Shelter Cove · Humboldt County · California
Nine holes ona bluff above the Pacific
A municipal links course that opened in 1960, wraps around the town airstrip, and costs fifteen dollars. There is no clubhouse. You pay at a kiosk and walk.
- Holes
- Nine
- Par
- 33 men · 34 women
- Nine holes
- $15
- Open
- Every day
What you're walking into
Municipal links, no ceremony
This is not a resort course and it doesn't pretend to be. There's no clubhouse, no starter, no tee sheet, and no cart. What there is: first-row views of the Pacific from most of the property, for the price of a sandwich.
The course opened in 1960 and loops around the Shelter Cove airstrip, which means you'll occasionally be lining up a putt while a small plane comes in over the water. It's a member of the Northern California Golf Association, and it's run by the local Resort Improvement District rather than a management company.
The layout is straightforward and walkable — a genuine links feel, few trees, and wind that changes the club you need from one day to the next.
Money
Which pass is worth it
Pay at the automated kiosk at hole #1 — card or cash. Then do this bit of arithmetic before you pay, because most visitors overpay by buying rounds one at a time.
Nine holes
One loop. Fine if you're squeezing in a round between other plans.
Eighteen holes
Two loops for five dollars more. If there's any chance you'll go around twice, buy this one from the start.
One week
Unlimited for seven days. Against the $20 eighteen-hole rate, this pays for itself on your third visit — which on a week's stay is easy to reach.
Best value for most staysOne month
For long stays. Worth it over two week passes, so it makes sense from about two and a half weeks on.
Annual passes are also available, priced from the start of July and pro-rated through the year. Rates come from the Resort Improvement District and can change — confirm current rates before you travel. Check current rates
The layout
Par 33, wrapped around a runway
What you're playing
Four par-3s, four par-4s, and one par-5 — shown by composition, not playing order. Pick up a scorecard at the kiosk for the actual sequence and yardages.
- 2,428 yards over nine holes.
- Par 33 for men, 34 for women.
- Slope rating 103. Modest on paper — the wind and the views do the rest.
- Open every day of the year. Weather permitting, and weather here has opinions.
- Parking at 1555 Upper Pacific Drive.
Practicalities
Before you tee off
- Bring your clubs. There are no club rentals and no cart rentals here. If you didn't pack them, you're not playing.
- It's walking only. The course is compact and easy on the legs, but there's no riding option at all.
- No tee times. They're non-reservable. Turn up, pay, play. On most days you'll have plenty of room.
- Scorecards are at the kiosk. Along with the fee machine, at hole #1.
- Dress for four seasons. Bring a jacket and sunscreen in the same bag — the fog can burn off into full sun and back again inside a round.
- Afternoons get the sun. Mornings here are often grey; the light tends to arrive later in the day.
- Watch for aircraft. The airstrip is right there, and it's active. Give planes room and don't cross the runway.
Also here
More than the nine
Bocce, horseshoes, and a sports lawn
The recreation facility by the course has a bocce court, two horseshoe pits, a lawn for volleyball, and a basketball hoop in the overflow parking. Good for the half of your group that doesn't golf.
Benbow Valley Golf Course
If nine holes isn't enough, the nearest other course is at Benbow near Garberville — a very different setting, in the redwoods along the Eel.
More at the Shelter Cove photo gallery. Shelter Cove photo gallery →
Where to stay
Walk to the first tee
BlackSands is minutes from the course, with room to store clubs and a hot tub for after. Buy the week pass and play every morning before anyone else is up.