Hiddenbrooke Golf Club opened in 1995 as an Arnold Palmer Signature design, with Palmer's longtime partner Ed Seay sharing the credit, and it remains the only course the Palmer team built in Northern California. The layout occupies a secluded valley in Vallejo's eastern hills, a mile and a half off Interstate 80, at the center of the Hiddenbrooke community. The LPGA's Samsung World Championship was played here from 2000 through 2002; Juli Inkster won the first edition, and Annika Sorenstam closed the run in 2002 with a record 22-under-par 266. Troon Golf manages the club today.

On the course

The par-72 layout stretches to 6,815 yards and plays like two courses in one. The early holes work the valley floor, where a meandering creek and ponds pinch the landing areas, before the routing climbs into the hillsides and tumbles back down. Elevated tees tempt aggressive lines on short downhill par 4s like the fourth, the 13th draws the most praise among the par 3s, and the long par-3 17th asks for the best swing of the day. Greens carry big sweeping contours rather than severe tiers, and reviewers describe putting surfaces that run firm, fast, and demanding.

Who it suits

The practical case starts with conditioning: recent reviewers report fairways in excellent shape and greens rolling quick, at rates well below what comparable tournament-pedigree courses charge. The trade-off is terrain. The elevation changes that make the views are real climbing, so most players ride, and the hillside holes punish wild driving. Pace draws occasional complaints on packed weekends, but the valley setting keeps rounds quiet for a course this close to the freeway.

Practice facilities cover the full game: a grass driving range, a practice putting green, and a chipping area, with Troon-run instruction and junior programs and a clubhouse that doubles as a busy event venue. Pick Hiddenbrooke for a championship-pedigree design with fast greens and dramatic terrain within reach of both San Francisco and Sacramento; golfers who want a flat, easy walk should look elsewhere.

Architect: Arnold Palmer · Opened: 1995