Albert Warren Tillinghast was probably the greatest American golf course architect of his day and “Tilly” was the genius who crafted the course for San Francisco Golf Club in 1915.



Albert Warren Tillinghast was probably the greatest American golf course architect of his day and “Tilly” was the genius who crafted the course for San Francisco Golf Club in 1915.



5
Tucked away in San Francisco, this course has the feel of a hidden gem—quiet, understated, and absolutely steeped in history. From the moment you step onto the property, the old-world charm hits you, with a beautifully preserved clubhouse that tells its own story through the walls, photos, and atmosphere.
The layout is superb. It makes great use of the natural terrain, with several standout holes that flow effortlessly through the rolling landscape. There’s a real sense of place here—nothing feels forced or overly engineered. Every hole has character, and the course builds momentum as you go.
The backstory involving the famous duel on the 7th hole adds a unique layer of intrigue that you don’t find at many other clubs.
The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
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Overall rating
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