Skip to main content
topcourses.golf
#28 in the United States

The Olympic Club (Lake Course)

San Francisco, California · designed by Sam Whiting (redesign 1927) · opened 1927
AccessPrivate
Holes / Par18 / 71
Yardage7,169 yds
TypeClassic

History

The Olympic Club's Lake Course, redesigned by Sam Whiting in 1927 on San Francisco's western hills, is one of the most treacherous U.S. Open venues in America — known for swallowing the apparent champion on the final day. Towering cypress and eucalyptus trees channel ocean breezes unpredictably. Its uphill finishing holes have claimed Ben Hogan in 1955, Arnold Palmer in 1966, and Tom Watson in 1987. Matt Fitzpatrick won the 2022 U.S. Open here. The course's narrow tree-lined fairways, sloping terrain, and deceptively difficult putting surfaces create a unique and unforgiving test.

Signature Hole

18th hole, par 4, 347 yards — a short steep uphill finisher where overconfidence invites disaster

Notable Tournaments

  • 1955 U.S. Open
  • 1966 U.S. Open
  • 1987 U.S. Open
  • 1998 U.S. Open
  • 2012 U.S. Open
  • 2022 U.S. Open
Visit official site → View on Google Maps Back to map
Advertisement

More top courses in California