McInnis Park Golf Center opened in 1993 as part of Marin County's McInnis Park on Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael. The nine-hole executive layout was designed by Fred Bliss and plays to a par of 31 over roughly 1,843 yards, with a course rating of 58.8 and slope of 91 from the back tees. The facility is owned by Marin County Parks and operated by Tayman Park Golf Group, which runs day-to-day operations alongside the on-site McInnis Park Golf Academy.

On the course

The routing sits on flat North Bay parkland adjacent to Gallinas Creek and the McInnis Marsh, mixing par 3s and short par 4s across rolling, well-bunkered greens. Water comes into play on three holes, and the open terrain yields sightlines toward San Pablo Bay and Mount Tamalpais. Native marsh vegetation and resident wildlife frame the property, which shares the park with tennis courts, a skatepark, and kayak access to the bay.

Who it suits

Beyond the nine holes, the center is built around one of the largest practice operations in the North Bay: a 47-bay driving range outfitted with Toptracer technology, two chipping greens with adjacent bunkers, a putting green, and a grass teaching area. There is also an 18-hole miniature golf course and a full-service restaurant. The Golf Range Association of America has named the facility a Top 50 Stand-Alone Range twelve times.

The course is best suited to beginners working their way from the range to the course, juniors in the academy's instructional programs, and experienced players looking for a quick short-game round or a walkable evening nine. Lower greens fees, year-round play, and a softspikes-only policy make it a practical option for Marin golfers who want repetition on approach shots and putting rather than a full championship test.

Architect: Fred Bliss · Opened: 1993