Golf courses in Los Angeles, CA.

Los Angeles, CA

Wilson Golf Course is a public, 18-hole municipal course in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, opening in 1927 as part of a pair of courses built alongside the earlier Harding course, following the era of architect George C. Thomas Jr.'s work in the park. Superintendent William Johnson and architect William P. Bell later modernized the layout in the 1930s, adding irrigation and building the clubhouse still used today. At more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, Wilson is one of the longer municipal courses in the city, with mildly rolling fairways set in a forested section of the park near the Los Angeles Zoo and Griffith Observatory. It has hosted rounds of the Los Angeles Open and remains a heavily used, city-operated course popular for its accessible location.

Los Angeles, CA

Griffith Park's Harding Golf Course is a municipal layout in Los Angeles, designed by amateur architect George C. Thomas Jr. and opened in August 1923. It was originally called the Riverside links before being renamed for President Warren Harding, who died the night before its planned opening. Thomas, who also designed Riviera, Bel-Air and Los Angeles Country Club, routed the course through sand and brush on newly acquired parkland along the Los Angeles River, creating an all-grass 18-hole layout when most municipal courses still used sand greens. The course has been altered over the decades, including changes tied to construction of the Los Angeles Zoo, though a number of original 1923 holes remain. Harding is a public, city-operated course run by LA's Recreation and Parks Department, sharing a clubhouse with the adjacent Wilson 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 Angeles, CA

Westchester Golf Course is a municipal course about two miles from the LAX terminals, designed in 1965. It plays as an 18-hole par 64 at 4,364 yards with a slope of 89, holding eight par 4s, one par 5 and nine par 3s. The course operated as a 15-hole facility for 15 years before a 2010 renovation returned it to 18 holes, adding three new holes on the back nine with different design and green character than the front. Those additions include a 515-yard par 5 and a pair of well bunkered holes. The signature hole has a large eucalyptus in the middle of the fairway that is home to a family of hawks. Greens are the course's reputation, and conditioning is consistent for a course that takes heavy municipal traffic. The driving range was renovated with 58 stalls, target greens and a range shop, and there is a short-game area for chipping, pitching and bunker work. The course is lit for night play and practice until about 10 p.m., one of very few full-length lighted options in Los Angeles. Pull carts, electric carts, rental sets and instruction are available.

Last verified 2026-09-18