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Best Golf Courses in Napa Valley to Tee Off

by | Mar 1, 2023 | Local Activity Guide, Our Blog

Napa Valley may be best known for its abundance of wineries and culinary expertise but the region also hosts a selection of stunning golf courses. The best Napa Valley golf courses take advantage of the surroundings, incorporating vineyards and undulating hills into the setting.

We’ve rounded up a few top courses to help you find the best tee time in the valley. With a stay at Chateau de Vie, you’ll never be too far from your next round of golf or wine-tasting tour.

Chardonnay Golf Club and Vineyards

Chardonnay Golf Club in American Canyon is the idyllic Napa Valley golf course set in a vineyard landscape of Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Across the 150 acres of green, you’ll also find creeks and lakes, which add to the beautiful scenery and create some fun above par challenges.

The course has an entirely natural setting, without private houses to break up the views. Some sections of the property are even classified as wildlife preserves, with resident hawks, hummingbirds, golden eagles, and a family of bobcats that live near hole 16.

Along the 18 holes, you play six each of par fives, fours, and threes, for a nice blend of difficulty. The club also offers an interesting quick golf experience booked through an app that allows you to play just four holes for a discounted rate.

This is the perfect way to sample the course or sneak in a quick game before and after wine tastings without committing to spending four-plus hours on the greens.

The club is considered semi-private, so frequent golfers can sign up for a membership with perks like unlimited golf car rental and practice facility use. But, the public and visitors to Napa Valley are also welcome to book tee times. The club has a golf shop, practice greens, and a bar and grill.

Eagle Vines Vineyards and Golf Club

Photo Credit: kasakphoto

One of the top-rated Napa Valley golf courses, Eagle Vines Golf Club is in a picturesque setting in American Canyon, with vibrant greens dotted with lakes, creeks, and waterfalls on the final hole. The course was partially designed by Johnny Miller, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Like its neighbor, Chardonnay Golf Club, Eagle Vines is not in a neighborhood of homes, so the setting feels more natural and in tune with the wine country scenery. Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah vineyards frame holes 4, 5, and 6, and hole 14 is set on an island in a lake with geese and ducks.

The 18-hole course is a par 72, with a handful of par 5 holes. Tee times can be booked online up to 30 days in advance and include a shared cart. You do not need to be a member to play here, but the club does offer memberships that include unlimited availability, guest passes, and earlier booking options.

The club also has an on-site restaurant with panoramic windows, a full bar, and an outdoor patio along the 8th fairway.

Vintner’s Golf Club

Photo Credit: logoboom

The perfect casual Napa Valley golf course to play before an afternoon of vineyard visits is the Vintner’s Golf Club. Located in Yountville is a short par 34 course. Set in a convenient location near many of wine country’s popular small towns, the course backs up to a park with views of the hills.

The course offers nine holes, with one par five and a mix of threes and fours. You can play a double round at a discounted rate to make a regular 18-hole game at a par 68. The course is open to the public, and California residents can save on greens fees.

Frequent visitors to Napa Valley may find it useful to invest in one of the golf memberships, with options for unlimited or 10-game passes. The club has a driving range for practice and also offers an unlimited range pass.

Vacationers who don’t bring their own gear may find it handy to rent equipment from the onsite shop. The facility also has a restaurant, the Lakeside Grill, with indoor and outdoor seating and a menu of casual favorites like burgers, sandwiches, and tacos.

Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park

Photo Credit: Frank Fennema

  • Address: 2295 Streblow Drive, Napa, CA
  • Book a Tee Time: playnapa.com

One of the closest public courses to downtown Napa, the Napa Golf Course at Kennedy park has both an 18-hole course and a driving range for practice. The fairways here are dotted with trees and water hazards that also make for a pretty setting with the mountains in the distance.

The course is a par 72, and you can book your tee time online in advance to ride or walk the course. You do not need to be a member to play at the Napa Golf Course, but the club does offer annual walking or riding memberships for frequent guests. You can also play a nine-hole twilight round for a discount if you want to squeeze a game in after a morning of touring wineries. You can also stop by to test out the putting practice green and driving range when you’re short on time.

Napa Golf offers rentals in the golf shop if you don’t travel with clubs. The course is located at Kennedy Park, a 350-acre public space with walking trails, sports courts, and a boat launch. The Taproom at Kennedy Park is the perfect spot to go for a post-game snack.

Hiddenbrooke Golf Club

Photo Credit: charnsitr

The Arnold Palmer-designed Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo is one of the top Napa Valley golf courses. The club has been ranked one of the best public golf courses in the country by the Golf World Readers’ Choice Awards and is rated a 4.5-star course by Golf Digest. As you would expect, the course is spectacular, with immaculate greens and a beautiful hilly setting.

The 18-hole course is a classic par 72, with a chance to birdie at a handful of par 5 holes. You can book your tee time online and do not need to be a member to play.

The club does offer a few different memberships, though, for frequent golfers with perks like early booking, discounted green fees, gratis carts, and unlimited range balls. In addition, memberships only require a two-month commitment, so if you visit Napa Valley on an extended vacation, you may find value in the bonuses.

If you only want to stop by to hit some balls, the Hiddenbrooke Golf Club has a putting green, chipping zone, and driving range. There are also onsite private and group lessons for adults and juniors. After a round, be sure to stop by The Grille for a drink and burger.

Rancho Solano Golf Course

Photo Credit: kwest

Situated just outside of Napa Country, Rancho Solano in nearby Fairfield is known as one of the top golf courses in the Bay Area and is a local favorite. The course was designed by golf architect Gary Roger Baird.

A par 72, 18-hole golf course, Ranch Solano has large greens and a hilly terrain dotted with trees. The club also features a driving range with putting and chipping practice areas.

You do not need to be a member to play here; you can book tee times online eight days in advance. The course is walkable, but carts are available to rent. You can also play just the back 9 at a discounted rate at certain times of the week. The clubhouse offers an onsite eatery with patio views.

Paradise Valley

Photo Credit: antsdrone

  • Address: 3950 Paradise Valley Drive, Fairfield, CA
  • Book a Tee Time: fairfieldgolf.com

Managed by the same company as Rancho Solano, Paradise Valley is about five miles away in Fairfield, so the two courses pair well for a doubleheader. The Robert Muir Graves designed Paradise Valley golf course is set amongst oak trees, creeks, and a flourishing lake.

The 18-hole course is a classic par 72 with a chance to knock in a hole-in-one on the short fairway at hole 12. The club has a state-of-the-art practice facility with over 30 driving range mats, a chipping zone to work on your short game, and a putting green. It’s also known for its club fitting and repair pro shop, ranked a Premier Fitting Location by Taylor Made.

The public course has online tee time booking eight days in advance and discounts for twilight play and seniors. The Legends at Paradise Valley eatery is perfect for a post-game happy hour and live music.

Private Napa Valley Golf Courses

Photo Credit: Mikael Damkier

There are a couple of private Napa Valley golf courses in the area as well. The Napa Valley Country Club in Napa has a USGA-certified 18-hole course. Still, it is exclusive and invitation-only, and Silverado Resort has a pair of courses for members and guests only and also hosts the PGA Tour Fortinet Championship.

Golf and Stay in Napa

Playing a round at these Napa Valley golf courses is a great way to enjoy the stunning scenery and sunny weather in Northern California in between vineyard visits. Chateau de Vie in Calistoga is the perfect base for all of your adventures in wine country.