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. 10Aviara Golf ClubCarlsbad · Resort · Est. 1991Arnold Palmer (with Ed Seay)26ScoreSlope 141
  11. 11Desert Willow Golf ResortPalm Desert · Municipal · Est. 1997Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry (with input from John Cook)26ScoreSlope 141
  12. 12Rustic Canyon Golf CourseMoorpark · Municipal · Est. 2002Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner & Geoff Shackelford26ScoreSlope 135
  13. 13Monarch Beach Golf LinksDana Point · Public · Est. 1983Robert Trent Jones II26ScoreSlope 130
  14. 14Northwood Golf ClubGuerneville · Public · Est. 1928Alister MacKenzie26ScoreSlope 124
  15. 15Journey at PechangaPechanga · Public · Est. 2008Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest25ScoreSlope 142
  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. 40Heartwell Golf CourseLong Beach · MunicipalWilliam F. Bell22Score
  41. 41Mission Bay Golf CourseSan Diego · Municipal · Est. 1955Ted Robinson22Score
  42. 42Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice CenterSan Diego · Municipal · Est. 1955Ted Robinson22Score
  43. 43Timber Creek Golf CourseRoseville · PublicBilly Casper and Greg Nash21ScoreSlope 136
  44. 44The Crossings At CarlsbadCarlsbad · Municipal · Est. 2007Greg Nash21ScoreSlope 135
  45. 45Oceanside Golf CourseOceanside · MunicipalTed Robinson Sr.21ScoreSlope 125
  46. 46Brookside Golf ClubPasadena · Municipal · Est. 1928William P. Bell21ScoreSlope 121
  47. 47Chester Washington Golf CourseLos Angeles · County · Est. 192821ScoreSlope 119
  48. 48Alhambra Golf CourseAlhambra · Municipal · Est. 1956William F. Bell21ScoreSlope 116
  49. 49Balboa Municipal Golf CourseEncino · Municipal · Est. 1954William P. Bell & Sons21Score
  50. 50Bartley Cavanaugh Golf CourseSacramento · Municipal · Est. 1995Perry Dye21Score

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.