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Golden Gate Park Golf Course

Heard of Golden Gate Park Golf Course?

If you’re traveling to San Francisco, you might be mulling over what you should pack with you. However, you don’t have to stick a bunch of flowers in your hair. The city, with its counter-culture, is simply nostalgic. Instead, you need to pack a few irons and a putter.

These two items are your tools of the trade at the Golden Gate Park resort. This iconic resort is about three miles and a half-mile wide. Comparable to New York’s Central Park, it stretches from the border of the Haight-Ashbury district to the western edges of the city.

This serene layout is just a short distance from the ocean and tucked through the countless stands of cypress and eucalyptus. Golden Gate Park resort is so understated that even some senior residents are often surprised to discover its existence.

The history of Golden Gate Park Golf Course

The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is an iconic 9-hole, par-3 layout. It’s a brainchild of Jack Fleming, a former protégé of Alister MacKenzie, who proceeded to become the first golf “caretaker” in San Francisco—a throwback title used to describe a man who proved to be ahead of his time.

Fleming loved short courses, which are the darlings of today’s golf developers. He constructed several short courses around the city, such as Gleneagles, a favorite 9-holer in South San Francisco. He also built the Jack Fleming 9 at Harding Park, a premium executive track surrounded by the course where Collin Morikawa won his first major win.

The land is a premium resource in Northern California. Fleming packed a lot into small plots, no larger than the size of the Golden Gate Park Golf Course. The course sits on sandy soil, just a few meters from the Olympic Club. It offers the best of San Francisco golf in miniature.

It is surrounded by incredible sights, sounds including the ghostly trees, coastal breezes, and the interchanging fog and sunshine. At 1,302 yards, it’s a suitable place for beginners. The 194-yard 9th is the longest shot golfers can face. However, it’s not an easy victory. The air is heavy, and the winds are so powerful.

Some Rules to Abide By At Golden Gate Park Golf Course

  • If you feel sick or show signs or symptoms of sickness, you’re excluded from entering the park.
  • Strict tee times observed—only golfers with reserved tee times are allowed inside the course at any given time.
  • No sharing of equipment—all golfers must use their equipment
  • Golfers must reserve their tee times through the online booking portal

With gentle shifts in elevation, you have even more to ponder. For those who come from outside the town, a 9-hole loop costs $23 during weekdays and $27 on weekends. In a tech-inflated city like San Francisco, that is a bargain price. It’s just about what one would pay for a tie-dye shirt in a tourist outlet outside the park.

Final Thoughts

During this era of COVID-19, all golfers must have their masks or facial protection on before entering the clubhouse. Large gatherings are not allowed in the parking lot, clubhouse, and practice area. Overall, guests who don’t adhere to the rules are asked to leave the property.

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