The Olympic Club: Lake
San Francisco, CA • Private

ev

Kirk Rice

Frank Morse

Derek Duncan


Stephen Szurlej
Overview
It seems fitting that, in a town where every house is a cliffhanger, every U.S. Open played at Olympic has been one, too. For decades, the Lake was a severe test of golf. Once it was a heavily forested course with canted fairways hampered by just a single fairway bunker. By 2009, the forest had been considerably cleared away, leaving only the occasional bowlegged cypress with knobby knees, the seventh and 18th greens were redesigned and a new par-3 eighth added. Despite those changes, the 2012 U.S. Open stuck to the usual script: a ball got stuck in a tree, slow-play warnings were given, a leader snap-hooked a drive on 16 in the final round, and a guy name Simpson won. If the past was predictable, the future of the Lake Course might be more mysterious after Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner completed a remodeling in 2023 in preparation for the 2028 PGA Championship. The holes are even more breathable than before with additional tree decluttering, the greens have been expanded for more hole locations and the bunkers don't seem so deep and disconnected with the greens as they did. That old seventh hole was also scrapped in favor of a new drivable par 4 playing to a new greensite closer to the eighth tee. What hasn't changed is the Lake Course's secret ingredient, the mysterious hillside atmosphere that makes balls fall out of the air and the holes play much longer than their yardage.
About
Awards


Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1966.
2023-'24 ranking: 35th.
Previous ranking: 34th.
Highest ranking: 10th, 1985-'88, 1991-'92.
Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2011-'14. Ranked fifth, 2015-'22.
2023-'24 ranking: Sixth.
Previous ranking: Fifth.
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
“Incredible work by Gil and team. Course becomes more fun for the daily player. Green complexes add scale and complexity (more pin locations), adding to shot options. Tree removal adds to the aesthetics, making neighboring clubs more visible, and seeing more of the course throughout. Job well done!"
Read More2024
Review
“Major championship course that is playable for average golfers. Home of the burger dog!"
Read More2024
Review
“Special golf course and club."
Read More2024
Review
“The recent redesign by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner has generally opened up what was and still is a very challenging venue. Numerous trees were removed providing more open site lines. In addition the fairways were widened allowing the golfer a better chance to avoid the more penal rough. The greens were also generally enlarged but putting a bigger premium on placement on the green as they remain slick with various undulations. The course remains one that provides the golfer with many shot options as there a number of both long and short holes, dog legs left and right and many holes with significant elevation changes both up and down. While the bunkers surrounding many of the greens remain as challenging elements of the course, they have been smoothed out a bit and are generally less deep which make for a more playable course for the average golfer. The final three holes may be some of the best finishing holes in golf, particularly the steep uphill 18th, with its relatively small green. Overall, the course remains a very challenging layout but is certainly a more playable venue for the average golfer particularly when the rough is not being readied for championship play. The site lines and diversity of the course and terrain make this a pleasure to play."
Read More2024
Review
“The Olympic Club - Lake Course is a best renovation candidate in 2024. Key changes noted between playing now and several times in the past included: removal and loss of a significant number of trees which created enhanced site lines on most holes and outstanding vistas throughout the course; fairways were noticeably wider (+10-20 yds on average) than when previously played; many existing bunkers had been reshaped to match the terrain and enlarged; several tees were moved back increasing the course's overall yardage by approximately 120 yards; the short par 4 7th was moved approx. 100 yds to the right and the green enlarged (still one of the most difficult putting surfaces on the course) and finally rough was considerably lower than experienced in the past. The course remains a delight to play albeit very challenging given the terrain features, coastal location and course layout. There is a very good variety of long and short holes moving left to right or vice versa. One of the key characteristics of the course is the fact many tee shots are either uphill or downhill with the approach shot being exactly the opposite. This creates a number of shot options off tees and into greens. Even though a significant number of trees have been removed, many trees remain defining holes and creating challenges should drives or approach shots be miss hit. The course reopened after the renovation in September 2023. The course played firm and fast consistent with previous times played. Turf and course conditions were very good on date played; however, a number of tee boxes were in poor shape due to apparent growing issues. Overall, this was an excellent and challenging golf course and the recent renovations have only enhanced its appeal especially the greatly improved site lines and vistas."
Read More2024
Review
“If you can get here please do. Great course from start to finish, one of the stronger 18th hole in the country."
Read More2024
Review
“The new renovation is fantastic. The course has a beautiful flow with a unique and special design."
Read More2023
Review
“Located 20 minutes north of SFO International airport, this hilly old school course is charming and challenging and beautifully restored by Gil Hanse, opened in September 2023 Willie Watson, 1924 Gil Hanse renovation, 2023, greens, bunkers, fairways and irrigation were redone. Greens were expanded, hole #7 was redone and the green was moved to the right. It’s the signature hole. Gil Hanse removed 30-40 trees, but a recent storm during the renovation knocked down over 100 trees"
Read More2023
Review
“Definitely the best golf course in San Francisco, despite the exclusivity of SFGC, the uniqueness of Cal Club, and the recent restoration of Lake Merced. Olympic's Lake Course is a great challenge to golfers of all abilities. Despite having a large membership, the club and property have a great atmosphere and are an absolute blast to play and hang out at."
Read More2023
Review
“Awesome shotmaking variety"
Read More2022
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