Are you curious about where the Hollywood elite play golf in Los Angeles? The private golf clubs here are some of the most exclusive power-networking spots in town. However, getting in requires more than just big bucks – you have to have powerful friends to get your name on the shortlist.
Hillcrest Country Club
Hillcrest Country Club is a private golf club located on the Westside of Los Angeles. Founded in 1920, it’s one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in the city. The initiation fee for Hillcrest is around $185,000, which is less than some of the other clubs on this list. The membership is limited to 400, and members include Sidney Poitier, Bruce Rosenblum, Rob Light and Jerry Weintraub.
Despite its exclusivity, Hillcrest has a reputation for being one of the more welcoming clubs in LA. It was the first golf club in the city to admit a gentile member, Danny Thomas, who was also one of the founding members of the club. Other Hollywood legends who belonged to Hillcrest include Groucho Marx and Milton Berle.
Sherwood Country Club
Sherwood Country Club is a private golf club located in Thousand Oaks, a city in Ventura County, California. It was founded in 1989 and is one of the newer clubs on this list. The initiation fee for Sherwood is $160,000, and the club has limited its membership to 350.
Sherwood is known for its beautiful Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, which is considered one of the best in the area. Members of the club include Justin Timberlake, Will Smith, and Mel Gibson. According to Steve Mosko of Sony TV, Kevin James formed relationships early in his career with Will Smith and Adam Sandler while playing tournaments at Sherwood, which helped his film career.
Riviera Country Club
Riviera Country Club is a private golf club located in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood in the Westside of Los Angeles. Founded in 1926, the club is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the city. The initiation fee for Riviera is a whopping $250,000, making it the most expensive club on this list. However, this hasn’t stopped some of the biggest names in Hollywood from becoming members.
Riviera is known for its beautiful golf course, which has hosted numerous PGA Tour events, including the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. Some of the Hollywood elite who are members of Riviera include Mark Wahlberg, Adam Sandler, Dennis Quaid, and Luke Wilson. WME’s Nick Stevens is perhaps the best golfer in the biz, with a 1.4 handicap. The club is known for its strict membership policy, which requires members to have powerful friends and a certain level of social status.
Brentwood Country Club
Founded in 1941 and located at 590 S. Burlingame Ave., Brentwood Country Club is one of the most sought-after clubs in Los Angeles. Its initiation fee is $180,000, and its members include some of Hollywood’s top producers, writers, and executives. Brentwood’s course is often described as “deceptively challenging” and is known for its playability. It’s also home to a beautiful swimming pool and tennis courts, making it a popular spot for families. The fourth hole, a 356-yard par-4, is considered one of the course’s most challenging.
Bel-Air Country Club
Founded in 1927 and located at 10768 Bellagio Road, Bel-Air Country Club is known for its “clubby” atmosphere and A-list members, including Jack Nicholson, Kelsey Grammer, and Tom Cruise. Its initiation fee is $150,000, and the club is renowned for its picturesque grounds and creatively routed layout, which takes players across one bridge, through four tunnels, and on two elevators. The club has a strict dress code, requiring long pants and banning cell phones even in the parking lot. The first hole is highly visible from the clubhouse, leading one Hollywood mogul to avoid it altogether when he was first learning the game.
El Caballero Country Club
Located at 18300 Tarzana Drive, El Caballero Country Club offers a more affordable option for those seeking exclusive golfing and leisure facilities. Its initiation fee is $45,000, and its members include actor Kevin James and producer Irving Azoff. The course is a bit challenging, with links gently sloping along the Santa Monica Mountains foothills. The second hole, a challenging par 4, is often cited by members as their “nemesis hole.” However, the course can be too hot for some Westsiders in the summer, with scorching Valley temperatures making play uncomfortable.
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