Hole Number 1 – Par 4
A fantastic starting hole that is not only fair, but offers a perspective of what Harding Park’s character has to offer. Take a close look at the Monterey Cypress Pine trees lining the right side of the fairway. You’ll see not only some of the oldest Cypress trees in the state, but the wide fairway allows a view into the green that will give you a great scoring opportunity to start off your round.
Hole Number 2 – Par 4
This hole is a little tougher test to get the “Grit” of the golf course in your system. Many of the holes have been reconstructed with fairway bunkers that may force you to choose another club or play a differently shaped shot than you might be use to. This second hole is just exactly that and then some. The green has a sloping front edge that will potentially force a tough chip into a very subtly sloped green.
Hole Number 3 – Par 3
Uphill and over the top! This devilish little par 3 will require you to play it as accurately as you can. The terrain on the green is the true test. Multiple slopes will force some very odd shots not only off the tee but in the player's short game, as the bunkers and the rough around the green will dictate the ability to score.
Hole Number 4 – Par 5
This dogleg left is the longest hole on the course and by many is also considered to be the toughest. After a tee shot that could wrap around a generous corner, it is still a difficult shot to make in two. As you stand amongst the tallest trees on the course, most will play for the third and have a better scoring opportunity. The fairway is generous in width as it is in green size. Ideally the approach to the green is the shot that counts. The pin placements are plentiful on this green.
Hole Number 5 – Par 4
Tree lines on both sides shape this short but testy par 4. The hole sets up for a variety of shots both short and long off the tee, but make no mistake the test comes as you make your way to the green. Deep in length and with a couple contours this dance floor will even make the best of the professionals take a step back.
Hole Number 6 – Par 4
This is one tough test of the game. A tree bordered chute to the middle of the fairway will test the anxiety of players at all levels. As the fairway wraps around to the left, the visual of the bunker laden green will force anyone’s first instinct to be questioned. The green is large and is another composite of architectural talent.
Hole Number 7 – Par 4
The most difficult hole for how short it is. This David amongst Goliaths in golf may leave many scratching their heads. Playing the hole correctly for where the flag is positioned is crucial. Anyone will see as they stand on the green, that in hindsight could have led to a better score for the hole.
Hole Number 8 – Par 3
The longest par 3 on the course may be the easiest even if you don’t hit the green in regulation. If the short game is tuned anyone can still make an easy par. The true test comes for those that hit a lengthy ball, but will have to test the flat stick to get the ball down. The green has a couple sneaky contours and collections that potentially could have your round take a turn for the worse.
Hole Number 9 – Par 5
A fair and fun hole to finish the front side. Straight away with a couple trouble spots on the right side, but remember that it could take you three shots to reach the green. It might be worth using them. The green is large, but still offers a chance to score as you head into the back nine. As for those with a need to get there in two, it has the potential for a low number if the targets are hit accurately.
Hole Number 10 – Par 5
Back to back par 5’s with another just around the corner. This is where the golf course and the challenges really begin. Accurate shots are a must for scoring. The bunkers on the right are just where the players do not want them in order to make a run at the green in two shots. The green, the tree on the left, and the pot bunker in the back of the green will force players to focus on making a third shot they may not want to make.
Hole Number 11 – Par 3
This is a difficult hole in length and for accuracy. The bunkers will force players to play longer than they want to. Especially if the flag is in front, in a tight little swale that is next to impossible to hit. The slope and tiers of the green from back to front will test the best of those that roll the ball well.
Hole Number 12 – Par 5
Our last par 5 is potentially the last scoring opportunity for those that have will tend to miss their shots one way or the other. The hole is short enough to make up a shot and still score, or give the big hitters a good chance for a low number. Fair warning, the green is tougher than it looks and the bunkers that surround the front side will seemingly grab balls from mid-air.
Hole Number 13 – Par 4
Two very accurate shots can offer a chance for a birdie. Missing one of those shots will either force a difficult shot out of the tree lines on either side or make you chip or pitch from and awkward lie, or even worse…force you to putt at an impossible pin position. Unfortunately, there is not one position on the green that is safe, even if you are close to the hole.
Hole Number 14 – Par 4
An ominous tee shot with trees and one precarious limb close to the tee box that is considered to be a round wrecker. Playing to the right side is key, but playing a second shot that has the ball above your feet is no bargain with a bunker in the front left of the green. Players will have to gauge their distance, accuracy, and shot-making skills just right. Then they have to deal with a speedy green that from back to front might make a table top look inviting.
Hole Number 15 – Par 4
Take a number for the right club on this whole. Even a short iron is an appropriate play off the tee. This short par 4 has a tremendous amount of history behind it. The bunker on the right was placed there because of a few high profile amateurs and professionals used the slope of the hole to get a close chip shot into the green and pencil in a low score. This is the hole that Ken Venturi beat U.S. and British Amateur Champion Harvie Ward in 1956.
Hole Number 16 – Par 4
Another short par 4 like that of number 13, will require two very accurate shots in order to avoid a large number on the score card. If the bunkers on the left don’t keep the ball from diving into Lake Merced, the trees on the right will just keep the ball. The green is a little more difficult to hit and to control the break and speed. Again, the accurate shot-maker will be rewarded to the green, and the flat stick master will survive the green.
Hole Number 17 – Par 3
The shortest par 3 is a brief rest before the finale. Or is it? The prevailing wind might have something to say about the flight of the shot into the green. The trees on the left will also make the player think again and again before anxiety takes over. The green offers quite a few precarious pin positions. Most of which are very fair, but speed of the green might be the true test on this hole.
Hole Number 18 – Par 4
The Coup de Grace and signature hole for Harding Park, and rightfully so. With the view of the lake and the spectacular curvature of this hole as it is laid out right in front of each player. The hole doglegs around to the left, with the safe play towards the trouble of the fairway bunkers. A tee shot either short or long and the player has the opportunity to score. The left front bunkers, and the collection area to the right make for a difficult up and down. What’s even more difficult is the front of the green and the severe slope back into the fairway. The green itself is multi-level and has deceiving speed throughout. This is a great finishing hole on any course, and we are very proud to call it our own.
