William F. Bell

Soule Park Golf Course

Ojai, CA

Soule Park Golf Course, situated in the stunning Ojai Valley of California, is a highly-regarded municipal course with a rich history of design evolution. Originally crafted by the prolific William F. Bell in 1962, whose philosophy focused on playable parkland layouts, the course underwent a significant renovation in 2005 by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. Hanse and Wagner, known for their minimalist and natural design approach, recreated the course with interesting and strategic green complexes, beautiful bunkering, and wide fairways that demand thoughtful lines into the putting surfaces. The course is nestled beneath the grandiose Topa Topa Mountains, offering dramatic mountain views from every hole. Soule Park has been recognized as one of the best municipal courses in the country by Golf Week magazine and named "The Best Course You've Never Heard Of" by GOLF Magazine. It offers an enjoyable and challenging round for players of all skill levels, making it a welcoming and rewarding destination for golf enthusiasts.

Rancho Park Golf Course

Los Angeles, CA

Steeped in professional golf history, Rancho Park Golf Course stands as a venerable municipal gem in Los Angeles, having hosted the prestigious LA Open for many years. Designed by the renowned William P. Bell and William H. Johnson, the course opened in 1949, embodying the classic Southern California Golden Era design philosophy with its strategic layout. Golfers navigate a challenging par-71 championship course spanning 6,839 yards, characterized by significant elevation changes and a series of dogleg holes that demand precision and thoughtful shot-making. While lacking a single iconic signature hole, the course offers a memorable finish with back-to-back par-5s, culminating in a demanding 16th hole that tests even seasoned players. Rancho Park provides a robust and engaging playing experience, reflecting its championship pedigree. This historic course is perfectly suited for both local enthusiasts seeking a challenging round and destination golfers eager to walk the same fairways as golf legends.

Los Verdes Golf Course

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Los Verdes Golf Course, perched majestically on the bluffs of Rancho Palos Verdes, offers an unparalleled oceanside golf experience with breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific and Catalina Island. Designed by the renowned William F. Bell, known for crafting layouts that are both challenging and equitable, this public gem opened in 1964. Bell’s philosophy is evident in the course’s strategic bunkering and thoughtful green complexes, demanding precision without unfairly penalizing the average player. The terrain is characterized by its dramatic undulations, leading to a dynamic and visually stimulating round. The signature 15th hole stands out, a stunning par-3 that plays directly towards the vast expanse of the ocean, offering a memorable moment for every golfer. Los Verdes provides an exceptional value, making a high-quality, scenic round accessible. While pace of play can sometimes be a factor, the stunning vistas and engaging design more than compensate. This course is ideally suited for both local enthusiasts seeking a regular escape and destination golfers looking for an iconic Southern California golf experience without the private club price tag.

Industry Hills Golf Club: Dwight D. Eisenhower Course

City of Industry, CA

Located at Pacific Palms Resort just east of LA, Industry Hills has hosted US Open Local Qualifying and PGA Tour Monday qualifiers. The Eisenhower course (known as 'The Ike') features plenty of elevation changes providing vistas of the San Gabriel Mountains, with compelling variety as doglegs move in each direction along rolling terrain.

Los Robles Greens Golf Course

Thousand Oaks, CA

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains just up the road from Los Angeles, Los Robles Greens is an old-school layout. The par-70 tips out at 6,300 yards, but rolling terrain, narrow doglegs, and well-placed bunkers create a variety of shot options throughout the round.

Industry Hills Golf Club: Babe Zaharias Course

City of Industry, CA

Located at Pacific Palms Resort just east of LA, the Babe Zaharias layout — known as 'The Babe' — hosted the 2011 Kia Classic on the LPGA Tour. Much like its sibling Ike course, it features plenty of elevation changes with tree-lined fairways demanding accuracy and rolling terrain creating uneven lies.

Hobble Creek Golf Course

Springville, UT

Utah's dramatic topography is influenced by the Rocky Mountains' Uinata, and Wasatch Ranges featuring massive mountain peaks and valleys, canyons, lakes, unique rock formations, and vast forested regions. The Basin and Ridge area includes the Great Salt Lake west through the Great Salt Lake Desert to the Bonneville Salt Flats then extending south to "Utah's Dixie" in the lower southwestern corner where the high plateaus and deep canyons and valleys of Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Zion Canyon are located. Sand Hollow Resort, Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club, and the Ledges in St. George are the best public access golf courses you can play in the southwest while Valley View, Thanksgiving Point Golf Club, Hobble Creek, and Soldier Hollow are the top golf courses around Salt Lake City/Provo area. This guide to the best public golf courses in Utah finds such hidden gems in unique settings such as the Hideout near the Four Corners, the Moab Golf Club near the Arches

Knollwood Country Club

Granada Hills, CA

A classic William Bell design in the San Fernando Valley, Knollwood Country Club features tree-lined fairways and rolling terrain with views of the surrounding hills. One of the better-maintained public courses in the Valley with a traditional parkland feel.

Park City Golf Club

Park City, UT

Park City's municipal mountain course at 7,000 feet — Wasatch Range views and excellent value since 1963.

El Dorado Park Golf Course

Long Beach, CA

Set within El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach, this William Bell design winds through mature trees and alongside the park's lakes. A popular and affordable municipal course serving the eastern Long Beach and Lakewood communities.

Encino Golf Course

Encino, CA

Part of the Sepulveda Golf Complex in Encino, this William Bell design offers an affordable 18-hole round in the San Fernando Valley. Flat terrain and tree-lined fairways make it an easy walk, and the complex also includes a shorter 9-hole executive course.

Woodley Lakes Golf Course

Van Nuys, CA

Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley adjacent to the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, Woodley Lakes is a flat, tree-lined municipal course. Water comes into play on several holes, and the course is popular with Valley residents for its accessibility and affordable rates.

Glendale Golf Course

Salt Lake City, UT

Eagle Mountain Golf Course

Brigham City, UT

Utah's dramatic topography is influenced by the Rocky Mountains' Uinata, and Wasatch Ranges featuring massive mountain peaks and valleys, canyons, lakes, unique rock formations, and vast forested regions. The Basin and Ridge area includes the Great Salt Lake west through the Great Salt Lake Desert to the Bonneville Salt Flats then extending south to "Utah's Dixie" in the lower southwestern corner where the high plateaus and deep canyons and valleys of Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Zion Canyon are located. Sand Hollow Resort, Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club, and the Ledges in St. George are the best public access golf courses you can play in the southwest while Valley View, Thanksgiving Point Golf Club, Hobble Creek, and Soldier Hollow are the top golf courses around Salt Lake City/Provo area. This guide to the best public golf courses in Utah finds such hidden gems in unique settings such as the Hideout near the Four Corners, the Moab Golf Club near the Arches

Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Club

San Diego, CA

Pine Mountain Lake

Groveland, CA

An unpretentious mountain course near Yosemite with friendly vibes, scenic doglegs, and consistently good greens, a sleeper that golfers adore.

Sand Creek Golf Course

Idaho Falls, ID

A golf course in Idaho Falls, ID. Sand Creek Golf Course offers a pleasant golfing experience.

Pico Rivera Municipal Golf Course

Pico Rivera, CA

Designed by legendary William F. Bell in 1965, this nine-hole course in Pico Rivera features a lighted covered range and 1,504-yard layout open until 10 p.m. A well-maintained municipal gem with friendly staff, ideal for beginners and those looking to sharpen their short game.