The San Francisco Golf Club (SFGC) is another elite club in “The Bay” area. Intensely private this is a Tillinghast course that I was longing to see. To give an idea of the character at SFGC one only needs to step into the locker rooms – they are from a bygone era and it seems from what I’m led to believe SFGC is a club built on strong traditions and some amazing history.
Virtually across the road from The Olympic club it is spread over undulating terrain – particularly on the F9. The routing is virtually on two sides of the property the B9 on the East and the F9 on the Western side both with both a different character and feel in a sense. SFGC is surrounded by suburbia but you get a feel of spaciousness out on the course. The eastern boundary of the property adjoins Serra Blvd and is quite noisy - those who have played at Walton Heath will understand the din that exists there.
There is a significant tilt in the property from East to West – and as most holes run in that general direction (& vice versa) I wonder what it’s like to play early or late in the day with the movement of the sun ?
Holes I noted: Apologies in advance re: the quality of my photos – they were taken very early in the morning save for a couple of fellow GCAer pics
2nd = (P4: 420yds) is dogleg left that comes back towards the clubhouse. The hole plays down into a natural valley that then rises again to the green. The terrain changes are amazing as evident by these great pics from fellow GCAer Jed Peters (a few years ago) and test the golfer out early.
Tee shot (per JP)
Approach (per JP)
4th = (P3: 220yds) a long flat P3 surrounded by bunkers but sets up for a fade into the green.
7th = (P3: 190yds) “The Duel” hole is sharply downhill and this hole is steeped in history. It’s at a very quiet end of the property and I love how the natural terrain extends to a ridge running through the middle of the green.
The view up to the 8th in the background shows the significant changes in terrain one can experience on the F9. I also noticed the degree of tree clearing that has occurred over time. In the latest World Atlas of Golf there is a pic where the 7th it is densely surrounded by trees but there is less so now and the bunkering has certainly been redone.
9th = (P5: 582yds) is interesting in how the courses three P5’s are all centred around the clubhouse. This one returns to a green that is best approached from the right hand side with the Grand old clubhouse providing a great backdrop.
10th = (P4: 410yds) parallel to the 9th this is a hole that has bunkers and trees protecting the approach to the green.
11th = (P3: 161yds) is an inviting P3 whereby it’s better to be long than short. It plays in roughly the same direction as the 4th.
12th = (P4: 408yds) is an interesting hole whereby the green is situated behind two large fronting mounds both with bunkers in them. There is a little bit of room between them and the green though so it is not as hemmed in as it looks. I think this hole would polarise golfers who play it.
13th = (P3: 134yds) is a terrific short hole across a flat section of the property. It reminded me of the old 14th at Royal Qld (traffic noise and all) but the setting is certainly much nicer at SFGC
15th = (P4: 420yds) uphill this hole is well protected by bunkers on the drive that are shared with the 14th. The green is quite narrow and has some deceptive bunkers short as well.
18th = (P5: 520 yds) the final P5 returns to the clubhouse with bunkers being a constant threat on all approaches. The green is quite narrow but it is lovely finishing in front of the old clubhouse
The highlight for mine at SFGC was the wonderful feeling of openness one has on such a compact site. The trees frame the holes more so than being potential obstacles to overcome and you can view so many other holes as you move around the layout. The scale of the place needs to be seen to be believed.
The routing flows amazingly well and whilst some of the holes are parallel and quite close to one another there is a general feeling of uniqueness and spaciousness as you move around the layout.
Some of the bunkering is quite bold and whilst not as deep as those that I experienced at another Tillinghast layout: Bethpage (Black) they were an ever present threat. I have read that Billy Bell may have been involved with the bunkering at some stage as well ?
The set of P3’s were a big highlight as was the lack of trees clogging up the fairways. Similar in style to The Cal Club – the trees exist more so “in view” as opposed to “in play”.
I love the wonderful old world charm about the classic that is SFGC.