LA-Battle of the Titans

[PrincipalsNose]

Before the golf season officially starts, it has me thinking about the difference between LACC and Riviera. Both from an overall course perspective but also in relation to which course has more “great” holes!

 

Riv has 1, 6, 8, 10, 18. 

 

LACC I think of 6, 7, 8 and 11. 

 

thoughts 

[Chanceman]

I’ll never play either so don’t care.

[Petethreeput]

12 hours ago, Chanceman said:

I’ll never play either so don’t care.

Years ago I went on a CA golf trip and we played these two while in LA.  While they are great courses, in my ranking of CA courses I have played they are at the bottom with LACC being the one I preferred, so in my opinion you aren't missing too much.

[Mullenboy]

Chanceman's take seems logical and reasonable to me.  The vast majority of golfers and dare I say participants in this forum will indeed never play either course.  The assumption that everyone can and does play everywhere - which happens in other forums more than this one - has always been puzzling to me.

 

That being said... I've been lucky to play both but it has been at least 25 years since I have played Riviera.  So my answer is... hell if I know.  😉

[JKreborn]

4 hours ago, Petethreeput said:

While they are great courses, in my ranking of CA courses I have played they are at the bottom with LACC being the one I preferred, so in my opinion you aren't missing too much

You are fortunate to have played some great courses but probably now many in CA if these two are at the bottom of your list. Care to share the ones you have listed higher in quality?

[Petethreeput]

14 minutes ago, JKreborn said:

You are fortunate to have played some great courses but probably now many in CA if these two are at the bottom of your list. Care to share the ones you have listed higher in quality?

The trip we went on was five courses, we played these two then flew to Monterey and played Cypress and MPCC Dunes course then flew out of SF after playing SFGC.  Then a few years later I HAD to play Pebble so I did that as well, and it was also amazing.  These are the only CA courses I have played though, so the list isn't extensive.

 

How lucky am I?  A guy had to drop out so I went.

Edited April 24 by Petethreeput

[JKreborn]

11 minutes ago, Petethreeput said:

How lucky am I? 

As I expected the list was small and incredible quality to have the L.A. courses at the bottom. Well done.

[StoutKing]

Well, LA is maximized and currently better IMO.  If Riv would hire Hanse to restore then it would be neck and neck.  Still, Riv is a fantastic golf course.

[PrincipalsNose]

6 hours ago, Mullenboy said:

Chanceman's take seems logical and reasonable to me.  The vast majority of golfers and dare I say participants in this forum will indeed never play either course.  The assumption that everyone can and does play everywhere - which happens in other forums more than this one - has always been puzzling to me.

 

That being said... I've been lucky to play both but it has been at least 25 years since I have played Riviera.  So my answer is... hell if I know.  😉

I have the option to play one of them. Add in Torrey South too. Wondering what else to play 

[sabram]

LACC North is my favorite. Wish I could play it again. Unfortunately I was not allowed to photograph it.

[CanFred]

Riv is one of those bucket list courses for me, but I really enjoyed the US Open at LACC - tough choice. 

[carrera]

2 hours ago, PrincipalsNose said:

I have the option to play one of them.

How is that possible.  Are they both only available to you on the same day?

[CCTxGolf]

Based solely on only being able to see them on television, my heart goes to Riv. See it every year and it’s always one of my favorite tournaments to watch. LACC was interesting to watch during the US open a couple years ago. I feel like driving accuracy was in no way rewarded on that course which took some of the cachet out of the US Open win to me. Now getting to play it would be a totally different story as I bet the lack of accuracy off the tee it requires would make it more fun for a mid handicapper.

 

In conclusion I would love to play both. LACC probably a tougher tee time to get but it would be fun to play Riv and the be that guy that announces to my friends and family every year during that tournament week that I have played it. 😂 

[PrincipalsNose]

2 hours ago, carrera said:

How is that possible.  Are they both only available to you on the same day?

Mixing in Cypress, Shinnecock and the Old Course the same day too.

 

I literally only said I have the opportunity to play one, not both.  

[Petethreeput]

14 hours ago, PrincipalsNose said:

I have the option to play one of them.

I thought the original post was a "Tiger/Phil" type thread so I apologize for the snark.

 

I am a tourist, so take that into consideration.  LACC is a tougher get in regards to a tee time, so start there.

 

For me, the topography of LACC was great.  The first hole was meh, but there were times when we would be standing on a tee and talking about looking down on LA, particularly on 14 (iirc) with the peacocks over the hedge chattering.  Riv is in a bowl, so what you see off the first tee is pretty much all you get.  You walk around, look at the houses on the surrounding hills and think, "Gee, that's massive." Then the member tells you who lives there.  But there is no sense, other than this you are in LA.

 

I remember more holes from Riv, but that could be because I/we see them on TV so often.  I played LACC after getting picked up from the airport and Riv the next day and felt pretty strongly about LACC being the more enjoyable, aesthetically superior, and cooler experience.

 

The clubhouses are awesome, both courses are awesome, but LACC felt like you were somewhere, Riv just sort of felt like I was somewhere surrounded by wealthy people.

 

Someone else mentioned there is a certain enjoyment in saying, "I was there on 10 each year for the Genesis," but from the experiential standpoint I know if I had one to choose where I would play.  Also, take dirty shoes, you leave your shoes in the locker room at LACC and they shine them.

Edited April 25 by Petethreeput

[Schley]

So which child do you love more?

That isn't a dissimilar analogy here.

 

Riviera sits in a valley underneath homes worth tens of millions of dollars on all sides, pretty flat other than a few spots.

• Hole 1 is iconic for the tee shot really, as those who have played there know, they announce your name before you tee off. It is just a few steps from the clubhouse and intimate scene.
• Hole 4, is a great par 3 and a form of the Redan hole.
• Hole 8, split fairway and really like this creative design feature.
• Hole 10, self explanatory as one of the best if not the best short par 4 anywhere.
• The back 9 doesn't have as many notable holes, but certainly 18 qualifies. Brutish uphill long par 4 with the clubhouse in the background.

 

LACC is really just been on the scene to the larger public because of the US Open finally allowed to be hosted there. Wonderful clubhouse, although I prefer Riviera.

• Hole 3 is a uphill par 4 very undulating fairway large bunkers guarding the green. Memorable to me and tough hole.
• Hole 6, you are correct a great short par 4, which tempts you to go for it. I tried and got in the front bunker, but you aim so far right you are thinking I'm lost!  The caddie says good line and I'm thinking no way in hell. The green here reminds me of 12 at Augusta from a layup off the tee. Narrow thin green and elevated. Best hole there IMO.
• Hole 11, long par 3 with great view. Can play over 280 I think. I really like the green here, but the tee shot is what you remember.
• Hole 13, long par 4 and known for Playboy mansion somewhere over the fence. Enormous bunkers guard the green and will be uphill. Very tough par.

The finish has some extremely long par 4's and just were too hard for me with the wind.

 

I won't pick a favorite as they are wonderful courses, but LACC has much better land to work with as Riv is basically flat. 

[Yoshifan151]

2 hours ago, Schley said:

I won't pick a favorite as they are wonderful courses, but LACC has much better land to work with as Riv is basically flat. 

Yeah you nailed it here.

 

I've been lucky to play LACC post resto, and I've walked Riv numerous times for the Genesis/Nissan Open. If I had to play LA again or play Riv for the first time, it would be really hard to turn down LA... A lot of the holes make some really awesome use of the land and topography the property is on. But Riv is no slouch either, there's plenty of unique holes even though the property is overall much more flat.

[PrincipalsNose]

On 4/25/2025 at 10:36 AM, Schley said:

So which child do you love more?

That isn't a dissimilar analogy here.

 

Riviera sits in a valley underneath homes worth tens of millions of dollars on all sides, pretty flat other than a few spots.

• Hole 1 is iconic for the tee shot really, as those who have played there know, they announce your name before you tee off. It is just a few steps from the clubhouse and intimate scene.
• Hole 4, is a great par 3 and a form of the Redan hole.
• Hole 8, split fairway and really like this creative design feature.
• Hole 10, self explanatory as one of the best if not the best short par 4 anywhere.
• The back 9 doesn't have as many notable holes, but certainly 18 qualifies. Brutish uphill long par 4 with the clubhouse in the background.

 

LACC is really just been on the scene to the larger public because of the US Open finally allowed to be hosted there. Wonderful clubhouse, although I prefer Riviera.

• Hole 3 is a uphill par 4 very undulating fairway large bunkers guarding the green. Memorable to me and tough hole.
• Hole 6, you are correct a great short par 4, which tempts you to go for it. I tried and got in the front bunker, but you aim so far right you are thinking I'm lost!  The caddie says good line and I'm thinking no way in hell. The green here reminds me of 12 at Augusta from a layup off the tee. Narrow thin green and elevated. Best hole there IMO.
• Hole 11, long par 3 with great view. Can play over 280 I think. I really like the green here, but the tee shot is what you remember.
• Hole 13, long par 4 and known for Playboy mansion somewhere over the fence. Enormous bunkers guard the green and will be uphill. Very tough par.

The finish has some extremely long par 4's and just were too hard for me with the wind.

 

I won't pick a favorite as they are wonderful courses, but LACC has much better land to work with as Riv is basically flat. 

Great breakdown. What other courses follow in the area? Bel Air being 3rd. What rounds out the top 5? Wondering for a future trip 

[Schley]

On 4/27/2025 at 3:15 AM, PrincipalsNose said:

Great breakdown. What other courses follow in the area? Bel Air being 3rd. What rounds out the top 5? Wondering for a future trip 

Well, if people don't start out with IMHO for golf rankings, then they are not appreciative of how subjective this is.

 

After LACC/Riviera, it certainly is Bel Air.  I played before and after the Doak restoration and it is much more enjoyable after that work to open up views and the health of the turf. I haven't seen the new clubhouse, which doesn't matter for the course, but this was an iconic clubhouse with the new one supposed to really be something.

 

I'd put Sherwood next, which really did just about all you can do to make it play wonderfully.  I believe they were shut down for 2 years and replaced all grass on the entire course several years back. It has homes surrounding most holes and very undulating land. It's a Nicklaus, so the bunkering to me is typically distinct with plenty of forced carries. I really like Sherwood as although more penal the scenery and challenge appeals to me.

 

I haven't played Hillcrest after their renovation, but it was a large improvement over what was there I know. Wilshire probably comes in next. There is or used to be an LPGA event there and if you can catch it on TV showcases the course in top condition. Land is not as exciting as the top courses nor are the greens, but you are comparing against the best in the USA.  Some may say Lakeside and I would respect that. Rustic Canyon I think has an argument to be #5 as a Hanse design in Simi Valley. It is the best public and I don't think that is close.

 

My darkhorse, you don't hear much about is El Caballero up in the Valley. I haven't seen it post renovation, but it is secluded and a good design routed sensibly as a RTJ senior.

 

Go down to Orange County and you have Rolling Hills which I have never played so can't comment, but did a McLay-Kidd renovation. Trump has great views but terribly tight and repetitive holes, no imagination.

 

There you go, but I'm one guy.

[sharkiesj]

5 hours ago, Schley said:

Well, if people don't start out with IMHO for golf rankings, then they are not appreciative of how subjective this is.

 

After LACC/Riviera, it certainly is Bel Air.  I played before and after the Doak restoration and it is much more enjoyable after that work to open up views and the health of the turf. I haven't seen the new clubhouse, which doesn't matter for the course, but this was an iconic clubhouse with the new one supposed to really be something.

 

I'd put Sherwood next, which really did just about all you can do to make it play wonderfully.  I believe they were shut down for 2 years and replaced all grass on the entire course several years back. It has homes surrounding most holes and very undulating land. It's a Nicklaus, so the bunkering to me is typically distinct with plenty of forced carries. I really like Sherwood as although more penal the scenery and challenge appeals to me.

 

I haven't played Hillcrest after their renovation, but it was a large improvement over what was there I know. Wilshire probably comes in next. There is or used to be an LPGA event there and if you can catch it on TV showcases the course in top condition. Land is not as exciting as the top courses nor are the greens, but you are comparing against the best in the USA.  Some may say Lakeside and I would respect that. Rustic Canyon I think has an argument to be #5 as a Hanse design in Simi Valley. It is the best public and I don't think that is close.

 

My darkhorse, you don't hear much about is El Caballero up in the Valley. I haven't seen it post renovation, but it is secluded and a good design routed sensibly as a RTJ senior.

 

Go down to Orange County and you have Rolling Hills which I have never played so can't comment, but did a McLay-Kidd renovation. Trump has great views but terribly tight and repetitive holes, no imagination.

 

There you go, but I'm one guy.

Rolling Hills is not in Orange County. 

[Schley]

16 hours ago, sharkiesj said:

Rolling Hills is not in Orange County. 

Yeah true, close but not there.  Been almost 20 years since I lived there.