Woodland Hills CC

[phitaumatthew]

Was going to go out and tour this club as I've started to hear good things and the price looks very reasonable for Los Angeles. Has anyone tried it? If so, thoughts? Things to know generally?

[G_MANG]

I tried it and did not care for it -- also did not really like the vibe of the club, which felt a bit fratty. Was a very funky layout that did not suit my eye, and it was blazingly hot. If you are very close it may be worthwhile, but if it's a drive at all I think there are much better private and public options in the area. 

[phitaumatthew]

Thank you.  That was my concern.  Which privates do you prefer in the area? @G_MANG

Edited September 13, 2023 by phitaumatthew

[G_MANG]

Depends more on your location and pricing. Top would pretty clearly be Sherwood and El Cab. Saticoy is great and had been relatively affordable but may be too far depending on your location. Otherwise, I've heard North Ranch, Spanish Hills and Wood Ranch are all good -- will certainly all be a step up from Woodland Hills.

[phitaumatthew]

@G_MANGHave you done any that are more in Sherman Oaks / Toluca Lake / Los Feliz / Glendale? 

 

I'm in Los Feliz and was looking at this after my Golf Teacher played there and quite liked it. Have played Wood Ranch and love it but it's just too far away.

 

And thanks in advance for all.

[G_MANG]

Assuming you're looking for more moderately priced options, I think Valencia is good after its renovation. People also like Oakmont, which is a bit more expensive, and Red Hill is supposed to be fantastic but may also be pushing the limits of how far you'd drive. 

[phitaumatthew]

Thanks so much for this. Going to look into all. Have also heard Annandale is nice, but not sure on cost. Have heard everywhere from 30k entrance up to 115k

[golfdummy]

From the Los Feliz area, I would consider Annandale, Lakeside, and Oakmont your best options. You could also look at Wilshire depending on your driving direction and work. El Caballero and Sherwood are obviously much further. All that I mentioned will have a process to get in and will take some time and effort. Oakmont will be the most inexpensive option. The others will range between 80-150k with monthly dues between 1-2k a month. All are great options with solid golf courses and amenities. I can tell you that Sherwood is at roughly 150k non equity with dues at 2k a month. 

[phitaumatthew]

@golfdummyThanks so much for this. Have a couple of questions. Is it okay if I DM you direct?

@G_MANGThanks on all this too. Played at WHCC on Saturday and you were right. I actually didn't have as much of an issue with the overall course as you did, but greens weren't in great condition and overall just didn't feel worth the 975 a month. Feels like I could just get a few "memberships" at public courses here in LA and just have to book further out.

[golfdummy]

Sure, I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[Dave52]

At roughly the same price, I think Calabasas CC has a better course than Woodland Hills … and calabasas has a driving range which Woodland Hills does not. 
 

WH has a better clubhouse though. 

[phitaumatthew]

@Dave52thanks for the info on Calabasas. I think it might just be a HAIR too far from Los Feliz is the issue. Even WHCC is right on the edge of how far it makes sense to drive.

[G_MANG]

I'd have to look at the specifics, but I think that going north or east will generally get you more value -- there are good courses out there, and the tax brackets you are competing with are frankly quite a bit lower.

[phitaumatthew]

@G_MANGTotally agree and thanks so much. Honestly, I'd like to try to play Hacienda as I believe it's 30k and around 1000 a month. Not that that's chump change, but I think in comparison to others that's a good deal (at least for LA). And I keep hearing the course is amazing and it's roughly the same drive time for me as WHCC is from Los Feliz and roughly the same monthly.

[G_MANG]

Hacienda is supposedly quite good especially for the price — it’s strictly golf so you give up the other amenities but know where your dues are going toward. I also wouldn’t sleep on Red Hill if you’re open to getting that far. 
 

If you join either please let me know!!

[flubberlange]

On 9/20/2023 at 6:25 AM, phitaumatthew said:

@G_MANGTotally agree and thanks so much. Honestly, I'd like to try to play Hacienda as I believe it's 30k and around 1000 a month. Not that that's chump change, but I think in comparison to others that's a good deal (at least for LA). And I keep hearing the course is amazing and it's roughly the same drive time for me as WHCC is from Los Feliz and roughly the same monthly.

I'm a member at Haci. It's awesome but we are closed for overseeding right now. Will open again in 2 weeks. Might want to wait a few weeks to play it. Initiation went down a bit. 

[phitaumatthew]

@flubberlangefirst off, great member name. Second off, thank you so much on all of this.

[Jgolfer99]

Woodland Hills is a good old school style course, but does have a few drawbacks.  There is virtually no driving range (small area where you can hit to 150 yards) or true practice areas outside of a small putting green.  The cost is quite reasonable given other options and todays private golfing environment.  Along the 101 corridor (valley towards Ventura county) the stand out options would be El Cab and North Ranch.  Both of those however are significantly more expensive.  Along the 134 corridor, the best clubs would be Oakmont or Annandale.  Again these will both be significantly more expensive and be challenging to gain entry to.  The sleeper pick which might be doable location wise would be San Gabriel CC.  It is a hidden gym with a great old school style course (famous architect) and solid club.

[rollwaveroll]

Been a member for the last few years — I am based on the west side (so my private options with low/no initiation or waiting period were basically zero and my priority was golf without tee time issues within 40 minutes). WHCC was a good fit for me.

 

On the pro side, WHCC doesn’t do tee times and it’s pretty seamless getting out, which some LA county clubs struggle with. The course has had repeat playable value to me and has helped to make my game better which is good.

 

On the con side, the driving range is small which others have pointed out. They did put in two Trackman bays which help. 
 

Good luck