Tillinghast is of course well known for leaving his mark all over the East Coast of the US with great championship courses. Fewer people know that some of his absolutely best work happened on the West Coast. Namely San Francisco Golf Club which arguably is the very best of what he left behind. A rare visit to San Francsico Golf Club is like stepping back in time to the beginning of golf in American. Everything is the way it was back in the first half of the 20th century. It really has it all, a wonderful golf course, an original and understated clubhouse with the original locker room, amazing views, history, a magical routing and usage of a small property and on top of it all an truly iconic hole in The Duel hole – home to the last legal duel to ever take place in the United States – which was also without a doubt one of my favorite holes. A medium length drop shot par 3 (see photo) with another hole right behind it – needless to say a true dual (duel) hole.

My second favorite hole was the par 3, 15th. A short little hole with postage stamp type green elevated and surrounded by huge bunkers. A tricky shot with a short iron in the wind.

There is not a doubt in my mind that San Francisco Golf Club is one of the best members club in the US and with 40,000 courses that truly says a lot. For me it encompasses most of what is great about golf and why I love this game.