Our Picks for The 10 Best Golf courses in California
1. San Francisco Golf Club
Address: 1310 Junipero Serra Blvd & Brotherhood, San Francisco, California 94132, San Francisco County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 138
Course Rating: 74.1
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,828
Scorecard: Link
One of the most exclusive private membership clubs in the United States. Designed by noted American golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast.A.W. Tillinghast remodeled the course in 1923, establishing its signature greens and bunkering.
2. Valley Club of Montecito
Address: 1901 Valley Rd, Santa Barbara, California 93108, Santa Barbara County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 131
Course Rating: 72.4
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,603
Scorecard: Link
Dr. Alister Mackenzie & Robert Hunter designed the Valley Club of Montecito in 1929. Robert Hunter implemented the construction and perhaps that is one reason as to why the course sits so naturally on the Montecito porperty.
3. Monterey Peninsula Country Club
Address: 3000 Club Dr, Pebble Beach, California 93953, Monterey County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 135
Course Rating: 74.5
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,090
Scorecard: Link
There are two courses at Monterey Peninsula Country club, Dunes and Shore. The Dunes layout is the layout that once received the accolades but the Shore course is now considered the better of the two by those in the know. Originally designed by Bob Baldock back in 1962.
4. The Riviera Country Club
Address: 1250 Capri Dr, Pacific Palisades, California 90272, Los Angeles County
Type of field: Championship
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 137
Course Rating: 75.6
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,566
Scorecard: Link
Designed by golf course architects George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell. Hosted three major championships: the U.S. Open in 1948, and the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995. The country club and course opened in 1926.
5. Los Angeles Country Club (North)
Address: 10101 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90024, Los Angeles County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 139
Course Rating: 74.6
Total par (men’s tees): 70
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,010
Scorecard: Link
Golf originated by the North Sea on links land. Called “The Windmill Links,” the course was named for a makeshift clubhouse crafted from the bottom of an abandoned windmill. Desgined by George C. Thomas Jr. in 1921.
6. Cypress Point Club
Address: 17 Mile Dr & Portolla, Pebble Beach, California 93953, Monterey County
Type of field: Championship
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 140
Course Rating: 72.1
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,524
Scorecard: Link
The course is well known for a series of dramatic holes along the Pacific Ocean that have been named as some of the best in golf. The course was designed in 1928 by golf course designer Alister MacKenzie, who partnered with fellow golf course architect Robert Hunter.
7. Pasatiempo Golf Club
Address: 20 Clubhouse Road, Santa Cruz, California (CA) 95060, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 139
Course Rating: 72.6
Total par (men’s tees): 70
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,439
Scorecard: Link
Pasatiempo was designed by world-renowned golf architect Alister MacKenzie. The course is famed for its breathtaking scenery and rich golf history. Opened in September 1929.
8. Olympic Club (Lake)
Address: 599 Skyline Blvd, San Francisco, California (CA) 94132, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 140
Course Rating: 74.4
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,842
Scorecard: Link
The Lake Course was once called “the best in the west” by famed champion Bobby Jones. Designed by Willie Watson and built by Sam Whiting, the Lake Course opened in 1924. Sam Whiting redesigned the course and it reopened in 1927.
9. California Golf Club Of San Francisco
Address: 844 West Orange Ave., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 139
Course Rating: 73.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,732
Scorecard: Link
Founded in 1918 and was originally located in Ingleside, southwest of San Francisco. Willie Locke and A. Vernon Macan were enlisted by the members to help design the original routing which opened on May 26th, 1926.
10. Pebble Beach Resorts
Address: 1700 17 Mile Drive,Pebble Beach, California (CA) 93953, USA
Type of field: Links
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 14
Course Rating: 74.3
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,828
Scorecard: Link
Pebble Beach Resorts is owned and operated by Pebble Beach Company. The site of the 2019 U.S. Open, Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted five U.S. Opens, four U.S. Amateurs, one PGA Championship, and numerous other tournaments.
