#3 on this list
Village (Championship)
Incline
Incline Village Championship Course is aimed at mountain travelers who appreciate alpine scenery combined with classic strategic architecture. Owned and operated by the Incline Village General Improvement District on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, this Robert Trent Jones Sr. creation weaves through dense stands of Jeffrey pine, mountain meadows, and alpine runoff creeks. It delivers a tranquil, high-altitude experience that feels far removed from typical suburban munis. Performance on this track is dictated by geography. Sitting at roughly 6,500 feet above sea level, your golf ball flies roughly ten percent farther through the thin mountain air, forcing players to recalibrate their club selection on nearly every approach. Jones Sr. heavily defended the greens with tiered complexes, multi-lobed bunkers, and subtle breaks influenced by the lake basin. Straight driving is required, as the towering timber immediately swallows wayward balls. The trade-off is seasonal limitation and pricing volatility. Operating in the high Sierra means the playing window is confined to late spring through early autumn, with shoulder seasons vulnerable to sudden snow or frost delays. Non-resident rates are positioned on par with upscale regional resorts, but local district identification yields substantial discounts for residents. **Highlights** - Robert Trent Jones Sr. design featuring classic bunkering and multi-tier greens - High-elevation mountain setting with refreshing alpine pine corridors - Dramatic elevation drops on tee shots requiring precise club selection - Pristine course conditioning overseen by community district management - Beautifully appointed clubhouse with full dining and mountain views **Watch-outs** - Narrow playing season due to high-altitude winter conditions - Errant shots into thick timber generally result in lost balls
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#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
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Village (Championship) | Harding Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Incline Village, Nevada | San Francisco, California |
| Course Architect | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | — |
| Operating Entity | Incline Village General Improvement District | — |
| Elevation | Approximately 6,500 feet above sea level | — |
| Playing Window | Late spring through early autumn | — |
| Non-Resident Fee | Approximately $179 peak rate | — |
| 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 |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Village (Championship)
- Historic mountain design by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
- Pristine turf conditions maintained by the local district
- Scenic high-Sierra terrain surrounded by Jeffrey pines
- Significantly more accessible than high-end regional resorts
- Short operational calendar restricted by Sierra winter weather
- Non-resident green fees are high for a municipal course
- Dense tree corridors penalize errant tee shots with lost balls
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
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