Pleasantly surprised!!

This was only my second time at La Mirada. My first experience was perhaps sixteen years ago. I almost didn't remember the fact that I had been there before, until half w... Continue »

Pleasantly surprised!!

This was only my second time at La Mirada. My first experience was perhaps sixteen years ago. I almost didn't remember the fact that I had been there before, until half way through the round it finally dawned on me that I had played a junior tournament there as a twelve year old.

Everything was in pretty good shape.

I played the course from the tips, which I usually do, and because I tee off from where most others golfers don't, I see less divot damage than most other reviewers might report here on GK, but on the whole I believe the tee boxes were in great shape and for the most part were level. The course is well marked, with the exception of a few tee signs that are damaged.

The grass in the rough on this golf course is.......I don't know what you call it, Kikuyu or Bermuda. It does not allow for any roll. There is a premium placed on hitting the narrow fairways which, I think, consist of the same grass mown down to a tight surface.

The well defined fairways appear to be and are indeed tightly mowed, and their appearance would lead one to believe that much roll could be afforded by the smooth surface. However, the same roll-restricting effect on balls that land in the rough, is found on even a well struck shot in the fairway. Fortunately, the underlying earth is firm and compact enough to provide enough bounce to propel the ball forward at least more than a trivial amount.

This is what protects this rather short layout from being a bombers paradise. In addition, the trees at this course are large and well grown. Players that find themselves in them will surely have fits if they are not proficient at escaping from nearly impossible positions, given that many of the holes follow the canyons which bisect the flowing hills which this layout intertwines and surrounds, providing plenty of uneven lies.

I found the greens to be a bit different than the rest of the course. The texture is smooth. The grass is kinda weird. It almost looks fake in spots. I think they are bent greens but I am not an expert at grass classifications. There is plenty of ball mark damage left by players on the course. I witnessed several rude players of Asian decent walk right by their ball marks without fixing them. Of course, I took the liberty of doing it myself all day, but I didn't mind since the round was taking almost 6 hours anyway. For the most part the greens roll very true and are about 9.0 at most on the stimp meter. I made alot of putts and was very pleased with the conditions.

I eagled the Par 5 7th hole. My drive was 310 up the hill, and my 2-iron from 210 yards, uphill, sent my ball within 10 feet from the hole. The putt was difficult and hard breaking, but I made it. It was the highlight of the day on a round of 70, even par.

Great all-beef hot dogs on the grill at the turn. They will grill onions for you if you want, too. Good Service. Will be back....