TPC Harding Park has its fair share of critics who complain about monotonous holes and the lack of an 'oh wow' moment, but there's no doubting its tournament pedigree. The $16-million renovation in 2002-03 restored its championships chops, leading to a a slew of events: Two World Golf Championships, multiple Charles Schwab Cup Championships, two Presidents Cups (the next in 2026) and this year's PGA. It's always refreshing to watch the pros struggle with Harding Park's rough. It gets me every time.

Like Baylands, the 6,874-yard South Course at Corica Park near the Oakland International Airport experienced a rebirth in 2018. Rees Jones teamed up with Greenway Golf - the management team of the 45-hole, city-owned facility - to transform a featureless muni long past its prime into an Australian Sandbelt-themed links. It's playable and interesting, despite little elevation change and almost no water hazards. More than 110 bunkers, many edged with shaggy grass, steer players through the routing. The more affordable North course is in the midst of its own renovation. The Mif Albright par-3 course was modernized in 2014.

The hilly Presidio Golf Course, part of a national park in the heart of the city, remains one of the best courses shorter than 6,500 yards in the world. Presidio plays longer than its 6,449 yards thanks to the elevation changes and the infamous cold, damp air of San Francisco. A recent bunker renovation improved the look of a playground dating to 1895 as one of the oldest courses west of the Mississippi. Two new accommodations - an inn and a lodge - built within the park since 2012 don't offer golf packages but would still be a great way for golfers to enjoy the sights of San Francisco.

Cinnabar Hills G.C: Hidden holes in Silicon Valley's foothills

There's a beautiful view of the seventh hole on the Mountain nine from the eighth tee box of the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

The water lurks left of the seventh green on the Lake nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

From the forward tees, a layup is required on the second hole of the Canyon golf course at Cinnabar Hills in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

The 307-yard third hole on the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club forces you to lay up for a short wedge into the green. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

Once you scoot past the large tree in the middle of the fairway, the approach to the fourth green on the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club is all uphill. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

It's a monstrous task to par the 222-yard eighth hole on the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

The view from the ninth tee of the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club looks fabulous. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

A barranca and tree guard the six green on the Lake golf course at Cinnabar Hills in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

Cinnabar Hills would be more well-known if it wasn't hidden in the hills of south San Jose surrounded by so many popular resort destinations. It offers 27 holes of scenic and challenging target golf. Inside the clubhouse is the Lee Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum, home to the largest collection of golf memorabilia west of the Mississippi, including President Eisenhower's green jacket from Augusta National and Walter Hagen's Ryder Cup captain's jacket. The museum, alone, is worth the trip.

It's not a coincidence that Greg Norman, with his own wine label, designed the Course at Wente Vineyards in the heart of Livermore Valley Wine Country for a family-owned winery. Golf pairs well in the rolling hills of the East Bay, although the weather trends hot, dry and windy in summer months. The 7,181-yard routing traverses three distinct topographies - native woodlands, mature vineyards and natural grasslands - to deliver profound vistas and challenging holes. It hosted the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship, part of what was then the Nationwide Tour (now the Korn Ferry), from 2006-08.

Half Moon Bay's Ocean Course: Get a taste of Scotland in northern California

The elevated 16th tee of the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links provides a bird's eye view of the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

A large hump in front of the first green of the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links repels shots. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

At 344 yards, the second hole is the shortest par 4 on the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

Small dunes frame the 150-yard third hole on the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

A trap gobbles up any errant second shot on the par-5 fourth hole of the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links in California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

Take an extra club to clear the water on the 172-yard seventh hole on the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

The Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links can look like Scotland at times. Check out the rolling hills beyond the sixth green. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

The 526-yard eighth hole on the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links bends left and finishes at a demanding green. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

Grassy dunes block the opening to the par-5 10th green on the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

The back nine of the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links -- like the par-3 12th hole -- starts to showcase the Pacific Ocean. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

The elevated tee on the par-4 13th hole of the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links drops to well guarded fairway. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

After the 15th green, the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links follows the coastal cliffs toward the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

Misses left of the par-3 17th green on the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links are doomed. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

After a blind tee shot over a cliff, the par-5 18th hole on the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links ends at an elevated green that's tough to hit and hold. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor

Most golfers will likely favor the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay by Arthur Hills over its sister Old Course. There are more ocean views and more scoring opportunities with five par 5s and five par 3s. Although I don't believe it plays all that linksy, the fescue, the pot bunkers, the often gloomy and breezy weather and the bagpiper playing at the hotel Wednesday through Sunday all help to promote that theme.

Plenty of famous players have teed it up on the Ocean Course. Paula Creamer won the LPGA Samsung Golf Championship in 2008. Audemars Piguet, a luxury watch manufacturer, held an event played by Sir Nick Faldo, Billy Horschel, Ian Poulter, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Louis Oosthuizen, Victor Dubuisson and Bud Cauley in 2015.

Coyote Creek is a 36-hole facility designed by Jack Nicklaus in south San Jose near Cinnabar Hills and CordeValle, although its land is calmer, flatter. Its fairways are visible from Highway 101, no doubt a tease for many vacationing golfers en route to Monterey. Its Tournament Course, a host venue for the PGA Tour Champions in 2001-02, is technically "private," although golfers shouldn't have a hard time finding a "public" tee time on the resort's website or through GolfNow. Holes 2 through 8 are located across the highway on hillier terrain. Holes 17 and 18 climax around multiple lakes and man-made waterfalls.

Baylands Golf Links, Palo Alto's revived muni run by O.B. Sports, has become a part of my regular playing rotation since reopening in 2018 after a seven-year, $12-million redesign by Forrest Richardson. With five par 5s and five par 3s, and plenty of room to spray it in the ever-present wind, it's a fun walk. Its links characteristics are somewhat mitigated by the Seashore Paspalum turf, a grabby style of grass that doesn't cater to bump-and-run shots.

Although I highly recommend a stay and play like the one my family experienced in 2015, golfers don't need room reservations at the fabulous Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay to access either course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. The Old Course is one of Arnold Palmer's first designs. It doglegs throughout a housing development before a spectacular escape to the cliffs for the final two holes. Don't forget to snap a photo on No. 18. With the ocean and five-star hotel in the distance, it's as scenic as any tee box in California.

Sharp Park: A historic walk near San Francisco

A bunker bearing the handiwork of Dr. Alister MacKenzie guards the 14th green at Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica, California. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

Drives that miss the second fairway to the right must contend with this tree at Sharp Park Golf Course near San Francisco. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

Deer feed on the par-3 fifth hole at Sharp Park. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

The uphill fifth hole of Sharp Park Golf Course sits in a secluded corner of a forest. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

The sixth hole at Sharp Park Golf Course tumbles off an elevated tee and bends left to the green. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

The seventh hole at Sharp Park Golf Course is another stout par 4. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

Trees crowd the 99-yard wedge shot to the eighth green at Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica, California. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

The ninth hole is one of the short par 5s at Sharp Park Golf Course, playing just 471 yards from the tips. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

The 10th green at Sharp Park Golf Course sits by the first tee and the clubhouse. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

The cliffs at Sharp Park Golf Course along the Pacific Ocean are visible from the 12th green. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

Pylons guide golfers around the Laguna Salada on the 14th hole at Sharp Park. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

Wetland and a massive front bunker protect the par-3 15th green at Sharp Park Golf Course near San Francisco. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

A seawall blocks the views of the Pacific Ocean from the 16th hole at the Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica, California. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass

Now that Sharp Park (rates: $51-$56) has resolved its legal fight with environmentalists dating to 2007, it can hopefully move forward toward a brighter future. The 6,382-yard muni, a San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department facility like TPC Harding Park, was designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, but aches for a modernization and better care. Tom Doak and Bay Area local Jay Blasi are working with the city to restore green sizes and other lost MacKenzie features. Sharp Park's setting - first through a forest before moving adjacent to the ocean - is inspiring, even if the experience (poor conditions, slow play) often doesn't keep up its end of the bargain.

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Wish List: 10 Municipal golf courses worth saving

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