About
The Harding Park Course was substantially renovated in 2005 to better suit it for PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events. The restoration of Harding Park focused on maintaining the course’s integrity and unique characteristics while enhancing the original layout designed by world-renowned golf architects Willie Watson and Sam Whiting in 1925.
Set against the cypress tree-lined Lake Merced, the improved Harding Park Course layout features soft bunkers and graceful undulating fairways. An additional 400 yards was also added to the course to make it a championship-caliber golf facility ready for PGA TOUR action. The course also underwent a greens renovation in December 2013 re-opened in 2014.
70
Par
7,251
Yardage
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Hole 1
4
Par
393
Yardage
The opening hole offers a good look at what TPC Harding Park offers, starting with the Monterey Cypress Pine trees lining the right side of the fairway. Despite featuring some of the oldest cypress in the state, the fairway has no bunkers and provides a relatively gentle welcome to the players. The front-right greenside bunker provides the main challenge on the approach shot.
Hole 2
4
Par
466
Yardage
A little tougher test, the tee shot calls for a slight fade to avoid the two left fairway bunkers about 275-305 yards out. The green is subtly sloped, including a tilting front edge that could force a tough chip and has a deep bunker on the right side. Par will be a good score.
Hole 3
3
Par
185
Yardage
This devilish short par 3 puts a premium on accuracy. The green is elevated, so players can’t see the putting surface, which is surrounded by bunkers and rough and features multiple slopes. Should prove to be a fun and interesting hole to watch.
Hole 4
5
Par
607
Yardage
This big dogleg left is the longest hole on the course. The tee shot needs to turn right to left around the corner, but even if accomplished it will still be difficult to get home in two. Laying up is usually the smart choice, leaving an easier shot into a wide green with many possible hole placements.
Hole 5
4
Par
436
Yardage
Trees on both sides shape this short and straight but challenging hole. But finding the fairway is no guarantee of success as the approach is into a deep, narrow green with numerous contours and a significant drop-off on the right side.
Hole 6
4
Par
472
Yardage
Another tough driving hole that starts with a tee shot through a tree-bordered chute: Get in the trees and par will be a great score. The fairway turns left, exposing a wide green well protected by bunkers and rich with interesting slopes and contours.
Hole 7
4
Par
340
Yardage
A David among Goliaths, this short par 4 needs to be approached carefully. Most important is knowing where the flag is then hitting a tee shot that affords the best route in, avoiding the fairway bunker left and the rough and trees on the right. If the tee is moved up the hole is potentially drivable, but bunkers and chipping areas surrounding a green offering some challenging hole locations.
Hole 8
3
Par
251
Yardage
This brutally long par 3 is sure to be a very tough test. A deep bunker short right and a deep grass swale short left of the green make the front hole locations extremely difficult. Many players will aim for the middle of the green and be happy to walk off with a par.
Hole 9
4
Par
515
Yardage
This converted par 5 becomes a wonderful long two-shotter for the Championship. Bunkers and an overhanging cypress tree on the right off the tee put immediate pressure on the tee shot. Then two greenside bunkers and a grass swale right will keep the player honest as the front nine finishes.
Hole 10
5
Par
562
Yardage
The back nine opens with a bang, a reachable par 5. Players need to avoid or carry right-side fairway bunkers off the tee, leaving themselves an enticing second shot into a receptive green that is surrounded by three bunkers. Expect to see be lots of birdies and even some eagles here.
Hole 11
3
Par
200
Yardage
This wonderful par 3 looks simple but can cause a lot of problems. With bunkers front left and right of the green, short can be disastrous. Front-left and back-right hole locations are the most challenging, with the middle of this subtly sloping green likely offering the best chance for birdie.
Hole 12
4
Par
494
Yardage
Another converted par 4, this left-turning dogleg has out of bounds all along the left side. The tee shot must be long and straight to leave a mid-iron into the green. The bunker short and left will play with the golfer’s mind while creating difficult hole locations on the left side. Cypress trees short and right also could come into play.
Hole 13
4
Par
472
Yardage
Thanks to the newly added Championship tee, the opening shot should turn left to right yet avoid the right-side fairway bunker and an overhanging cypress tree. The green has a deep bunker short and left that can make for some very difficult hole locations on the left side.
Hole 14
4
Par
470
Yardage
The final five holes play adjacent to Lake Merced and showcase some outstanding views. This par 4 calls for a straightaway tee shot that avoids the deep gully to the left. The uphill approach shot is often played from an uneven lie and must avoid the left greenside bunker. The green slopes from back to front: Any putt from above the hole will be treacherous, fast and sliding.
Hole 15
4
Par
401
Yardage
This short, downhill, dogleg-left par 4 demands finding the fairway, most likely with something less than a driver. The green has a lot of movement and players will want to leave their approach shots under the hole. Expect a lot of birdies here.
Hole 16
4
Par
336
Yardage
The tee likely will be moved forward at least once during the Championship, enticing players to trying driving this short yet strategic par 4. When the tee is back, bunkers left and an overhanging Cypress can come into play; then it’s just a short wedge shot into one of the trickiest greens on the course. When the tee is forward, finding the green will mean avoiding the tree and staying away from Lake Merced on the left.
Hole 17
3
Par
171
Yardage
Don’t assume the shortest hole on the course is the easiest. Players will need to precisely judge the wind and avoid the trees on the left. There are quite a few precarious hole locations on this green, but there still should be lots of birdies on this hole.
Hole 18
4
Par
480
Yardage
What you see is what you get, with the lake and the hole’s spectacular curve to the left laid out in front of the golfer. The newly added tee brings fairway bunkers on the right into play and forces a decision: lay up short or go for broke. Approaching the elevated green demands precision as bunkers short left and a bank of rough to the right will leave difficult recovery shots. The round finishes on a difficult green complex overlooking Lake Merced.