The best private courses in Orinda, California

“Loved the use of short grass throughout the course while still keeping it fairly tight off the tee. Tons of elevation change, and even though there aren't many trees and you can see groups playing on other holes, the trees around the perimeter make you feel surprisingly secluded.”

Written by

@jensencastle

• ❗️Must play
• |✨Pristine
• |🚶🏻Walkable

“Played during a horrific drought so they couldn’t water the fairways just greens tees and aprons so it wasn’t t as good as it could have been but I hear it’s much improved. Great layout like all MacKenzie’s and beautiful setting. Thought the 18th hole was kinda funky.”

Written by

@GRaleigh 77

• 🏞️Views
• |🚶🏻Walkable
• |🏌️‍♂️Driving range

“The Lake Course at Olympic Club is one of the best and most challenging layouts I’ve played. The course is known for its narrow, sloping fairways lined with towering cypress trees and small, fast greens that demand precision on every shot.”

Written by

@Flopfather

• 😅Challenging
• |✨Pristine
• |❗️Must play

“Incredible routing framed nicely by great bunkering and very clever green complexes. Loved the Instagram holes on the NW corner of the property. Such an awesome reveal as you crest the hill on 12. Not a hard course by any means, but incredibly fun.”

Written by

@shahbaz-hashmi

• ✨Pristine
• |🏞️Views
• |❗️Must play

“Very linksy with subtle elevation changes, fast undulating greens. Despite the elevation changes this course can be easily walked. The 18th hole is a bit disappointing but given the lack of land they probably did what they could.”

Written by

@Kunapro59

• 💎Hidden gem
• |🍔Restaurant
• |🏌️‍♂️Driving range

“Olympic Club… respectfully, this one just isn’t my favorite. I think it’s a pretty overrated golf course, and the rough always seems to be incredibly thick, which makes an already difficult course even more challenging. The setting is undeniably cool.”

Written by

@jensencastle

• 🏌️‍♂️Driving range
• |🟢Putting area
• |😅Challenging

“Feels like high end backyard golf; serene setting, tight holes sculpted into severe land. Some flaws - noticably short and protected only by tight treelines in spots - but a few interesting short par 3 or 3.5 holes will really stick with me, notably 3,8,13,14.”

Written by

@hammerinhank

• 🏌️‍♂️Driving range
• |❗️Must play
• |💨Fast greens

“Right from the first hole, a downhill par 4 where you are 100 ft in the air you are wowed. The beauty especially in the early morning is overwhelming ! Great holes, you need to drive and putt it well. And always in excellent shape….”

Written by

@Kunapro59

• 🏌️‍♂️Driving range
• |❗️Must play
• |🟦Mat range

“Old school hidden gem with lots of charm and quirk - originally laid out by Seth Raynor, and my understanding is that Jay Blasi is going to do a restoration next year. Maybe 4-5 drivers all day, insanely small and undulated greens, and funky routing that crosses lines of play.”

Written by

@shahbaz-hashmi

• 😅Challenging
• |💎Hidden gem
• |🏞️Views

“A true golfers club! A recent redesign made Contra Costa one of the jewels of the East Bay. It’s a rolling hooked links course where the ball can be played in the air and on the ground. This place reaks golf! The practice facility is second to none spacious and full of targets.”

Written by

@Kunapro59

• 🏌️‍♂️Driving range
• |❗️Must play
• |🌱Grass range

“Oakhurst has the possibility of being one of the best in the Bay but management just can’t seem to maintain it. While the course is bordered by homes, they are so far out of play that it’s not an issue.”

Written by

@Kunapro59

• 🏞️Views
• |🏌️‍♂️Driving range
• |🟦Mat range