The big-ticket landscape of the greater Bay Area, from bustling cosmopolitan cities to quiet coastal communities, has been gifted with an exceptionally diverse collection of communal golf courses layered with a rich frosting of history, from the architects who conceived them to some of the greatest wizards of the links, including Johnny Miller and Ken Venturi, who honed their skills on the sidehill, uphill, and downhill lies around the doglegged fairways. Whether a local or visitor, there’s a golf challenge to suit any size wallet.
The following is a curated list of the best public golf courses in Napa Valley.
Feature Photo: Courtesy of Eagle Vines Golf Club
Chardonnay Golf Club & Vineyards Course
AMERICAN CANYON
Year built: 1991
Architect: Algie Pulley
Number of holes: 18
Practice Area: Driving range with multiple target greens, practice fairway bunker, and undulated practice green; Kris Moe Golf Schools
Food & Beverage: View Bar & Grill
Searching for an authentic wine country golf experience? Chardonnay GC (1986) serves up the quintessential tasting. Void of any private residences, golfers will need only avoid hitting their golf ball into the countless rows of Chardonnay, Merlot & Pinot Noir grapevines bordering the fairways. There are no wine sampling stations available on the 18-hole, 6,773-yard course but the layout does feature a unique blend of six par fives, six par fours, and six par threes. chardonnaygolfclub.com
Eagle Vines Golf Club
AMERICAN CANYON
Year built: 1991
Architect: Johnny Miller
Number of holes: 18
Practice Area: Putting green
Food & Beverage: The Eagle Grill
Beautifully blended into the foothills of Napa Valley, an hour away from Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Rosa, Eagle Vines GC came into existence somewhat ready-made with ten of the original Shakespeare Course holes from the adjacent Chardonnay GC. The 18-hole, 7,297-yard course designed in part by World Golf Hall of Famer, Johnny Miller, weaves around majestic oak trees, creeks, and working vineyards to epitomize how golf and nature can co-exist in magnificent harmony. eaglevinesgolfclub.com
Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park
NAPA
Year built: 1967
Architect: Jack Fleming / Bob Baldock
Number of holes: 18
Practice Area: Driving range, short game practice area, large putting green
Food & Beverage: Jack’s Bar & Grill
Bordering the Napa River wetlands in the city of Napa, the classic parkland-style 6,681-yard course showcases a routing with somewhat narrow fairways that follow the topography, from tree-lined fairways on the east side to the flatter, more expansive holes on the west with some lakes. With significant enhancements, including cart paths, tees, and bunkers in recent years plus a remodeled golf shop, it is one of the region’s most relaxed, kid-friendly, and affordable courses. playnapa.com
Silverado Resort & Spa
NAPA
Year built: 1955 (North Course); 1966 (South Course)
Architect: 1966: Robert Trent Jones Jr. redesign of North Course and added South Course/ 2014: North & South redesign by Johnny Miller
Number of holes: 36
Practice Area: All-grass driving range, putting green, chipping green
Food & Beverage: The Grill
Napa Valley’s renown wine country and 36 golf holes at the iconic Silverado Resort & Spa exemplify the consummate pairing. With two championship courses redesigned by World Golf Hall of Fame member and co-owner, Johnny Miller. Both offer an abundance of water and large greens, however, the 7,166-yard North Course, which hosts the annual PGA Tour Safeway Open, is longer and more straightforward than the hillier 6,612-yard South Course with less room for error. Don’t miss the famous “burger dog” available at the snack shack. silveradoresort.com
Vintner’s Golf Club
YOUNTVILLE
Year built: 1999
Architect: Casey O’Callaghan
Number of holes: 9
Practice Area: Putting green
Food & Beverage: Lakeside Grill
The charming 9-hole gem is situated next door to the Domaine Chandon Winery and across Hwy 29 from Yountville’s eating establishments and shops. With three sets of tees to challenge any player from scratch to beginner for a two-hour round, the 2,929-yard course was redesigned by PGA Tour and Senior Tour player, Bob Boldt, and showcases large greens and ample-size fairways. vintnersgolfclub.com
