Bakersfield, California · Central Valley
North Kern Golf Course
Kern County's public course since 1953, named for its first pro, Jim Haggerty. Slightly hilly, light on hazards, and walkable from the Gold tees.
- 18Holes
- 72Par
- 6,754Yards
- BakersfieldLocation
- 1953Opened
About North Kern Golf Course
North Kern is one of Kern County's three county-owned courses, and it's been public since 1953. Its full name is the James C. Haggerty North Kern Golf Course, after the first head pro. It's par 72 with three par 3s and three par 5s on each side, and it runs from 5,582 yards on the red tees to 6,754 on the blues (71.4 rating, 117 slope).
The ground is slightly hilly, and the course says it keeps sand and water modest on purpose. The map survey backs that up: no holes with water in play, 32 bunkers across the 18, eight holes lined with trees and only three doglegs. The one the pro shop points to is the par-5 15th, where you come in with a long iron to a small green guarded by a hill. Walkers are welcome, and the regulars who walk mostly play the Gold tees at 5,779 yards. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.
The range is open sunrise to sunset, with a putting green and a chipping green beside it, and the NK Grill does breakfast burritos and cheeseburgers.
It's one of 5 courses in Bakersfield on Yoink, and the closest alternative is The Links at Riverlakes Ranch, about 8 miles away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.
Booking a tee time at North Kern Golf Course
Tee times open seven days out on Tee It Up, or call the pro shop at (661) 399-0347. Walk-ups are fine when the sheet has room; weekday mornings and twilight are your best shot. You can cancel free up to 24 hours ahead. Rates effective July 1, 2026: $35.50 walking or $51.50 riding for 18 on weekdays, $43.50 or $59.50 on weekends, with senior, junior and twilight rates below that.
How to get a tee time at North Kern Golf Course
Yoink
Golfers across Central Valley know the drill: the good times at courses like North Kern Golf Course are gone within minutes of release, and cancellations come back without warning.
Instead of refreshing the booking page, let Yoink do it. Pick North Kern Golf Course, choose your day and time window, and Yoink alerts you when a tee time that fits opens up. You always book straight with the course.
- Pick North Kern Golf Course in Yoink.
- Choose your day, time window and number of players.
- Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Golf courses near North Kern Golf Course
- The Links at Riverlakes Ranch · Bakersfield · 8 mi
- Sundale Country Club · Bakersfield · 13 mi
- Kern River Golf Course · Bakersfield · 15 mi
- Scarlet and Gray Golf Club · Bakersfield · 17 mi
- Buena Vista Golf Course · Taft · 23 mi
All 26 Central Valley courses in California · California golf courses
North Kern Golf Course FAQ
Where is North Kern Golf Course?
North Kern Golf Course is in Bakersfield, California, in the Central Valley area — about 8 miles from The Links at Riverlakes Ranch.
When did North Kern Golf Course open?
North Kern Golf Course opened in 1953.
Is North Kern Golf Course open to the public?
North Kern Golf Course is public daily-fee, county-owned, run by Kern County Parks & Recreation.
Can you walk North Kern Golf Course?
Walkers welcome; regulars who walk pick the Gold tees.
How many holes is North Kern Golf Course, and what's par?
North Kern Golf Course is an 18-hole regulation course: 18 holes, par 72, 6,754 yards.
How do I get a tee time at North Kern Golf Course when it's booked up?
Set a watch for North Kern Golf Course in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.
What golf courses are near North Kern Golf Course?
Nearby options include The Links at Riverlakes Ranch, Sundale Country Club and Kern River Golf Course. Yoink watches 26 courses in the Central Valley area.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.
- northkerngolf.com · official
Never miss a tee time at North Kern Golf Course
Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.