There are so many questions people are asking as we head into this weekend. Who are you cheering for during the big game? Is it the Baltimore Ravens or the San Francisco 49ers? (Or maybe you are just watching it for the commercials!) Will Ray Lewis get a ring in his final season? Which one of the Harbaugh brothers will come out on top, Jim or John? But at the end of the day, only one team can go home with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. No matter who it is, we are in for a great game Sunday, and I am sure great food! So in honor of Super Bowl XLVII, US Hole In One is bringing you some of the best courses (all of which are open to the public) in San Francisco and Baltimore, the hometowns of the AFC and NFC champions.

Greater Baltimore Area

Mount Pleasant Golf Club
This course is located right in Baltimore itself.  In 1956, Arnold Palmer secured his second win on the professional golf tour here at Mount Pleasant. It was also home of the Eastern Invitational Open from 1950-1963. The course measures 6,726 yards from the blue tees, and is a par 71 course. Mt. Pleasant is a favorite for players looking for the challenge of a classic design. The course requires precision driving, and careful putting.  This course is rich in history and tradition, so even though it does lack a few things, it makes is sure to make up in that!

Pine Ridge Golf Course
The course is located in Towson, MD.  As golfers are hitting the green, they are sure to see the deer and geese that make this tranquil setting their home.  Pine Ridge offers peace and quiet unlike any other golf experience in the greater Baltimore area. This venue has been home to several LPGA and PGA tournaments including the Eastern Open, Lady Carling Open, and the Greater Baltimore Golf Classic. The course measures at 6,820 yards, and is a par 72 course. It features a challenging layout from tee to green. The course is surrounded by the scenic water and pine trees of the Loch Raven watershed setting. This makes this course both beautiful and a challenge because water does come in play on several holes. Pine Ridge also offers a 45-station, lighted driving range which is also very popular with all golfers.

Diamond Ridge Golf Course
Diamond Ridge  is located in Gwynn Oak, MD, about a 15 minute drive from downtown Baltimore. Diamond Ridge along with an 18-hole golf course, features a great practice facility. The practice facility includes a driving range, putting green, and short-game area. The course itself  measures at 6,613 yards from the blue tees, and is a par 71 course.  Although the course is fairly open off the tee box, the challenge of this layout comes from the difficult putting greens. The front nine is open more in nature, links-esque if you will, and the back nine is tighter and outlined by mature trees and offers you. The back nine is also unique among most golf courses, with three par 3’s, three par 4’s and three par 5’s.

San Francisco Bay Area

TPC Harding Park
Located right in San Francisco, TPC Harding Park offers two courses which are both open to the public, Harding Park and Fleming 9. It recently was host to host to the 2005 World Golf Championship and the Presidents Cup 2009. Harding Park is lined with Monterey Cypress Trees and set against Lake Merced, making it not only an experience for each golfer on the course, but also a scenic one, the views of the lake are particularly breathtaking. It measures at 6,845 yards from the blue tees, and is a par 72 course. Fleming 9 was added in 1961 to the interior of Harding Park . It is a challenging par 30 course and it stretches a little over 2,100 yards.  TPC Harding Park also offers an all weather Practice Facility, which includes both chipping and putting areas, is built for guests to practice in any weather conditions.

Presidio Golf Course
Presidio Golf Course is located just minutes from downtown San Francisco. It is is renowned for its spectacular forest setting as the course winds through the beautiful Eucalyptus and Monterey Pine trees in The City’s trademark hills. Once restricted to military officers and private club members, it is now open to the public. It is full of tight fairways with strategically placed bunkers, making it an unique challenge because it is a “hilly” golf course. Presidio measures 6,422 yards and is a par 72 course. They also have a large driving range and a 6-hole practice putting green and chipping green. Fun fact: In 1983 a storm shook more than 200 balls out of the trees and on to the course in an hour!

Has anyone ever hit the greens at any of these courses? We would love to hear your feedback! Happy Super Bowl XLVII!! As always, you can contact an US Hole In One tournament consultant at 888-882-5440 or info@usholeinone.com.

By: Sarah Halcovage