
Ocean Course
The Olympic Club


About this course
The Olympic Club's Ocean Course is a testament to San Francisco's rugged coastal spirit, a defiant rebuke to the notion that beauty must come easily. Hewn into the bluffs south of the city overlooking the Pacific, this challenging layout, while overshadowed by its sibling, the Lake Course, still demands respect and strategic acumen. Originally crafted by Arthur Jack Snyder, the Ocean Course underwent a significant transformation by Bill Frisbie in the 1960s, hardening its challenge and amplifying the drama of its cliffside setting. This modernization pushed the layout closer to the coastline, and while its fairways are more generous than those on the Lake Course, wayward shots are severely punished by the capricious winds and dense cypress groves. Doglegs and cleverly placed bunkers demand thoughtful club selection, rewarding players who favor strategy over brute force. While it hasn't hosted events of the scale seen at the Lake Course, the Ocean Course has historically served as a stern test for members and a worthy host for various amateur competitions, often serving as a compelling companion course during larger championships held across the grounds. And though the Ocean Course lacks the global acclaim of the Lake, the post-round ritual of savoring the club's famed "burger dog" while overlooking the churning Pacific is a tradition cherished by members and visitors alike, a uniquely San Franciscan reward for conquering this challenging test of golf.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- San Francisco, CA, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1924
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Sam Whiting, Willie Watson
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,852 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.4/132
- Course Vaults score
- 8.2
Getting there
The Olympic Club sits on the windswept peninsula of San Francisco's Lake Merced neighborhood, most readily accessed via San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a twenty-minute drive south through the city's outer neighborhoods and across the gentle rise of the coastal hills. For those arriving by private aviation, nearby San Carlos Airport (SQL) offers a discrete alternative just minutes from the club's grounds. The final approach winds through quiet, tree-lined residential streets before arriving at the club's understated entrance - a deliberate contrast to the grandeur within, where over a century of golfing tradition unfolds across the Ocean Course's dramatic, fog-kissed terrain overlooking the Pacific.

FAQ
Common questions about Ocean at The Olympic Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Ocean at The Olympic Club has a Course Vaults score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 90 logged golfers.
Ocean was designed by Sam Whiting and Willie Watson.
Ocean at The Olympic Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Ocean is 71.
Ocean plays 6,852 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Ocean is 132.








