Los Angeles Country Club - North

The Los Angeles Country Club was founded in 1897, making it one of the oldest clubs in Southern California. The North Course was originally designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and William Bell in 1927, routed through a remarkable 312-acre property in the heart of Beverly Hills and Century City. For decades the club shunned the spotlight, declining to host major events despite having one of the finest courses in America.

In 2010, architect Gil Hanse, along with Jim Wagner and golf historian Geoff Shackelford, completed a masterful restoration of the North Course that returned the layout to Thomas's original strategic vision. The restoration uncovered lost features, removed decades of tree encroachment, and rebuilt green complexes to their original bold contours. Hanse even recreated a lost replica of the famous "Little 17th" hole as a hidden 19th hole on the property.

The club finally stepped into the spotlight by hosting the 2023 U.S. Open, where Wyndham Clark won the championship. The event was widely praised, and the course received universal acclaim from players and media. The North Course is now consistently ranked among the top five courses in America.

LACC North occupies one of the most valuable and unlikely pieces of real estate in golf — 312 acres bordered by Beverly Hills, Century City, and Bel-Air. The juxtaposition of a sprawling, golden-hued links-style landscape against a backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers is unlike anything else in the sport. The course features wide fairways with strategic bunkering, firm and fast playing conditions, and Thomas's characteristically bold green complexes.

The terrain rolls gently through native grasses and open ground, with the restoration having removed many trees to reveal the original wide-open character. At 7,556 yards from the championship tees, the course is a serious test, but the multiple angles of approach mean it rewards thoughtful play at every skill level.

The key to scoring at LACC North is understanding the angles. Thomas designed greens that are most receptive from specific positions in the fairway, so positioning off the tee is more important than distance. The firm, fast conditions mean you can use the ground game effectively — running approach shots onto greens is often the smarter play.

Afternoon winds from the Pacific can significantly affect play, particularly on the exposed holes. Club selection on the par 3s should account for the firm greens and the tendency for balls to release toward the edges of the putting surfaces.