The State of California is famed for the quality of its golf courses and the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, in particular, offer a diverse range of options to choose from. This fact, combined with reliable weather all year round, make this part of the country a popular choice for golf enthusiasts from all over the world.
Although LA is perhaps most famous for its range of private golf clubs, it has its fair share of public courses too, while Orange County also has a number of stand-outs, which appeal to locals and tourists alike. So here, in no particular order, we take a look at the top 10 best golf courses in Los Angeles and Orange County.
1. Monarch Beach Golf Links – Dana Point, California
An award-winning 18-hole golf course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. back in 1983, Monarch Beach Golf Links is widely considered to be one of the best golf courses in all of California. It offers spectacular ocean views and was famously compared to the Augusta National greens by former PGA Tour player, Tom Watson.
Spanning more than 6,500 yards, the par-70 championship course features a combination of tight fairways and rolling greens, which help to make it an enticing option for even the most experienced golfers. Meanwhile, the professional lessons on offer ensure it is also able to attract less confident players.
50 Monarch Beach Resort N, Dana Point, CA 92629 | monarchbeachgolf.com
2. The Riviera Country Club – Pacific Palisades, California
One of the world’s most iconic golfing venues, the Riviera Country Club is a private members golf course, which has held the U.S. Open and two PGA Championships. It was designed by George C. Thomas Jr., built in 1927, and offers some of the most unique holes anywhere in Los Angeles County.
The 18-hole, par-71 course has witnessed sporting triumphs from the likes of Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and Phil Mickelson, while celebrity visitors over the years have included Charlie Chaplin and Humphrey Bogart. It was recently announced that Tiger Woods is planning to make his competitive return on the course in 2017.
1250 Capri Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 | therivieracountryclub.com
3. The Links at Terranea – Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Ideal for those looking to play nine-hole rounds, The Links at Terranea is located at a resort and was designed by the multi-award winning Todd Eckenrode. Totalling around 1,240 yards, it is a par-27 course, which benefits from a brilliant coastal setting, while challenging golfers with undulating greens, bunkers and elevation changes.
The practice area allows players to warm up before their round, or work on specific shots, and a putting course is set up during the summer months, which is ideal for families and casual players. Furthermore, The Links has strong ties with the PGA, with employees including former pro golfer, Buddy Nichols.
1250 Capri Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 | terranea.com
4. Eagle Glen Golf Club – Corona, California
Brilliantly located amidst the Cleveland National Forest in Corona, California, and designed to blend in with the natural surroundings, Eagle Glen Golf Club is a versatile course, which is ideal for all ages and levels, and which hosts recreational play, golf tournaments and corporate outings.
Featuring scenic views, a variety of bunkers and extreme elevation changes to challenge even the most experienced golfers, the 18-hole, par-72 championship course is almost 6,900 yards in length. Furthermore, a 330-yard, triple-tiered practice facility is the ideal place to hone your craft, with professional teachers offering expert advice.
1800 Eagle Glen Pkwy, Corona, CA 92883 | eagleglengc.com
5. Sherwood Country Club – Thousand Oaks, California
Situated at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains, Sherwood Country Club is a private, member-owned club. It houses a par-72 championship course, which has 18 holes, is 7,025 yards long, and features bent grass greens and fairways. Notable members of the club have included Jack Nicholson, Will Smith and Sylvester Stallone.
Between 2000 and 2013, the course played host to the World Challenge, which was organised by Tiger Woods and officially recognised by the PGA as an off-season tournament. Woods also holds the current course record, 60, which he has achieved in both 2007 and 2013, during the World Challenge.
320 W Stafford Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 | sherwoodcc.com
6. Oak Creek Golf Club – Irvine, California
Designed by the acclaimed golf course architect, Tom Fazio, and completed in 1996, Oak Creek Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-71 course, which spans 6,850 yards and offers excellent year-round playability. The course itself is conveniently located, making it easily accessible from the city of Irvine, California.
Oak Creek is considered a good choice for golfers of all levels, including experienced players. The course features stunning lakes, beautiful greens and tapered fairways, while the state-of-the-art practice facility, named “Orange County’s Best Practice Facility” by Fore Magazine, is fitted with an LED lighting system for use after dark.
1 Golf Club Dr, Irvine, CA 92618 | oakcreekgolfclub.com
7. Recreation Park – Long Beach, California
Designed by William F. Bell back in 1910, Recreation Park North is a majestic 18-hole, par-72 golf course, which measures approximately 6,400 yards in length. It is conveniently located, offers a picturesque setting and provides the sort of rolling terrain that golf enthusiasts love.
Meanwhile, across 7th Street lies a separate nine-hole, par-31 course, which is nicknamed ‘Little Rec Golf Course’. It was built in 1928, having also been designed by Bell, and is a great place to work on your game, with challenging greens, nice fairways and the largest putting green in the Long Beach area.
5001 Deukmejian Dr, Long Beach, CA 90804 | recpark18.com
8. Monterey Park Golf Course – Monterey Park, California
Built in 1973, Monterey Park Golf Course is a year-round public course, with nine holes and an overall par of 29. It consists of two par-4s and seven par-3s, has good course conditions and provides excellent facilities, which all combine to make it a great option for beginners, or those who want a more casual golfing experience.
With that said, experienced golfers will still find the course to offer a sufficient challenge, especially with one hole having an extreme elevation drop. Meanwhile, the course has its own driving range, complete with an automatic ball feeder, allowing you to either warm up, warm down, or work on improving your technique.
3600 W Ramona Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754 | montereyparkgolfclub.com
9. Arcadia Golf Course – Arcadia, California
Located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, in close proximity to the stunning San Gabriel Mountains, Arcadia Golf Course is a public course, which was built in 1962. Considered something of a hidden treasure, it is an 18-hole, par-54 course, which measures just under 1,950 yards in length.
It features Poa and bent grass greens, as well as newly created bunkers, providing a worthy challenge to golfers of all ages and skill levels. Moreover, both the course itself and the connected practice facility are equipped with a lighting system, making late night golf a possibility.
620 Live Oak Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006 | arcadiagc.com
10. Trump National Golf Club – Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Finally, Trump National Golf Club is considered to be one of the great examples of luxury public golf in the Los Angeles area. It was originally opened as a nine-hole course, called Ocean Trails Golf Club, back in 1999, but was bought by Donald Trump in 2002 and opened as an 18-hole course in 2006.
The par-71 course spans 7,240 yards and offers breathtaking views of the ocean, while the undulating greens and thick rough provide a decent challenge for experienced players. In addition, the club has developed a strong reputation for its environmental practices and plays host to several endangered plants and birds.
1 Trump National Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 | trumpnationallosangeles.com
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