Ping Pong, Golf, Beer, and Eccentrics in San Francisco
For you golf enthusiasts (yes Dad, I'm talking to you), check out the 18-hole, 5150 yard Lincoln Park Golf Course . The course is par-68 and runs along narrow green hills that are flanked by eucalyptas trees. The course has some of the most spectacular views I've ever seen on a golf course, including the 17th whole where you can gaze down the steep cliffs of the San Francisco bay and look out at the Golden Gate Bridge.
The course is right next to some other outstanding attractions, including the Legion of Honor (which is I'll talk about in another blog) and the Tee Off bar, across the street from Lincoln Golf Course at 3129 Clement St (between 32nd Ave & 33rd Ave).
The Tee Off features some additional action sports in case you find the Lincoln Golf Course a little too crowded on a weekend. It includes ping pong, darts, pool, delicious chicken fried steak, outstanding people watching, and some good solid beer drinking.
Going to the Tee Off on a Sunday afternoon is one of my favorite things to do, but I must warn you that the Tee Off isn't for the light of heart. It takes a special sort of person to appreciate its diversity and wacky fun. As an example, the last time I was at the Tee Off we had a Steely Dan singalong.
This bar represents the very diverse population of San Francisco, including old time drinkers, hippy era trippers, preppy golfers, 80s rockers, and 20-somethings coming by for a little fun and a bit of an eye full. The juke box has a great selection of music including Judas Priest, ELO, Snoop Dogg, the Hellacopters, Bing Crosby, and Oingo Boingo.
The pool tables and darts are inside, but the ping pong table is in the backyard so that on a beautiful day you can wear your summer best and get a good tan line along with some healthful exercise. At the Tee Off, they even have variations on paddle ping pong, including bar stool ping pong, and discarded golf club ping pong.
Inside, you're welcomed to play pool, throw some darts, dance to the music, or join in on the guffawing and the bar discusssions, which are always interesting and a little off center.
The bar staff is friendly, welcoming and helpful. The place is clean. And unlike a lot of the more divey bars in this city, you won't feel like you're stepping in on a clique. Rather, you'll almost immediately become part of this jolly family.
