If there's one thing I know about serious golfers, it's that they love a good debate, whether which course is the best, which course has the nicest views, or which course is the best value. Most of these come down to a matter of opinion, but there's one debate we can actually settle using science: what are the most difficult courses in Southern California?
In case you weren't aware what some of those numbers on your scorecard mean, each set of tees at each course is rated on their difficulty by the local golf association. This number is calculated by measuring the fairways, inspecting the bunkers, measuring the size and contours of the greens, determining the distance to hazards and out of bounds locations, etc. After rating the obstacles, the rating team plays the golf course to gain greater insight, from a playing perspective, and to clarify any doubts or questions that may arise on specific holes or shots. There are 26 evaluations for each set of tees on each hole, meaning that thousands of evaluations are considered for each course. After all these calculations are finished, we're left with a single number as the Course Rating, which can loosely be defined as expected average score for a scratch golfer.
With some data to back us up, we may finally have an answer as to which courses are the toughest in the region. But before we launch into the countdown, there's a few things worth noting. First, this list is comprised only of public courses in Southern California. Not because there aren't plenty of punishing private facilities in the area (just ask the 2023 U.S. Open participants), but because I wanted to make a list of courses that everyone reading this would have a reasonable chance of experiencing for themselves. The second is that this list considers the Course Rating from the furthest set of tees available, so the order could shift slightly depending on what set of tees you choose to play. But if we're going to discuss the toughest courses, we might as well consider the toughest challenge each course has to offer.
Will this list settle the debate once and for all? Probably not, but one thing is for sure: if you're looking to challenge your golf game, these 10 courses are a darn good place to start:
Course Rating from furthest tees: 75.2
Length: 7167 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 88
What makes it tough: This course may not have the historical notoriety of some of the other San Diego courses appearing on this list, but it's quickly gaining a reputation of one of the region's top tracks. Trading the coastal views for the rolling hills of Poway, Maderas is chock-full of ways to trap your errant shots. Even if you manage to avoid the water and tricky bunkers lining the course, the natural terrain is sure to create a number of uneven lies. Target golf is the name of the game here.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 75.4
Length: 7239 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 88
What makes it tough: The desert isn't typically known for wet conditions, but this course is an exception to this rule. Water comes into play on over half the holes at the former site of the Bob Hope Classic. Just getting to the green usually isn't enough here. If you want to score low, you're going to need to put shots in the right location.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 75.4
Length: 7376 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 88
What makes it tough: There's very few opportunities to overpower this course. When you're not facing holes like the 230-yard uphill 2nd or the 626-yard 9th with a forced carry on the drive and water and bunkers sandwiching the fairway, you'll find that even the shorter holes demand well-placed shots to stay out of trouble. Survive all that and you get to finish with a long par-4 guarded by a barranca and a series of bunkers.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 75.4
Length: 7232 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 88
What makes it tough: A recent addition to Golf Digest's Top 100 Public Courses in America, Rams Hill is one of the most unique courses in the region. Deep in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and located next to a whole lot of nothing, this course feels like it's on another planet. For one, It presents a true test against the elements depending on when you play: the average temperature in Borrego Springs is often over 100 degrees. But don't let all that distract you from the course itself. It features a number of risk/reward holes and while the fairways often present a sizeable target, there's no shortage of strategically-placed bunkers and the occasional water hazard to make sure you place your shot in the right area. And if you happen to miss the fairway, you'll become quite acquainted with the desert terrain.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 75.7
Length: 7105 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 88
What makes it tough: This course may not be always be included in the conversation of "world-renowned SoCal golf courses", but those who've played it can attest that it's certainly one of the most difficult. Just ask Golf Digest, who ranked it as one of the 50 toughest courses in the country and called it the "Bethpage Black of the West Coast." Littered with tight lines, hazards galore and rolling fairways and greens, it's not difficult for scores to skyrocket in no time flat here.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 75.8
Length: 7300 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 89
What makes it tough: We've reached our first PGA TOUR venue on the list. As one of the host courses of the annual American Express, the Stadium course is easily one of the toughest courses in SoCal. In fact, when it was initially introduced as one of the courses in the inaugural Bob Hope Desert Classic in 1987, the pros petitioned to have it removed from the rotation because it was too difficult and it was shelved until 2016. The course is full of challenges throughout, but the finishing three holes are particularly diabolical. Even if you manage to avoid or survive the 18-foot-deep bunker on 16, an island green on 17 and a water-lined 18th are waiting for you as a reward.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 75.9
Length: 7304 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 89
What makes it tough: Renovated by Perry Dye, son of famed golf course architect Pete Dye, this course features many of the family trademarks: undulating fairways, railroad ties, and greens surrounded by water. As if those weren't enough of a challenge, the course can play at over 7300 yards so you better have your lines and distances dialed in. Oh, did I forget to mention that you might need to factor strong afternoon winds into those calculations?
Course Rating from furthest tees: 76.1
Length: 7377 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 89
What makes it tough: Length is the major factor in this rating, as the Gold tees measure at nearly 7400 yards. Beyond that, keeping the ball in play is key here. Miss the fairways and you'll likely find yourself hitting out of thick rough or looking for your ball in the numerous brush and waste areas that surround the course.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 76.7
Length: 7500 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 89
What makes it tough: A former host of both PGA and LPGA Tour events, the North Course at La Costa is ready to re-enter the spotlight. A recent rebuild by the renowned Gil Hanse has put what was formerly known as the Champions Course back on the championship map, as it will play host to the NCAA Men's and Women's Championships through at least 2026. The course has been stretched to play up to 7500 yards and received a facelift to some of the signature holes. The par-3 16th now features a shot over a pond and front bunkers, resembling Augusta National's 12th hole, and the finishing hole is one of two par-5s over 600 yards that often plays into the wind.
Course Rating from furthest tees: 78.8
Length: 7802 yards
Target score for 10 handicap: 92
What makes it tough: The first thing most people think of when the name Torrey Pines comes up is the world-class scenery, but that's not the reason the PGA Tour makes regular stops here. Aside from the ocean views it may look like a typical muni layout, but most munis don't play at over 7800 yards. Distance isn't the only key though; mishit into the thick Kikuyu rough and the course will feel a lot longer...if you can find your ball in the first place.
These courses didn't quite crack the top 10, but don't think they're going to take it easy on you.
The back nine is particularly challenging (and beautiful) here as you work your way along the cliffs of the Santa Barbara coast.
This course is appropriately named. Shots that don't land in the fairway are likely to leave you hitting out of the waste area.
Technically the Ike Course is has the tougher course rating here, but both courses are plenty difficult. You'll rarely find a flat lie and be prepared to lose a ball or 12.
Elevation changes galore and slick-as-glass greens will give you trouble here.
One of the few Jack Nicklaus-designed public courses in Southern California, Angeles National is often considered one of, if not the, toughest in the LA area. Fast fairways and greens make narrow landing zones feel even tighter.