Santa Teresa Golf Club's 18-hole regulation course was built in 1963 and designed by George E. Santana. The facility sits in the foothills of South San Jose near Santa Teresa County Park, and has operated as a daily-fee public course for more than six decades.

On the course

The main course measures 6,742 yards from the back tees and plays to a par of 71, with a course rating of 72.1 and a slope rating of 126. The routing splits neatly into two distinct nines: the front nine is mostly flat, while the back nine is hillier and a bit more interesting. The elevation changes on the inward half open up views across the Santa Clara Valley, and the contrast between the two sides gives the round a different character on each side. Mature trees line many of the fairways, and the greens are generally regarded as the strongest part of the conditioning.

Who it suits

In 1996 the club added a 9-hole short course designed by Gene Bates, playing to a par of 27. Known as "Shorty," it has water hazards on four holes and abundant sand traps, works for both beginners and seasoned players practicing the short game, and is a walk-on course with no tee time required.

The facility also includes an onsite driving range with six practice tees.

Santa Teresa suits mid-handicap public-course players looking for a moderately priced South Bay round with real topographic variety on the back nine, as well as juniors and beginners who can use Shorty and the range to develop their game. It is a functional, locally popular muni-style facility rather than a destination resort course, with a reputation built on accessible pricing and the contrast between its flat front and hilly back.

Architect: George E. Santana · Opened: 1963