Greens best I've seen in a while. Played Apr 22, PoP reasonable at 4hrs with a little waiting on a few holes... we were 2 behind a four-some. Kudos to maintenance crew, it's been about a year and a ... Continue »

Greens best I've seen in a while. Played Apr 22, PoP reasonable at 4hrs with a little waiting on a few holes... we were 2 behind a four-some. Kudos to maintenance crew, it's been about a year and a half since I've played Sharp Park and it got flooded pretty bad. Fairways are still a little long but lush and looking great. Ignore bad reviews and come play this unique Dr. MacKenzie gem, walk in the same footsteps as they did in the Golden Era of golf.

If I was to come up with a title for this review it would be "What a shame!"  You could tell right away that in its day, this gem by the great golf course architect Alister MacKenzie, (who designed Au... Continue »

If I was to come up with a title for this review it would be "What a shame!"  You could tell right away that in its day, this gem by the great golf course architect Alister MacKenzie, (who designed Augusta National, Poppy Hills and dozens of others), was a stellar track.

It still has the bones and design of a world-class golf course: Right on the coast South of San Francisco, huge old trees lining beautiful fairways.  Great holes!

But that's where the good part of this review must end. They have let this wonderful golf course turn to crap. Really sad.

The greens were actually super nice. Old school small, but rolled fast and true.

The biggest problem was, the length of the grass on the fairways. I have seen rough on some courses not quite as long as this fairway grass. It was almost unplayable. The city of San Francisco who runs this golf course needs to invest in some lawn mowers. And use them. Again... what a shame!!

I think that everybody should play Sharp Park at least once just for the experience. The facilities are ancient, and the original layout is a classic!  It is such a classic that I hesitate to use the term "dog track".  Let's just call it a classic dog track!

Gas powered golf cart! Hadn't used one of those in a while.

I will not repeat. Not unless a miracle happens and the City of San Francisco does about five million dollars worth of maintenance.

Alister MacKenzie is rolling over in his grave.

Great pace of play. Finished in 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Greens and some surrounds were plugged and sanded 8/16. Otherwise course is in good shape. Tees need some work but fairways were cut with little to no rough.

Greens and some surrounds were plugged and sanded 8/16. Otherwise course is in good shape. Tees need some work but fairways were cut with little to no rough.

Finally had a chance to play Sharp Park yesterday morning. I had booked a 7:34 tee time on their website in advance of the trip, but that was pointless. When I checked in the guy just said he'd get me... Continue »

Finally had a chance to play Sharp Park yesterday morning. I had booked a 7:34 tee time on their website in advance of the trip, but that was pointless. When I checked in the guy just said he'd get me out whenever I was ready. They don't open until about 6:45 and, at least on weekdays, it's just kind of a first come, first serve start. Not really that crowded. I ended up in the third group out, paired with a threesome and we played at our own pace of about 4 hours. The price was a little steep at $53 as a non-resident, however a chunk of that was the cart. Normally, I would prefer to walk a course like this, but I just didn't have it in me after so much golf the previous two days.

Speaking of the cart, what a trip. They are roofless carts (a la Rancho Maria) that are gas-powered and all corroded from the years of sitting in the salty/misty sea air of Pacifica. The steering wheel was very low and not designed for a husky gentleman, so it was awkward getting in and out of the driver's seat. I could see some others had a bit more wiggle room and others have even less than I did, so it's the luck of the draw I guess.

As for conditions, I had low expectations coming in. Things are definitely still pretty rough around here. The tee boxes were fine. The fairways were a mix of green and brown, with some shaggy spots and some thin spots. The rough was very lush in some areas and bare/patchy in others, so it is what it is. I wasn't in a bunker, but they appeared decent. The greens were soft and rolling medium/slow. They were very bumpy and some had a lot of damage.

I didn't really come to Sharp Park for the conditions. This is not a course that is meant to be pretty and pristine, and obviously they've been fighting just to stay alive in recent years with the environmental issues and economic factors. I am glad to say that the environmental stuff has been resolved and they will now be putting money into some renovations to the course and the marsh areas where the endangered frogs live. All 18 holes/greens are open, and things appear to be getting back to normal. Though this place will always be a little rugged in appearance, I get the sense they are now finally able to put some money and effort back into it to bring it back to better quality conditions. Fixing up the greens will make a major difference!

I really enjoyed the setting, history and layout. This place feels old and rustic, which is part of the charm if you ask me. The Mackenzie design is fairly simplistic. It's a no-frills style and that is the point. It's just a simple seaside course build for local play. It's not a destination course, but it was a must-play for me given the history and local character. It was easy to look past some of the conditioning flaws and just enjoy the experience for what it is meant to be. That said, some much-needed TLC should really help bring this place back to life. Playing with a few local guys at a relaxed pace was better in this case than zipping through at my normal breakneck speed, and I would have most definitely broken my neck in that crazy cart on the "cart paths" here!

I played Sharp Park today (5/20/16) and found the conditions very much improved. The rains helped make the fairways green again and the greens conditions were much improved also. That is probabl... Continue »

I played Sharp Park today (5/20/16) and found the conditions very much improved. The rains helped make the fairways green again and the greens conditions were much improved also. That is probably due to their greens superintendent Al Valenzuela, who was formerly at Harding Park and has a love for the game. Keep ;up the good work. Oh the new greens on the 4 canyon holes are now open and are quite nice. Very fast downhill, so try to stay below the hole.

The new greens on the canyon holes 4-7 are now in play. The 12th hole is back to it's original configuration and the course in general is in fine shape. The 14th hole has been temporarily shortened ... Continue »

The new greens on the canyon holes 4-7 are now in play. The 12th hole is back to it's original configuration and the course in general is in fine shape. The 14th hole has been temporarily shortened to about 250 yds due to endangered species concerns.

Sharp Park is undergoing major work at this time, 4 greens, #4-7 are being rebuilt so there are temps on those holes. #12 tee is closed and play to the green is from the old 13th tee. The current 13... Continue »

Sharp Park is undergoing major work at this time, 4 greens, #4-7 are being rebuilt so there are temps on those holes. #12 tee is closed and play to the green is from the old 13th tee. The current 13th tee has been moved up about 100 yards. Otherwise the conditions are fine for what it is. As a resident, it's a good deal. Not so much for non-resident prices.

MacKinzie design. Beautiful layout. It,s a muni. Don,t expect manicured tee boxes and fairways like carpet. But, if you like well layed out holes, interesting shape shots, and add a little ocean b... Continue »

MacKinzie design. Beautiful layout. It,s a muni. Don,t expect manicured tee boxes and fairways like carpet. But, if you like well layed out holes, interesting shape shots, and add a little ocean breeze i think this is a must play if youre in town. And, if your a stimpmeter snob miss thos because it is old style slow furry greens. A lot of people cmplain about the greens but actually they are very consistant at about a 7 or 8. Insider info, they have a Monday afternoon 9 hole skins game if you make lots of birdies.

Played yesterday and it's the same old thing! Greens are slow, fairways thin and some are dirt (16 and 17). I was not in a bunker but they looked ok. I have to say I love the layout but for $41.00 dur... Continue »

Played yesterday and it's the same old thing! Greens are slow, fairways thin and some are dirt (16 and 17). I was not in a bunker but they looked ok. I have to say I love the layout but for $41.00 during the week (nonresident) to walk it's too much. I don't think I will come back unless I see on GreensKeeper that conditions have improved.