Best Golf Courses in California
California is a big state with an even bigger list of great golf courses, and that selection can make it difficult to narrow down a destination for your next buddies’ trip or golf getaway. We’ve gone through some of our golfers’ favorites and picked out four of the best golf courses in California that give anyone a great place to plan a round. And these four are just the start – with fantastic options from San Francisco to San Diego, there really isn’t a bad choice among the bunch.
Speaking of San Diego, Maderas Golf Club is a beloved Southern California treasure of a golf course. Creeks, mature trees and rocky terrain offer an excellent mix on this track less than an hour outside of San Diego, while rolling fairways and greens provide a challenge for every golfer. And several of the bunkers feature high edges, making for a real challenge if you stray too far from the fairway.
In the northern part of the state, just an hour outside of San Francisco, The Links at Bodega Harbour is the type of California golf course that offers golfers the coastal views and links layout they dream about. But don’t let the amazing scenery lull you to sleep – you’ll need a solid game plan and some arrow-straight shots to avoid the nearly 100 bunkers and rough spots comprised of tall coastal grasses.
Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek Casino Resort
Just west of Sacramento, set among scenic rolling hills that seem to stretch on forever, is Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek Casino Resort. An elevated first tee greets golfers ready to line up their shot over a 160-foot drop. Hilltop greens and strategically placed water hazards can make for some difficult situations if you’re not careful, as can the blind tee shots on 12 and 17. But keep your aim true and line up a few critical shots well and you’ll be rewarded with one of your most memorable rounds of golf
Half Moon Bay Golf Links – Ocean Course
The Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links, situated right on San Mateo County’s coast, will have you feeling like you’ve been transported to an idyllic Scottish golf course – without ever having to leave California. Catch a round on the right day, and the wind and fog will only add to the feeling that you’re playing a golf course half a world away. Coastal cliffs and bay views, combined with elevated tees, rolling terrain and some undulating greens, all make this a highly recommended California golf course from local players and visiting travelers alike.