San Francisco Golf Courses Face Scrutiny Over Underutilization and Financial Deficits
San Francisco's numerous golf courses, particularly those owned by the Recreation and Parks Department, are under increasing scrutiny due to their significant land footprint, low usage rates, and substantial financial deficits. The city currently dedicates over 1,000 acres to golf, including six public courses and several private ones, which accounts for more than 3% of the city's surface area. Despite this vast allocation of prime real estate in a densely populated city, many municipal courses operate at less than 50% capacity, with a 10% decrease in rounds played compared to two decades ago. For instance, Lincoln Park Golf Course, despite its scenic location, sees an average of only 90 players daily, while Gleneagles, a nine-hole course, hosts fewer than 50 players a day. The city is projected to incur a $4.9 million deficit in fiscal year 2026-27 for maintaining its golf courses, a figure that shocked Leon Younger, president of Pros Consulting and lead author of a 2008 report on the city's courses. This...
