Overview
El Caballero Country Club is a private golf and country club in Tarzana, tucked into the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. It presents itself as an exclusive family club where members and friends spend time together, with fine dining, a range of amenities and personal service in a relaxed but polished setting. The championship golf course is the heart of the club.
The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and carries many of his trademarks: tight fairways, gentle doglegs and intimidating bunkers beside the greens, laid out over low hills and among mature trees. It plays as an 18-hole, par-71 course.
In 2017 the club's board and management committed $10 million to an overhaul of the whole course. Rees Jones, the original architect's son and a former Golf World 'Golf Architect of the Year', led the work, returning the layout to his father's intent while updating it for today's game. All the turf was replaced with hybrid Bermuda grass that copes better with heat, drought and disease and is expected to need 30% less water. Bunkers became smaller and better placed with fresh white sand, slopes were softened, and selected trees came out to open views and show off the native oaks, olives and sycamores. The planting now leans on drought-tolerant species such as bougainvillea for a natural California look. The aim was a course that pushes good players harder while being fairer to the average golfer.
Beyond the golf there is a driving range with chipping and putting greens, a fitness centre, a pool and tennis and pickleball courts.
Facilities
Good to know
El Caballero is a private club. Guests are welcome when they come as the guest of a member, and the club asks every guest to read and follow its published guest guidelines.
On the course: collared shirts with sleeves (mock collars are fine), tucked in, with tailored trousers or golf shorts, and caps worn forward. No denim, cargo shorts, T-shirts or slogan shirts. Spikeless or flat rubber-soled shoes only; metal spikes are banned. Around the clubhouse the style is country club or resort casual, and men take their hats off indoors.
Every guest must use the valet, which is free. The club is at 18300 Tarzana Drive in Tarzana, in the San Fernando Valley.
There are no public tee times. Arrange your visit through your host member; general enquiries go to the club on 818.654.3000.
History & highlights
The club credits its founder, Bernie Shapiro, with a philosophy of life as both play and pilgrimage, built around good friends, good food and good sport, and it describes its own story as one of inclusion and philanthropy.
Tips for first-timers
- Turn your phone to silent on arrival. Calls are fine in the locker rooms, by the pool, at valet and on the outer holes, but not on holes 1, 9, 10 or 18, the range, the practice greens or the clubhouse patios.
- Do not tip staff: the club has a no-tipping policy. The only exception is caddies.
- Pack spikeless shoes, as metal spikes are not allowed anywhere on the course or practice areas.
- Denim is not allowed on the course, but neat jeans are acceptable in the clubhouse.
Map & location
The club is at 18300 Tarzana Drive, Tarzana, CA 91356. Braemar Country Club is about 2 km away, and the public Balboa and Encino municipal courses are both 4 to 5 km away.
FAQ
Can the public play El Caballero Country Club?
No. It is a private club, and you play as the guest of a member.
Who designed the course?
Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed it, and his son Rees Jones renovated it as part of a $10 million project that began in 2017.
What is the par?
The course is an 18-hole layout with a par of 71.
What changed in the renovation?
New hybrid Bermuda turf projected to use 30% less water, smaller and better-placed bunkers with white sand, softer slopes, selective tree removal and drought-tolerant landscaping.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. Collared golf shirts tucked in, tailored trousers or golf shorts, caps facing forward and spikeless shoes on the course. No jeans, cargo shorts or slogan shirts on the course.
Should I tip the staff?
No. El Caballero has a no-tipping policy, including at the valet. Caddies are the one exception.
Sources
Facts checked 22 October 2026. We only list details we could confirm on the sources above; anything else is left out.