Good luck ever getting onto the first tee of Riviera Country Club, host of the PGA Tour's Northern Trust Open and just one of the Los Angeles area's many exclusive private clubs.
But finding courses that are a little more attainable for any wallet size is a little more of a mixed bag in the L.A. area. To help you choose where to play, we searched GolfAdvisor's reviews of L.A. and the Inland Empire to see which courses are faring best since last August.
Courses needed a minimum of 10 reviews between Aug. 1, 2014 and Feb. 17, 2015 to qualify.
Top 10 golf courses on GolfAdvisor (Aug. 1-Feb. 17)
1. Oak Quarry Golf Club, Riverside
In the Inland Empire, Oak Quarry scores particularly high marks for its facilities, staff friendliness and value. It only helps that the setting is one of SoCal's most unique. In February Hacker623 wrote: "My buddy and I are not the best. But this place is pretty amazing. Some beautiful views. Great elevations changes. Impeccable greens and fairways were pristine."
A little pitch 'n putt of all places comes in second since August. Perhaps Monterey Park is no average par-3 course. It reopened in the spring of 2014 after an extensive renovation and the response has been almost entirely positive. RudeBoyCS wrote in detail about the enhancements in his January review.
3. The Country Club At Soboba Springs, San Jacinto
This one is a bonafide championship layout that tips out at more than 7,000 yards. It's a classic layout from the 1960s that was redone in 2005. Value and facilities get high marks here.
4. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai
A resort course nearly a century old, Ojai Valley was originally designed by Riviera designer George C. Thomas and is far enough from the heart of Los Angeles to make for a nice staycation for L.A. locals.
5. Buenaventura Golf Club, Ventura
Buenaventura is another classic routing dating back to the 1930s and was renovated in 2005. While under 6,000 yards, many reviewers seem to enjoy the quick game and bargain price.
Video: Matt Ginella and Geoff Shackelford share their favorite public SoCal golf courses
6. Oak Valley Golf Club, Beaumont
The design team of Schmidt-Curley built this course in the 1990s and it makes for a fabulous test from the tips, but still scores strongly on pace of play.
7. Legends at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, Beaumont
Another Schmidt-Curley design in Beaumont, the Legends Course scores higher than it's sibling, the Champions Course, by about .2.
8. La Purisima Golf Course, Lompoc
Robert Muir Graves designed this course in the 1980s. User nickesquire, a top 25 contributor on GolfAdvisor, gave La Purisima four stars and says it's much improved since the last time he played it.
9. Olivas Links Golf Course, Ventura
This muni has received lots of praise for its conditions of late to go with a William F. Bell (of Torrey Pines fame) design dating back to the 1960s. Though some raters lament the lack of a proper clubhouse and slow play on weekends.
10. Eagle Glen Golf Course, Corona
This semi-private course in the Inland Empire is often praised for it's scenery, as well as staff friendliness and value.
If you're curious which courses are faring the best all-time, visit GolfAdvisor's Los Angeles destination page.
Of course, we always welcome your comments and your own reviews of southern California golf courses.