There is big, boisterous buzz swirling around Tiger’s return to golf at the Masters this week, unfortunately, I know very little about the Masters or for that matter, about golf. Shopping is my sport of choice and I have never lost a game. However, my significant main man is never happier than when he is donning a proper pair of plaid pants, a jaunty cap, and swinging his 5-iron at one of today’s Haute 5 Golf Courses.
The Olympic Club
The Olympic Club is San Francisco’s most prestigious and oldest private athletic club. Established in the 1860s, the Olympic Club’s course is carved into San Francisco’s hillside, presiding over the city with sweeping views and dramatic vistas. Immaculately maintained grounds make this course a golf aficionado’s dare-to-dream venue, while the expensive private club dues make it that much hauter and harder to get in to.
The Olympic Club is located at 599 Skyline Blvd; 415.841.1526
Pasatiempo Golf Course
Located approximately 70 miles south of our fair city lies the Pacific seaside jewel of Santa Cruz. This small, laid-back town is not only home to pro-surfers, Silicon Valley magnates and UC students alike; it also houses a thriving population of golf enthusiasts who call Pasatiempo Golf Course world-class. This public course was designed by world-class course architect, Alister MacKenzie and is ranked as one of the top 100 public courses. With spectacular views of Monterey Bay and beautifully landscaped grounds, a game at Pasatiempo is sure to leave you smiling. That is, if you have a good game.
Pasatiempo Golf Course is located at 18 Clubhouse Rd; 831.459.9155
San Francisco Golf Club
This private golf course is harder to get into than a White House State dinner…wait…scratch that. Let’s just call it very exclusive, very private and very nostalgic San Francisco money. If you are lucky enough to be a member, or lucky enough to be invited to play with a member then you are in for a little golfer’s delight. A moderately difficult course with sweeping landscape views, SFGC is a true, old school golfing paradise.
SFGC is located at 1310 Junipero Serra Blvd; 415.469.4100
Mayacama
A scenic and short 65 miles drive north of San Francisco, through Sonoma county, will place you in the midst of Mayacama’s luxe landscape. An almost mythical setting, complete with babbling streams, lush marshlands, tall grasses and a plethora of wildlife to see, Mayacama is not only a nature retreat, it is a world-class, top-rated private golf course. Not only is this gorgeously green golf course amidst natural splendor, it is also smack dab in the middle of wine country, making a golf game followed by a glass of Napa Valley’s finest in the club house a hole in one.
Mayacama is located at 1240 Mayacama Club Dr; 707.569.2900
Pebble Beach Golf Links
If you don’t know that Pebble Beach is considered one of golfing’s holy grails, then you don’t know anything about golf. This world renowned course is rated No. 1 in the top 100 public courses and has been graced by everyone from the tenacious Tiger Woods to the “sexy back” Justin Timberlake (the Pebble Beach Pro-Am is an annual event that pairs celebrities with pros). Sweeping views of Monterey Bay, a course that hugs the natural, rustic coastline and perfectly manicured grass, create a triumphant trifecta of golf glory. Though public, a game here doesn’t feel so public on the wallet and requires a night stay at their very own luxurious hotel complete with spectacular views of the emerald greens.
Pebble Beach Golf Links is located at 17 Mile Dr; 800.654.9300
