Riviera Golf Course
Pacific Palisades, United States
18 Holes · Par 71 · Private Club · Parkland
— About
About Riviera Country Club
Riviera Country Club occupies a canyon setting in Pacific Palisades, a few miles from the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles, and has earned a reputation as the finest parkland course west of the Mississippi. Dubbed the Riviera of the West during the golden era of Hollywood glamour, the club counts movie stars and studio executives among its long history of members and has served as the backdrop for some of the most memorable moments in American tournament golf. Architect George Thomas created a masterpiece of strategic design across the Rustic Canyon terrain in 1927, with co-designer Billy Bell handling much of the on-site construction. The routing uses the natural contours of the canyon to frame approach shots, demand accurate driving lines, and present putting surfaces that reward players who access them from specific angles. The course's most famous feature is the par-4 10th hole, where a large bunker sits directly in the center of the putting green — one of the very few holes in championship golf where a bunker is genuinely inside the green itself. This quirk, combined with a par-3 4th hole that offers a side exit to a lower green for those who miss left, gives Riviera an architectural originality that few courses match. Ben Hogan dominated here so thoroughly in the late 1940s and early 1950s that the club earned the nickname Hogan's Alley. The PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational, one of the most prestigious events outside the majors, is played at Riviera each February and draws the world's best players. The combination of a near-perfect climate, celebrity allure, and architectural brilliance makes Riviera one of the most coveted private golf experiences in the United States.
- The par-4 10th features a large bunker set inside the putting green — one of golf's most unique designs
- Ben Hogan won here so dominantly in the late 1940s that Riviera earned the nickname Hogan's Alley
- George Thomas's 1927 routing through Rustic Canyon remains one of the most strategic layouts in the US
- Host of the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational — among the most prestigious non-major events on tour
- Located in Pacific Palisades minutes from the Pacific Ocean with a storied Hollywood celebrity membership
History
Riviera Country Club was established in 1926 and opened for play in 1927 on land carved from Rustic Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains. Architect George Thomas, who also designed Bel-Air Country Club and Los Angeles Country Club, created a design that used the natural bowl-shaped canyon to full advantage, routing holes that required players to understand angles and think multiple shots ahead. The club quickly attracted Hollywood royalty and became synonymous with the glamour of Los Angeles in the 1930s and 1940s. Ben Hogan's association with Riviera defines much of its championship legacy — he won the 1947 and 1948 Los Angeles Open and the 1948 US Open in a remarkable stretch of dominance that gave the course its most enduring nickname. The club has hosted multiple US Opens, PGA Championships, and has been a permanent stop on the PGA Tour calendar since the mid-20th century. Tiger Woods made his PGA Tour debut at Riviera as a 16-year-old amateur in 1992, finishing last but beginning an association with the venue that has seen him come close to winning many times without ever claiming the title.
Signature Holes
The par-4 10th hole is the most architecturally distinctive in California golf — a 311-yard dogleg that presents a short but devious challenge, with a large kidney-shaped bunker positioned inside the putting green surface itself. Players who drive the green or close to it face the possibility of finding the sand from an impossible distance, while those who lay back must loft a precise approach over or around the hazard. The par-3 4th offers a famous alternative — a lower secondary putting surface to the left of the main green, accessible through an opening in the hillside, which acts as an escape hatch for approach shots that miss left. These two holes capture Riviera's genius for offering multiple strategic options rather than punishing every error absolutely.
Best Time to Visit
Riviera benefits from the mild Mediterranean climate of coastal Los Angeles, making it playable year-round. The driest and most comfortable months run from April through October. The Genesis Invitational is played in February, when the course is in immaculate tournament preparation. Summers are warm and dry with almost no rainfall, while winters bring occasional Pacific storms that can cause brief course closures.
Playing Tips
Riviera is a private club with no public access — playing requires a member invitation. The club does not offer reciprocal arrangements or resort-style guest days. For those attending the Genesis Invitational in February, tickets provide access to one of the PGA Tour's most atmospheric venues. The club is located in Pacific Palisades off Sunset Boulevard, approximately 30 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport in normal traffic.
— Current Weather at Riviera Country Club
Approximate conditions · Updated every 30 min · Open-Meteo
Visit Riviera Country Club Golf Course
Pacific Palisades, United States
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Riviera Country Club
Why is Riviera Country Club called Hogan's Alley?
Ben Hogan was so dominant at Riviera in the late 1940s, winning the 1947 and 1948 Los Angeles Open and the 1948 US Open, that fans and media began calling it Hogan's Alley. The nickname reflects his extraordinary command of the course's strategic demands.
What makes the 10th hole at Riviera so unique?
The 10th hole features a large bunker positioned inside the putting surface itself — one of only a handful of holes in the world where a bunker is genuinely within the green. This creates an extraordinary strategic puzzle for approach play and short-game execution.
What PGA Tour event is played at Riviera?
The Genesis Invitational is held at Riviera Country Club each February. It is one of the most prestigious events outside the four major championships and carries elevated points and prize fund status on the PGA Tour.
Can the public play Riviera Country Club?
No — Riviera is a private members-only club with no public tee times or green fees. Access requires an invitation from a current member.
Who designed Riviera Country Club?
The course was designed by George Thomas with construction overseen by Billy Bell, opening in 1927. Thomas also designed Bel-Air Country Club and the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club.