Olympic Club (Cliffs)

Some golf course reviewers put an amplified amount of importance on the scenery that accompanies a round and, if this were all that mattered, the Cliffs course at the Olympic Club might be picked as the best among the three routes featured. Unfortunately for Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, that club also hosts both the acclaimed Ocean Course and the major championship-hosting Lake Course.

Perhaps fortunately for the duo, there was only property available for a par three course and therefore they could work without the pressure of living up to such championship-caliber routes. The result is what many consider to be the single best short course in California.

The show-stopping views come early, as players will have unadulterated views of the Pacific along the lengths of nos. 3 and 4; although the distraction of these vistas is enough to shake the average golfer, also beware of the sand hazards lying in front of and behind these greens!

Weiskopf and Morrish may not have gotten to design a full 18 but they did land a job renovating the Ocean course, so you can’t feel too bad for them.