
Northwood Course
Northwood Golf Club

About this course
Northwood Golf Club, nestled among the towering redwoods of Monte Rio, is a singular expression of rustic, Northern California golf. Hewn from the landscape in 1928, the course bears the indelible mark of Alister MacKenzie associate, Dr. William "Billy" Bell. It is a walkable, quirky, and charming 9-hole layout, where strategy and shot-making trump sheer power. The tight, tree-lined fairways, undulating greens, and dramatic elevation changes demand creative approaches and thoughtful club selection. Northwood is not a course for bomb-and-gouge merchants. Instead, it rewards those who can navigate its many doglegs, strategically placed bunkers, and deceptively simple holes. While Northwood has never hosted a major championship, its unassuming character and challenging design have earned it a devoted following among those who appreciate a more intimate and authentic golfing experience. The club's unpretentious atmosphere and strong community spirit provide a welcoming respite from the pressures of modern life. The course's charm is heightened by its location alongside the Russian River. It’s a perfect retreat where golf is enjoyed in its purest form - fun, challenging, and close to nature.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- Monte Rio, CA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1928
- Holes
- 9
- Designer(s)
- Alister Mackenzie, Robert Hunter
- Par
- 36
- Length
- 2,893 yards
- Difficulty
- 34.5/121
- Course Vaults score
- 8.2
Getting there
The journey to Northwood Golf Club begins at either San Francisco International or Oakland International, both roughly ninety minutes south and east of the Russian River Valley. From the Bay Area, the route winds north through Marin County before turning inland along the redwood-lined corridor of Highway 116, where the air cools and the landscape shifts from coastal scrub to cathedral groves of ancient Douglas fir and coast redwood. As you approach the hamlet of Monte Rio, the road narrows and the river appears in glimpses through the trees, signaling arrival at one of Northern California's most secluded and storied retreats - a private enclave where the game has been played beneath the towering canopy since the Bohemian Grove era.

FAQ
Common questions about Northwood
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Northwood has a Course Vaults score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 64 logged golfers.
Northwood was designed by Alister Mackenzie and Robert Hunter.
Yes. Northwood is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Northwood is 36.
Northwood plays 2,893 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Northwood is 121.





