hills—was far more natural than the barren Vegas desert. But critics were comparing ledger books. They spent lots of money at Sherwood. Several hundred mature oaks were transplanted at an estimated cost of $6 million (over $15 million in today's dollars). The massive boulders edging some fairways were trucked in as well, and the ponds and streams guarding landing areas and greens were manufactured by experts in that business. In the end, it added up to producing one of the best courses money could buy, until the drought of 2014. Nicklaus returned in 2016 to approve agronomic improvements that reduced water use by 25 percent. Sherwood remains a great layout, but is more austere in presentation.
About
Golf Digest 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
“Sherwood Country Club is a solid Jack Nicklaus design that offers a good test of golf in a beautiful setting. The course winds through the hills of Thousand Oaks, with elevation changes, attractive mountain backdrops, and a decent variety of holes. The layout requires a good deal of shotmaking, with well-positioned bunkers and interesting green complexes. There is plenty of challenge throughout the round, although at times the course feels more demanding than strategically interesting. The routing is good, and the natural terrain adds considerably to the overall experience. Conditioning was good, although the course played softer than I prefer, likely due in part to recent rain. Firmer conditions would certainly improve the playing experience and bring out more of the course's architectural qualities. Overall, Sherwood is a very good golf course with an attractive setting, solid architecture, and plenty of challenge. While I enjoy playing it and appreciate its variety and character, I wouldn't put it among my favorite designs. It's a good, demanding test of golf, but not one that I find particularly exceptional from an architectural standpoint."
Read More2026
Review
“Sherwood CC is a very enjoyable Nicklaus design. Its biggest strengths for me were Aesthetics and Layout Variety. Themountain backdrops and valley holes, especially on the back nine, give the course a beautiful setting, and there are a number of memorable visual features throughout the layout. Nicklaus uses water often and effectively, including a waterfull frontage on the par-3 sixth, and the rock formation in the middle of the fairway on No. 16 is a truly unique and memorable feature. On the positive side, I found Sherwood to be more natural than many Nicklaus layouts. There is still plenty of manufactured strategy and target golf, which lowered the Shot Options category for me, but the course generally fits its setting very well. The blind tee shot on 18 was a good example — intimidating and more natural-feeling than some of the more heavily shaped features on the course. The layout has enough changes in elevation, direction, and presentation to stay interesting throughout the entire course. The main reason I would not rate Sherwood higher overall is that the Shot Options are still a little limited for a truly elite course. Too many holes require a specific target-golf type of shot rather than giving the player several viable ways to play the hole. I also found the fairways and greens too soft for a course at this level. Overall, Sherwood is a strong Top 150–200 course."
Read More2026
Review
“A nice golf course with many good golf holes. It is definitely worth a round when in the area. However, like many Nicklaus designs, it plays among homes (albeit incredibly nice homes), which distracts from the quality of the golf experience."
Read More2025
Review
“Picturesque Jack Nicklaus design north of Los Angeles. Design weaved in and out of canyons and is in great condition. Has hosted numerous professional events. Play here if you get an invitation."
Read More2022
Review
“The course weaves through the Hills providing great views and fun holes. Staff is super friendly and the course is definitely worth the trip if you can get on."
Read More2018
Review
“Great conditioning. Great use of the terrain in routing the holes. Great caddie staff, many of them have worked there for a couple of decades. Iconic clubhouse with one of the more thrilling finishing holes in golf. Some stars may be members. But the club itself is the real star here when you visit. Love the greens complexes. They just fit the course and the surrounding toporaphy so well. Jump at an invitation to play."
Read More2018
Review
“The par fours had some nice variety and distinctive qualities, particularly the dogleft left 5th, the dogleg right 13th, and the delightful 18th. The aesthetics were extraordinary and among the best I've seen, particularly for a parkland course. It's just a gorgeous property and experience. Conditioning was pretty good. The course didn't play firm and fast on the fairways; the greens were too firm but putted pretty well. Ambiance was great. It's a special club and a wonderful experience. The course is not easily walkable, but it'd be a fun way to explore the forest."
Read More2018
Review
“Very good routing through the trees and down the canyon. It was in great shape when I played it. Classy clubhouse staff."
Read More2018
