Mayacama Golf Club

Mayacama Golf Club sits in the Mayacama Mountains north of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, occupying rugged, oak-studded terrain that rises and falls through the foothills. Jack Nicklaus designed the course, which opened in 2001 as part of a private residential community. The routing takes advantage of significant elevation changes, with holes playing across ridges and through valleys lined with native oaks, manzanita, and seasonal grasses. Views extend across the property and out toward the surrounding wine country, though the course itself feels secluded within its mountainous setting. The layout measures over 7,000 yards from the back tees and features wide fairways that accommodate the slopes and natural contours of the land. Nicklaus incorporated large, undulating greens and strategic bunkering that emphasizes placement over pure length. Several holes play dramatically uphill or downhill, and the property's natural movement creates a variety of stances and lies. Water comes into play on a few holes, but the design relies primarily on the terrain itself and the framing provided by the mature oaks. Mayacama operates as a private club with a membership drawn largely from the Bay Area and Sonoma County. The club includes extensive amenities beyond golf, reflecting its development as a destination residential community. The course remains relatively quiet in the broader public conversation but is recognized within Northern California golf circles as a solid Nicklaus design that makes effective use of challenging, scenic foothill terrain.