San Jose · Golf
The courses worth knowing around San Jose, California: who can play, how many holes, and a link to book each one.
Golf score
39th of 94 golf cities for retirement golf
Golf score blends year-round playability (40%), playable access (20%), affordability (18%), course pedigree (14%), and the size of the mapped set (8%).
Rolling fairways and challenging greens in the Santa Clara Valley · William P. Bell
A long-standing city muni that has welcomed local players for decades. The par-72 layout suits every level, and weekday rates stay friendly.
Opened 1968 · $ · Slope 119
Three nines through rolling foothills with carries and fast greens · John Harbottle III
A scenic 27-hole club in the south San Jose hills, with three nines you can mix and match. Walking is allowed if your legs are up for the climbs.
Opened 1998 · $$$ · Slope 142
Tiered, slanted greens and a few long, demanding holes
A walkable city course with tiered greens that keep the short game interesting. The shorter par-68 routing is easy on the body and on the wallet.
Opened 2002 · $ · Slope 116
Course profile
Fast greens and strategically placed hazards below Santa Teresa hills
A mature par-71 tucked under the Santa Teresa foothills, with quick greens that reward a steady putting stroke. There is also a short course if you just want a quick nine.
$$ · Slope 126
Two Jack Nicklaus courses, the Valley and the Tournament · Jack Nicklaus
Just south of San Jose in Morgan Hill, this is a pair of Jack Nicklaus courses open to public play. The Valley is the friendlier of the two when you want a relaxed round.
$$$ · Slope 135
Short executive nine with three lakes and plenty of bunkers · Robert Muir Graves
A short executive nine that is perfect for an easy walk, a tune-up, or learning the game. Eight par-3s and one short par-4 keep it gentle and quick.
$ · Slope 113
Photo: Cristiano Tomás, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons