Golf in California

California is bordered by Mexico, Nevada and Oregon while its entire western edge lines the Pacific Ocean. This is where some great names pop up, like Santa Cruz, Palm Springs and the infamous Death Valley.

It is the home of some of the USA’s most famous cities, including San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles, therefore its appeal is worldwide. Golf is an important fraction of tourism in the State and three of the biggest manufacturers in world golf have their headquarters based there, including clothing company Ashworth and equipment manufacturers TaylorMade and Calloway.

San Diego, an area well known for its beaches and sea-front activities, is actually a buzzing golfing hotspot with approximately 80 courses to enjoy. The most famous of the all is easily Torrey Pines, the home of the Buick Invitational, won this year by world No.1 Tiger Woods.
Palm Springs is around an hour and a half’s drive from Los Angeles and is another famous course which thousands flock to every year. Famous names have played the Palm Springs course, including Frank Sinatra and the late Bob Hope, and it remains one of American golf’s greatest locations.

Golf in certain parts of California is played in absolutely searing heat, especially in the infamous Death Valley. Here, the game wasn’t a focal point of daily life until the Furnace Creek course was given a new lease of life by Perry Dye. It’s only claim to fame before then was that it was the lowest golf course in the world at 214 feet below sea level. In the hottest months temperatures can soar to 120 and visitors are often given ice water before the venture out.
To experience the delights of California for yourself click on one of the tour operators on the side of this page.