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4.9
43 Reviews (43)
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.9
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.9
Amenities
4.9
99.2%
Recommend this course
41 out of 43 reviews
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5 Stars
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0
Value
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Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
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Amenities
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0
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Recommend this course
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About

Holes 9
Type Public
Par 36
Length 2893 yards
Slope 114
Rating 33.9

Course Details

Year Built 1928
Greens Bent/Poa Annua
Golf Season Year round
Architect Alister MacKenzie (1928) Robert Hunter (1928)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy No
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in California (2019 #9)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Short Courses in the U.S. (2019 #5)

Reviews

4.9
43 Reviews (43)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best nine hole in Northern California

Nestled in old growth redwoods by the Russian River, this course is as beautiful as they come. It is a wonderful course to walk and enjoy the scenery. Fairways and greens are well-cared for. The same course designer as Augusta. What are you waiting for?

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Exceptional course

Maintenance was excellent. Good mix of long and short distance in absolutely stunning setting with redwoods and wildlife. Great staff. Definitely recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Beautiful course among towering redwoods

One of my all time favorite courses. Can be a bit slow, but that allows you to take in the amazing scenery. Staff is great, course is challenging as well.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Definitely give it a try!

I had a great time and would definitely 100% recommend it if you are in the area, just wish I lived a little closer to it. It was a beautiful day in the course was in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Nice course

This is my local course I play often. Always in good shape but does tend to play slow because it’s often wet. Nice staff and not too expensive.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Northwood Golf

One of the most beautiul gofl courses in Northern California

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice track- great place to play to be in majestic nature

It was a lovely day to play and the course equalized the weather. I didn't have any expectations going in, and I was pleasantly impressed with the course--- the layout, how well manicured it was, and some varying holes that offered the traditional risk-reward elements of how to play them.

The trees, surrounding mountains, and overall nature were beautiful and getting a round in here was definitely a nice respite beyond being "just a golf outing" in itself.

Whether you'd come here to play a solo round or with friends, you're likely going to enjoy your time here!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great 9 hole course

Great course in a beautiful setting. Although there is not much yardage the course is designed in a way that makes it challenging enough. Had a blast!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Would give it a 10/10

What a gem! If you are visiting the area you will not regret making a stop here. The course has so much character and is such a representation of how special this area is. Cannot stress enough how much I recommend it and how much value you will get out of it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great course to come back to

I’ve played this course every year for the last 25 years. Only course I’ve done this. Well worth coming back to. Beautiful and challenging but fun

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 39
Handicap 15-19
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Walked
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
California Advisor
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Two words: Alister MacKenzie

I love many things about golf and two things are at the top of the list: Alister MacKenzie and 9 hole courses.

Northwood offers both and I am so glad I packed my Persimmon woods and made the 3 hour trek up to play on a sleepy Monday morning.

Verne in the pro shop was incredibly nice. Offered me a yardage book for free and a couple tips for the course.

Northwood is a magical place. The redwoods obviously are the distinguishing characteristic but the layout itself is fun and challenging. The greens are undulating and bold and pure MacKenzie. Only a few bunkers out on the course and the greens werent the quickest on the planet but that is just fine. Take it for what it is - a must play for any fan of golf history. Afterwards enjoy a cold drink in the awesome 19th hole.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Total gem

Played this course for the first time today after playing a boring and slow course in the morning.

What a difference. Despite being 1200 yards shorter I still shot 4 strokes worse and smiled the whole time. Almost every tee shot forced a decision and every single green complex was interesting. Pace of play was fine , even though at one point I got stuck behind a pair of dads with 6 kids. They quickly let me play through and everyone was having a good time and delighted to be out there.

there's no water on this course and few (amazing) bunkers, and it's in the perfect most serene setting. it sets up relatively easy for average hacks and still poses a real challenge to good golfers.

Go here. Play here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Wow

This simply one of the most beautiful spots I have ever see. It is a fun layout with great greens and nicely placed bunkers. I had to rent clubs (which were not great). Next time I am in the area I will have my clubs and play every day. The salmon and brie appetizer at the restaurant is crazy and there is a good beer selection.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Beautiful 9-hole course

Great 9-hole course and was in superb condition. Two of us played relatively early AM and walked the 9-holes in under 2 hours. Relatively flat course playing through the scenic majestic redwoods. Very much enjoyed the round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

some holes too short

agree with all laudatory reviews: beautiful setting, smell of redwood in the air, well kept conditions despite drought, etc., etc.
one demerit for me - reflecting my personal preference for the driver and not a fair criticism of the course itself - was that some holes were too short.

otherwise, beautifully laid out and well maintained. worth playing here at least once.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Never spent so much time during a round looking up

What a special place. Northwood GC is, located on the Russian River in Sonoma and the heart of Redwoods country. It's probably the world's most accessible and affordable Alister Mackenzie design. Northwood is a short, small 9-holer that is wonderfully casual. The holes that play through magnificent redwoods are an absolute joy. The yardage isn't much: about 2600 yards for 9 holes, but each hole is a little different, and the small greens roll wonderfully. There are even two par 5s, which might be the only times it actually makes sense to hit a driver out here. Other holes are narrow and doglegging, so if you can't shape your shots, prepare to hear the echoing of golf ball striking 8-foot-thick redwood.

What I truly adore about this place is how casual and welcoming it is to both true golfers and vacationers just interested in trying out the game. Sleeves seem optional. My wife and I, fresh off a busy afternoon in wine country, decided to stop by for a peek around and a drink on the patio. Naturally, within about 10 minutes I had talked her into playing 9 with me. We were wearing our workout clothes, but no matter, and got two super twilight tee times and a set of clubs for $36. We got around in about 80 minutes. Golf seemed practically secondary compared to the chance to walk beneath the trees in evening twilight.

I suspect, when you pass by Northwood on River Road, you'll want to stop in and see what the fuss is all about. You'll love every step. Just be sure to look down and know where you're going once in awhile.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
88870252-89bc-5ff6-8e5d-addd65304727
Commented on 10/02/2014

Played here many times over the past few decades and I agree that this place is a gem. Proof positive that golf can be great on a course that isn't 7k yards or has invested (wasted?) millions.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great value for the money!

Wonderful scenic course in among the Redwoods. Overall a great experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages

Sonoma Wine Country Golf Package

FROM $607 (USD)
SONOMA, CA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and 1 round of golf at Sonoma Golf Club.

Silverado Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $277 (USD)
NAPA, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Silverado Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Silverado Resort - North & South Courses.

San Francisco PGA Championship Golf Package

FROM $527 (USD)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at Fairmont San Francisco and 4 rounds of golf at TPC Harding Park, Presidio Golf Course, and Half Moon Bay Golf Links-Old & Ocean Courses.

San Francisco Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $437 (USD)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Hotel Kabuki and 2 rounds of golf at Harding Park & Presidio Golf Club.

Half Moon Bay Golf Package

FROM $437 (USD)
HALF MOON BAY, CA | Enjoy 1 night's accommodation at Half Moon Bay Lodge and 2 rounds of golf at Half Moon Bay Old Course & Half Moon Bay Ocean Course.
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