844 West Orange Ave,
South San Francisco, California 94080
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland and residential.
Designer:
Original layout at this location by Arthur Vernon "Mac" Macan and Willie Locke (1926). Modifications by Dr. Alister MacKenzie (1928), Robert Trent Jones Sr (1965) and Kyle Phillips (2005).
37.650206
-122.438293
14 mi S of downtown San Franscisco.
California GC
California Golf Club of San Francisco (also known as "Cal Club") is home to a championship golf course that ranks with some of the best in California. Originally located in Ingleside in southwest San Francisco, the club moved a further 7 miles down the peninsula to South San Francisco in 1924.
Willie Locke and "Mac" Macan were enlisted by the members to help design the course, which opened in 1926. Alister MacKenzie redesigned the bunkering and at least two of the greens, prior to his embarking on work at Cypress Point Club. More recently, Kyle Phillips restored the golf course to its "golden age" design and grandeur.
This tree-lined and open parkland layout provides a wonderful test for your all-round game, with many attractive, skilfully crafted and challenging holes to enjoy. This private course is generally playable only by its members and their invited guests.
Private club; guests may only play if hosted by a member.
Walking permitted.
Good
California Golf Club's course designer Arthur Vernon "Mac" Macan (1882-1964) immigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1908. He was trained as a lawyer and was an accomplished golfer. He fought in Europe under the Canadian flag during WWI, losing the lower part of his left leg, an injury that did not deter him from returning to competitive golf!
Following the war, Macan turned to course design, but did not venture too far from British Columbia, designing courses predominantly in western Canada, Oregon and Washington. Historians suggest that Macan's designs were in the same league as those of his contemporaries Alister MacKenzie, Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast.
California's 8th best course (Golf Digest, 2025/26).
USA's 57th best course (Golf Digest, 2025/26).
World's 45th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24).
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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