Golf at Lincoln Park began in 1902, when local enthusiasts laid out a rudimentary three-hole course on the grounds of the old Golden Gate Cemetery, a city burying ground dating to 1868. The layout grew in stages, reaching nine holes by 1909 and a full eighteen around 1917, shaped by several hands including Tom Bendelow. It is the oldest course owned and operated by the City of San Francisco, host of the first San Francisco City Championship and the muni where Johnny Miller, Bob Rosburg, and George Archer sharpened their games. The Palace of the Legion of Honor sits within the routing.

On the course

The card reads par 68 and 5,181 yards, but the course plays longer than the number. Fairways are narrow, framed by cypress and pine, the terrain rolls and sometimes climbs steeply, and Pacific wind pushes shots around on the exposed holes. Greens are small and undulating, so even wedge approaches ask for precision, and uneven lies are the norm. The famous moment is the 17th, a par 3 of roughly 240 yards whose tee looks straight down the span of the Golden Gate Bridge, while the high ground near the 7th fairway opens views of downtown and Mount Diablo.

Who it suits

Treat it as a walk: the hills are real but the short yardage keeps a carry-or-push round manageable, and reviewers generally praise the pace. Green fees stay in muni territory. Conditioning is the trade-off; recent reviewers note patchy greens and scruffy stretches, so come for the setting rather than tournament turf. The modest length suits shorter hitters, juniors, and newer players as much as nostalgic locals.

Practice options are minimal: there is no driving range, though a practice putting green maintained in George Archer's memory handles warm-up duty, and a small pro shop covers check-in and essentials. Choose Lincoln Park for some of the most scenic municipal golf in the Bay Area; players who want a long test, fast greens, and a range session first will be happier at Harding Park across town.

Architect: Tom Bendelow · Opened: 1902