Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles
The Pete Dye-designed Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles sits on the cusp of a cliff above the Pacific coastline in Rancho Palos Verdes, 30 minutes south of Los Angeles International Airport. It is one of the loveliest sites for golf south of Pebble Beach, bragging ocean views from every hole. The Donald himself helped redesign what was at first a very penal layout although there is still considerable challenge -- including tight fairways, water features and deep rough -- as the course ambles across the Pacific-sloping topography. The clubhouse is also spectacular in true ornate Trump style, featuring The Café Pacific, a fine lunch and dinner restaurant, worth sticking around for.
Malibu Country Club
Sounds swanky, huh? But Malibu Country Club is a down-to-earth, very friendly golf course set in the rolling coastal hills several miles from the ocean. Well-groomed putting surfaces, wide fairways allowing plenty of room off the tee, elevation changes, mature trees and idyllic surrounds make for a pleasant loop. Several holes play to uphill greens, so club selection is important. There is no practice range here, but a few driving cages are available to help you loosen up.
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Tucked into the golden mountains east of Ventura, on a cat-tail winding stretch of Highway 33, is the George C. Thomas-designed Ojai Valley Inn and its adjacent golf course. Dating back to the classic age of golf architecture (Thomas also designed Riviera Country Club), it opened in 1924 and is characterized by eucalyptus-lined fairways, rolling terrain and a design style that emphasizes enjoyment (though it's no pushover) over demand.
Griffith Park--Harding
Located near downtown LA and Dodger Stadium, Griffith Park’s 4 courses include a fun 9-holer, Roosevelt Golf Course, a hilly, executive-length layout perfect for beginning golfers. But the main acts are the Woodrow Wilson Golf Course, built in 1923, and the Warren G. Harding Golf Course, built in 1924. Both have that classic, pre-golf-cart design approach. Greens and the next tee sit close together, making them perfect walking courses. Both are lushly lined with mature oak and eucalyptus trees.
Rustic Canyon
Rustic Canyon Golf Club is one of the better bargains in Southern California. A links-style layout set in a valley, the design features big, undulating greens that players can roll the ball onto. The big greens mean you’ll get some long, curving putts. Chipping and putting aprons surround every hole, making it friendly for beginning or occasional golfers. No trees or water, but the bunkers keep you honest.
Sandpiper
Sandpiper sits on an ocean bluff 15 minutes north of downtown Santa Barbara. Towering eucalyptus trees and shady canyons, as well as headland fully exposed to the elements, make all 18 holes unique. Measuring more than 7,000 yards from the black tees and with a healthy men's rating of 74.7 from that distance, this course is truly "beauty and the beast."
George Fuller, author of California Golf: The Complete Guide, has been writing and editing about golf travel for more than 30 years. In addition to California Golf, he has written 8 other books on golf, including I Golf, Therefore I Am... Nuts!
