Best Golf Courses in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is home to some of the most storied courses in golf history. Riviera's canyon setting, LACC's improbable Beverly Hills location, and Southern California's endless sunshine create a golf culture that blends Hollywood glamour with genuine architectural substance.
Los Angeles, California · George C. Thomas Jr. (1927) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,322 yards
Known as "Hogan's Alley," Riviera is one of the most celebrated courses in the world and host of the Genesis Invitational. George C. Thomas Jr.'s genius routing through Temescal Canyon features the iconic 10th hole and a par-3 6th with a bunker in the middle of the green.
Los Angeles, California · George C. Thomas Jr. / Gil Hanse (1921) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,556 yards
Host of the 2023 U.S. Open, Los Angeles Country Club is one of America's most exclusive and highly ranked courses. The Gil Hanse restoration brought this George C. Thomas Jr. gem back to its original strategic brilliance, set incongruously amid Beverly Hills and Century City.
Los Angeles, California · Gil Hanse & Geoff Shackelford (2002) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,900 yards
A Gil Hanse/Geoff Shackelford design in Moorpark, Rustic Canyon is a links-inspired layout that stands as one of the best public golf values in America. The no-frills, walk-friendly course lets the architecture speak for itself.
Los Angeles, California · Tom Fazio (1991) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,580 yards
Overlooking the Pacific from Newport Coast, Pelican Hill's Ocean South Course delivers one of the most spectacular resort golf experiences in California. Tom Fazio sculpted 18 holes with sweeping ocean panoramas and immaculate conditioning.
Los Angeles, California · Jack Nicklaus (2004) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,016 yards
A Jack Nicklaus design in the San Fernando Valley foothills, Angeles National offers a challenging, well-conditioned public golf experience with dramatic views of the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains.
Los Angeles, California · George C. Thomas Jr. / Jack Neville (1926) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 6,619 yards
One of LA's most iconic private clubs, Bel-Air features a suspension bridge, dramatic canyon routing, and the Golden Age genius of George C. Thomas. The compact, rolling layout rewards precise shot-making and creative recovery skills over raw power.
Los Angeles, California · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1983) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,601 yards
Perched on the bluffs above Dana Point with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, Monarch Beach is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. links-style design at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach resort. The coastal layout features ocean-view holes, sea breezes, and Catalina Island on the horizon.
Public Courses in Los Angeles
Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Los Angeles .
Overview
LA's golf landscape is as sprawling and diverse as the city itself. Elite private clubs like Riviera and LACC anchor the top end, while public gems like Rustic Canyon prove that world-class golf architecture doesn't require a six-figure initiation fee. Coastal resort options at Pelican Hill add another dimension.
Best Time to Play
Year-round, though September through November offers the warmest, clearest conditions. LA's mild climate means golf is always in season.
Travel Tips & Getting There
LAX is the primary airport. Most top courses are scattered across a wide area — expect significant drive times. Rustic Canyon (Moorpark) and Angeles National are in the northern valleys, while Pelican Hill is in Newport Beach, about an hour south.
Nearest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Frequently Asked Questions
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