Harding Park, built in 1925, is much improved from the old course it was: by the late 90’s it had deteriorated into a terrible mess; really sad for a course where top pros played the Lucky International in the 60’s, won by the likes of Gary Player and Billy Casper. It was renovated to the tune of 23 million dollars in about 2003, and went on to host the 2005 AMEX Championships which was won by Tiger Woods over John Daly in a playoff.
It’s a fairly gentle layout compared to the nearby site of many U.S. Opens; The Olympic Club, which is a few miles away across Lake Merced. With one exception being Harding’s great and challenging closing hole: the 18th hole, which is a 425 yard dogleg left, requiring a tee shot over water and trees. The rest of the course is fine but one must remember: it’s a muni not a country club. Many of the holes lack ingenuity such as: the ninth; a flat straight par five, the first hole is a wide fairly short par 4, and the 11th hole a simple par 3 guarded by two bunkers. Upkeep at Harding is improving since the renovation but not perfect; it’s no where near private or semi-private club quality. Sometimes the greens are very slow, even for the recreational golfer.
But overall it’s quite a beautiful golf experience. On a perfect day the impressive Cypress Trees cast long afternoon shadows with gleaming sunlight bathing the fairways in amber colors. It can be a real feast for the eyes. The closing holes 14 through 18, have the added beauty of bordering Lake Merced. Beware of the fog though, for summers in San Francisco can be very foggy near the coastal areas (such as Harding).