Okay, so, I’ve been meaning to get back into golf lately. It’s been a while, you know? Life happens, work gets crazy, and the clubs end up collecting dust in the garage. But the itch has been there, and a buddy of mine mentioned Santa Teresa Golf Course the other day. Said it’s a decent public course, pretty chill, and good for shaking off the rust. So, I thought, “Why not?”

First thing’s first, I had to find the darn place. It’s in San Jose, tucked away somewhere down there. Not too far of a drive, thankfully. Anyway, I dusted off the old clubs, made sure I had some balls that weren’t from the last decade, and headed out. The place is easy enough to spot, right off the road. It’s got that classic golf course vibe, you know? Lots of green, some trees, people in those funny-looking pants.
Now, I’m no pro, not even close. So I wasn’t expecting some fancy, Augusta National type of deal. This is a public course, and it feels like it. Which is totally fine by me! It’s got a laid-back atmosphere, people are just there to have a good time, hit some balls, and enjoy the day. No pressure, no judgment, just golf.
The Course Itself
From what I gathered, it was built back in the ’60s and got a bit of a facelift in the ’90s. It’s a good size, stretches out quite a bit. I heard it’s around 6,745 yards, but don’t quote me on that. I was too busy trying not to embarrass myself on the first tee. The fairways are decent, the greens are pretty good, especially for a public course. Fast, but they roll true.
- They’ve got this 9-hole par-3 course, too, which is kind of cool. It’s built on a hillside, so you get a bit of a workout walking it.
- I heard you can play all day with just one green fee. I played my 9 holes, and decided to save some energy, maybe I should have tried for all day.
There’s some challenge to it, for sure. A few holes had me scratching my head, trying to figure out the best approach. Some bunkers here and there, some trees to contend with. But overall, it’s a pretty forgiving course. Good for someone like me who’s just trying to get back into the swing of things.
The People
One of the best parts was the people. Everyone was super friendly. I saw folks of all ages and skill levels out there. Some guys were clearly regulars, knew the course like the back of their hand. Others were like me, just happy to be out there hitting the ball. A real mix, but everyone was having fun.

I even chatted with a couple of guys on the course. They gave me a few tips, shared some stories about their best (and worst) rounds at Santa Teresa. It’s that kind of place, you know? You can strike up a conversation with anyone, and it feels natural.
Final Thoughts
So, yeah, Santa Teresa Golf Course. It’s a solid public course, a good place to play a round, especially if you’re not looking for anything too fancy or too serious. It’s got a good vibe, friendly people, and it’s a decent challenge without being overly difficult. They maintained the course pretty well for most of the year.
I’ll definitely be back. It’s a good spot to practice, work on my game, and just enjoy being outdoors. Plus, it’s always nice to meet some fellow golf enthusiasts. If you’re in the San Jose area and looking for a relaxed, enjoyable round of golf, give Santa Teresa a shot. You might just see me out there, trying to break 100 again!