The California landscape is amazingly diverse, from the rocky northern pacific coast of Monterey to the mountains of Lake Tahoe, the desert beauty of Palm Springs and the sandy beaches of Southern California—and also home to many of the greatest golf courses in the world.
We’ve included our Top 40 California Private Clubs below, or you can spin through all of the private courses in California listed by GolfDay Rating.
Clubs are listed on the basis of GolfDay Rating, and listings include a link to the club website, the year founded, course architect(s), current USGA course and slope ratings as well as a link to Google Maps for each location.
Our California Top 40 include four original Dr. Alistair Mackenzie designs, who became perhaps the most celebrated golf course architect in history when he collaborated with Bobby Jones to create Augusta National. Many believe, however, that his greatest work may be Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach—Number 1 in our Top 40.
In addition to Cypress Point, Dr. Mackenzie also did the original design at The Valley Club of Montecito in Santa Barbara (#11), Green Hills Country Club (#17) and Meadow Club (#27).
Although not quite as famous as Allister Mackenzie, William “Willie” Watson was another Scott who made his way to the western United States in the early 1900’s and created a great many wonderful layouts, four of which are among our Top 40–including both courses at the iconic Olympic Club in San Francisco (#4).
In addition to classic courses steeped in history, our Top 40 private clubs also include four modern designs by Tom Fazio, including The Quarry (#9) and The Madison Club (#12) in the desert at La Quinta, Martis Camp near Lake Tahoe (#10), and The Preserve (#15) in Carmel—about as different as can be from the standpoint of climate and topography.
To view courses by location, use the GolfDay Search Engine and select “where you are” or where you plan to be (by entering the city or zip code). You can also refine your search and save time by adding a description and the features you are looking for.
- Cypress Point Club/Pebble Beach
- Founded: 1928
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1 Rating/141 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
- Monterey Peninsula Country Club/Pebble Beach
- Founded: 2001
- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Seth Raynor/Charles Banks/Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter/Robert E. Baldock/Jack Neville/Robert Bruce Harris/Mike Strantz/Rees Jones/Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson/David Kahn
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
Dunes: 74.6 Rating/140 Slope
Fazio: 73.7 Rating/134 Slope - GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
- The Los Angeles Country Club/Los Angeles
- Founded: 1897
- Holes: 36 (2-Eighteen Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: George Thomas/William Herbert Fowler/William P. Bell/Robert Muir Graves/John Harbottle III/Gil Hanse/Geoff Shackelford
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
North: 75.7 Rating/143 Slope
South: 71.9 Rating/129 Slope - GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
- The Olympic Club/San Francisco
- Founded: 1860
- Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Lake/Ocean and Nine Hole Cliffs Par 3
- Course Architects: Willie Watson/Max Behr/Sam Whiting/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Jack Flemming/John Flemming/Robert Muir Graves/Gil Hanse/Jim Wagner
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
Lake: 76.2 Rating/143 Slope
Ocean: 74.3 Rating/133 Slope - GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
- The Riviera Country Club/Pacific Palisades
- Founded: 1926
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: George Thomas/William P. Bell/Ted Robinson, Sr./Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw/Tom Fazio/Ron Forse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.3 Rating/144 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location
- San Francisco Golf Club/San Francisco
- Founded: 1915
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: A. W. Tillinghast/William P. Bell/Jim Urbina
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.6 Rating/133 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 97.9
- Location
- California Golf Club of San Francisco/South San Francisco
- Founded: 1918
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Vernon Macan/Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Kyle Phillips/George Waters
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6 Rating/139 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 97.0
- Location
- Lake Merced Golf Club/Daly City
- Founded: 1922
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Willie Lock/Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter/Robert Muir Graves/Rees Jones/Gil Hanse
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.3 Rating/142 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 96.8
- Location
- The Quarry/La Quinta
- Founded: 1994
- Holes: 28 (Eighteen Hole Course and Ten Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2 Rating/136 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 93.3
- Location
- Martis Camp Golf Club/Truckee
- Founded: 2008
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.8 Rating/146 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 95.6
- Location
- The Valley Club of Montecito/ Santa Barbara
- Founded: 1929
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter/William P. Bell/Tom Doak/Jim Urbina/Todd Eckenrode
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 8 Rating/133 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 95.2
- Location
- The Madison Club/ La Quinta
- Founded: 2007
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.6 Rating/143 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 94.6
- Location
- Mayacama Golf Club/ Santa Rosa
- Founded: 2001
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1 Rating/154 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 94.5
- Location
- Stanford Golf Course/Stanford
- Founded: 1930
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: George Thomas/William P. Bell/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./John Harbottle III
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/138 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 94.5
- Location
- The Preserve Golf Club/Carmel
- Founded: 2000
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/J. Michael Poellot/Sandy Tatum
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.3 Rating/142 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 94.2
- Location
- Bel-Air Country Club/Los Angeles
- Founded: 1925
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: George Thomas/William P. Bell/Jack Neville/William H. Johnson/William F. Bell/Dick Wilson/George Fazio/Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Tom Doak
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.3 Slope/138 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 93.7
- Location
- Green Hills Country Club/Millbrae
- Founded: 1930
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter/Chandler Egan/Robert Muir Graves/Gary Roger Baird/Todd Eckenrode/George Waters
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.7 Slope/138 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 93.2
- Location
- Stone Eagle Golf Club/Palm Desert
- Founded: 2005
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Doak
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/139 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 92.9
- Location
- Tradition Golf Club/La Quinta
- Founded: 1998
- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Course and Nine Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay/Harrison Minchew
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 0 Rating/137 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 92.9
- Location
- The Reserve Club/Indian Wells
- Founded: 1998
- Holes: 21 (Eighteen Hole Course and 3 Hole Practice)
- Course Architects: Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5 Rating/138 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 92.5
- Location
- Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club/Rancho Santa Fe
- Founded: 1929
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Max Behr/Harry Rainville/David Rainville/Perry Dye/David McLay Kidd
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2 Rating/140 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 92.3
- Location
- Sherwood Country Club/Thousand Oaks
- Founded: 1989
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4 Rating/144 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 92.2
- Location
- Hillcrest Country Club/Los Angeles
- Founded: 1920
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Willie Watson/William P. Bell/William F. Bell/Robert Muir Graves/Kyle Phillips
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/133 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.7
- Location
- Mission Hills Country Club/Rancho Mirage
- Founded: 1970
- Holes: 54 (Three Eighteen-Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Pete Dye/Desmond Muirhead
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
Palmer: 72.7 Rating/132 Slope
Dinah Shore: 75.3 Rating/142 Slope
Dye: 73.8 Rating/142 Slope - GolfDay Rating: 91.6
- Location
- Hacienda Golf Club/La Habra Heights
- Founded: 1920
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Willie Watson/William P. Bell/George Von Elm/Ted Robinson, Sr./Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Peter Thomson/Michael Wolveridge/Ronald Fream/John Harbottle III
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2 Rating/137 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.6
- Location
- North Ridge Country Club/Fair Oaks
- Founded: 1952
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: William P. Bell/William F. Bell/Robert Muir Graves/Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9 Rating/140 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.5
- Location
- Meadow Club/Fairfax
- Founded: 1927
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter/Robert Muir Graves/Mike DeVries
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.8 Rating/136 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.5
- Location
- Berkeley Country Club/El Cerrito
- Founded: 1920
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Willie Watson/Robert Hunter/Forrest Richardson/Mark Fine
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.6 Rating/133 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.4
- Location
- Hideaway Golf Club/La Quinta
- Founded: 2001
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen-Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Clive Clark/Pete Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating
Clark: 73.6 Rating/135 Slope
Dye: 74.7 Rating/142 Slope - GolfDay Rating: 91.4
- Location
- La Jolla Country Club/La Jolla
- Founded: 1927
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: William P. Bell/Arthur Jack Snyder/Ted Robinson, Sr./Rees Jones/Todd Eckenrode
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5 Rating/135 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.4
- Location
- Shady Canyon Golf Club/Irvine
- Founded: 2002
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/David Kahn/Tim Jackson
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8 Rating/144 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.2
- Location
- Menlo Country Club/Woodside
- Founded: 1904
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Nicoll/William Herbert Fowler/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Kyle Phillips
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:2 Rating/137 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.1
- Location
- The Vintage Club/Indian Wells
- Founded: 1984
- Holes: 36
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Tim Jackson/David Kahn
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
Desert: 72.0 Rating/134 Slope
Mountain: 74.7 Rating/140 Slope - GolfDay Rating: 91.0
- Location
- Rolling Hills Country Club/Rolling Hills Estates
- Founded: 1965
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Ted Robinson/David McLay Kidd
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8 Rating/135 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.0
- Location
- Virginia Country Club/Long Beach
- Founded: 1909
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: William P. Bell/A.W. Tillinghast/Edward Dearie/Robert Muir Gaves/John Harbottle III/Todd Eckenrode
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.3 Rating/130 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 91.0
- Location
- Founded: 1991
- Holes: 36
- Course Architects: Arthur Hills/Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
Mountains: 74.1 Rating/142 Slope - Canyons 73.6 Rating/140 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 90.9
- Location
- Diablo Country Club/Diablo
- Founded: 1914
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Jack Neville/Willie Watson/Todd Eckenrode
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0 Rating/135 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 90.9
- Location
- Silver Creek Valley Country Club/San Jose
- Founded: 1992
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Ted Robinson, Sr./Mike Strantz
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1 Rating/139 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 90.7
- Location
- Claremont Country Club/Oakland
- Founded: 1897
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Jim Smith/Alister MacKenzie/Robert Hunter/J. Michael Poellot/Bradford Benz/Robert Muir Graves/George Waters/Jim Urbina
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 67.7 Rating/125 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 90.6
- Location
- Montecito Club/Santa Barbara
- Founded: 1918
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Max Behr/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.2 Rating/132 Slope
- GolfDay Rating: 90.6
- Location
The GolfDay private club rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), the variety of courses located at the property, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest, as well as club longevity and prestige.