Played this morning with some friends staying in Venice. We teed off a little later than I normally would, but still got around in just over two hours (pretty good for a Sat). While the course is clea... Continue »

Played this morning with some friends staying in Venice. We teed off a little later than I normally would, but still got around in just over two hours (pretty good for a Sat). While the course is clean and green (surprised) there are some issues. Greens were slow, patchy (looked burnt) and very hard when accepting shots. Tee boxes were OK when placing tees in but where severely beat up. Bunkers were very crusty. Fairways were clean and did provide some decent roll. Rough was deep, wet and spongy (like rough is supposed to be). Customer service excellent at all levels.

Stopped by for nine on Saturday 4/4, around midday while I was on the West side. Got out right away as a single with a two-some, which became a five some by tee off. There are enough detailed reviews ... Continue »

Stopped by for nine on Saturday 4/4, around midday while I was on the West side. Got out right away as a single with a two-some, which became a five some by tee off. There are enough detailed reviews on the layout, etc. here. In a nutshell, I had to hunt a bit for a decent grassy spot on the 8th tee box, but that was the exception to flat tee boxes with decent coverage. Fairways here stay pretty lush with the marine air. I hit no bunkers. Greens 1-5 were in nice shape and running a crisp medium pace. Six through 9 were same pace but surface quality was bumpier. This place gets busy so the slow pace was to be expected and, to me, a non issue. Light, steady breeze, beautiful clear day, nice walk. And in light of Harrison Ford's recent visit, everyone seemed to have an airplane comment.

Only had time for 9 today and chose here. First time playing it and it is an enjoyable course. Customer service excellent at all levels. Being an executive course, it is not overly imposing but it is ... Continue »

Only had time for 9 today and chose here. First time playing it and it is an enjoyable course. Customer service excellent at all levels. Being an executive course, it is not overly imposing but it is a good layout. As I went off early I am not going to be very critical, due to wet and foggy conditions. Tee boxes were acceptable, fairways in good shape and the rough was tall/wet and tough. No sand traps, so no comments. Greens were in good shape. Had they been mowed, no doubt even better. And enjoyable course to keep ones game in decent shape and easy to walk. Recommended if you are in the area and just want to play 9 holes.

Played here today. Greens have been punched with small holes. No sand, though. Give it a few days.

Played here today. Greens have been punched with small holes. No sand, though. Give it a few days.

Continuing my New Year's blitz around LA's short courses, I started early this morning at Penmar. I had booked a 6:54 time through GN ($16.75 as a non-resident) just to have something set, but it wasn... Continue »

Continuing my New Year's blitz around LA's short courses, I started early this morning at Penmar. I had booked a 6:54 time through GN ($16.75 as a non-resident) just to have something set, but it wasn't too crowded on a cold morning and I was in the first group out around 6:45 along with another single and a twosome. We enjoyed a nice, quick pace as the lead foursome. There was frost on the ground our whole round, so you had to chip the ice off the spikes by the time you got to the greens. Otherwise, the course was in pretty decent shape from what I could tell. Some tee boxes were a bit ugly (more mud than grass). Fairways had some thin spots, but mostly pretty nice. Rough thick in some areas and patchy in others, as you might expect at a muni. Greens were firm early on (frozen), but softened up a little as we played. Surfaces were slow and rather bumpy. I wasn't in any bunkers, and I barely noticed more than a few on the whole course anyway. This is a very straightforward layout. I was hoping for something a little more interesting because locals seem to like this place, but it's pretty wide open and forgiving. Bad shots will bring the trees into play, of course, but otherwise what you see is what you get.

Played on 12-14-14, at 9 am. POP was good, barely over 2 hours (which is faster than normal). As usual, the fairways were green and lush, but several greens were below par. Something is causing the... Continue »

Played on 12-14-14, at 9 am. POP was good, barely over 2 hours (which is faster than normal). As usual, the fairways were green and lush, but several greens were below par. Something is causing the grass to die in various spots, resulting in many little bumps that affect the roll. Otherwise, the course was what you could reasonably expect. I wasn't in a bunker so no comment there. If your time is limited, and you're near the west side, this course should do the trick.

Little double dip at Penmar today - the busiest day of the year as per the starters. Bit of chaos starting off and all-around confusion, but we were pretty relaxed. Waited on every hole but again - t... Continue »

Little double dip at Penmar today - the busiest day of the year as per the starters. Bit of chaos starting off and all-around confusion, but we were pretty relaxed. Waited on every hole but again - they made no illusions about that when paying. Fairways look real nice right now, and the rough is good. No bunkers today so no comment. Greens are bumpy and speed seems to vary from hole to hole. When daylight faded you could really see how much they need to be rolled. Tee boxes? Again, varied, but quite a few very hard areas to even get your tee into, while others just fine. Penmar is a good little 9-hole if your expectations aren't Pebble Beach and you've got some time. Always good value no matter what.

Had to sneak in some golf this busy Halloween weekend and managed a late start at Penmar on Sunday. Very crowded due to Daylight Saving rush but I went out solo between two fivesomes. At third hole wa... Continue »

Had to sneak in some golf this busy Halloween weekend and managed a late start at Penmar on Sunday. Very crowded due to Daylight Saving rush but I went out solo between two fivesomes. At third hole was asked to join group ahead so that was nice, but probably not for group behind us. But they were all very pleasant.

Fairways at Penmar are in good shape - plenty of coverage and rare to find a bad lie. Tee boxes a mixed bag but they do a decent job of moving them around. Rough and sand are alright. The greens are better than they were but still quite bumpy and most still have some sandy areas on them. Not the best shape there but they accept shots well.

Despite fears, did end up finishing 9 before dark, and registered best-ever score at Penmar (37), so a good way to finish up the weekend. $19 well worth it for that feeling.

Played today to head off some traffic. Pace of play was a brisk one. We only had to wait on a few holes and everyone seemed to play ready golf -- which is a good thing.

Greens are soft and roll... Continue »

Played today to head off some traffic. Pace of play was a brisk one. We only had to wait on a few holes and everyone seemed to play ready golf -- which is a good thing.

Greens are soft and roll pretty true with good speed. Some of the greens though show some damage along the edges. Fairways in good shape. Rough looks thick and penalizing. I thankfully was not in it but you could see the ball sink down into the rough easily with that thick airy kikuya grass. Tee boxes were relatively flat.

Overall nice little 9 hole executive course. No par 5, just a collection of par 3s and 4s. It was fun to finally get out and actually knock the ball around. Course is not easy to find but once you do you will be pleased with the current golf conditions. Would I play here again? Only if I am in the area again. BTW high school girls golf (Santa Monica HS, I think) play here in the afternoons after 2pm.)