Epic golf courses in SoCal! Top 5 picks.
All right, guys. Hello and welcome back to the channel, Greenside Knowledge. It’s great to have you with us today. Today, we’ve got a proper treat for you. Something I’ve been buzzing to put together for a while. We are heading to the West Coast to sunny Southern California to countdown what I believe are the top five golf courses you can play. This isn’t just about the big names. It’s about the experience, the views, and the pure joy of a great round of golf. So, grab a brew, get comfortable, and let’s dive into some absolute belters. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Are these courses going to cost me an arm and a leg? Are they going to beat me up and take all my golf balls? Don’t you worry. For each course on this list, we’re going to break it all down. We’ll cover the price, the green fees, so you know exactly what sort of budget you’re looking at. Kicking off our list at number five is a course that might just be one of the most visually stunning places you’ll ever swing a Club Oak Quarry golf club located in Riverside. This place is literally built in and around an old rock quarry and the result is absolutely breathtaking. You can typically get around here for about $100 to $150, which for the quality of the experience you’re getting is fantastic value in my book. I’d rate the difficulty as a solid 7 out of 10. It’s not a walk in the park, mind you. The elevation changes mean you’ll have to be smart with your club selection. The signature hole here, the par 314th, is one you will never forget. You’re hitting from an elevated tea down to a green that’s framed by a massive rock wall and a beautiful lake. It’s a postcard hole if I’ve ever seen one. Coming in at number four, we step into a realm of true golfing exclusivity. The North Course at the Los Angeles Country Club. Nestled right in the heart of Beverly Hills, just minutes from the glitz of Rodeo Drive, this storied club is about as private as it gets. The LACC Northcourse has hosted some of the most prestigious events in the game, including the 2023 US Open, and its history stretches back more than a century. What really sets this course apart is the atmosphere. Think rolling fairways shaded by ancient sycamores with sweeping views of the city skyline peeking through. The design originally crafted by George C. Thomas Jr. and recently restored by Gil Hanza is a masterclass in classic architecture. Subtle elevation changes, strategic bunkering and greens that demand precision. Now about getting a tea time, unless you have an invite from a member, this one is strictly off limits. But if you do make it onto the guest list, expect an experience that’s truly worldclass. With green fees rumored to be around $500, though it’s not exactly posted on a website. As for difficulty, I’d put it at an 8 out of 10. It’s not the longest, but the course will test every part of your game, especially your short game and decision-making. The signature hole, that’s got to be the par 311th. It’s perched on a plateau with a green that’s guarded by deep bunkers and surrounded by lush manicured landscaping. The view from the tea is pure LA Magic City skyscrapers in the background, emerald fairways in the foreground, and an atmosphere you’ll never forget. All right, for our number three spot, we’re heading out to the desert to Linta, a place that is legendary among golf nuts PGA West, specifically the TPC Stadium Course. This place has a reputation and let me tell you, it is well-earned. Known as one of the toughest courses in the country, it was designed by Pete Dye to test the very best players in the world. Price-wise, you’re looking at a green fee in the range of $250 to $350 during peak season, but you can find better deals in the summer months if you can handle the heat. Now, for difficulty, this is the big one. I’m giving the stadium course a 9.5 out of 10. It is brutally, relentlessly difficult, but in a way that feels fair if you’re hitting good shots. The 17th hole, known as Alcatraz, is a par three with a full island green that is one of the most terrifying and famous shots in all of golf. It’s pure theater. We are back on the coast for our number two pick. And folks, it does not get much more luxurious than this. We’re at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast. This is more than just a golf course. It’s a five-star resort experience from start to finish. We’re focusing on the Ocean South course, a masterpiece designed by Tom Fazio. As you’d imagine, this level of luxury comes with a hefty price tag. Around here is going to be in the $350 to $450 range, making it one of the most expensive public rounds in the area. In terms of difficulty, I’m rating this a solid 8 out of 10. It’s a resort course, so it’s designed to be enjoyable for a wide range of players, not to beat you up like PGA West. The highlight is a stretch of holes, including two backto-back par 3es where you have these massive multi-tiered greens perched right above the Pacific. It’s absolutely breathtaking. And here we are, the number one spot on our countdown of the best courses in Southern California. For me, it has to be the iconic, the legendary, the historic south course at Tory Pines. Located in La Hoya, perched on the coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific, this is a course that has it all. It’s a major championship venue, having hosted the US Open multiple times. And the best part, it’s a municipal course owned by the city of San Diego. For non-residents, a round on the south course can be quite pricey, around $250 to $300. However, if you’re a resident of San Diego, you can play this major championship track for an absolute steal, sometimes as low as $60. It’s this accessibility that makes Tory Pine so incredible. For daily play, I’d still put it at a solid 9 out of 10. This is a long, demanding golf course. The Cuyu Rough is notoriously thick and sticky, and if you miss the fairway, you will be punished. You need power off the tea, but you also need to find the short grass. The greens are protected by deep bunkers and the coastal winds, especially in the afternoon, can turn a straightforward approach shot into a nightmare. Standing on the third tea, looking down the coastline or hitting your approach into the 18th with that famous lodge in the background. These are moments that will stick with you forever. For its history, its beauty, its challenge, and its public spirit, the South Course at Tory Pines is, for my money, the undisputed king of Southern California golf. And that’s a wrap. What an incredible collection of golf courses. From the unique quarry walls of Oak Quarry to the cliffside drama of Tory Pines, Southern California truly offers something for every type of golfer. I hope this countdown has given you some inspiration for your next golf trip and a better idea of what to expect when you get there. It was an absolute blast putting this list together. Now, I want to hear from you. This was my top five, but golf is all about opinions and personal favorites. So, get down in the comments section below and let me know what you think. If you enjoyed this video and you want to see more golf content just like this, then please make sure you hit that subscribe button for the Greenside Knowledge channel. Thank you so much for watching, guys. I really do appreciate every single one of you. Stay safe, play well, and I’ll see you in the next
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