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.
Here are the best public golf courses in the North Bay.
Feature Photo: Courtesy of Peacock Gap Golf Club
NOVATO
Year built: 1957
Architect: Robert Nyberg
Number of holes: 18
Practice Area: Driving range, chipping/putting green, practice sand bunker
Food & Beverage: 19th Hole Bar & Grill
Indian Valley GC (1958), Marin County’s most remote golf challenge, is enhanced by game-distracting scenery of protected farmland covering the rolling hills surrounding Stafford Lake. Steeped in its blue-collar roots with a family atmosphere, the 6,374-yard hidden gem yields a variety of 18 holes playing around woodlands and wetlands but, perhaps, the most unique feature of any golf course is the elevator for transporting energetic walkers up a steep grade from hole #13 to #14.
SAN RAFAEL
Year built: 1960
Architect: William F. Bell / Forrest Richardson (2007 renovation)
Number of holes: 18
Practice Area: All-grass driving range, practice green, chipping area
Food & Beverage: Range Cafe Bar & Grill
Peacock Gap GC (1960) was designed by William F. Bell and later renovated (early 2000’s) by Forrest Richardson. By blending the classic Bell bunker style with innovative green contours and new holes, including risk-reward par-4s, reachable par-5s and a par-3 that plays across a pond to a two-level green, the very walkable 6,261-yard layout offers golfers a solid variety of shot-making. Also on site is Marin County’s all-grass driving range, practice greens and chipping area.
