Northwood Golf Club

19400 Hwy 116, Monte Rio, California, 95462
Type: Public
No. Holes: 9
(707) 865-1116
Architect: Alister MacKenzie (19)
                      
Northwood Golf Club, Monte Rio, California, 95462 - Golf Course Photo
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Detailed description of Northwood Golf Club

Northwood Golf Club is a Public , 9 hole golf course located in Monte Rio, California.

Northwood Golf Club first opened for play in 1928. The course was designed by Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter.

In 1928 after designing around the cypress trees at Cypress Point and before the magnolias of Augusta National, Alister MacKenzie made a stop among the majestic redwoods of Northwood.

While you may never have the privilege of playing Augusta or Cypress, you can experience Dr. MacKenzie's famed natural contoured fairways and undulating greens in a magnificent setting. A genuine challenge, casual elegance, pristine beauty, affordable green fees, and a signature ninth hole, all make for a most memorable golf experience at Northwood Golf Club.

This course has been reviewed 18 times
Golf Course ranker Photo
Santa Rosa, CA

$26 (cart included), played on Sunday, January 2019 at 12:30 AM

Greens on holes that are shaded, which is most of them, are very bumpy and therefore difficult. But overall, beautiful, challenging course. One of my favorites in the area

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Food/ Bar facilities, Ambiance, Staff, Layout
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Pace to play
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Value
Rank ID # : 029420
Golf Course ranker Photo
Sebastopol, CA
foreTee Photo

$16 (cart included), played on Monday, August 2017 at 8:30 AM

Gorgeous Redwood lined course. Always peaceful always a pleasure.

Would travel: 10-20 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Price, Ambiance
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Value
Rank ID # : 028905
Golf Course ranker Photo
Monte Rio, CA

(cart included), played on Tuesday, July 2015 at 8:00 AM

I live just 5min away and play often. Course is very challenging even if you play a lot. Groundskeepers do a great job keeping the course playable all year round. Highly recommend. Barbara Seymour, Guerneville, CA

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Food/ Bar facilities, Difficulty, Ambiance, Staff, Clubhouse
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 027379
Golf Course ranker Photo
Forestville, CA

$31 (cart included), played on Saturday, August 2014 at 2pm

I live very close in Forestville and its about 15-20 minutes away. However, I have driven down from Healdsburg which is approximately 40-45 mins away to play dozens of times. I have had my my father and a friend of his up from Paso Robles and we played back to back days and they loved it. Anyone who enjoys the game can't get enough of the beauty and the McKenzie magic. I play golf at least once a week and this place is amongst my favorite all time. Great track, food and the staff are awesome. They have always had great food and drink selections and recently went through a remodel and it is even better than before. I love going around twice and no matter how good a round you have going you got to play that 9th hole correctly in order to score well.

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Staff
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Value
Rank ID # : 022609
Golf Course ranker Photo
Monte Rio, CA

$10 (cart not included), played on Monday, October 2013 at 2pm

Still my home course and loving every minute I am there. Keep up the good work . Hats off to Gaylord, Vern, Robin, and the gang for making this the best around.

Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Staff, Clubhouse, Pro Shop
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 021270
Golf Course ranker Photo, David Biles
Martinez, CA

$26 (cart included), played on Wednesday, June 2013 at 10am

Pace of play was extremely slow. Marshals don't encourage players to pick up the pace. They just ride around and smile. Players don't fix ball marks on greens and leaving big lumps on greens. Players don't rake traps afterwards either. There was a group of 5 playing and one of them didn't have clubs. Some players played 2 and 3 balls. TOOO SLOW!!!

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area
 
Condition of Course, Ambiance, Staff, Pro Shop
Pace of Play
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
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Value
Rank ID # : 020025
Golf Course ranker Photo

$26 (cart not included), played on Thursday, July 2012 at 10am

I try to play this course at least twice a month during the dry season. It's rustic and friendly, and this year seems to be in better shape than ever. Play can be slow. There are a lot of seniors (like myself) and some take their game more far more seriously than it deserves.

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Staff
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 018541
Golf Course ranker Photo
Monte Rio, CA

$10 (cart not included), played on Thursday, March 2012 at 4pm

I pay here regularly. The greens can be slow-ish at times, but the course is always well maintained and is beautiful. The staff are great. The Redwood lined fairways provide a definite challenge, even on the short par 4's. Play it if you're in the area.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Staff
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 017174
Golf Course ranker Photo
Sebastopol, CA

$21 (cart not included), played on Friday, January 2011 at 6am

About the same distance from my home as Bodega Harbour and I play this course far more often, due to the outstanding value. This course offers so much in terms of ambience, playability, and design that it's easy to get lulled into complacency going to the 9th hole...a major mistake. This half-course is a full golf experience.

Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Pace of Play
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
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Value
Rank ID # : 016740
Golf Course ranker Photo
Petaluma, CA

$21 (cart not included), played on Thursday, October 2011 at noon

A unique, peak experience with unparalleled beauty. More challenging than I expected, but it's so gorgeous that you kind of forget about the score!

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, No Houses on Course
Pace of Play
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 016437
Golf Course ranker Photo
Fieldbrook, CA

$21 (cart included), played on Friday, August 2011 at 10am

I have played this course many times since I was a young man. Since then I played some of the best courses in the country. Northwood remains my favorite due to its spectacular ambiance of giant Redwood trees lining the fairways, immaculate greens, spiritual experience and great staff. If I lived nearby I would be walking the course a minimum of 5 days a week. Put this course on your Bucket list.

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, Staff
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 016412
Golf Course ranker Photo
Monte Rio, CA

$10 (cart not included), played on Thursday, July 2011 at 4pm

Beautiful course, great staff, weather perfect 10 months of the year. This is my home course.I wear rainboots in the winters. Thanks to Gaylord, Vern, Robin and the gang for a great experience on a links style course.

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Pace of Play, Staff, Clubhouse, Pro Shop
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 015280
Golf Course ranker Photo
Woodland Hills, CA

$31 (cart included), played on Friday, July 2011 at 8am

Gorgeous 9-hole golf course in a unique setting of giant redwood trees. The course is immaculately maintained. The fairways and roughs are lush and the greens are fair and true. The staff is friendly and helpful and coordinates tee times so that folks can play 18 holes. The price is surprisingly low for a course of this quality and character. The only knock might be that the challenge is reduced for good players owing to the short par fours, several of which are less than 300 yards. For a relaxing, easy to walk golf experience in a truly unique natural setting, this course is hard to top. We will make it a regular part of our agenda any time we are in the area.

Would travel: 20-30 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Pace of Play, Staff
Difficulty
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 014727
Golf Course ranker Photo
Foster City, CA

Do Not Recall (cart included), played on Wednesday, June 2011 at 10am

What a gem. If you have never played a MacKenzie course or cannot afford them, then you have to try Northwood. The greens are vintage MacKenzie and a gas to play on. There are a few trees...huge and gorgeous Redwoods that add both amazement and challenge. But it's the greens that will have you smiling even when you three-putt. Make two trips around the nine holes. Like most MacKenzie courses you'll see things the second time you missed the first.

Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area
 
Layout
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Pace to play
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Value
Rank ID # : 014489
Golf Course ranker Photo
Silver Springs, MD

$21 (cart not included), played on Friday, May 2011 at 8am

I played Northwood Golf Club yesterday and they had an afternoon golf tourney for the Monte Rio Chamber. They went out of their way to gett me out for nine holes before the tournament started since I came a long way to play. The guy in the shop put me out with two of their members who knew the history of the course. What an inspired round on this gem of a course. Why drop hundreds at Bandon when this is golf the way it was meant to be played. Super accomodating staff. Very nice people.

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Layout, Ambiance
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 013919
Golf Course ranker Photo
Foster City, CA

$31 (cart included), played on Sunday, April 2011 at 10am

This golf experience is remarkable for a nine hole course with $ 20.00 green fees. This is MacKenzie magic in a cathedral-like setting in the redwoods. A sign on the golf shop says this was ranked third in the nation for nine-holers by Golf Week.

Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: Ranks with the best in this price level
 
Staff
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
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Rank ID # : 013768
Golf Course ranker Photo
Garden Grove, CA

$21 (cart included), played on Friday, September 2010 at 10am

This course is 480 miles from my home and is always included as a venue when we visit northern CA. Combined with Bodega Golf Links and Sea Ranch Golf Links, these three form the perfect northcoast trifecta. I have played it in all four seasons, spring, summer and fall tend to provide better conditions. It rains a bit in the winter. The staff and pro shop are fine, friendly and well stocked. The restaurant that shares the facility is well above average, with good menue selections and a competent bar staff.

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Ambiance
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 011614
Golf Course ranker Photo
Santa Rosa, CA

(cart included), played on Friday, January 2009 at 6am

Story #1. It's said that Dr. MacKenzie, at the urging of his freinds, drew up the plans for Northwood on the back of a cocktail napkin while visiting the nearby Bohemian Club summer encampment.

Story#2. Bing Crosby who sang with a big band at the nearby Rio Nido Lodge back in the '40s said "it's the only course he's played where you have to walk single file down the fairways" in reference to the heavily redwood tree lined Northwood Golf Course.

Would travel: 0-10 Miles
Bottom line:
 
Layout/ Challenge
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Rank ID # : 008903
4.5/5
Based on 18 reviews
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