A Bohemian Dream in the Redwoods
Northwood was conceived as a wooded playground for the Bohemian Club, and that mysterious, artsy DNA lingers in every round. Ghosts of creative legends still seem to stride the tight fairways beneath the giant trees.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Northwood Golf Club
Monte Rio, California
Established
1928
Architect
Alister MacKenzie & Robert Hunter; Carlson Golf Design (2025 restoration)
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
4,944 – 5,786 yds
The verdict
A Redwood Architecture Retreat
Northwood delivers pure MacKenzie architecture among enormous redwood trunks—serenely beautiful and cheekily strategic, if not a national bucket-list round. Conditioning lags behind the lore, but the restoration brings back classic bunkering and green shapes that architecture fans crave.
Course DNA
Difficulty
60
Scenery91
Conditioning67
Shot Variety75
Walkability87
Green Complexity78
Wow Factor82
Design Quality84
At a glance
Quick facts
Number of holes
9 (18 tees)
Primary architect
Alister MacKenzie
2025 restoration lead
Carlson Golf Design
Setting
Russian River redwoods
Greens style
Small, sloped, MacKenzie
Access
Public, rare for a MacKenzie
Club lore
Originally for Bohemian Club set
Signature vibe
Enchanting, mystical, laid-back
The design
The architecture
Northwood Golf Club delivers a one-of-a-kind walk among the world’s tallest trees—literally threading MacKenzie’s strategic lines through aboriginal redwood forest. The course’s genius lies in combining short, tempting holes with devilish green sites and unique, natural corridors. Original MacKenzie bunkering and green shapes are steadily returning as part of a committed restoration effort, making each round a living lesson in Golden Age design. There’s nowhere else you’ll play a loop carved into California’s cathedral woods, with risk, reward, and redwood shadows in equal measure.
MacKenzie’s collaborative work with Robert Hunter finds its most soulful, least exclusive form here, combining artistry with everyman accessibility.
Defining features
- Small, artistically contoured greens
- Restored MacKenzie-style bunkering
- Routing flows naturally through redwoods
- Demanding angles under tight tree corridors
- Strategic reward for precision and shot-shaping
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 3
Needle-Threader Par-3
PAR
3
YARDAGE
144
A short iron over a natural woodland gap, framed by ancient trunks and dappled light. With a small, fiercely protected green, this is a big ask for such a modest number.
Play it smart
Land below the hole; flighted shot control is critical to hold the tiny target, and missing long spells definite trouble.
Where it bites
Anything left or long leaves a nearly impossible up-and-down from under the redwoods.
Course management
Shots to think about
Tee shot flanked by towering redwoods
Commit to your line—small fades are safer than hooks; prioritize center-cut.
Approach to a tiny sloping green
Favor the low side; missing pin-high is preferred to flying the green.
Long iron from the rough under trees
Punch back to fairway—hero shots rarely work from redwood roots.
Short par-3 with wind gusts whipping the canopy
Club up, flight it low, and trust your distance—air currents swirl eerily.
Second shot to reachable par-5
Lay up if the line is blocked; running the ball on is risky through tree-guarded fronts.
Fast, sharp-breaking downhill putt
Die it at the hole—MacKenzie contours mean bold pace can race onto fringe or worse.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Playable and authentic, but rarely lush; bounce and firmness reflect the forest setting and recent restoration progress.
Pace
Generally good; loops move briskly though weekend traffic can bunch.
Vibe
Laid-back, creative, and social—expect a warm staff and players soaking up the unique atmosphere.
Dress code
Standard golf attire; relax but avoid tank tops or cutoffs.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring Your Walking Shoes
The course is wonderfully walkable—don’t bother with a cart unless mobility is a concern.
02
Precision Over Power
Focus on straight, controlled shots: brute force rarely pays off under the redwoods.
03
Check the Weather
The forest traps morning fog and cool air—dress in layers, especially for early tee times.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1928
Course opens, MacKenzie/Hunter design for Bohemian Club set
- 1970
Preservation effort saves the course
- 2025
Restoration of bunkers/original features by Carlson Golf Design begins
- 2026
Ongoing restoration and renewed architectural appreciation
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Most Democratic MacKenzie
For golf architecture obsessives, Northwood is a rare treat: a MacKenzie gem you can walk onto at a modest price. It offers a taste of the genius behind Augusta and Cypress Point—without the velvet rope.
Restoration: Art Awakens
The 2025 restoration digs beneath decades of overgrowth to reveal MacKenzie's old quirk and charm. As more bunkers are revived, the course feels both fresher and more original, making every loop a living museum piece.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Northwood is one of only a handful of public MacKenzie courses worldwide.
2
The course occupies dramatic terrain adjacent to Bohemian Grove, famous for its mysterious club.
3
Wildlife sightings (deer, foxes, river birds) add magic to early-morning rounds.
4
The restoration is ongoing, so returning players may find new classic features each season.
5
Greens remain some of the smallest and trickiest you'll find on the West Coast.
Build the trip
If you're building a Sonoma golf-and-wine adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
The Links at Bodega Harbour
Public/Resort
Gorgeous ocean panoramas, strong public course architecture
Windsor Golf Club
Public
Accessible, good value, fun holes—complements Northwood's character
Sonoma Golf Club
Private
Classic championship routing for the lucky invitee
Rooster Run Golf Club
Public
Relaxed pace, open fairways, and a different style from the forest-magic at Northwood
Santa Rosa—best lodging, easy drives, many dining options
Course DNA
If You Like Northwood Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match6.2
Waterville Valley Golf Club
Waterville Valley, New HampshireSceneryWalkability
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Waterville Valley Golf Club shares a memorable sense of place and has a similarly satisfying rhythm on foot, making it a compelling counterpart to Northwood Golf Club.
Very Similar DNA7.7
Shennecossett Golf Course
Groton, ConnecticutWalkability
Why it matches: If Northwood Golf Club is your kind of course, Shennecossett Golf Course is worth a look because it moves through the round with the same walkable flow.
Very Similar DNA7.5
Point Judith Country Club
Narragansett, Rhode IslandWhy it matches: Point Judith Country Club is a natural next stop after Northwood Golf Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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