The Genesis Invitational (originally the Los Angeles Open) is one of the most historic stops on the PGA Tour calendar, with a Southern California footprint that stretches back a century. This year is particularly special, not only because it represents 100 years since the first tournament was held but also because it's a return to The Riviera CC. Most golf fans today are accustomed to Hogan's Alley playing host to the Genesis Invitational, so last year's emergency move to Torrey Pines felt like a big change. That was far from the first time a different course played host, though, as in the early years this tournament was a bit of a Los Angeles nomad. With that in mind, we wanted to look back at every course that has hosted the L.A. Open and rank them from easiest to hardest using Course Rating™, a number designed to reflect how difficult a course plays for a scratch golfer under normal conditions. In our book, it’s the best way to compare championship venues (or any golf course) across different eras...and it makes for a pretty fun trip through tournament history.
NR. Fox Hills CC, Inglewood CC
Los Angeles Times
These two clubs played host to the Los Angeles Open during the 1950s, before the USGA Course Rating system was established, and since have been shut down. Guess we'll have to leave opinions of their difficulty up to those that competed those years.
10. Rancho Park
Course Rating: 72.8 / Slope Rating: 130
As those who have played the course likely know, Rancho Park GC has hosted the Los Angeles Open the second-most times, serving as the regular host from 1956-1972 and one final time in 1983. Anyone who's familiar with this Los Angeles municipal track has probably seen the plaque on the 18th hole "commemorating" Arnold Palmer. However, the plaque has nothing to do with the three Los Angeles Opens Palmer won; it's purpose is to remind the world of when The King carded a 12 on the final hole of the opening round during the 1961 event. It just goes to show that even though this checks in as the "easiest" course on the list, golf is still really hard, even for Arnold Palmer.
9. Griffith Park GC - Wilson Course
Course Rating: 73.0 / Slope Rating: 126
Another L.A. muni settles in next on the list, with the Wilson course at Griffith Park GC playing host to the tournament between 1937-1939. It was during this era that the L.A. Open played host to a historic moment in professional golf. In the 1938 event, the legendary Babe Zaharias became the first female golfer to play in a professional men's tournament.
8. Wilshire CC
Course Rating: 73.2 / Slope Rating: 138
Wilshire CC was part of the early rotation of hosts before the tournament settled onto a home course. The club in Hancock Park played host to the third L.A. Open in 1928, as well as in 1944 when the event started back up after pausing for World War II the previous season. The PGA Tour isn't the only circuit that's tested it's players on this track either. Both the Champions and LPGA Tours have also had regular stops at Wilshire.
7. Hillcrest CC
Course Rating: 73.4 / Slope Rating: 134
Hillcrest CC sits next on the list, another classic Los Angeles private club that played a role in the tournament’s early era. This course represents the kind of target golf that defined the event even before it found a home at The Riviera CC. As the Course Ratings™ creep higher, it’s a reminder that even “mid-pack” on this list still demands precision off the tee and solid approach play.
6. Brookside GC - Course 1
Course Rating: 74.5 / Slope Rating: 134
Breaking up the run at Rancho Park in the middle of the 20th century, the L.A. Open headed to the shadow of the Rose Bowl in 1968. Don't let the fact that this is a public course fool you: Pasadena golfers can tell you that this course can absolutely bare its teeth when stretched out. It’s also another great example of how L.A. Open history isn’t just country clubs: Southern California munis and public tracks have always been part of the story.
5. El Caballero CC
Course Rating: 74.6 / Slope Rating: 137
El Caballero checks in just a fraction harder than Brookside, although the reasons aren't exactly the same. This is another track that rewards golfers for accurate shots and harshly punishes wayward ones. Similar to Brookside, the L.A. Open only made one trek to Tarzana during it's history with El Caballero hosting the second-ever event in 1927.
4. Valencia CC
Course Rating: 76.3 / Slope Rating: 141
Valencia CC is where the list starts to get serious. A 76.3 Course Rating™ is a major step up, and the 141 Slope Rating suggests it’s punishing for everyone. This is the kind of track where par feels like a great score, and you can see why a professional event would have no problem separating the field here. Valencia CC stepped in to host once in 1998, as The Riviera CC was preparing to host the U.S. Senior Open that season.
3. The Riviera CC
Course Rating: 76.3 / Slope Rating: 144
Getty Images
Riviera Country Club is where the Los Angeles Open truly found its long-term identity. Often referred to as “Hogan’s Alley,” The Riviera CC has become synonymous with the event, especially since becoming The Genesis Open and later The Genesis Invitational. There's a reason this was identified as one of the Signature Events on the PGA Tour. Despite sharing the same Course Rating™ as Valencia, Riviera’s steeper Slope Rating® hints at just how punishing small mistakes can be.
2. Los Angeles CC - North Course
Course Rating: 77.4 / Slope Rating: 146
Channing Benjamin
Anyone who watched the 2023 U.S. Open can tell you why LACC North sits near the very top of the list. With a 77.4 Course Rating and a 146 Slope Rating, this is elite-level difficulty where even scratch golfers are fighting for pars. Despite it's origins as a historic Los Angeles golf establishment, it can still prove an incredible challenge for modern golfers. However, until 2023 it had been out of the professional rotation since the early days of hosting the L.A. Open.
1. Torrey Pines GC - South Course
Course Rating: 78.8 / Slope Rating: 148
Sitting at the top of the list is a course that's probably of no surprise to SoCal golfers. Torrey Pines South is a mainstay at the top of many lists and is known to challenge all golfers with it's length. And when the course gets put into shape to host professional tournaments, the difficulty ratchets up to a new level. The regular host of the Farmers Insurance Open held a few weeks earlier, Torrey Pines stepped in to take on this tournament as well in 2025 when The Riviera CC was threatened by the Palisades fire.
