Golden Gate Park GC reopens in San Francisco with fresh course, big plans as community asset

No. 1, 95-137 yards: The hole plays from the clubhouse area uphill about 25 feet. The fairway is a bit of a saddle between dunes with tall trees on both sides. There is a large multi-trunk cypress tree behind the green. During the renovation the teeing ground was expanded, and a sandscape was exposed right of the tees. Numerous trees were removed or pruned to provide more room to play and improved turf conditions. A new double-green (combined with No. 4) is deep with helping contours on the left. To the right of the green, an old tree stump remains that the team refers to as Sandy’s Stump in honor of the late Sandy Tatum, the founder of The First Tee of San Francisco.

No. 2, 90-114 yards: The hole plays from the high point on the property then downhill about 20 feet into a grove of mature trees. A large cypress tree frames the left side of the green. The teeing ground was expanded and combined with the tees on Nos. 5 and 7. A bunker short of the green was removed so players can choose to putt down the hill on this hole if they desire. A chain-link fence behind the green was removed, and the green was expanded back. The new green is roughly three times the size of the original with a lower-right portion, a diagonal spine in the middle and a lower back-left section. A sandscape was exposed behind the green that catches balls before they reach the woods.

No. 3, 81-126 yards: The third hole is nestled down in a valley on the backside of the main dune. The hole plays from south to north with a large hillside left of the green. The hole was shortened to make room for the expanded second green and to improve safety. Dozens of dead trees were removed from the left side while large eucalyptus trees were pruned along the right. The green was elongated with a skinny front section as well as a small area tucked behind the dune on the left. The approach was softened to allow for shots along the ground.

No. 4, 75-115 yards: This hole sends players back up to the high point of the property. The hole plays uphill about 10-15 feet from north to south to a green that sits in a large amphitheater setting. Numerous dead trees were removed left of the hole, and trees on the right were pruned. The green complex was combined with No. 1. The green is a giant punchbowl with a spine in the middle to create a left bowl and a right bowl.

No. 5, 97–153 yards: The fifth used to be played as the ninth. It was the longest hole on the course, playing 35 feet downhill to the clubhouse. It was set in a very narrow corridor. During the renovation the hole was shortened, moving the green east and away from the clubhouse for safety reasons. Shifting the green and shortening the hole allowed for the addition of a practice putting green off the clubhouse patio. Trees on both sides of the hole were removed or pruned, opening up views of the Pacific Ocean, the Cliff House, the windmill and the golf course. The green now sits at the base of a strong roll in the fairway, so any shot clearing the roll will release onto the surface. A sandscape between No. 5 green and No. 1 tee protects shots that go long and offers a sense of place.

No. 6, 80-130 yards: The sixth was the starting hole before the renovation. It plays uphill about 30 feet to a green at the base of a larger hill, and it may have been the biggest transformation on the course during the renovation. The teeing ground was expanded forward and back, and a chain-link fence right of the tees was removed. A wall of shrubs left and behind the green were removed, and a giant sand dune was exposed. A bunker in front of the green was removed while some smaller sandscapes were opened at the tees to provide a backdrop for No. 8 and to play with the depth perception of the hole. Given the longer and uphill shot, the new green is three times the size of the old green and pitches from back to front. A big kicker slope behind the green can be used as well.

No. 7, 84-132 yards: The seventh plays west down the hill towards the Pacific Ocean. The green is situated in another amphitheater that overall tips from left to right. The tees were expanded and combined with Nos. 5 and 2. Trees on both sides were removed or pruned. A new boomerang green was constructed with the lone formal bunker on the course framing the right side of the green, or the center of the boomerang. Strong sideboards and kickers around the green will allow for players to get to the hole in a variety of ways.

No. 8, 52-95 yards: The eighth is the shortest hole on the course, playing less than 100 yards from the tips. The hole drops downhill about 15 feet and can be played with a putter. A tall cypress tree frames the right side of the approach while the left side is anchored by a large, wide and squatty cypress tree. Forward tees were added, stair-stepping down the hill. The areas right and behind the green were opened as a large sandscape. The green was lowered and widened, with interesting contours crafted throughout. A large bump short of the green was added to help players who putt from the tee.

No. 9, 102-160 yards: The final hole plays back north to the clubhouse and parking area. The ninth is one of the longest holes and plays through a corridor of mature cypress trees to a tabletop green with a strong hillside short right. The tees were elongated so the hole can play anywhere from 100-180 yards depending on hole location. The tees offer different angles, as well. Two bunkers short of the green were removed. A deep sandscape was added left of the tees for aesthetic purposes. The green complex has a deep sandscape behind to protect balls from going toward the parking lot.