4730 Crystal Springs Drive,
Los Angeles, California 90027
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Relatively flat terrain.
Surroundings:
Woodland, neighbouring golf course and Golden State Freeway.
Designer:
George C. Thomas Jr designed the Harding and Wilson courses, which opened in 1923 and 1927 respectively.
Above distances are for the Wilson course. Also at Griffith Park is the 18-hole par-72 Harding course (6679 yds from back tees, opened 1923).
34.143670
-118.289527
3 mi W of Glendale / 9 mi N of downtown Los Angeles.
Griffith Park (Wilson)
Griffith Park is home to two historic George C. Thomas designed 18-hole courses. Since the 1920s, both have played a key part in Los Angeles municipal golf, as well as hosting several Los Angeles Opens and Championships. Many changes have been made over the years to these two layouts, while Griffith Park's original 1914 Tom Bendelow course exists no more. That said, the higher-rated Wilson course still retains 11 George Thomas-designed holes, while the slightly shorter and tighter Harding course has 10.
The Wilson and the Harding layouts share the same clubhouse, from where they head out-and-back, without a return at halfway. Both layouts occupy relatively flat terrain, and each has a few holes sitting alongside the busy Golden State freeway (I-5). These partly tree-lined and partly open courses should provide a round with plenty of enjoyable golfing challenges ... even if water hazards and fairway bunkering are relatively scarce.
Griffith Park has been centre-stage in municipal golf in Los Angeles for 100 years. Apart from the planting and growth of thousands of trees around both courses, and lengthening some holes, today’s Harding and Wilson layouts are closer to their classic "golden age" state than most other golf courses in Southern California.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2021].
Walking permitted at all times. Golf carts available to rent.
Good
The Wilson golf course (named after Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States) was the third municipal golf course built in Griffith Park. It opened in 1927 replacing parts of the original Tom Bendelow designed Griffith Park Municipal Golf Links, which dated from 1914. Famed golf course archiect George C. Thomas also designed the Harding course (named after Warren G. Harding, the 29th President), which opened in 1923.
The Wilson and Harding courses co-hosted the prestigious Los Angeles Open in 1936, '37 and '38, as well as a raft of Los Angeles Championships.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
