John Konkal/Courtesy of the club
Hillcrest Country Club
Overview
Hillcrest Country Club sits adjacent to Rancho Park Golf Course—one of L.A.’s better public options—and across West Pico Boulevard from the Fox Studio Lot. The private country club opened in 1920 with a design by prolific California-by-way-of-Minnesota architect William Watson. In 2019, Kyle Phillips made extensive changes to the course, creating six new holes and making room for a new six-acre practice facility. The par-3s stand out at Hillcrest, including the new point-to-point fourth with views across West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, and the 12th, which can tip out as far as 260 yards and plays downhill to massive Biarritz green. Phillips’ remodel has yet to garner the same degree of acclaim as his work at Cal Club in San Francisco has, now a 100 Greatest member, but perhaps it will in time. It merits comparison with George Thomas’s great triumvirate of LA courses, Los Angeles Country Club, Riviera Country Club and Bel-Air Country Club.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked 35th since debuting in 2023-'24.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Terrain makes the layout a great mixture of uphill and downhill holes. Driving accuracy not vitally important. Be prepared for firm, fast, and very true greens. A great members layout."
Read More2026
Review
“Very well conditioned course. Driving accuracy not extremely important. Par 3’s from the back tees a beast on three of the holes. The terrain presents a great mixture of uphill and downhill holes. An outstanding members course."
Read More2026
Review
“Kyle Phillips did an amazing job with the renovation of this historic club. It’s an extremely hilly site, there are almost no flat golf holes here. The conditions are incredible and maybe the best in LA, perfect turf everywhere. The bunkering is gorgeous and a major defense for the course, you will be in them. The hole variety is excellent and despite the constant walking up and down hills, you never feel like the golf holes repeat. A perfect course to play every day, you can put up a score here much easier than you can at its more famous neighbors."
Read More2025
Review
“Hillcrest Country Club was originally designed by Willie Watson in 1920. It was renovated by Kyle Phillips in 2019. The view of LA from the green of the par 3, 4th hole is so amazing. It’s a hilly challenging course that’s always in great condition."
Read More2025
Review
“Hillcrest was a tired old layout suffering from some neglect until the club hired Kyle Phillips in 2019 to revamp the course, including adding several new holes. Today's layout is a treat, with plenty of room to play over the undulating fairways, and green complexes containing subtle breaks and borrows that tighten the challenge despite plenty of space. Some great undulation on the property also offers some wild elevation changes that keep players guessing, if they can get their minds off of the jaw-dropping views or the amazing comfort station!"
Read More2024
Review
“really fun course with lots of shots needed. In addition the halfway house was a great hang!!!! The views of the city and the greens were some of the highlights. Definitely a sleeper course compared to its neighboring courses. Highly recommended!!!"
Read More2022
Review
“Complete redo of the old course. Has some fun par3s. Beautiful view from the club house looking out over the property. Firm and fast and in excellent condition."
Read More2022
Review
“One of the best remodels I have played. Very nice Private Club on the Westside of LA. The routing of the golf course is really well done with a nice variety of holes (up hill, down hill, doglegs in both directions, short and long holes, well bunkered, strategic, multiple teeing options, etc) and in great shape. The views of Los Angles are amazing. Track Man Driving Range, short game area and newly added short course make this one of the best golf experiences."
Read More2021
