In Southern California, golf isn’t just a pastime—it’s a lifestyle. With an unbeatable combination of world-class courses, perfect weather, and a deeply rooted golf culture, the game never stops here. Whether you're teeing off at a championship venue, exploring hidden gems, or simply playing your favorite game with your favorite people, SoCal delivers a golf experience unlike any other.
The Lights at Indio
All the golf courses in the world don't mean a thing if the weather prevents you from enjoying them. Most golfers around the world have to worry about something called a "golf season," but the golf never stops here. Sure, there may be occasional days that require layering up against a cool coastal breeze or dealing with a little early-morning moisture. Or conversely, the sun-drenched summer rounds may call for extra sunscreen, plenty of hydration, and a well-timed tee time to beat the midday heat.
But for the true diehards, these are small trade-offs for the luxury of playing 12 months a year. No winterizing the clubs, no waiting for the snow to melt, no months-long hiatus from the game you love. If you’re ready to golf, the courses are ready for you.
Torrey Pines GC
Any golf hub around the world is going to make some claim that their stable of courses stand out or are superior in some way. Whether you think certain tracks are overrated or underappreciated, there's no debating the overall quality of courses across Southern California is hard to match. From the top attractions to the hidden gems, you'd be hard-pressed not to find at least one course that stacks up against the best. Speaking of which...
PGA West
If you needed any further validation of where Southern California stacks up in terms of championship-level courses, just look at how often the best players in the world compete here. Every year, some of the best facilities we have to offer play host to three PGA Tour stops, one LPGA tournament, and a couple of PGA Tour Champions events. And that's not to mention the U.S. Open has already been held here twice this decade, returning to Torrey Pines GC in 2021 and Los Angeles CC making it's debut in 2023. These aren't just courses reserved for the elite either: you can go play Torrey Pines or PGA West right now and get the same experience (roughly) that the pros do.
Soule Park GC
Not feeling like your game is up to snuff or want to shell out the dough to play the premier courses? Don't worry, Southern California golf is so much more than that. In fact, pretty much any experience you want to have is available to you here. Straightforward muni with wide open fairways more your speed? You can find those all over. Want to practice your target golf at a course winding through the hills? Got it. Ocean course? Desert course? Mountain course? Check, check, check. Not to mention this is SoCal, so no matter where you are, you know the scenery is going to be unbeatable.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Still not enough for you? Ok, I'll admit that isn't the only place with an awesome golf scene, and as someone always searching for new experiences I know there's a lot out there to explore. The good news is a number of these places are within driving distance, or a short plane ride in that's more your speed. Pebble Beach, Vegas, Phoenix, even Bandon Dunes (depending on your definition of "driving distance") all have some incredible golf experiences to offer and aren't that far away.
Los Feliz GC in Swingers
If part of the charm of living in SoCal is being nearby Hollywood and it's history, then you know that golf is a big part of that story. While the chances of you actually rubbing shoulders with Bill Murray or Adam Sandler on the course are relatively slim, you can still feel like part of entertainment history on the links.
It's not uncommon to find our favorite characters from both the big and small screens spending time golfing, and many of those iconic moments are captured at courses around the Southland. You may have a tough time recreating Larry and Jeff from Curb Your Enthusiasm griping about life at their favorite spot, Ocean View Country Club (filmed at Riviera CC), but you could do the same like Mike and Rob at Los Feliz GC in Swingers. Or you could recreate the famous golf scene from Sideways at the River Course at the Alisal. On second thought, maybe don't recreate that scene and just enjoy your time on the course.
TopGolf El Segundo
Even if the conditions or time aren't right to get in an actual round of golf, there are still plenty of options to get your fix in. "Off-course" golf has become an industry to itself recently and while the case that these options will lead to more golfers is debatable, they do provide an a way to get swings in when on-course play isn't feasible. The most well-known operator in this market, TopGolf, now has 3 locations open in the SoCal region. Indoor simulators have also taken off of late, with places like MNML Golf and The Golf Bar becoming popular hangout spots for golfers. Then there's always the classic driving range, with some unique layouts like the double-decker range at Rancho Park GC or hitting at the floating targets at The Islands Golf Center in Anaheim.
Callaway Headquarters in Carlsbad
The impact that Southern California has on golf reaches far beyond just the courses that call this state home. Southern California is the definitive hub for the companies and brands that are defining how we look and play across the world. Some of the biggest names in golf manufacturing build your clubs right here, including Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, and Scotty Cameron. SoCal has also served as the backdrop and inspiration for golf fashion, from the household names like TravisMathew, Malbon, Linksoul, and Bad Birdie to the up-and-coming brands that seem to be launching almost daily.
Finest Things Club
The best part about golf is the people we get to share the game with. I truly don't believe that there is any such thing as a "stereotypical golfer" any more, and no place better exemplifies this than Southern California. No matter your age, gender, race, location, background, income, occupation, or anything else that can define you, there's a home for you on the golf course here.
Don't believe me? Find out for yourself.
All of the things listed above are part of what makes SoCal golf unique, but what truly makes it special is that you get to call it home. Sure you'll always remember the times that you get to play at some of the best courses in the world, but you know as well as I do that most of your golf memories have nothing to do with the condition of the course you're playing. It's simply about being at a familiar place playing your favorite game with your favorite people.