Northwood Golf Club

Northwood Golf Club sits along the Russian River in Monte Rio, California, delivering a nine-hole experience that has earned international recognition. Golf.com ranks the course among the world's top 30 nine-hole layouts, while TravelAwaits.com places it among California's top 10 public courses, alongside legendary tracks like Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. The club operates daily from 7:30 AM to 5 PM and has accumulated 459 guest reviews averaging 4.7 stars. Located at 19400 Highway 116 in Monte Rio, the facility serves golfers from throughout Sonoma County and the broader North Bay region.

The course was designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the same architect behind Augusta National, Pasatiempo, and Cypress Point, and the design reflects his signature approach of working with the natural landscape rather than forcing a layout onto it. Towering redwood trees line every fairway, creating what multiple reviewers describe as a cathedral-like setting with remarkable scents and atmosphere. The club maintains solar-powered golf carts, distinguishing it from most public courses in California and reducing the environmental footprint of play. A youth on the program introduces junior golfers to the sport through structured access, while the on-site restaurant and pro shop support players before and after their rounds.

Recent reviewers consistently praise the course conditions, with one guest playing in November describing the layout as first class and noting mist filtering through the redwoods at his morning tee time. Another player walked the nine-hole layout with a pull cart, appreciating the intimate scale that Golf.com reviewer Joe Passov described as delivering less that feels like more. Multiple reviewers mention friendly staff in the clubhouse and efficient pace of play even on busy weekdays, with one noting he was paired with a local regular who provided valuable course knowledge.