Formula 18 Golf

Formula 18 Golf

Courses / Best in state

Best Public Golf Courses in California

Experts + Golfers + Story + Architect + Challenge + Access = the Total Score

Top 10Top 25Top 50
  1. 1Pebble Beach Golf LinksPebble Beach · Resort · Est. 1919Jack Neville & Douglas Grant10.0Legendary★ 4.9Online Golfer Rating
    47 reviews from GolfPass
  2. 2Spyglass Hill Golf CoursePebble Beach · Public · Est. 1966Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1966)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  3. 3Pasatiempo GcSanta Cruz · Public · Est. 1929Alister MacKenzieUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  4. 4Poppy Hills Golf CoursePebble Beach · Public · Est. 1986Robert Trent Jones Jr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  5. 5TPC Stadium Golf Course (PGA West)La Quinta · Resort · Est. 1986Pete DyeUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  6. 6Journey at PechangaPechanga · Public · Est. 2008Arthur Hills and Steve ForrestUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  7. 7Aviara Golf ClubCarlsbad · Resort · Est. 1991Arnold Palmer (with Ed Seay)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  8. 8Silverado ResortNapa · ResortRobert Trent Jones Jr. (1966 redesign); later revisions by Johnny MillerUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  9. 9Pelican Hill Golf ClubNewport Beach · Public · Est. 1991Tom FazioUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  10. 10Torrey Pines South CourseLa Jolla · Municipal · Est. 1957William F. Bell; redesigned by Rees Jones (2001)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  11. 11Desert Willow Golf ResortPalm Desert · Municipal · Est. 1997Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry (with input from John Cook)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  12. 12Monarch Beach Golf LinksDana Point · Public · Est. 1983Robert Trent Jones IIUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  13. 13Rancho Park Golf ClubLos Angeles · Municipal · Est. 1947William P. Bell and William H. JohnsonUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  14. 14Northwood Golf ClubGuerneville · Public · Est. 1928Alister MacKenzieUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  15. 15Rustic Canyon Golf CourseMoorpark · Municipal · Est. 2002Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner & Geoff ShackelfordUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  16. 16Haggin Oaks Golf ComplexSacramento · Municipal · Est. 1932Alister MacKenzieUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  17. 17Lost Canyons Golf CourseSimi Valley · Public · Est. 2000Pete Dye (with Fred Couples consulting)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  18. 18Roosevelt Municipal Golf CourseLos Angeles · Municipal · Est. 1937Tom Bendelow (original); rebuilt to William P. Bell plansUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  19. 19Sharp Park Golf CourseSan Francisco · Municipal · Est. 1932Alister MacKenzieUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  20. 20Shoreline Golf LinksMountain View · Municipal · Est. 1983Robert Trent Jones Jr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  21. 21The Links at Spanish BayPebble Beach · Public · Est. 1987Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson and Sandy TatumUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  22. 22Indian Wells Golf ResortIndian Wells · Municipal · Est. 1986Clive Clark (Celebrity Course) and John Fought (Players Course); original 1986 layouts by Ted RobinsonUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  23. 23Torrey Pines Municipal Golf CourseSan Diego · Municipal · Est. 1957William F. Bell (1957, from William P. Bell's plan); Rees Jones redesign (2001)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  24. 24Carmel Valley Ranch Golf CourseCarmel · Resort · Est. 1981Pete Dye (with Gene Bates)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  25. 25Chester Washington Golf CourseLos Angeles · County · Est. 1928UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.

How we rank

Public courses only — anyone can book a tee time (public, municipal, resort, semi-private, university). Each course gets a Formula 18 Golf Total Score out of 10 with one word (Legendary, Destination, Memorable, Playable, Unsolved), cited on its page. Not enough to go on yet? It reads Uncharted. Expert lists, golfer stars, challenge, access and threads make the score. A notable architect and a real story add bonus points, and missing ones never count against a course. See the full formula →
Editor’s picks are placed by the Formula 18 Golf team. Played one that belongs higher? Tell us.