Sherwood Country Club
Thousand Oaks, CA • Private

Martin Miller

Courtesy of the club

Courtesy of the club

Courtesy of the club

Courtesy of the club
Overview
When Jack Nicklaus completed Sherwood Country Club for industrialist David Murdock in the late 1980s, critics immediately compared it to No. 26 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. 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 reduce water use by 25 percent. Sherwood remains a great layout, but more austere in presentation.
About
Awards


Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-'16 and 2019-'22.
2023-'24 ranking: 187th.
Previous ranking: 180th.
Highest ranking: No. 143, 2015-'16.
100 Greatest: Ranked 79th, 1993-'94. Ranked 95th, 1995-'96.
Best in State: Ranked 16th, 2015-'16. Ranked 18th, 2011-'12. Ranked 19th, 2013-'14. Ranked 20th, 2017-'18, 2021-'22. Ranked 25th, 2019-'20.
2023-'24 ranking (and previous): 20th.
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
“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
Readers
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