#4 on this list
Harding Park
TPC
TPC Harding Park suits golf purists who appreciate Golden Age parkland layouts framed by urban natural beauty. Set along the perimeter of Lake Merced in southwest San Francisco, this city-owned landmark was originally established in the 1920s and underwent a comprehensive restoration before joining the PGA Tour's TPC network. It has since hosted the Presidents Cup, the World Golf Championships, and the 2020 PGA Championship. The course is characterized by towering Monterey cypress trees lining narrow corridors of lush turf. The relatively flat coastal terrain makes it an enjoyable, traditional walk, but the visual intimidation from off the tee is real. Approaches require working the ball beneath hanging branches and into tight, well-guarded green complexes. Heavy coastal marine air from the nearby Pacific keeps fairways soft, meaning drives generate limited rollout and play longer than the scorecard numbers indicate. Availability and pricing represent the core trade-offs. San Francisco residents enjoy some of the best municipal rates in the country, but non-residents pay steep premium fees. Additionally, coastal fog and wind can bring chilly, damp conditions even in the middle of summer, requiring proper outer layers and water-resistant footwear. **Highlights** - Historic 1920s routing framed by towering Monterey cypress trees - Venue for major professional events including the 2020 PGA Championship - Excellent walking layout with level, walkable topography - Beautiful natural setting bordering scenic Lake Merced - High maintenance standards maintained through the TPC network partnership **Watch-outs** - Non-resident green fees are significantly higher than local resident rates - Coastal fog and marine air can make conditions cold, wet, and heavy
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#5 on this list
Black
Bethpage
Bethpage Black is built for low-handicap golfers looking to test their limits on one of the most punishing courses in the world. Located on Long Island in Farmingdale, New York, within Bethpage State Park, this A.W. Tillinghast masterpiece is globally recognized for the famous warning sign posted beside the first tee: 'The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.' Every element of Bethpage Black demands power, precision, and endurance. The routing climbs and rolls over expansive glacial terrain, featuring elevated tee shots, massive flashed sand bunkers, and tight fairways hemmed in by deep, tangled fescue rough. The course is walking-only, and walking up and down its rugged inclines with a bag across more than seven miles is a serious athletic endeavor. Small, heavily sloped greens require high, precise approach shots to hold the putting surfaces. The trade-offs here are sheer brutality and booking logistics. The course will frustrate mid-to-high handicappers who cannot routinely carry the ball out of thick rough or cross deep forced fairway carries. Furthermore, securing a tee time remains an infamous challenge, historically prompting golfers to camp in their cars overnight, though digital reservation systems have somewhat modernized the process. **Highlights** - Legendary A.W. Tillinghast design celebrated for strategic penal architecture - Historic host of multiple U.S. Opens, the PGA Championship, and the Ryder Cup - Massive, beautifully sculpted bunkers cut deeply into natural dunes and ridges - Exceptional state-park rate structure that represents one of golf's best bargains - Pure walking-only tradition that honors the classic game **Watch-outs** - Punishing rough and length can make rounds demoralizing for higher handicappers - Securing tee times requires navigating a notoriously competitive reservation queue
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Harding Park | Black |
|---|---|---|
| Location | San Francisco, California | Farmingdale, New York |
| Facility Type | Municipal facility operated with TPC Network | — |
| Architectural Style | Classical tree-lined parkland | — |
| Topography | Flat, highly walkable coastal basin | — |
| Signature Feature | Towering Monterey cypress corridors | — |
| Major Events | 2020 PGA Championship, 2009 Presidents Cup | U.S. Open, PGA Championship |
| Designer | — | A.W. Tillinghast |
| Typical Fee | — | Around $150 (varies by residency) |
| Transport Rule | — | Walking only; no motorized carts |
| Terrain | — | Glacial moraine with steep elevation changes |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Harding Park
- Championship pedigree having hosted the 2020 PGA Championship and Presidents Cup
- Exceptionally walkable routing with minimal grade changes along Lake Merced
- PGA Tour-grade agronomic conditioning and green maintenance
- Heavily discounted, world-class value for verified San Francisco residents
- Hefty premium greens fees for non-resident and out-of-town players
- Frequent coastal fog and damp air make conditions cold and reduce ball rollout
- High visitor volume often leads to round durations approaching five hours
Black
- Authentic major championship layout accessible to everyday public players
- Masterful A.W. Tillinghast routing with dramatic natural landforms
- Outstanding value for New York State residents given the caliber of course
- Walking-only rule protects traditional golf culture and course conditioning
- Severe rough and forced carries make rounds demoralizing for high handicappers
- Securing weekend tee times requires navigating a fiercely competitive queue
- Significant physical exhaustion can impair performance on the demanding back nine
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.