Any time we make a discussion about golf, two most popular terms that often spark controversy are Best Courses and Best Golfers. California is an ideal destination for holding golf events or welcoming golfers all over the world. With about 1,000 golf courses, this offers a plenty of options to players, from $12 goat farms to the most luxury global courses. Wow, it is obvious that California provides memorable experience in the life of every golfer who has chance to come there. You have chance to get an amazing array of experiences from mountain layouts, ocean courses, desert tracks or private clubs.
Here are top 10 challenging places that you shouldn’t miss in your golf life in California. Our list below is the collection of valuable opinions from different people, including golf experts, travel insiders, architects and regular golfers.
Top 10 Most Challenging Golf Courses in California
1.Mountain Course at La Quinta
The mountain course is beautifully located in the Palm Springs valley. When joining this incredible course, you need playing right up against the Santa Rosa rocks. Bulldozer is effectively used to slightly make the houses on the mountain course disappear.
2.Pelican Hill in Ocean North
This is the wonderful design made from designer Tom Fazio and sometimes is called Pebble beach. Coming with gorgeous view, the Pelican Hill is not only a golf course to play, but also a great place to relax. It is located in the wonderland of Newport Beach in Los Angeles, where golfers could enjoy the sea mist in their face. Pelican hill also has the best course restaurant in America. Forget your score and have warm dinner at restaurant Cielo by walking down 25 miles from highway 1.
3.Torrey Pines in South Course
Torrey Pines has an excellent reputation in the world of golf. Its significant impression comes from the dramatic coastline views, which lengthen up to 7,607 yards. Golfers spending time on Torrey Pines South will not forget the moment of fantastic feelings. The blue ocean will soothe your nerves during competitive games.
4.PGA West in TPC Stadium Course
Differentiating from its peaceful and simple scenery, this golf course is definitely considered as the toughest golf course in the world. Under the eyes of designer Pete Dye, the stadium course equips the famous 17th island green and several special holes.
5.Indian Wells Country Club in Classic Course
You absolutely get the happy moments when playing golf in Indian Wells Country Club. Its design is inspired by old-style Palm Springs golf and some unique twists. It is where the mountains and houses are located very close to each other. Feel fun for cutting a corner on the mountain, crossing a plunging hill in the middle of the fairway and enjoying several inventive par 3s.
In comparison with modern standards, the Indian Wells’ Classic Course is smaller with 6,478 yards in size. This is a wonderful course that could challenge and offer fun old time golf to keep players marveling.
6.Oak Quarry Golf Club
Built into a rock quarry in the suburb of Riverside, Oak Quarry puts a strong impact on golfers’ visual. There is a great number of rock framing holes contributing to add marvelous views to this golf club. Memorable experiences of this destination are tee boxes on a ledge, the smallest green on the course, and 400-foot tall white limestone rock wall. According to Jerry Crowell, a golf professional indicated that Oak Quarry was the best inland par 3 he has ever seen.
7.Desert Willow in Firecliff Course
Designed by Michael Hurdzan, the Firecliff provides go-for-it par 5s. It requires players to overcome a bunker of green holes. The course is tough enough to make golfers feel challengeable.
8.Strawberry Farms Golf Club
Strawberry is a course for everybody with nice and unique sceneries. It was designed by Doug DeCinces, an obscure former major league third baseman. This golf club has great number typical characteristics of Southern California area. Get fun time in the natural views that meander through waterfalls, boulders and hills.
9.Barona Creek Golf Club
If you prefer value in the first consideration, then course in SoCal is an ideal option. The course stretches on the reservation of the Barona tribe about 35 minutes outside of San Diego with many homes around. It implies that there is too much open space to get memorable experience in Barona golf club.
10.Northwood Golf Club
It is pity if you miss this golf club when loitering on the Sonoma coast. Members of the nearby Bohemian Club often choose Northwood as a great destination to relax and play for fun. Designer Alister Mackenzie attempts to build the golf club in a classic way. Its style is expressed through tight fairways, tiny greens and difficult bunkers. Let’s start enjoying the splendid view of Northwood by your own, not through TV.
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