Discover the top 10 golf courses in Los Angeles, featuring iconic private clubs like Riviera and LACC, plus top public gems like Rustic Canyon, Angeles National, and more. Your ultimate guide to LA’s best places to tee off.
Image courtesy of Your Golf Travel
Los Angeles is not only home to Hollywood glitz and Pacific views—it’s also a golfer’s paradise. From legendary private clubs that host PGA Tour events to public gems tucked in canyons and city parks, the City of Angels offers something for every golfer. Here’s a look at the top 10 golf courses in Los Angeles, ranked for quality of play, setting, prestige, and accessibility.
Whether you're chasing a tee time at a world-famous private club or looking for an affordable round with friends, Los Angeles delivers a diverse golfing experience like no other city in the U.S. This top 10 list captures the breadth and character of the region—from Pacific cliffs to Hollywood hills to Valley fairways.
So pack your clubs, book a tee time, and discover the best of LA golf.
Course Type: Private. Claim to Fame: Regular PGA Tour stop; 2026 U.S. Open host.
Location:
Steeped in history and prestige, Riviera is a crown jewel of American golf. Designed by George C. Thomas Jr., this classic layout has hosted the Genesis Invitational and even a U.S. Open in 2026. Narrow kikuyu fairways, famous bunkering, and the iconic par-3 6th hole with a bunker in the green make this an unforgettable challenge.
Riviera Country Club (Pacific Palisades – Private). Host of the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational, it's renowned for its classic George C. Thomas design and rich history. Challenging layout, narrow fairways, fast greens, and the iconic par-4 10th hole. Access: Private, but highly regarded as L.A.’s crown jewel.
Legacy & Prestige:
Course Layout: Par 71, approximately 7,322 yards from the championship tees. Known for its strategic routing, elevation changes, Kikuyu grass, and firm, fast greens.
Signature Holes: Hole 10 (Par 4): One of the most famous short par-4s in golf — driveable for pros, but deceptively tricky due to bunkering and green angle. Hole 1 (Par 5): A unique opening hole that actually plays downhill — unusual for championship layouts. Hole 18: Iconic amphitheater-style finishing hole with the clubhouse as a backdrop.
Notable Facts: Ben Hogan won three times here, including the 1948 U.S. Open — hence the nickname: "Hogan’s Alley". Tiger Woods made his PGA Tour debut here in 1992 at just 16 years old. Known for celebrity members and Hollywood history — former members include Walt Disney, Humphrey Bogart, and Dean Martin
Access & Membership. Private & Invitation-Only. Estimated initiation fee: $250,000+ (unofficial; not publicly disclosed). Annual dues: High, with elite services and exclusivity. Extremely limited tee access unless invited by a member.
Facilities: Grand Spanish Revival-style clubhouse with ocean views. Luxurious amenities: fine dining, fitness center, tennis courts, and caddie service. Practice facilities used by top pros, including PGA Tour players.
Pop Culture & Media: Frequently featured in golf documentaries and broadcasts. Appears in movies and TV, subtly representing West Coast golf luxury.
Course Type: Private. Claim to Fame: Host of the 2023 U.S. Open
Location: 10101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Host of the 2023 U.S. Open, LACC’s North Course is an elite and exclusive course with golden-age design flair. Renovated by Gil Hanse, it combines downtown skyline views with a rugged, strategic layout unlike any other in the city. Beautiful sightlines, elevation changes, and strategic bunkering.
Access: Extremely private – invitation only.
The Los Angeles Country Club (LACC) – North Course in Beverly Hills is one of the most prestigious and architecturally significant golf courses in the United States. Renowned for its exclusivity and classic design, it offers a unique golfing experience steeped in history.
Course Overview: Type: Private, members-only. Par: 70. Length: Approximately 7,200 yards from the championship tees. Course Rating: 75.7. Slope Rating: 143.
History & Design
Course Features: Emphasizes strategic play over sheer power, with a layout that rewards thoughtful shot-making. Incorporates the area's natural canyons and barrancas, providing a varied and challenging terrain. The 2010 restoration by Gil Hanse aimed to return the course to its original design, enhancing its historical significance and playability.
Membership & Access: LACC is known for its strict privacy and exclusivity, with membership by invitation only. Generally closed to the public; access is typically limited to members and their guests.
The Los Angeles Country Club's North Course stands as a testament to classic golf course architecture and exclusivity, offering a unique and challenging experience for its members.
Course Type: Public. Claim to Fame: Top-ranked public course in SoCal
Location: 15100 Happy Camp Canyon Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021
One of the best-value public courses in California, Rustic Canyon is a minimalist masterpiece designed by Gil Hanse. Its wide fairways, firm conditions, and walkable design make it a favorite among architecture purists and everyday golfers alike.
Affordable, links-style course with minimalist design by Gil Hanse. Wide fairways, natural terrain, and great walkability. Public – one of the best value courses in Southern California.
Rustic Canyon Golf Course in Moorpark, California, is a standout public course celebrated for its minimalist design, natural terrain, and exceptional value. Located about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles, it offers a unique golfing experience that appeals to both casual players and serious enthusiasts.
Course Overview: Designed by Gil Hanse and Geoff Shackelford, the course opened in 2002. Par: 72. Length: 7,044 yards from the back tees. Course Rating/Slope: 73.4 / 133 Grass Types: Kikuyu fairways and Bentgrass greens
Rustic Canyon is renowned for its minimalist, links-style design that harmonizes with the natural landscape. The course features wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and firm, fast greens, encouraging creative shot-making and strategic play. The layout incorporates the area's natural canyons and barrancas, providing a varied and challenging terrain.
Rates & Accessibility: Range from approximately $34 for weekday twilight rounds to $104 during weekend prime times. Electric carts are available for $20 per rider; push carts for $12. Includes a driving range, putting green, and short game area.
Recognition & Reviews
Rustic Canyon Golf Course offers a pure and strategic golfing experience that emphasizes the natural beauty of its surroundings. Its commitment to minimalist design and affordability makes it a must-play for golfers seeking quality public courses in Southern California.
Set atop dramatic oceanfront cliffs, Trump National boasts some of the most stunning views in Southern California. While the course’s design has faced some criticism for its artificial terrain, its scenery and upscale facilities are undeniably impressive.
Course Type: Public. Claim to Fame: Scenic Pacific Ocean vistas
Location: 1 Trump National Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles (Rancho Palos Verdes – Public). Stunning coastal cliffs and ocean views. High-end facilities, manicured greens, and photogenic holes. Public, but pricey.
Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles, situated in Rancho Palos Verdes, is a premier public golf destination renowned for its dramatic coastal setting and luxurious amenities. Perched atop the bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the course offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island from every hole, making it one of the most scenic public courses in the United States.
Course Overview. Originally crafted by Pete and Perry Dye, with subsequent modifications by Donald Trump and Tom Fazio to enhance playability. Par: 71. Length: Approximately 7,242 yards from the championship tees. Course Rating / Slope: 74.6 / 144. Grass Types: Bermuda fairways and Bentgrass greens.
Scenic Beauty & Design
The course's layout takes full advantage of its coastal location, with each hole offering stunning ocean vistas. The design incorporates natural terrain features, including rugged cliffs and native vegetation, providing both aesthetic appeal and strategic challenges.
Green Fees & Booking. Range from approximately $110 to $1,095, varying based on time and day. Tee times can be reserved online through the official website or via platforms like GolfNow.
Recognition & Events. Consistently ranked among the top public courses in the U.S., including a spot in Golf Digest's "100 Greatest Public Courses." The course has hosted various high-profile tournaments and events, attracting both professional golfers and celebrities.
Facilities & Amenities. A 45,000-square-foot facility offering fine dining, event spaces, and pro shop. Includes a driving range, putting green, and short game area. On-site golf academy, luxury locker rooms, and scenic walking trails.
Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles offers a blend of challenging golf, breathtaking scenery, and top-tier amenities, making it a must-visit for golf enthusiasts seeking a memorable experience on the Southern California coast.
This Jack Nicklaus Design Group course is the only Nicklaus-designed layout in L.A. County. With desert-style features, elevated tees, and panoramic mountain views, it offers a different take on Los Angeles golf.
Course Type: Public. Claim to Fame: Only Nicklaus design in LA County
Location: 9401 Foothill Blvd, Sunland, CA 91040
Angeles National Golf Club (Sunland – Public). The only Nicklaus Design course in L.A. County. Desert-style layout, great mountain views, and challenging greens. Public with premium feel.
Angeles National Golf Club, located in Sunland, California, is a premier public golf course renowned for its challenging layout and scenic beauty.
Course Overview. Nicklaus Design Group. Opened: 2004. Par: 72. Length: 7,141 yards from the back tees. Course Rating: 74.7. Slope Rating: 143
The course features a desert-style layout with Tifway Bermuda fairways and Bentgrass greens, offering a challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels. Strategically placed bunkers, water hazards, and fast greens demand precision and strategy.
Rates & Booking. Range from approximately $95 to $180, depending on the day and time. Included in green fees; private cart requests may incur an additional $30 fee. Tee times can be booked online up to 14 days in advance.
Angeles National Golf Club offers a challenging and scenic golfing experience, making it a must-play for enthusiasts visiting the Los Angeles area.
Set in the heart of the city, Wilshire is a hidden gem with 100+ years of history. Its narrow layout and fast greens are challenging, and it’s a staple on the LPGA Tour. It blends old-school charm with modern tournament pedigree.
Course Type: Private. Claim to Fame: LPGA Tour stop; classic urban course
Location: 301 N. Rossmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004, Hancock Park
Home to the LPGA's LA Open. Classic layout, centrally located, historic Hollywood ties. Private – exclusive membership. Wilshire Country Club, nestled in Los Angeles's historic Hancock Park neighborhood, is a prestigious private golf club with a rich legacy dating back to 1919. Renowned for its classic design, storied history, and exclusive membership, it stands as a testament to Southern California's golfing heritage.
Course Overview. Designer: Norman Macbeth (1919), with a restoration by Kyle Phillips in the early 2000s. Par: 71. Length: Approximately 6,506 yards from the back tees. Course Rating / Slope: 71.8 / 132. Greens: Poa annua
The course is uniquely bisected by Beverly Boulevard, with a tunnel connecting the front and back nines. A meandering barranca adds strategic complexity, coming into play on several holes.
Tournaments & Legacy. PGA Tour: Hosted the Los Angeles Open in 1928, 1931, 1933, and 1944. LPGA Tour: Venue for the LA Open from 2018 to 2022. Senior Tour: Site of the SBC Senior Classic from 1995 to 2000. Notable figures associated with the club include Olin Dutra, Ellsworth Vines, and Jerry Barber, the latter two holding the course record of 61.
Clubhouse & Facilities. Spanning over 104 acres, the club features a stately clubhouse offering dining, event spaces, and locker rooms. Practice facilities include a driving range, putting green, and short game area.
Membership & Exclusivity. Wilshire Country Club maintains a reputation for discretion and exclusivity. Membership is by invitation only, with initiation fees reportedly ranging from $125,000 to $200,000. Wilshire Country Club remains a cornerstone of Los Angeles's golfing community, offering a blend of historical significance, challenging play, and refined exclusivity.
These two municipal tracks are part of L.A.'s rich golfing heritage. Wilson is longer and more forgiving, while Harding offers tighter lines and small greens. Located in Griffith Park, they provide affordable play in a picturesque urban park setting.
Course Type: Public. Claim to Fame: Historic public golf in LA’s biggest park
Location: 5500 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Griffith Park Golf Courses – Harding & Wilson (Los Feliz – Public). Affordable municipal course with 36 holes and historic charm. Tree-lined fairways, relaxed pace of play, ideal for casual rounds. Public – walkable and accessible.
Griffith Park Golf Courses, located in Los Angeles's Los Feliz neighborhood, comprise two historic 18-hole public courses: Wilson Golf Course and Harding Golf Course. Both courses offer affordable golfing experiences amidst the scenic backdrop of Griffith Park.
Wilson Golf CourseDesigner: George C. Thomas (1927). Par: 72. Length: Approximately 7,002 yards from the back tees. Course Rating / Slope: 72.5 / 123. Grass Type: Kikuyu. Known for its wide fairways and generous landing areas, Wilson is considered more forgiving, making it suitable for beginners and high handicappers. The course hosted the Los Angeles Open from 1937 to 1939.
Harding Golf Course. Designer: George C. Thomas (1923). Par: 72. Length: Approximately 6,714 yards from the back tees. Harding offers a traditional layout with tree-lined fairways and small greens, providing a more challenging experience that requires precision and strategic thinking. The course co-hosted the Los Angeles Open from 1936 to 1938.
Shared Amenities. Facilities: Lighted driving range. Practice putting greens. Full-service restaurant and lounge. Pro shop. Golf instruction available.
Griffith Park Golf Courses offer golfers a blend of history, challenge, and accessibility, all set within one of Los Angeles's most iconic parks.
Part of the Sepulveda Golf Complex, these side-by-side layouts offer vastly different experiences. Balboa is shorter and narrower, great for shotmakers, while Encino is a longer, more open track that rewards power hitters. Ideal for casual players and LA locals.
Course Type: Public. Claim to Fame: Most accessible 36-hole facility in the Valley
Location: 16821 Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91436
Located in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, these two courses offer variety for all skill levels. Great for beginners and regulars. Public – good tee time availability.
The Balboa and Encino Golf Courses are two public 18-hole courses located within the Sepulveda Golf Complex in Encino, California. Operated by the City of Los Angeles, these courses offer affordable and accessible golfing options for players of varying skill levels.
Balboa Golf Course. Par: 72. Length: Approximately 6,359 yards from the back tees. Course Rating / Slope: 70.6 / 117. Designers: William P. Bell & Sons; opened in 1954. Balboa is characterized by its narrow, tree-lined fairways, providing a challenging experience for mid to high handicap golfers. The course underwent a renovation in 2008 to enhance its playability.
Encino Golf Course: Par: 72. Length: Approximately 7,023 yards from the back tees. Course Rating / Slope: 71.9 / 119. Designers: William P. Bell & Sons; opened in 1957. Encino offers a more open layout with wide fairways and large greens, making it ideal for golfers who prefer a more forgiving course. The course is popular among local players and has been frequented by Hollywood celebrities.
Shared Amenities. Driving Range: Lighted for evening practice. Practice Areas: Putting greens and chipping areas. Clubhouse: Full-service restaurant and lounge. Pro Shop: Stocked with golfing essentials. Instruction: Golf lessons available from teaching professionals.
Green Fees & Booking. Range from approximately $18 to $46, depending on the day and time. Tee times can be reserved online through the L.A. City Golf website or via platforms like GolfNow.
Whether you're a beginner looking for a forgiving course or an experienced player seeking a challenge, the Balboa and Encino Golf Courses offer diverse options to suit your game.
