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 50Top 100
  1. 1Pebble Beach Golf LinksPebble Beach · Resort · Est. 1919Jack Neville & Douglas Grant100ScoreSlope 144
  2. 2Spyglass Hill Golf CoursePebble Beach · Public · Est. 1966Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1966)29ScoreSlope 145
  3. 3Pasatiempo GcSanta Cruz · Public · Est. 1929Alister MacKenzie29ScoreSlope 141
  4. 4TPC Stadium Golf Course (PGA West)La Quinta · Resort · Est. 1986Pete Dye28ScoreSlope 148
  5. 5Poppy Hills Golf CoursePebble Beach · Public · Est. 1986Robert Trent Jones Jr.28ScoreSlope 142
  6. 6Torrey Pines South CourseLa Jolla · Municipal · Est. 1957William F. Bell; redesigned by Rees Jones (2001)27ScoreSlope 148
  7. 7Silverado ResortNapa · ResortRobert Trent Jones Jr. (1966 redesign); later revisions by Johnny Miller27ScoreSlope 141
  8. 8Pelican Hill Golf ClubNewport Beach · Public · Est. 1991Tom Fazio27ScoreSlope 137
  9. 9Rancho Park Golf ClubLos Angeles · Municipal · Est. 1947William P. Bell and William H. Johnson27ScoreSlope 129
  10. 10Journey at PechangaPechanga · Public · Est. 2008Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest26ScoreSlope 142
  11. 11Aviara Golf ClubCarlsbad · Resort · Est. 1991Arnold Palmer (with Ed Seay)26ScoreSlope 141
  12. 12Desert Willow Golf ResortPalm Desert · Municipal · Est. 1997Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry (with input from John Cook)26ScoreSlope 141
  13. 13Rustic Canyon Golf CourseMoorpark · Municipal · Est. 2002Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner & Geoff Shackelford26ScoreSlope 135
  14. 14Monarch Beach Golf LinksDana Point · Public · Est. 1983Robert Trent Jones II26ScoreSlope 130
  15. 15Northwood Golf ClubGuerneville · Public · Est. 1928Alister MacKenzie26ScoreSlope 124
  16. 16Torrey Pines Municipal Golf CourseSan Diego · Municipal · Est. 1957William F. Bell (1957, from William P. Bell's plan); Rees Jones redesign (2001)25ScoreSlope 134
  17. 17Carmel Valley Ranch Golf CourseCarmel · Resort · Est. 1981Pete Dye (with Gene Bates)25ScoreSlope 130
  18. 18Haggin Oaks Golf ComplexSacramento · Municipal · Est. 1932Alister MacKenzie25Score
  19. 19Lost Canyons Golf CourseSimi Valley · Public · Est. 2000Pete Dye (with Fred Couples consulting)25Score
  20. 20Sharp Park Golf CourseSan Francisco · Municipal · Est. 1932Alister MacKenzie25Score
  21. 21Shoreline Golf LinksMountain View · Municipal · Est. 1983Robert Trent Jones Jr.25Score
  22. 22The Links at Spanish BayPebble Beach · Public · Est. 1987Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson and Sandy Tatum25Score
  23. 23Sandpiper Golf CourseGoleta · Public · Est. 1972William F. Bell24ScoreSlope 135
  24. 24Half Moon Bay Golf Links - The Old CourseHalf Moon Bay · Resort · Est. 1973Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane24Score
  25. 25Roosevelt Municipal Golf CourseLos Angeles · Municipal · Est. 1937Tom Bendelow (original); rebuilt to William P. Bell plans24Score
  26. 26Westin Mission Hills Resort - Pete Dye CourseRancho Mirage · Resort · Est. 1987Pete Dye24Score
  27. 27Steele Canyon Golf ClubJamul · Public · Est. 1991Gary Player23ScoreSlope 139
  28. 28Enagic Golf Club At EastlakeChula Vista · Public · Est. 1991Ted Robinson Sr.23ScoreSlope 138
  29. 29Skylinks Golf CourseLong Beach · Municipal · Est. 1959William F. Bell (original); Cal Olson (2004-06 redesign)23ScoreSlope 127
  30. 30Griffith Park Golf ClubLos Angeles · Municipal · Est. 1923George C. Thomas Jr. (later modernized by William P. Bell)23ScoreSlope 126
  31. 31Baylands Golf LinksPalo Alto · Municipal · Est. 1956William F. Bell (1956); Forrest Richardson (2018 redesign)23Score
  32. 32Coyote Creek Golf Club Tournament CourseMorgan Hill · Semi-private · Est. 1999Jack Nicklaus23Score
  33. 33Coyote Creek Golf Club Valley CourseMorgan Hill · Semi-private · Est. 2001Jack Nicklaus23Score
  34. 34Wilson Golf CourseLos Angeles · Municipal · Est. 1927George C. Thomas Jr. (with William P. Bell)23Score
  35. 35Maderas Golf ClubPoway · Public · Est. 1999Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves22ScoreSlope 142
  36. 36El Dorado Park Golf CourseLong Beach · Municipal · Est. 1962Ted Robinson Sr.22ScoreSlope 130
  37. 37Balboa Park Golf Course - Championship CourseSan Diego · Municipal · Est. 1919William P. Bell22ScoreSlope 125
  38. 38Debell Golf ClubBurbank · Municipal · Est. 1959William F. Bell (with William H. Johnson)22ScoreSlope 120
  39. 39Ancil Hoffman Golf CourseCarmichael · County · Est. 1965William F. Bell22Score
  40. 40Half Moon Bay Golf Links - The Ocean CourseHalf Moon Bay · Resort · Est. 1997Arthur Hills22Score
  41. 41Heartwell Golf CourseLong Beach · MunicipalWilliam F. Bell22Score
  42. 42Mission Bay Golf CourseSan Diego · Municipal · Est. 1955Ted Robinson22Score
  43. 43Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice CenterSan Diego · Municipal · Est. 1955Ted Robinson22Score
  44. 44Timber Creek Golf CourseRoseville · PublicBilly Casper and Greg Nash21ScoreSlope 136
  45. 45The Crossings At CarlsbadCarlsbad · Municipal · Est. 2007Greg Nash21ScoreSlope 135
  46. 46Oceanside Golf CourseOceanside · MunicipalTed Robinson Sr.21ScoreSlope 125
  47. 47Brookside Golf ClubPasadena · Municipal · Est. 1928William P. Bell21ScoreSlope 121
  48. 48Chester Washington Golf CourseLos Angeles · County · Est. 192821ScoreSlope 119
  49. 49Alhambra Golf CourseAlhambra · Municipal · Est. 1956William F. Bell21ScoreSlope 116
  50. 50Balboa Municipal Golf CourseEncino · Municipal · Est. 1954William P. Bell & Sons21Score
  51. 51Bartley Cavanaugh Golf CourseSacramento · Municipal · Est. 1995Perry Dye21Score
  52. 52Diamond Oaks Golf CourseRoseville · Municipal · Est. 1963Ted Robinson21Score
  53. 53Encino Municipal Golf CourseEncino · Municipal · Est. 1957William P. Bell & Sons21Score
  54. 54La Costa Omni Resort Golf CourseCarlsbad · Resort · Est. 1965Dick Wilson (original); North/Champions Course redesigned by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner (2024)21Score
  55. 55Pacific Grove Golf LinksPacific Grove · Municipal · Est. 1932H. Chandler Egan (front nine); Jack Neville (back nine)21Score
  56. 56Rancho Del Pueblo Golf CourseSan Jose · Municipal · Est. 2000Robert Muir Graves and Damian Pascuzzo21Score
  57. 57Woodcreek Oaks Golf CourseRoseville · Municipal · Est. 1995Robert Muir Graves21Score
  58. 58Barona Creek Golf ClubLakeside · Resort · Est. 2001Gary Roger Baird (with Todd Eckenrode)20ScoreSlope 140
  59. 59Sepulveda Golf ComplexEncino · Public · Est. 1954William P. Bell & Sons20ScoreSlope 119
  60. 60Maggie Hathaway Golf CourseLos Angeles · Public · Est. 196220Score
  61. 61Santa Teresa Golf Club Short CourseSan Jose · Public · Est. 1996Gene Bates20Score
  62. 62Cinnabar Hills GcSan Jose · Public · Est. 1998John Harbottle III19ScoreSlope 142
  63. 63Metropolitan Golf LinksOakland · Municipal · Est. 2003Johnny Miller and Fred Bliss19Score
  64. 64Quail Lodge Golf ClubQuail Meadows · Resort · Est. 1964Robert Muir Graves19Score
  65. 65Sun City Sierra Pines Golf CourseRoseville · Public · Est. 1998Billy Casper and Greg Nash19Score
  66. 66The Bridges Golf ClubSan Ramon · Public · Est. 1999Johnny Miller and Damian Pascuzzo (redesigned by Jay Blasi, 2013)19Score
  67. 67Indian Wells Golf ResortIndian Wells · Municipal · Est. 1986Clive Clark (Celebrity Course) and John Fought (Players Course); original 1986 layouts by Ted Robinson18ScoreSlope 138
  68. 68TPC Harding ParkSan Francisco · Public · Est. 1925Willie Watson and Sam Whiting18ScoreSlope 128
  69. 69Blackberry Farm Golf CourseCupertino · Municipal · Est. 1962Robert Muir Graves18ScoreSlope 93
  70. 70The Sea Ranch Golf LinksSea Ranch · Semi-private · Est. 1974Robert Muir Graves18Score
  71. 71Arrowood Golf CourseOceanside · Public · Est. 2005Ted Robinson Jr.17ScoreSlope 135
  72. 72Gilroy Golf CourseGilroy · Municipal · Est. 192317Score
  73. 73Lake Chabot Golf CourseOakland · Public · Est. 1923Willie Lock17Score
  74. 74Recreation Park 18 Golf CourseLong Beach · Municipal · Est. 1910Arthur Rigby (original nine, as Virginia Country Club)17Score
  75. 75William Land Golf CourseSacramento · Municipal · Est. 192417Score
  76. 76The Vineyard At EscondidoEscondido · Public · Est. 1993David Rainville16ScoreSlope 128
  77. 77Cottonwood Golf ClubEl Cajon · Public · Est. 1953O. W. Moorman and A. C. Sears16ScoreSlope 123
  78. 78Bayonet Golf CourseSeaside · Municipal · Est. 1954General Robert B. McClure16Score
  79. 79Bing Maloney Golf ClubSacramento · Municipal · Est. 1952Michael J. McDonaugh16Score
  80. 80Colina Park Golf CourseSan Diego · Public · Est. 195416Score
  81. 81Emerald Hills Golf CourseRedwood City · Public · Est. 1933Ellis Van Gorder16Score
  82. 82Goat Hill Park Golf CourseOceanside · Municipal · Est. 195216Score
  83. 83Rancho Carlsbad Golf CourseCarlsbad · Public · Est. 1959Art Saprico16Score
  84. 84Rancho Park 3 Par CourseLos Angeles · Public · Est. 1948William H. Johnson and William P. Bell16Score
  85. 85Spring Valley Golf CourseMilpitas · Public · Est. 195616Score
  86. 86Singing Hills Golf Resort At SycuanEl Cajon · Resort · Est. 1956Cecil Hollingsworth (original); redesigned by Ted Robinson Sr.15ScoreSlope 128
  87. 87Eagle Ridge Golf ClubGilroy · Public · Est. 2000Ron Fream and David Dale15ScoreSlope 122
  88. 88Coronado Golf ClubCoronado · Municipal · Est. 1957Jack Daray Sr.15ScoreSlope 121
  89. 89Bay View Golf ClubMilpitas · Public · Est. 197815Score
  90. 90Bradshaw Ranch Golf CourseSacramento · Municipal · Est. 1989Steve Legarra15Score
  91. 91Campus Commons Golf CourseSacramento · Public · Est. 197115Score
  92. 92Coyote Moon Golf CourseTruckee · Public · Est. 2000Brad Bell15Score
  93. 93DeLaveaga Golf CourseSanta Cruz · Municipal · Est. 1970Bert Stamps15Score
  94. 94Dos Osos Golf ClubEscondido · Public · Est. 1992David A. Rainville15Score
  95. 95Emerald Isle Golf CourseOceanside · Public · Est. 198615Score
  96. 96Emerald Lakes Golf CourseElk Grove · Municipal · Est. 1991Rick Yount15Score
  97. 97Empire Ranch Golf CourseFolsom · Public · Est. 2002Brad Bell15Score
  98. 98Foothill Golf CourseSacramento · Public · Est. 1961Paul Ottaviano, Sr.15Score
  99. 99Fremont Park Golf CourseFremont · Public · Est. 200515Score
  100. 100Los Feliz 3-Par Golf CourseLos Angeles · Municipal15Score

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 100, cited on its page. 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.