5 Must-Play Public Golf Courses in the Napa Valley

Perfect your swing in the Napa Valley’s relaxing natural environment with a round of golf on your wine country vacation. The Napa Valley boasts several public golf courses, laid out among vineyards, wildlife preserves, and rolling hills. A decent course without a membership is hard to find on vacation, but we’ve rounded up five of wine country’s best. Hit the greens at these Napa Valley public golf courses.

Vintner’s Golf Club

This championship 9-hole resort course was designed by Bob Boldt, former PGA golf professional. Located in the charming town of Yountville, Vintner’s Golf Club was voted the best up-valley golf course by Napa Sonoma magazine, appealing to both professionals and the general golfing public alike. After a round on their pristine greens, visit the on-site Lakeside Grill for casual grilled fare in a scenic setting. This local favorite has a diverse menu, full bar with local wine and brews, and a shady patio offering gorgeous views of the course. Explore our Yountville Fine Dining Guide for more dining options in this world-renowned culinary destination.

Eagle Vines Golf Club

Featured in the ‘Best of the Bay’ section of the SFGate, Eagle Vines Golf Club was designed in part by the World Golf Hall of Famer, Johnny Miller. The 18-hole course is surrounded by nature and panoramic views of lakes, vineyards, and waterfalls. Dine at The Grill at Eagle Vines and order a glass of their estate-grown Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc, exclusive only to Eagle Vines Vineyards.

Chardonnay Golf Club

Adjacent to Eagle Vines Golf Club is the 18-hole championship course, Chardonnay Golf Club. Located at the southern gateway to the Napa Valley, this course is challenging for players of all skill levels. Several acres of the property are designed as wildlife preserves, and are dedicated to maintaining wildlife habitat among the fairways. Set an early tee time for a chance to see rabbits, squirrels, foxes, and their resident bobcat family.

Mount St. Helena Golf Course

This newly renovated golf course just reopened in April after a six-month hiatus. Located on the Napa County Fairgrounds at the northernmost end of the Napa Valley, this 9-hole course is perfect for a casual round of golf. Advanced golfers will love the precision it takes to navigate through the tree-lined fairways, and novices will enjoy its length, flat layout, and open architecture. Plan your Napa Valley vacation just right and you will receive a free round of golf at the Mount St. Helena Golf Course on your birthday.

Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park

Take golf lessons from a PGA Class A professional, practice your range and short game in a 24 individual stall driving range, or play 18-holes on a 10,000 sq-ft putting green at the Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park. After a round on their beautifully manicured greens, visit their Clubhouse and store, designed to meet all of your golfing needs. Make a day of it and relax at Kennedy Park, a 350-acre park that runs along the Napa River, ideal for a hiking beginner. For more no-incline hikes, including the Kennedy Park Napa River Trail, visit our wine country hiking guide.

Stay with the Wine Country Inn

Bring the serenity of an early-morning golf game with you to the Wine Country Inn, the Napa Valley’s premier hotel in the heart of wine country. Stay in luxury with a complimentary wine country breakfast, weekend wine receptions, a relaxing outdoor spa overlooking the vineyards of St. Helena, and in-room spa services. Achieve total relaxation with a Napa Valley getaway at the Wine Country Inn.