Presidio Golf Course - San Francisco

The Presidio golf course has been around a long time and was originally a military course for officers based nearby and a private club (which still exists). When the military moved out, the decision was fortunately made to keep the course running, but as it was in a public park to make it open to the public. Now we have a beautiful track, close to the city center open to everyone.

On paper the course is short, playing just under 6,500 from the tips. In reality with its elevation and San Francisco weather it is far more difficult than the scorecard suggests. As the locals say playing here makes everywhere else easier.

The course starts off with a downhill dog legged hole where a straight drive will give you a nice uphill approach to the first green. Going right will give you the first tree trouble of the round. There will be more to come, as all of the holes are tree lined. From here there is a short but challenging par 5 and very difficult par 4, with a narrow fairway and trouble on both sides. The fourth hole is a great downhill par 3 playing about 100 yards. Don’t shout too loud, they will be waiting for you in the bar. There is one more long par 3 on the front along with three more uphill par 4s and a great par 5 back towards the club house to close out. Reachable in two, a four is as easy to make as a seven depending on how you get off the tee box.

The back nine starts off tough, more often than not with the wind coming off of the ocean in your face, a long and straight par 5 gets you going. This is followed by a tricky and blind downhill par 4 that looks much shorter than it is, but if you strike your second well it’s a hole you won’t forget. Next comes 12, the most difficult on the course. There's an on-going debate on if it should be changed to a par 5 or not, but for now it’s a par 4 and if you get on in two, very well played. Another tricky par 3 awaits still in the wind as you get to the back of the property.

Once those are out of the way the homeward stretch is in sight and things get a little easier again. The highlight for me is another downhill par 3 on the 15th which is your last shot into the wind, again, always longer than it looks it’s a score able hole with amazing views of the city and out towards the back ocean. Magical at sunset, it’s beautiful at any time of day. 16 and 17 play back uphill and this is where the legs start to ache if you are walking but you have the wind on your back and the end in sight.

The 18th is another beauty to bring you home. With one side completely tree lined and the other being the 10th fairway. Again super views of the city await - two straight shots will get you close or on the long slightly uphill green.

At this point your legs will confirm that this is not your average 6,500 yard course and will be very happy a sunny terrace with great food and cold beverages is only a few steps away.

In a city where Harding Park and the private clubs steal the limelight, give the Presidio a go. It’s beautiful, challenging, well priced and being just off of billionaires row in Pacific Heights you never know who you might be paired with. Hotel Drisco is a five-star boutique hotel just down the street on a quiet corner that is well worth checking out.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to San Francisco. In need of further inspiration? Check out Jody Holman’s guide, Local's Art & Culinary Guide to San Francisco.