Best Golf in/near Los Angeles

[Truthseeker]

I am going on vacation with the family and I am looking to golf at a nice course in Los Angeles or the surrounding area.

I played in college and was a 1.9 handicap, now I am between 5-10 handicap (depending on golf course) due to lack of practice time.

Last Saturday I shot a 76 at Mather Golf Course from the tips.

Anyone a member at a nice club that I could join you for the day (July 13th)?

If not, what are the best golf courses I can play down there?

Thanks!

[GolfSpy_APH]

Calling @GolfSpy SAM

[Truthseeker]

Calling the Mod on me?

What did I do wrong?

Am I in trouble? LOL

[RickyBobby_PR]

3 minutes ago, Truthseeker said:

Calling the Mod on me?

What did I do wrong?

Am I in trouble? LOL

He’s tagging the mod that can provide recommendations

[Truthseeker]

Awesome, thanks!

[Edub]

Good morning,

If you want to play any of the public courses, I would suggest any of the LA City (Griffith Park or Rancho Park) courses are great and affordable.  I lile Brookside (Pasadena) too.  I belong to CCC so if you wanted to play there and pay a bit more (I think it's around $85 plus cart) reach out to me and we can schedule a time.  I play anywhere from a 1 - 4 so we can have a good game!  lol 

Best,

Eric

 

[GolfSpy SAM]

Hah! Ooooooh you're in troubbbbbble!!!!

  I live in Santa Clarita - about 45 minutes north of LA, and before that was down in LA proper, so I have a bit of info for you

Alright, so, this is obviously going to be a subjective list, and I'm sure @Syks7 can add to it, as well as anyone else in the LA area (there's a few of us around here).  

  My favorite course is Rustic Canyon, which is in Moorpark (northwest of the City) - it's a genuinely beautiful, fun course - links style.  William Bell design. $59 weekday, $84 weekend (that's if you can find a time within two weeks. If you want to book 2-4 weeks out, they charge an additional $20 to reserve the time in advance).  Really can't recommend this one enough - absolute gem.

  I have a LOT of people who've recommended Oak Quarry - it's down in Riverside (about 45-60 min south), but it is (by all accounts) worth the drive - weekday rounds are $100-ish, weekends 150-ish..  

  Rancho Park is kind of a must-play - it's in the City, hosted the LA Open for years (Arnie won there) - downside is it's VERY busy, but it's public, so a tee time can often be had.  Worst case, I used to just roll up on a day off and hang out until I was paired with someone who'd lost a partner. It's usually kept in pretty good condition, and was, at least at one point when I was playing there regularly, often said to be "the busiest golf course in the States" based on # of rounds played per year.  

  Soule Park is in Ojai, and I honestly can't recommend this one enough - if you have the time for a BEAUTIFUL drive, as well as a little time to hang out in the town (it's really delightful), Soule Park is a REALLY fun course, with stunning views, and very reasonably priced ($39/$49 to walk (weekday/weekend)).  This is another William Bell design.  

 Angeles National is by all accounts (I haven't gotten out there yet) stunning.  Nicklaus Design Group did this one - it's about 20 miles north of LA.  Along with Oak Quarry, priciest of this group ($100 weekdays, $150-ish weekends)

  Lastly, I'll recommend Sand Canyon Country Club, which is up by me - almost never busy, incredibly beautiful course made up of 3 9-hole layouts, and often if you play whatever two they route you to, you can usually play the third one because it's almost never backed up and they're pretty laissez-faire about it.  Weekdays it's $70 and includes the cart (and you'll want it - some VERY steep inclines up to some elevated tee boxes), and weekends are $90.  

    I'm not sure if anyone here is a member anywhere (I'm sure there are at least a few, but I'm trying to suss them out myself so I can get some rounds in somewhere "fancy" ), but if so, they'll probably be members at a place like Lakeside (right next to Universal City), Wilshire Country Club, or maybe Hillcrest (right next to Rancho Park, which always makes me laugh - one's available to play, one's available to drool over while you play the "poor man's" one ).  

  Let me know when you're in town, and maybe we can meet up, especially if you decide to do Rustic or Sand Canyons.  (I'm 20 min from SC, and about 45 from RC).

  Good luck!

[GolfSpy_APH]

31 minutes ago, Truthseeker said:

Calling the Mod on me?

What did I do wrong?

Am I in trouble? LOL

Matt lives in the area and can provide some help. Tagging him gives him a notification so he can see it and respond.

[Syks7]

Solid list from @GolfSpy SAM the only thing aill correct is that Rustic is Gil Hanse, Geoff Shackleford, and Jim Wagner -- same guys responsible for LACC remodel, Southern Hills remodel and a host of others.   They all take a big page out of George C Thomas and William Bells book.  If you're going to play one.  Rustic is my rec.

[GolfSpy SAM]

8 minutes ago, Syks7 said:

Solid list from @GolfSpy SAM the only thing aill correct is that Rustic is Gil Hanse, Geoff Shackleford, and Jim Wagner -- same guys responsible for LACC remodel, Southern Hills remodel and a host of others.   They all take a big page out of George C Thomas and William Bells book.  If you're going to play one.  Rustic is my rec.

RIGHT! I knew something was off there - he did the redesign at Soule Park, too (I knew they were by the same guy, just thought it was Bell (as are most courses out here, lol).  

There you go! If you play one, play Rustic

[Truthseeker]

Well, just found out my golf day will be when we are near Disneyland.

Any "must play" course if I can only play one course?

[phitaumatthew]

@TruthseekerDown near Disney, I like Black Gold Golf club or if you want to spend some cash Pelican Hill.

Personally, politics aside, I think the TRump course suck and is over priced for what you get.

[Truthseeker]

I made a tee time at Oak Quarry since it is about 45 min from where I will be staying and it looks like a neat course.

Anyone played it lately?

Is it in good or bad condition?

Ended up paying ~$90 for the tee time since I had some discounts on my golfnow account.

 

[Syks7]

On 6/23/2023 at 4:54 PM, Truthseeker said:

I made a tee time at Oak Quarry since it is about 45 min from where I will be staying and it looks like a neat course.

Anyone played it lately?

Is it in good or bad condition?

Ended up paying ~$90 for the tee time since I had some discounts on my golfnow account.

 

Haven't had a chance to get out there.  I hear good things all the time.  The only bad thing I hear is that pace of play can be a serious issue.

[Rearviewmirror]

Adding on to this thread to say that Sand Canyon out near Santa Clarita is absolutely stunning! Definitely on the tricky end of the spectrum, with a need for accurate drives and approach shots. It is a lot narrower in person than the hold flyovers suggest. I played Mountain/Valley and Valley was definitely my favorite of the two. I'll have to get back for Desert!

[GolfSpy_APH]

11 hours ago, Rearviewmirror said:

Adding on to this thread to say that Sand Canyon out near Santa Clarita is absolutely stunning! Definitely on the tricky end of the spectrum, with a need for accurate drives and approach shots. It is a lot narrower in person than the hold flyovers suggest. I played Mountain/Valley and Valley was definitely my favorite of the two. I'll have to get back for Desert!

Course looks awesome!

[Josh Parker]

13 hours ago, Rearviewmirror said:

Adding on to this thread to say that Sand Canyon out near Santa Clarita is absolutely stunning! Definitely on the tricky end of the spectrum, with a need for accurate drives and approach shots. It is a lot narrower in person than the hold flyovers suggest. I played Mountain/Valley and Valley was definitely my favorite of the two. I'll have to get back for Desert!

Beautiful course!