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With so many great courses, choosing the best public golf course in California is a challenging and subjective exercise.
GolfPass releases a Top 25 Public Golf Courses in California every January thanks to YOU. We create our annual Golfers' Choice lists by curating the reviews submitted by everyday golfers. We use GolfPass' Ratings Index logic that weights newer reviews and combine it with a course's subcategory averages.
Each course needed at least two reviews and at least some public access to qualify. Unfortunately, Pebble Beach Golf Links didn't receive enough reviews to qualify, and private clubs like The Olympic Club and Cypress Point aren't eligible. But there is plenty of great golf in California beyond Pebble Beach, just like there is great golf beyond Augusta National in Georgia. California's best public golf courses can be kept in great shape year-round because of all that beautiful weather, although drought has been an issue in recent years.
We make our Golfers' Choice best-of lists user friendly. Simply click on the photo of each course to learn more about the facility or to book a tee time (in most cases).
Want to get involved with determining the top public golf courses in California or any other future Golfers' Choice lists? Click here to review the next golf course you play.
California golf courses reviewed in 2024: 406
Reviews of California golf courses in 2024: 30,105
Best public golf courses in California
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Pine Mountain Lake Country Club
Green fee: $74
What they're saying: "Golfed yesterday. Course was in excellent condition with greens reasonably quick. Weather was perfect. They have updated carts and general conditions of fairways and tee boxes was also very good." - Whittey -
Journey at Pechanga
![Journey at Pechanga]()
Green fee: $168-$210
What they're saying: "5++ stars. Hospitality was on another level. My new favorite course. Finished in under 4 hours and everything about this place is first class. You get what you pay for and this place is well deserving of the price." - Chase6851522 -
The Classic Club
Green fee: $140-$230
What they're saying: "Great day at Classic. Solid layout and track. Good condition. Greens rolling nice. It’s expensive but decent value for money. Staff are first class." - stevenflynn181 -
Maderas Golf Club
Green fee: $179-$299
What they're saying: "I was really impressed with the facilities and course layout. It can be challenging at times, but it was fun. You definitely need to rely on a range finder to maneuver around the course. I also like how the marshals keep the players moving. I would highly recommend this course!" - hankster07 -
Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity Course
Indian Wells, CaliforniaResortGreen fee: $129-$239
What they're saying: "First time playing the course and it lived up to the hype. Super pretty and lush. Pay attention to the GPS as there is water on the back in places you cannot see with the naked eye. I see why people come back and play this course over and over again." - DaCobra -
Shadow Ridge
Green fee: $179-$229
What they're saying: "The Course was in excellent summer condition. One of my favorite courses. Greens really good shape. Staff very friendly." - kevindjohnston -
Rustic Canyon Golf Course
![Rustic Canyon GC]()
Green fee: $59-$104
What they're saying: "Finally made the trek from downtown to Rustic Canyon, and to say I was blown away would be an understatement. One of the best layouts I've ever played and the greens were vicious. Simply couldn't miss long all day and were often penalized short as well. The fairways were wide and easy to hit so very playable for players of all skills levels. Will be back soon!" -nickbutler80 -
San Juan Oaks Golf Club
Green fee: $125-$175
What they're saying: "Great course! It has reopened and it is is terrific shape! They reversed the nines and did some minor changes ( removed a few bunkers and trees! They made it a little more player friendly! The range is in very good shape! They aren’t quite up to speed with the food (snack shack was open but I didn’t try anything, the starter assured me that the pre-made sandwiches were great)! Overall, it was a great experience! This definitely a course you want to play!" - golfinskier -
Soule Park Golf Course
![Soule Park GC: #5]()
Green fee: $30-$53
What they're saying: "A Gil Hanse golf course that you can actually play, yes please. Love everything about this laid-back California course. Conditions are almost always great but unfortunately the word is now out and the course is as busy as ever. Zadee's Restaurant is so good, people who don't even play golf come for breakfast, lunch and dinner." - BrewmasterGolf -
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Green fee: $495-$580
What they're saying: "Always love this course. Played twice during the last week of June and the course is in absolutely perfect condition as you’d expect." - Alex326 -
Mount Shasta Resort
Green fee: $45-$65
What they're saying: "This is a hidden gem. Lush green course with hills and trees that’s picturesque through and through. Every hole I had to stop and just admire the beauty. It’s a challenging course with a few narrow fairways and trees will block your shot to the pin so fairway accuracy is very important. Greens are very well taken care of, the whole course is. This is the best course I have ever played. I played 9 driving through mount shasta and just spent the night there so I could play 18 the next day because I loved it so much. For what this course costs to play it’s a no brainer. They could be charging way more so take advantage before it becomes a championship course!" - Fuely707 -
Gray's Crossing
What they're saying: "Perfect conditions. The greens were faster than where I usually play so that took some adjustment but it is such a beautiful and fun course. Highly recommend." - pglatham
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Pasatiempo Golf Club
Green fee: $405-$445
What they're saying: "The course is one of my favorites in the world and never has once left me disappointed. I have recommended it to so many friends playing the Pebble Beach area and everyone of them has come back marveling at the layout and conditions. It’s not to be missed if you are in the area." - Rhrtzll1 -
Golf Club at Quail Lodge
Green fee: $200-$300
What they're saying: "Fantastic golf course in the Monterey area. Excellent conditions from tee to green. Lightening fast greens in superb condition the day I played. Staff very friendly and accommodating. Restaurant and bar top notch. The only downside I could find was not having the opportunity to warm up with driver on the range due to the restricted distance of 225 yards on the day I played. The first hole is a par 5 with a generous fairway so it calmed the nerves regardless. Fantastic day of golf." - Beachneck -
Ojai Valley Inn
Green fee: $190
What they're saying: "I've been fortunate enough to play golf all over the country. I live locally and this is always in my top 10 favorite courses to play. I brought my friends here Friday and although the weather turned on us, the course was immaculate. Friendly staff. Highly recommended. Best greens in California" - DavidPichon -
Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course
Green fee: $175-$247
What they're saying: "Firecliff course is one of the best conditioned courses in the Palm Springs area!! It was a great day and course, had a great time! Would definitely play again!" - Andrew3741564 -
Nakoma
Green fee: $85-$140
What they're saying: "Excellent course. It is a very challenging layout that will encourage you to use every club in the bag. Great value and great time." - GPTech -
Heritage Palms Golf Club
Green fee: $99-$150
What they're saying: "We find it one of the best in the desert. Memorable holes. Semi private, so public play only on Sunday. Golf early and a full free breakfast in the clubhouse is available up until 1 p.m. Staff goes out of their way to assist. When we were putting out on 18, a staff member walked to our cart and cleaned all our clubs. I noticed he stayed there for the group behind us to do the same thing as well. Over the top friendliness." - roddodge -
Wente Vineyards
Green fee: $169-$208
What they're saying: "Best course I have played in a very long time. The views are breathtaking, very peaceful and very challenging course. I will be coming to this course again." - kango43 -
Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek
Brooks, CaliforniaPublicGreen fee: $70-$200
What they're saying: "Been playing this course since they first opened, & course conditions are pretty much the same as they were 20 years ago! Truly a beautiful course, challenging but still fun. Friendly & welcoming staff. Always a joy to play at Yocha DeHe!" - COBGolfer -
Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club
Green fee: $52-$92
What they're saying: "I believe this is the best golf course I've played here in the valley. The course is in excellent condition and (I) had a wonderful day." - Rafael65 -
Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
Green fee: $95-$150
What they're saying: "The course was in excellent condition. The greens were very fast. Did not want to be above the hole. Views were beautiful. Would definitely recommend and play again. Personally, I would play everyday if I could." - Darin5787279 -
Paso Robles Golf Club
Green fee: $70-$80
What they're saying: "First time playing PR Golf Club and really enjoyed the course. The greens were in perfect shape and fairways were in good shape too. The clubhouse and restaurant are over the top nice. I highly recommend this course and will definitely be back." - defrayer -
Strawberry Farms Golf Club
Green fee: $140-$185
What they're saying: "The course was beautiful, just as we remembered from the first time that we played here. The course looked to be in great condition except for hole 10 which was under construction. Greens were fast." - GolfPass Reviewer -
Bayonet at Bayonet/Black Horse Golf Course
Seaside, CaliforniaPublicGreen fee: $84-$179
What they're saying: "Great course and beautiful surrounds with challenging greens." - hlynn
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