Courses worth playing near Sherman Oaks - Tournaments in the area?

[3_Jack_Par]

I'm a pretty frequent visitor to LA to see family, but in all the times I've come out there, I've never brought my clubs along. I'm going to be there the week of July 4th, and I was thinking I might try to get a round in if there's any good courses nearby where I'll be staying in Sherman Oaks. Anyone have any good spots that are just a short trip away?

 

I'd be willing to drive a bit if someone wants to get me on Riviera or Bel-Air CC... ;)

 

Thanks for any advice!

[Clambake]

The closest courses are the trio of muni's: Encino, Balboa, and Woodley Lakes. But I certainly wouldn't recommend them - they're crowded, flat, uninteresting, play very, very slow. The best bet is a short (for LA) drive west on the 101 out to Rustic Canyon. From Sherman Oaks it should take about 30 minutes or maybe a little less door to door, and you'll find a terrific value on a very nice and enjoyable course.

[CoreyKasif]

Answered this for someone else a couple weeks ago;

Rustic Canyon
Olivas Links
Sterling Hills
Lost Canyons
Los Robles
River Ridge
Brookside
DeBell

There are so many good courses within 25 miles of Sherman Oaks.

[3_Jack_Par]

Thanks, guys. I'll take a look and see if any of those courses look like they'll tempt me to bring the clubs along.

[skullice]

Wilson isn't a bad course..

[DisappointingPar]

Just came back from a 2 year break and I must echo the Rustic Canyon idea. I have been playing a lot of Robinson Ranch twilights recently for $50 with a cart. Normal green fee on weekend is $119 so it is a steal. Either course will be a great round. I live in SO and it is a 30 min drive and has 2 courses. While the Valley course is more difficult I like the scenery of the Mountain course better.

Also, the Valley course had like 5 million bees on one hole this weekend so I'm sticking to Mountain.

[AP2 712]

I have been to SoCal 3 times over the past 2 and a half years... I would 100% say Rustic Canyon

I played Brookside, and considering how busy they are it was really a fluid operation. Hard to pass up playing golf next to the Rose Bowl. Fun course too!

Angeles National is worth a trip too, you never know who you will run into there!

[DisappointingPar]

Be careful with Brookside depending on the time of year though. It is used as a parking lot for the rose bowl at times. Just make sure to call ahead and find out about the condition of the course.

[uscfandan]

Brookside is in fine condition. SoCal High School Finals were just played there Thursday.

[uscfandan]

Rustic was also aerated a week ago and that greens are super slow and sandy.

[Dave52]

I live in Sherman Oaks as well. The Sepulveda basin courses are very close and easy to get on, but I wouldn't recommend them to someone travelling here.

For a visitor. Rustic would be my first choice. Robinson Ranch is also worth checking out, play the mountain course though, I played the Valley yesterday and it kicked my a**.

If you want to keep it in the $50 range. Wilson is alright, Hansen Dam can be fun but nothing too exciting.

[DisappointingPar]

[quote name='Dave52' timestamp='1370325134' post='7165568']
I live in Sherman Oaks as well. The Sepulveda basin courses are very close and easy to get on, but I wouldn't recommend them to someone travelling here.

For a visitor. Rustic would be my first choice. Robinson Ranch is also worth checking out, play the mountain course though, I played the Valley yesterday and it kicked my a**.

If you want to keep it in the $50 range. Wilson is alright, Hansen Dam can be fun but nothing too exciting.
[/quote]

You can get on Mountain, the easier (still difficult) and prettier (imo) course for $50 on weekend for twilight with cart and range balls for $50. Not a bad deal. I just cant stand the 5-6 hour rounds at city courses.

[teejaywhy]

Rustic worth the drive IMO

[wingedfoot97]

Robinson Ranch is good and the staff is very nice. Tough course tho.

Brookside is fun and is tough depending on the time of day and which course you play. They have a short and a long one. Long rounds there.

Rustic Canyon is very fun and the staff is cool too.

[pinseeker18]

I live near Sherman Oaks and Wilson is my regular course but more out of convenience than for quality. I'd echo Rustic. Another course that's fun and a bit different is Tierra Rejada. Just got a round in last week for $49 with cart - its a links style course and forces you to play different shots. Conditions are pretty solid too.

[3_Jack_Par]

Appreciate all the input, guys. I didn't end up playing while I was out there this last time, but there's now a chance that I might be moving out there temporarily at the end of the year for about six months. If so, I'll definitely be checking a lot of these places out.

[DisappointingPar]

Moorpark Country Club is excellent as well.

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='3 Jack Par' timestamp='1375666619' post='7604936']
I might be moving out there temporarily at the end of the year for about six months. If so, I'll definitely be checking a lot of these places out.
[/quote]
So, it looks like this is happening, so I'll be out there from early January through about the end of May. I think I might try to play a tournament or two while I'm out there -- anyone know of good amateur tournaments or organizations that put on tournaments around LA?

It appears that I could try to qualify for the SCGA Mid-Am, and it looks like Rustic Canyon has a men's club that runs some tournaments throughout the year. Anyone have any experience with playing in those kinds of events?

[markheardjr]

There's a ton of Am tours out here. Google searching should bring up a few. I don't play in them because they are usually overpriced, full of sandbaggers, and on workdays. If you are up for a casual round let me know. I like making the trips to Sterling, River Ridge, Olivas, Rustic, etc.

[golf_fanatik]

I may be moving to Torrance pretty soon. Any advice on places to live Mark? How about nearby golf courses? thx

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='markheardjr' timestamp='1386276743' post='8254139']
There's a ton of Am tours out here. Google searching should bring up a few. I don't play in them because they are usually overpriced, full of sandbaggers, and on workdays. If you are up for a casual round let me know. I like making the trips to Sterling, River Ridge, Olivas, Rustic, etc.
[/quote]
That's what I've found when looking into the Am tours -- they're usually not a good value at all. I'd be looking for scratch events -- one or two day tournaments put on by reputable organizations (SCGA seems like it fits the bill) are what I'd be looking for.

I don't know anyone in the area who plays golf, so I'd be glad to meet some WRX'ers for some rounds if possible.

[Birddog2]

[quote name='DisappointingPar' timestamp='1375681936' post='7606282']
Moorpark Country Club is excellent as well.
[/quote]

+1 Great course!

Also try River Ridge Lakes (Oxnard) and Olivas links course (Ventura)

[DisappointingPar]

Heading out to Moorpark on Saturday. Should be a beautiful day on a beautiful course.

[3_Jack_Par]

Moorpark looks really nice -- a little on the pricey side, though. Have any of you guys played twilight there, and if so, are you usually able to finish 18 holes on a weekend if you start that late?

ETA: Any recommendations for good ranges in the area? Looks like the closest ones would be the one at Van Nuys GC, Ready Golf Driving Range (looks like it's near Balboa Park), and Weddington Golf & Tennis (I think I played mini golf there with my nephew on a previous visit, but I don't remember a range, thought they supposedly have one)

[DisappointingPar]

[quote name='3 Jack Par' timestamp='1386777743' post='8283227']
Moorpark looks really nice -- a little on the pricey side, though. Have any of you guys played twilight there, and if so, are you usually able to finish 18 holes on a weekend if you start that late?

ETA: Any recommendations for good ranges in the area? Looks like the closest ones would be the one at Van Nuys GC, Ready Golf Driving Range (looks like it's near Balboa Park), and Weddington Golf & Tennis (I think I played mini golf there with my nephew on a previous visit, but I don't remember a range, thought they supposedly have one)
[/quote]

Moorpark is a bit pricey yes, but its fun to go to a nice course every now and then. Twilight during summer you can finish at moorpark but during the winter it is harder to complete the round. The later the tee time at moorpark the longer the round gets. More members play in the morning.

Weddington Golf is off mats. I believe Woodley Lakes has a grass range on certain days, so I'd go there though it is not every time.

[Dave52]

Woodley is the only range in the valley (public range) that is grass. So it's really the best option. The grass isn't always perfect, it'll get pretty torn up depending on when you go, and the surface isn't level everywhere .. But it's your best option in the area for getting some actual work in.

[uscfandan]

Rustic Canyon and Angeles National are both in the area and have grass ranges.

[BackwardsGolfer]

Anyone wanna play golf this coming weekend?...Perhaps on Monday the 30th?

[3_Jack_Par]

Got my first round in since we got here today out at Rustic Canyon. Beautiful course, and pace of play wasn't too bad for a weekend. We played in about 4.5 hours walking. Wind really picked up on the back 9, to the point that it got pretty ridiculous, and balls would start moving on the greens. I signed up for the men's club there so I can play a few competitive rounds, so that should be fun.

[AP2 712]

Nice! I am jealous!

I was set to play there on 12/11. Drove all the way there at dawn, got to the parking lot and noticed the wind was blowing so hard that the trees were bending pretty bad! For some reason the weather forecast I had been watching didn't show the 30-40mph gusts that I witnessed. I decided not to play there, drove 30 minutes to Angeles National where they had a frost of roughly 90 minutes.
I was really looking forward to playing Rustic but it just didn't work out for me on this trip. I hope to find myself on that course and in the LA area again soon!