Golf Digest’s fresh 2025-2026 list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses just dropped, and NINE Bay Area tracks cracked the Top 100. If you enjoy golf like me, here’s why they are ranked amongst the finest golf experiences in the world:
Cypress Point Club, Pebble Beach | National Ranking: #3
Alister MacKenzie’s routing includes wind-sculpted cypress groves and sheer Pacific cliffs. Landing a tee time at this postcard-worthy destination feels like winning the lottery.
Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach | National Ranking: #9
Here, the 18th hugs Carmel Bay so tightly, your second shot might splash. Six US Opens (and an upcoming seventh) prove the layout rewards nerve as much as skill.
San Francisco Golf Club, San Francisco | National Ranking: #33
A.W. Tillinghast carved a graceful course here, framed by towering cypresses and ocean air. Tradition runs deep, and the “Duel” 7th is simply legendary.
The Olympic Club – Lake, San Francisco | National Ranking: #35
Fairways pitch and roll through Monterey pines. This course has also hosted multiple US Opens; bring patience and extra balls.
Monterey Peninsula Country Club – Shore, Pebble Beach | National Ranking: #55
Gil Hanse’s redesign marries raw beauty with strategic intrigue, allowing the links to thread through dunes, native ice plants, and lounging harbor seals.
California Golf Club, South San Francisco | National Ranking: #57
The “Cal Club” pairs golden-age bunkering with a bold, modern restoration that reopens sightlines while hiding a stout 7,100-yard test.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Pebble Beach | National Ranking: #76
Holes 1–5 stare down the Pacific before plunging into silent Del Monte Forest. The small, sloping greens are a test even for the pros.
Monterey Peninsula Country Club – Dunes, Pebble Beach | National Ranking: #77
Routed inland first, this course snakes back to the sea for an exhilarating finale, its wide corridors inviting creativity along the way.
Pasatiempo Golf Club, Santa Cruz | National Ranking: #93
MacKenzie built this gem as his retirement playground; nearly a century later, the roller-coaster greens still serve thrills alongside coastal breezes and redwood backdrops.
Although most of these nine spectacular courses are private, a few do offer packages and tee times to the public. As someone always looking for bucket-list golf experiences myself, please let me know if you’re on the lookout for somewhere equally enjoyable and accessible. I have plenty of recommendations to share!
