Deep Cliff Golf Course was designed by Clark Glasson and built in 1961 as an 18-hole, par-60 executive course in the Cupertino foothills.

On the course

Glasson, a San Jose native, operated the course from its construction in 1961 until he sold it to private operator John Telischak in 1992. Subsequent design refinements have been credited to Donald Knott and Gary Linn , the Northern California-based principals of Knott & Linn Golf Design who previously worked together at Robert Trent Jones II.

Who it suits

The 52-acre property runs along Stevens Creek and is easily walked, with wildlife including rabbit, deer, and the occasional quail moving through the course.

The par-60 layout is made up of 12 par 3s and 6 par 4s , and measures 3,358 yards from the tips with four sets of tees . The course rating is 59.0 and the slope rating is 96.

The shortest hole from the front tees is the 65-yard seventh, while the longest from the back is the 273-yard first, one of six par 4s on the course.

The Deep Cliff has tree-lined but fairly generous fairways, greens protected by bunkers, doglegs on most of the par-4 holes, and a creek that comes into play on several others.

Golf Range Magazine named it the top short course in America in 2007.

The practice facility includes a 35-yard netted range and an 8,000-square-foot putting green rather than a full driving range.

The combination of short yardage, modest slope, and a par-4-heavy front nine makes Deep Cliff a practical fit for beginners, juniors, seniors, and players working on iron play and short-game scoring. Lower-handicap golfers tend to use it for a quick walking round or as a tune-up rather than a full-length test.

Architect: Clark Glasson · Opened: 1961