I'm going to be in LA in a few weeks and am looking to get in a few rounds.

I searched the forums but didn't come up with much.

Anyone have any good recommedations for some course that are must play on the south side of LA near Newport Beach?

Going down to San Deigo to play Torrey is out of the question.

I'd like to keep the green fees to around $100 a round or less if possible.

Ugh, sorry to hear about this or I'd strongly recommend Pelican Hill. This was one of my favorite courses on Links LS and it looks incredibly awesome. However, their site lists the rate at $235 (although only $141 to play again!). If you can dig deep into your wallet that may be an excellent experience.

(As an aside, there is a background shot of this course in the theme for The O.C., I believe it's the par 3s on the ocean.)

golfing sucks in the general LA area, courses aren't that nice and rounds will take you in between 5 to 6 hours. I would recommend something like Moorpark golf course, here is their website: http://www.moorparkcountryclub.com/.

Los Verdes in Palos Verdes. Its pretty reasonably priced, but they put out fivesomes regularly, so if you dont get the first five or six tee times, you're definitely in for a 5 hour + round.

I also kind of like the course around the Rose Bowl (forget what the name is), but its the same kind of deal.

[QUOTE=WLVRYN;3534246]Los Verdes in Palos Verdes. Its pretty reasonably priced, but they put out fivesomes regularly, so if you dont get the first five or six tee times, you're definitely in for a 5 hour + round.

I also kind of like the course around the Rose Bowl (forget what the name is), but its the same kind of deal. QUOTE]

yeah that course is Brookside.

Los Verdes is good for a public course that is overplayed, I think its like 40 for a round +cart. Depending on how far you want to drive, there are courses out in the valley that are reasonably priced.

Wow! I may have to make an exception. I'm used to these flat brown tracks in Houston.

Pelican is nice, but I'm not sure its worth that much scratch. The South course has back to back par 3's right on the water, but I think the North course is the better overall course (up the hill a bit). All in all, I dont really think its worth $250. If you want great views but a so-so course, play the Trump course (used to be Ocean Trails, but I forget what the official Trump name is now) in Palos Verdes. The course is pretty meh, and generally very tight and unforgiving, but the views are awesome.

Interesting breakdown. Yep, I've never played there, just tons of rounds on Links LS and seen the pictures. If money is no object or if he is in tourist mode (i.e. no connections and more willing to shell out) then maybe it would be more worth it. I don't think I've ever paid much more than $100 or so for a round except for four occasions, all of them in Cabo San Lucas. The most I think was at Cabo del Sol where I paid like $240. I just have a hard time doing it unless I'm in full-blown tourist mode.

Also, I think that L.A. suffers from a lack of decent golf courses, at least relative to here, which makes it more expensive. Not to mention everything there is more expensive already. And he specifically mentioned courses in the Newport Beach area, and some of the recommendations such as Pasadena have been a long way away.

Now why would I want to pass up on Pelican @ $250 to play a so-so course @ $375?

I might as well drive down to Lo Jolla and play Torrey for $150.

One a more serious note, I already have one tee time at Strawberry Farms. It's a little pricer than I'd like but it comes with a good recommedation.

I've played most of the courses in Orange County (used to live there). Strawberry Farms is fine, but with most mid-range courses in OC it is overpriced. The back nine is pretty cool running around the reservoir, just dont hit it left at all. If you are looking in that range, I like Tijeras Creek in Santa Margarita a bit further south and really like Talega in San Clemente, just a bit further south than that.

For value in the area, I like both the new and old course at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley.

I would definitely play Torrey Pines over Pelican or Trump, no question. Its well worth the drive down there, especially if you are in the OC. I was just commenting that Pelican only has two holes on the ocean (though there are many more that have views of the ocean), while Trump has more holes on the water. I think that both are overpriced and not worth the cash, though.

The Trump course is among the most scenic you will find anywhere. But, as others have said, the layout is not great.

Sorry to spam up this thread, but is this the same Trump course where like several holes fell into the ocean?

Yes. It was a few years ago when the course was Ocean Trails. Trump came in and fixed it up.

To continue the hijack, we were playing there for a buddy's 30th birthday a few years back, getting ready to tee off. This was right after the Donald bought the course. As the first guy addresses the ball on the first tee, the pro comes running out and tells us that he's going to let a group go in front of us. We're like WTF? Out of the clubhouse comes the Donald with the head pro. He talks to us for about 2 minutes about how he just bought the course and is going to turn it into the best course on the west coast. Better than Pebble, etc. He was just like you see him on TV, and I was surprised how big of a guy he is.

He then gets up on the tee and snap hooks a drive almost onto the entrance road (about 40 yards left of the fairway). He looks at the pro, who conveniently isnt paying attention at the time, takes another ball out of his pocket and smokes the next one up the fairway (doesnt even go look for the first one). We never saw them after that. He did send the drink lady to us and bought us a round for the guys birthday though.

yeah Trump is nice, very tough layout cuz you really can't hit driver that much.

I think Strawberry Farms is nice and I forget, too lazy to look up, but how close is Fred Couples home course, Landmark, away from LA?

Miles Square is good for the value. I just played the Player's course a week ago and the course was in excellent shape.

Strawberry is way overpriced IMHO.

If you are willing to drive further SE, then try Redhawk or Temecula Creek.

I know Im responding without any ammunition, but I think Torrey is more than $150.

Tobdog

Ballzach. I live in newport and work at Pelican Hill. It has 2 great courses. You will enjoy

yeah im not sure what it is now, my friend was telling me that it was $45 when he played it 2 weeks ago. They keep changing it.

Thats the resident rate, if you live in the city(with proof) you get that rate, one of my employees just played it last week, he said it was $181, and the rough was already "USGA Tough" you pretty much couldnt find it, and if you did, you basically couldnt hit it.

Thanks for all the recommedations.

Just got back from the trip.

Ended up playing three rounds total.

Played at Los Serranos Country Club. Nothing especially nice, but it was free. It's supposed to be the longest course in the US from the tips. Played from the tips and shot a whopping 99. Horrible round.

Had a decent session at the Commerce and decided to splurg a little. Played both Pelican Hill and Trump National. Played them both at twilight for the price of one standard tee time. Both are extremely beatuiful and no doubt Trump is tough. If you can't control your driver, leave it in the bag. I learned that pretty quickly and hit 3 wood and irons the rest of the day. I'll post a few pics when I get them downloaded.