It is nearly 20 years now since Tom Doak rejuvenated one of Tillinghast’s finest pieces of work (in the eyes of many that have been lucky enough to see it up close and personal). San Francisco Golf Club is a traditional and private place, of that there is no doubt. The club sign outside the gates probably rivals Augusta for being one of the most photographed golf signs in the world. Due to the club employing a strict no phones policy, that photograph is often the only evidence that you visited these hallowed grounds. 

Entering the incredibly atmospheric locker room, you get a feel for the history and the theme continues as you walk on into the main part of the clubhouse. The membership is a relatively small one but their collective pride in their club is palpable, and we met many members who were wonderfully generous with their time, sharing stories and anecdotes about the club and its history, as well as taking us around some of the finer historical pieces on show across the walls of the bar and dining room. 

The golf course at SFGC exudes a regal air that rolls around these tree lined grounds, giving the property a collectively special atmosphere. The course is routed across ground that contains a historic site in the political history of the U.S.A. I’m no American history expert, but even I can could feel the significance of setting eyes on the spot where the last legal duel took place between Senator David C. Broderick and Justice David S. Terry in 1859. Terry shot Broderick somewhere beside the now 7th tee (appropriately named the ‘Duel Hole’), sparking a chain of events that would eventually propel Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency. 

The front nine here is dramatic as the history of the ground, with the holes navigating through and over impressive ridges and two impressively deep valleys, creating some dramatic precipitous drives and eye catching chute fairways. The way the ground is utilised is the real master of the piece, and this is as perfect a nine holes as you could ever wish to play. A reasonably gentle handshake of an opener is followed by an adrenaline packed run of holes (2-8), where the brilliance of Tillinghast’s land use shines through. 2,7 and 8 utilise the valley bottoms, while 3,5 and 6 traverse the ridges in between them. Keep to the fairways and you will you may wonder what the fuss is about, but wander off into the rough covered contours and you will very quickly wish you hadn’t.

The 2nd is rated the hardest hole on the course, mainly as it is long, uphill and needs two solid blows to reach the tough green in regulation. Both of the par 3’s in this run (4&7) are truly magical, with length being the test on 4 and accuracy and leaving yourself below the flag being crucial on the drop shot 7th. Hole 3 is a brilliant par 4, well bunkered and very punishing if you are wayward, and hole 8 encompasses the most dramatic of all of the land, played uphill through a chute to a green where the false front can make one look rather foolish (ask me how I know). I absolutely loved this opening nine.