The dirt is finally moving. If you’ve driven through the rolling hills of Davis, California recently, you might have noticed more than just the usual tomato fields and bike paths. There’s a massive project taking shape that has the local golf community—and quite a few people in Sacramento and the Bay Area—talking. It’s called Dos Osos Golf Club. Honestly, it’s been a long time coming. For years, this project felt like one of those "maybe someday" rumors that circulate in pro shops over lukewarm coffee. But now? It’s real.
This isn't just another cookie-cutter suburban course with a fountain in a pond. Dos Osos is positioning itself as a legitimate heavy-hitter in the NorCal golf scene. We are talking about a collaboration between two of the biggest names to ever pick up a club: Jack Nicklaus and Davis Love III. That kind of pedigree doesn't just happen by accident.
Why Dos Osos Golf Club is Different
Most new courses these days are built as an afterthought to sell houses. You know the vibe. Narrow fairways squeezed between two rows of stucco mansions where you’re terrified of a slice breaking a window. Dos Osos is taking the opposite approach. It’s being built as a "core" golf experience. The land is being shaped to follow the natural contours of the Putah Creek area. It’s rugged. It’s wide. It feels like golf should.
The partnership here is the fascinating part. You have Nicklaus Design—the gold standard for challenging, strategic layouts—working alongside Love Golf Design. Davis Love III has developed a reputation for "minimalist" vibes lately, focusing on how the ball interacts with the ground rather than just flying it through the air. Combining the "Golden Bear’s" penchant for demanding second shots with Love’s focus on playability is a weird, exciting mix. It’s basically like having two master chefs trying to cook one steak. Sometimes that’s a disaster, but here, it looks like a masterpiece.
The Layout and the Land
The site is massive. Located just south of I-80, the property spans hundreds of acres of what was essentially agricultural land. This gives the designers a blank canvas, which is rare in California. Most new builds are restricted by weird environmental setbacks or tiny parcels. At Dos Osos Golf Club, they have room to breathe.
Expect a lot of fescue. Expect wind. Because it’s Davis, the wind comes whipping off the Delta, and if you aren't prepared for a two-club wind on a Tuesday afternoon, you’re going to have a bad time. The designers are leaning into this. Instead of fighting the elements, they are building the course to reward low, chasing shots. It’s got a bit of a "Central Valley Highlands" feel to it.
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The Membership Question
Here is where things get interesting (and a little spicy). Is it private? Yes. Is it going to be expensive? Most likely.
The NorCal market is starving for high-end private golf. If you look at the waitlists for clubs in San Francisco or even the better spots in Roseville, they are slammed. Dos Osos is clearly aiming for that "destination" member. Someone who wants a world-class practice facility and a course that doesn't feel like a slog.
But it’s not just about exclusivity. The club has made a point of discussing its commitment to the local community. They are looking at how to integrate junior golf and potentially serve as a hub for the UC Davis golf programs. That’s a smart move. You can’t build something this big in a college town without acknowledging the university’s massive influence.
Real Talk on the Timeline
People are impatient. I get it. We’ve seen the renderings. We’ve seen the logos. But building a golf course of this scale in California involves a mountain of red tape that would make your head spin. Water rights, environmental impact reports, soil mitigation—it’s a grind.
Construction is currently in the heavy earth-moving phase. You can see the skeleton of the holes taking shape. The irrigation lines are going in, which is the "point of no return" for a project like this. Once the water is sorted, the grass follows. If the weather holds and the Sacramento Valley doesn't turn into a lake during the winter, we’re looking at a soft opening in the relatively near future.
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The Nicklaus Influence
Jack Nicklaus doesn't just put his name on things for fun anymore. He’s 80-plus years old; he’s got nothing left to prove. When he gets involved in a project like Dos Osos, it’s because the land offers something unique.
Nicklaus courses are famous for being "second shot" courses. He wants you to hit a big drive, sure, but the real test is that 160-yard iron into a green guarded by a deep bunker or a steep runoff. Dos Osos will likely follow this philosophy. If you can’t control your distances, you’re going to be chipping from some very uncomfortable spots.
What About the Environment?
Let’s be real: people worry about golf courses and water in California. It’s a valid concern. Dos Osos is being built with 2026 standards in mind. That means state-of-the-art water reclamation and drought-tolerant turf varieties. They aren't trying to maintain a lush, emerald-green carpet in the middle of a 100-degree July. It’s going to be tan. It’s going to be firm. It’s going to be sustainable. That "brown is the new green" mentality is essential for the long-term survival of golf in the West.
Getting There and Playing It
If you’re coming from San Francisco, it’s about an hour's drive without traffic (so, basically never). But for those in the East Bay or the Valley, it’s incredibly accessible. Its location near the airport and the university makes it a prime spot for business golf.
The club isn't just a golf course, either. The plans for the clubhouse are ambitious. We're talking about high-end dining, locker rooms that feel like a spa, and a practice facility that makes a PGA Tour range look basic. They want you to spend the whole day there, not just four hours.
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Is It Worth the Hype?
Honestly? Yes. It’s rare to see a new build of this quality in this part of the state. Most "new" golf in California is just a renovation of a 1960s muni. Dos Osos Golf Club is a ground-up, big-budget, superstar-designed facility. It’s going to move the needle.
Whether you’re a scratch player looking for a challenge or a casual golfer who just wants a beautiful place to hang out, this place is going to be a landmark. It changes the map for Northern California golf.
Next Steps for Prospective Members and Fans
If you are serious about getting involved with Dos Osos, you need to act before the grass is fully grown. History shows that once these clubs open their doors, the initiation fees jump significantly.
- Monitor the Construction: Keep an eye on the site off Covell Blvd and the Putah Creek areas. The progress of the "shaping" phase tells you exactly how close they are to seeding.
- Inquire Early: Private clubs often have "Founding Member" tiers that offer better rates or perks. Getting on the mailing list now is the only way to catch those windows before they close.
- Study the Designers: If you haven't played a Nicklaus or Love III course recently, go play one. It will give you a feel for the "shot values" you can expect at Dos Osos. Nicklaus's Coyote Creek in San Jose is a good local reference point for his design language in this climate.
- Check Local Zoning Updates: If you're a data nerd, look at the Yolo County planning records. They provide the most accurate updates on the clubhouse construction permits and water usage agreements, which are the true indicators of an opening date.