Santa Teresa Golf Club

Santa Teresa Golf Club opened in 1960, designed by George E. Santana, and has been a fixture of South San Jose golf for more than six decades. The course sits at 260 Bernal Road near Santa Teresa County Park, tucked into the foothills south of the city center. The layout plays par 71 at 6,742 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 72.1 and slope of 126. The front nine runs mostly flat through open terrain; the back nine climbs into the hills and introduces meaningful elevation changes alongside views of the surrounding valley. The contrast between the two nines gives Santa Teresa a different feel on each side, with the back nine consistently drawing the stronger reviews.

The club also operates Shorty, a 9-hole par-27 short course designed by Gene Bates and added in 1996. Shorty plays 922 yards and has water on four of its nine holes, making it more than a pitch-and-putt — one reviewer noted that the 4th hole alone, a downhill par 3 with a tree guarding one side and a pond on the other, is worth the round. There's no tee time required for Shorty; it's a walk-on facility. Santa Teresa also has a driving range with six practice tees. The facility hosts a Summer Music Series on Thursday evenings, combining live music and golf with drink specials on the patio.

Green fees are among the more reasonable in the South Bay for a full 18 with this level of topographic variety. Santa Teresa has a loyal local following and can be busy on weekends — booking a tee time online in advance is recommended. The professional instruction staff offers lessons for all skill levels, and the club has invested in equipment fitting services in recent years.