What are the best public golf courses in Napa Valley, California?

Introduction to Napa Valley

In this blog post we’re going to take a look at the best public golf courses in the county of Napa Valley, in northern California.

Napa Valley is known worldwide as being a wine lover’s paradise. It is also considered as one of the finest viticultural areas in the United States.

50 miles northeast of San Francisco, the destination attracts millions of wine tourists annually. 

Clearly most people come to visit the world-class wineries and explore the miles upon miles of vineyards. But vineyards aside, the valley is majestic.  

Rolling countrysides and tranquil beauty all build a delectable allure and forms the perfect setting for your visit. 

And if you fancy playing golf when in Napa Valley, I’ve listed below the best public golf courses running from Vallejo in the south, through Napa and up towards St Helena.

See also: What are the best public golf courses in San Francisco, California?

List of the best public golf courses in Napa Valley

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1. Silverado Resort (North Course & South Course)

The top class Silverado Resort is in the heart of Napa Valley, east of Union and Napa heading up into the hills. 

The location is wonderful, peaceful and serene. Some would say the ideal spot for a luxury resort. Unsurprisingly, this is an incredibly popular vacation destination. Not just golfers, but all types of visitors to Napa, be it leisure, wine-lovers, outdoor enthusiasts…you name it.

Guests can enjoy fine dining, outstanding amenities and a stylish spa. But the fact there are two championship level, 18-hole golf courses onsite, adds to the overall package.

Both courses, the North and the South, were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and are quite franky, top class. Whilst more recently, PGA Hall-of-Famer Johnny Miller led a thorough redesign and renovation.

Many of you may recognise the North Course, as it is here the PGA Tour’s Fortinet Championship has been held. Whilst in by-gone years, various other big-time golf tournaments have also been hosted here. 

Because of this, the North Course is the layout which gets most credit and acclaim. Despite this, both are superb and deserving of being considered some of the best public golf courses in Napa Valley.

Set in a valley, the North is a traditional parkland course littered with hundreds of mature trees including elegant redwoods and oaks. This is not one of those courses where you can hit and hope. Tactical positioning alongside accurate tee play is essential.

Johnny Miller’s modernization efforts have undeniably improved the layout. Yet the course still retains much of its old-school parkland appeal.

But the biggest mistake you could do, is to only play the North Course. The South Course is yet another fun and challenging layout which simply must be played. 

It is also very strategic, with plenty of doglegs and uneven lies on the rolling hills. But unlike on the North Course where even the slightest mis-judgment may trip you up, the South is easier-going and less penal.

As an overall package, there isn’t much else in Napa Valley that can compete with Silverado Resort. And the only way to access both courses is to either know a member, or be a guest at the resort. 

Therefore indulge yourself, eat well, drink good American wine, and enjoy the afternoon on the fairways.

2. Hiddenbrooke Golf Club

From one outstanding golf course to another, this time we take a look at the phenomenal Hiddenbrooke Golf Club.

Although Napa Valley hasn’t got dozens of golf courses, what it does have is great quality. And Hiddenbrooke is without doubt right up there as one of the best.

This is an Arnold Palmer design and managed by the world-renowned Troon Golf.

Located just to the east of Vallejo, the course is nestled up in the Bay Area Ridge, an area epitomized by rolling hills and arid peaks. 

Over the years, Hiddenbrooke has been coveted in praise. Golf Digest awarded it 4½ stars, not something thrown away lightly. Golf World Reader’s Choice ranked it in the Top 50 Public Golf Courses in the Nation. 

Fair to say, this is an impressive facility with a top class layout. 

Needless to say, with someone as experienced and coveted as Arnold Palmer, you can rest assured this is going to be well designed and a fun round of golf.

Tight undulating fairways, large sand bunkers and plenty of water, all sit alongside forced carries and sharp dog-legs. This is anything but boring! Whilst the canyons and hills make for a magnificent backdrop. 

Due to the challenging nature of the course, it might not be everyone’s preferred choice. But it will certainly entertain and dazzle! 

See also: What are the best golf courses in Sacramento, California?

3. Chardonnay Golf Club

Located in Jamieson County, southeast of Napa city, is the wonderful semi-private facility of Chardonnay Golf Club.

This is the gateway to Napa Valley, as evidenced by the miles upon miles of vineyards surrounding the club. 

So much so, the routing of the Chardonnay golf course meanders through over 150 acres of vineyards. These include Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir vineyards. 

The club opened in 1991 and was designed by the relatively unknown Algie Pulley. Pulley’s name may not be the most recognised amongst most golfers, but he was relatively prolific designing courses across America in the late twentieth century.

As well as vineyards, you’ll find a number of lakes and snaking creeks. Whilst the site and setting is enhanced by the combination of native flora and fauna, which in turn hides plenty of wildlife. 

In the distance, you may occasionally hear the highway. But no doubt you’ll enjoy the fact there is no housing or other buildings lining fairways. This is nature and golf.

A challenging course but well worth playing on your route to Napa Valley. 

4. Eagle Vines Golf Club

North of Vallejo and conveniently located right next to the Napa County Airport, is the superb Eagle Vines Golf Club.

This fantastic Napa public golf course is located right next to the just as popular Chardonnay Golf Club. Both are nestled in the same vineyard laden landscape, dotted with large lakes, meandering creeks and dense greenery.

Hidden amongst this verdant landscape is a wealth of wildlife, including hawks and the majestic golden eagle. 

But back to the golf course and this fun layout was designed by the highly respected Johnny Miller. As a World Golf Hall of Famer, maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise to know Eagle Vines is possibly one of the most challenging in the public golf facilities in the Napa Valley.

Offsetting the stunning views and peaceful surroundings, is a demanding layout which demands precision play. Narrow fairways intertwined with creeks and sprawling undergrowth. And small multi-tiered greens which are wickedly tough to read. 

Not only do you need to strike the ball accurately, you also need to hit it long. From the back tees, the course measures just shy of 7,300 yards.

Regardless of how you play, you’ll be sure to relax in the clubhouse. The Grill is known far and wide as being a great place to eat serving some of the best local wines. 

And with twilight rates around the $50 mark, amazing value too. 

See also: What are the best golf courses in Auburn, California?

6. Blue Rock Springs Golf Course (West Course & East Course)

Blue Rock Springs Golf Club is just one of a couple of options in Napa Valley with two 18-hole championship courses onsite.

This super-friendly, accommodating and popular club lies just to the east of Vallejo, out towards Hiddenbrooke Park. 

Some might argue Vallejo sits just outside of Napa Valley. But frankly, it’s close enough and Blue Rock Springs is too good not to include. 

Over the years the club has received plenty of acclaim and recognition. Recognised as a top facility in Solano County or receiving praise from the U.S. Commerce Association, it is clearly a great public golf facility. 

The two courses are the East and the West, with the West being the original layout having opened in 1949.

Some forty five years later, with the help of the respected architect Robert Muir Graves, came the East Course. 

Neither is particularly long, both measuring under 6,200 yards. But there is so much more to enjoy here than just simple yardage. 

Positioned along a hillside, both courses feature plenty of movement and elevation changes. 

The East Course is arguably a little more accommodating, with some open fairways and generous landing areas.Whilst the West features a fair number of narrow tree-lined fairways. 

Occasional water hazards and large bunkers keep golfers honest. Whilst all of this is played with a beautiful backdrop of golden hills. 

Unpretentious and great value, Blue Rock Springs is a great addition to any Napa Valley golf vacation. 

8. Napa Golf Course

A heartbeat of golf in the Napa Valley area, Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park is a popular municipal haunt. 

The club was designed by the architect Jack Fleming, who was also responsible for the West Course at Blue Rock Springs. He also designed the now closed Mount Saint Helena Golf Course in Calistoga, north of the Napa Valley.

Opening in 1968, Napa Golf Course is a fun layout but also surprisingly challenging. The topography is relatively flat, so most of this challenge comes in course management with a number of tricky tee shots.

On the front nine, expect more traditional parkland style holes, with ‘what you see is what you get’ holes. Fairways are scenic and mostly tree-lined.

As the round goes on, the trees slowly give way to open plains, with vast amounts of water hazards coming into play. This is where course management is critical to avoid losing too many balls!

Great value, Napa Golf Course is very popular with the locals and will welcome visitors and public golfers all days of the week.

See also: What are the best public golf courses in Stockton, California?

What is the best public golf course in Napa Valley, California?

The best public golf course in Napa Valley is the North Course at Silverado Resort. Located close to Union and Napa, the Silverado Resort is a luxury destination, perfect for golfers on vacation. There are two golf courses onsite, although the North Course is widely considered the best of the two. It has also hosted the PGA Tour and various other high-profile golf tournaments.