TPC Harding Park - California - USA

TPC Harding Park is a fine course that will undoubtedly satisfy your golfing appetite, but it fails to deliver anything close to pulse racing like so many of its big brothers in the Bay area. The first time I played it, was a year removed from the PGA championship and I thought it would prove difficult to host a major championship there -- that said, it proved a stern enough test for the pros and by most counts was a successful event. The course itself is straightforward, with very few forced carries, elevation changes, or penalty areas; the greens roll well, and the conditioning is great. Unfairly, Harding Park is adjacent to Olympic's famed Lake Course (separated by a small body of water), and your mind can't help but wander to a day spent on its far superior layout.

A course that has hosted a major championship always engenders an additional level of anticipation and intrigue for me. Remembering the shots seen on TV and recalling the memorable moments makes the visit more special, and encourages an instant connection with the golf course. I very much enjoyed the 2020 USPGA Championship at TPC Harding Park (won by Collin Morikawa), and couldn’t wait to test myself across one of the most iconic public golf courses on the West coast.

There is no doubt this is a brilliant piece of golfing land. The turf is lush and springy, the grounds expansive and undulating and the views of Lake Merced and beyond toward the infamous Olympic Club on the far side of the water, certainly set the major championship tone. The course conditions didn’t always fit the grand surroundings however, and great credit should be given to the visionaries who saw enough in this golf course to bring about its remarkable regeneration.

The course routing is a very distinct in that the front nine acts as the filling to the back nine’s sandwich. I found the first nine holes slight disorientating as they zigzag back and forth through the centre of the layout. The back nine then encircles the front in a loop around the perimeter of the property. The position of the course, proximate to the Pacific, means that wind is often a factor and can become a maddening foe on the closing run.

A real standout design feature of the course is the strength of the par 4’s. Off the blue tees (the Championship tees are much further back), 6 of the 10 par 4’s measure over 400 yards, with holes 2 and 6 representing that group on the front nine. The other three standout holes on the front side are the sweeping right to left par 5 SI1 4th, the perfectly tempting risk reward par 4 7th and the seemingly gargantuan greened par 3 8th. It’s a strong opening nine but the best is yet to come.

The back nine is barn storming rollercoaster with 10-12 offering some mild relief before the barrage coming in. I thought the back 6 here was a special run of golf, displaying an increased level of difficulty while at the same time, asking a wonderful variety of shot making questions and strategical conundrums. There are 4 par 4’s over 400 yards in this stretch, (including the brilliant 18th), the iconic short par 4 16th (of Morikawa eagle fame) and an attractive mid length par 3 at the north west perimeter of the course. 14-18 play along the shores of Lake Merced and it has a real feeling of the round bursting to a crescendo as you enter this final stretch.

Undoubtedly, 14 is very strong par 4 and would be the toughest hole on many golf courses. But here, it isn’t even the toughest par 4 on the back nine. That accolade goes to the 18th, which is quite simply, a brilliant golf hole. The drive is not for the faint hearted, requiring a well positioned and long tee shot shaped from right to left to find the fairway, with Lake Merced left and short of the fairway and expansive bunkers right, framing the vista. How attacking your are from the tee determines the level of duress you will feel playing your approach to this long and raised three tiered green. Deep bunkers and Lake Merced still loom large to the left so it takes a sure and well struck shot to make it all the way to the putting surface. It is a hole that has everything and is a fitting host to a major championship finale.

The course is a good test but you can see how the lush rough grown to major lengths would add tonnes to the difficulty. When we played in February, the course conditions were good for the time of year. The greens had been lightly hollow tined but this didn’t affect the roll of the ball at all. The fairways deserve special mention and were in very good condition for a well trodden public course. My only point for development would be that the bunkers were rather absent of sand on our visit with a real hard bottom to the surface. I believe a lot of work has been ongoing with the bunkers so I think you could file this comment under work in progress. I do believe that while the bunkers are aesthetically pleasing, they are not the best to play out of and could do with a touch more (coarse) sand to make them more fair and playable. Aside from the bunker point, I’ve played a number of the public courses that have hosted major championships in the USA and TPC Harding Park displays more than enough character and interest to compete with its peers.

Played here eons ago. As I reflect on the course I can't remember anything spectacular. Greens where okay and fairways where fine. The highlight of the round was the taco truck next to the clubhouse. But If I had the chance would I play here again? Yes, if the rates haven't matched the San-Fransisco property prices then I would. Would I travel from elsewhere to play here? No.

I loved Harding Park. The front nine feels like a parkland style muni and the back offered some gorgeous views of Lake Merced and even the Olympic Club which is right across the way. The conditioning was great. We played it right after they installed some new greens a couple years back, but they rolled great and were receptive. While most desire to play San Francisco and Olympic, this is a great golf course that has to be included as part of your trip to the bay area. It is one of those golf courses that I could play everyday and be happy. Its not overly tough but does require some shotmaking. Enjoy your trip to this old gem. We sure did.

I played Harding in May 2015 only a few days after the WGC Match Play that Rory McIlroy won. The course is in good tournament condition and the track that will challenge you on distance and shot making. I did play well that day, so it left a positive vibe. Walking up 18 was fun as the grandstands were still up.

I loved playing through the mature landscape. I admit I am sort of 'old school' when it comes to golf course architecture and Harding fit my eye nicely. It has been a couple of years since I played it and on reflection there are no memorable holes. It is also a little pricey too. But I am glad I played it at least once.

A fantastic layout, only minutes from the bustling downtown of SF. After the much-needed rebuild, this really is one of the best courses in the Bay Area.A good variety of holes; excellent conditioning. Only major shortfall is the lack of a good practice facility.

Awesome golf course, must hit is straight, fade it and draw it. A shot makers paradise. Beautiful locale with an even better track. One of the best public courses in the world.

On a recent business trip to San Francisco I got lucky and played at Harding Park. The day started with a hearty breakfast in the Cypress Grill (recommended) and then out to a great course located just out of the city. The opening couple of holes are fairly friendly par-4’s but the 3rd was the first to get my full attention; a mid-iron par-3 that plays uphill towards the Pacific. The 4th is special also; close to 600 yards long and dog-legging left about a third of the way down (faders beware!). The next few holes are all very good and with the beautiful Monterey Cypress Pine Trees all around, this is a very pleasant place to be. My favourite front-nine hole was the 8th; a 200 yard par-3 to a cleverly designed green with a false-front adding to its toughness. The back nine opens with a par-5 that has a great look to it, especially from about 100 yards out – and the holes from the 14th to the 17th play with Lake Merced all along the left side of this stretch. Of these holes I loved the short par-4 16th and at around 320 yards is definite birdie chance. It feels quite rare for a course to have its signature hole at the 18th but at Harding Park this is certainly the case; the lake has to be carried from the tee and avoided all the way down the left-side – add in fairway bunkers, a sloping fairway, probably a long approach to the toughest green on the course and you have a brilliant ending hole. A move back to the Grill for post round drinks with the 18th right in front of you is actually quite dreamy. Harding Park is a public facility, so there is not that exclusive country club feel but that does not dilute the experience – if you have time, warm-up on the Fleming course, a 9-hole par-30 which is pretty good too.