09 Mar The Top Public Golf Courses: California

At last count, the Golden State of California hosts a whopping 928 golf courses. The great game of golf has been a vital part of the sports scene here for over 100 years. In fact, the state’s oldest golf club was built in 1892. That warm California sunshine means any time of year is a great time for a round. California public golf courses abound, and there are so many options – coastal, desert, forest, or mountain. For a glimpse at some of the best public golf courses in California, read on. For exclusive access to the largest selection of tee times in the world, download the Supreme Golf app. 

Fullerton Golf Club 

Fullerton Golf Course sits in a small valley in North Orange County, about 15 minutes from Anaheim. The scenic Brea Creek meanders alongside the course, highlighting its dramatic dogleg fairways and endless elevation changes. Strategically placed bunkers, poa annua and bent grass greens characterize this 18-hole, par-67 course, which was designed by renowned course architect William F. Bell. To accommodate players of all levels, amenities include well-tended practice facilities including a driving range, two quick putting greens for short-game practice; on-site instruction is also available.

Brookside Golf Club – C.W. Koiner #1

Steeped in 75 years of golf tradition, Brookside Golf Club is the oldest golf course in Los Angeles County. It sits next to the famed Rose Bowl in the golden foothills of Pasadena and offers two of the best daily-fee layouts in all of Southern California. The 18-hole, par-72 C.W. Koiner Course was designed by famed golf architect William P. Bell. Its surprising layout gives golfers a chance to use every club in their bag. Brookside offers numerous opportunities for competitive or social play for golfers of all ages and abilities.

Brookside Golf Club – E.O. Nay 

Situated in the shadows of the San Gabriel Mountains adjacent to the Rose Bowl is the city of Pasadena’s Brookside Golf Club. This 18-hole course was also designed by golf architect William P. Bell and offers its own set of challenges, most notably the #3, #4, #7, #11, and #13 holes. To work on your game, you’ll find two practice putting greens, a chipping area, practice bunker, and driving range. Brookside Golf Course has hosted many major championships including the Los Angeles Open and the National Public Links Championship. 

Westchester Golf Club

Westchester Golf Club is located just north of Los Angeles Airport (better known as LAX), and close to Westside beaches and popular communities. A public, 18-hole golf course, Westchester welcomes golfers of all abilities and offers them a fun, affordable challenge. Opened in 1969, The club boasts well-maintained greens, nighttime play, daily instruction, league play, rental clubs, an area for chipping, putting, bunker practice, and a driving range. From private instruction to group clinics, the programs are customized and taught by PGA Professionals. 

Skylinks Golf Course

Slightly south of Los Angeles is the unforgettable Skylinks Long Beach Golf Course. Voted “Readers’ Choice Best” (by the Press-Telegram Long Beach), this 6,909-yard par-72 championship course is owned by The City of Long Beach and designed by leading golf course architect Cal Olson. It features Bermuda grass fairways, wide-open links-style play, and superb bent grass and poa annua greens. Skylinks at Long Beach Golf Course’s extensive practice facility provides a driving range, two putting greens, two chipping greens, and two practice bunkers. As well, there’s everything from private instruction to group clinics for students of all ages and levels.

Coyote Hills Golf Course

Orange County’s Coyote Hills Golf Course is an award-winning golf course with panoramic views of Los Angeles and Orange County. One of Southern California’s best golf courses, Coyote Hills is an 18-hole, par-70 course with five sets of tees. So, whether you’re a first-time golfer or just looking to work on particular shots or strategy, Coyote Hills is right for golfers of all abilities. There’s an expansive practice facility with opportunities for competitive or social play.  Instruction for men, women, and groups, is also available.

Recreation Park 18 Golf Course

Enjoy a game of golf on one of Long Beach’s best golf courses. Recreation Park 18 Golf Course is an enjoyable 18-hole, par-72 golf course with Kikuyu fairways, tough bunkers defending bent grass and poa greens, and challenging elevation changes. Golfers ranging in age and skill level will find plenty of competitive or social play here on this public course. You’ll find the course has an extensive practice facility including a driving range with night lighting, two full-size putting greens, chipping areas, and practice bunkers. Individual instruction and junior camps are also available.

El Dorado Park Golf Course  

Lush landscapes, rolling greens and majestic trees await at every turn of the picturesque El Dorado Park Golf Course in Long Beach. Built-in 1962, this 6,921-yard, par-72 course was designed by golf legend Ted Robinson, Sr. It is home to the prestigious Long Beach Open and combines a serene setting with an engaging championship course. Individual and group instruction by PGA professionals are available. El Dorado Park Golf Course’s practice facility includes a driving range, two putting greens, a practice bunker, and chipping green. 

River Ridge Golf Club – Victoria Lakes  

River Ridge Golf Club – Victoria Lakes is a Ventura County favorite with its country club quality at public course prices. A warm Southern California sun and cool ocean breezes favor the 36 championship holes. The club showcases the Greg Norman hybrid Bermuda tees and fairways in bent/poa grass greens. The course is more strategic in nature and boasts what is arguably the most challenging hole in the county at #13. River Ridge also has complete practice facilities including an all-grass driving range, practice putting, and chipping greens, and a learning center staffed by PGA professionals.

River Ridge Golf Club – Vineyard

Another of Ventura County’s favorites is River Ridge Golf Club – Vineyard course. Years of pain-staking remodeling and construction have brought the original Billy Bell Jr. course back to its original grandeur and configuration, which includes four new holes that are “on top of the world” (these magnificent holes — #3 through #6 — feature panoramic views of the ocean, thanks to having the highest elevation in Oxnard). The wide-open course with undulating greens also exhibits more than eight acres of water. Look forward to a challenging finish at what’s called the Island Hole, a signature of the course. There’s a great practice facility with a lighted driving range; you’ll also enjoy two chipping greens and putting green.