I was over on the West side today and took the opportunity to stop in at "The Shire" and catch nine holes at the old stomping ground in the early afternoon. Starter was cool about giving me a locals r... Continue »

I was over on the West side today and took the opportunity to stop in at "The Shire" and catch nine holes at the old stomping ground in the early afternoon. Starter was cool about giving me a locals rate and that made it more reasonable. I was slotted into the second group up so was out in about ten minutes after checking in. The course is, overall, in good shape. Tee boxes had enough coverage, if sometimes a little thin, but level—no issues there. Fairways here tend to stay green and, by winter standards, even a little lush at times. Maybe it's the marine layer. Didn't hit a bunker so no telling but they looked okay. Rough was good—longer than the fairway and not overly penal in most places, juicier in others, as in some green side areas. Of course there are some thin or hardpan areas to be found. The greens were green, receptive, less than smooth and a bit unpredictable. Not slow, but no more than medium speed, the ball could wobble in a couple of different directions off line in the course of a medium range putt. I've seen them better. Part of enjoying the round required knowing you may have made a good putt, but it wasn't necessarily going in the hole—c'est la vie, welcome to Penmar. The rest of the foursome was relaxed, pleasant company. Pace was a tad sluggish, but no one was complaining. You don't come out to Penmar to get revved up and it was pretty stress free. I was glad I got to revisit.

Went for a quick 9 holes before the Super Bowl, hoping it would be a ghost town by 11 or so. Wasn't exactly that slow (probably not many behind us but plenty in front), but the POP was just fine - hav... Continue »

Went for a quick 9 holes before the Super Bowl, hoping it would be a ghost town by 11 or so. Wasn't exactly that slow (probably not many behind us but plenty in front), but the POP was just fine - have to expect slow days in LA.

Had come here for first time a few months back and the greens have improved tremendously - really nicely kept right now. May be an anomaly, but glad it happened on my day there. Fairways were just fine - few dried out areas but nothing to complain about. You get what you pay for and for only $19 you get 6 par 4s on a 9 hole course - not too shabby.

Definitely going to start coming here more often than Lakes at El Segundo when I've only got time for a short round.

Played this 9-hole on Sunday 6-24 with the twilight crowd. This was my first time on the course, and played it because I have a friend who lives around the corner. Apparently everyone else comes out... Continue »

Played this 9-hole on Sunday 6-24 with the twilight crowd. This was my first time on the course, and played it because I have a friend who lives around the corner. Apparently everyone else comes out late on Sundays here as well. The pace of play was 3 hours for 9 executive holes. Many 5-somes playing military golf. This should be expected though, as it is obvious this is a beginners course.

The tee boxes were the worst part conditions wise, they were very beat with tons of divots everywhere. The unevenness is also an issue on several holes. The fairways were in really good shape overall. The rough was hit and miss, some patches were muddy with clumps of grass here and there, others were lush and 4+ inches long.

The greens as noted below are very flat with basically no break. They run at a medium to slow speed, and were kinda hairy. But I bet this helps most of the learning golfers on the course, so they don't 4 putt every hole. Overall the course is okay for a local 9 hole executive. Not worth the trip if you don't live in the neighborhood, but it does cure your golf fix for at least one afternoon.

Penmar Golf Course Review
Venice California Golf Course Reviews

Played the day before Christmas with a buddy. Course was not busy at all. Got on at 2pm with no problem. Greens fee were a little high for an executive 9 hole. $14.50 to walk. There are no electri... Continue »

Played the day before Christmas with a buddy. Course was not busy at all. Got on at 2pm with no problem. Greens fee were a little high for an executive 9 hole. $14.50 to walk. There are no electric carts only push carts for rental. I come here when I have a few hours to blow and it is only a few minutes from my house. Tee boxes are were very wet and soggy. Fairways were lush and have been like that for years. Greens were soft (hairy) and running slow. All the greens are relatively flat with little break. This is a nice little track to come out and practice your short game and putting. There are a few holes you can hit driver but a nice place to practice on the par 3's. Overall not bad but I remember when it cost $11.50 to play a couple of years ago but this place still can get busy with the older crowd in the mornings. If you get a chance to play with Ray (one of the starters) take that opportunities. Nice guy but he leaves after 6 holes. Three things that put me off about this course. No driving range but they do have a chipping area and batting cage style practice at the end of parking lot. Too many old people in the morning and they allow fivesomes. Pros, nice little putting area, nice starters (once you get to know them) and simple layout for the beginner.

Penmar Golf Course Review
Venice California Golf Course Reviews

Tuesday 3/22: Walked on at 4:00pm. Sloooooooow play today. Course jammed up with fivesomes / foursomes. No marshall in sight. Left after 6 holes, couldn't take the pace. Usually not this bad. Why keep... Continue »

Tuesday 3/22: Walked on at 4:00pm. Sloooooooow play today. Course jammed up with fivesomes / foursomes. No marshall in sight. Left after 6 holes, couldn't take the pace. Usually not this bad. Why keep sending people out when there are three group back ups on next tee?

Course in okay condition - it's a city run municipal, so don't expect much. Fairways okay, greens pretty beat up. Hey, for $12 (resident rate) you can't complain. Large tree down in middle of 6th fairway from recent rains.

Ah, "The Shire." Overlooked by the south slope of Santa Monica this Venice, executive, 9-holer is also the emegency landing area for the small aircraft launching overhead out of Santa Monica airport. ... Continue »

Ah, "The Shire." Overlooked by the south slope of Santa Monica this Venice, executive, 9-holer is also the emegency landing area for the small aircraft launching overhead out of Santa Monica airport. Throw in the occasional emergency vehicle sirens in the neighborhood (mainly form the direction of Lincoln Blvd) and certainly there are enough aural distractions. But if you are used to the bustle of LA, and the West Side in particular, stuff like this is just background noise that fades from immediate consciousness. It seems to me it must, because despite all that and how busy Penmar tends to be, it has a certain relaxed, locals charm that feels rather peaceful. Maybe because it is a much needed oasis of greenery in the area, it feels like an bit of a retreat. I used to play here too much because I literally lived a stones throw from it. Now I'm on the East side, rarely see it, and stopped in for a round while running an errand locally. This is not a course you generally go cross town to play, but gets a lot of use from the locals. A low handicapper might not waste their time, but for the rest, it's anything from a nice practice round to a real challenge, depending on your ability from mid-handicap to newbie. They roll out five-somes and the pace is usually unhurried -- to put it nicely. You almost have to work at it to fall behind here, but the group ahead of ours managed to -- falling a hole behind by the 7th. Oh well. Not good for your rythmn and score, but probably good for the psyche to linger if you've got the time. The course is flat with no water, but the well grown trees lining the fairways will keep you honest. For all the traffic it gets, I am always amazed at how well the fairways hold up here. Perhaps the marine air keeps them lush. Historically, these greens can run slower, but I found them receptive and running medium-on-the-slightly-quicker side for a good pace. I was fixing extra ballmarks, but it wasn't bad. Dropping a couple of long putts confirmed them as true enough. Tee boxes are generally pretty flat and coverage is good to adequate. No traps for me, but they generally have decent sand. It's the degree of raking (or not) that can make them tougher to exit. The regular price, especially for a non-resident, will almost get you 18 at twilight at some other places, but Dude, your a mile from the beach, it's Venice, you're playing golf.

Chill.

Don't know why it doesn't show on the listing but I played it today and Penmar is in the middle of redoing all greens. holes 1-5 use alternate greens while 6-9 are complete but extremely bumpy.

Don't know why it doesn't show on the listing but I played it today and Penmar is in the middle of redoing all greens. holes 1-5 use alternate greens while 6-9 are complete but extremely bumpy.

played 10-3. Overall conditions are above average. Walked on after 3 pm and was charged $22. A litte pricey for a 9 hole course.

played 10-3. Overall conditions are above average. Walked on after 3 pm and was charged $22. A litte pricey for a 9 hole course.

First time playing here. Course is busy at Twilight. And busy is and understatement. Pace of play was a little slow but quicker than most places it seems when playing twilight. Greens in good shap... Continue »

First time playing here. Course is busy at Twilight. And busy is and understatement. Pace of play was a little slow but quicker than most places it seems when playing twilight. Greens in good shape. They roll true but bumpy at times. Receptive to nice high shots. Fairways are good. Tee boxes are a little uneven but ok. Personally, this is a great little course for beginners, not a lot of break on the greens and plenty slow for putting. The greens on the practice are no comparison to the greens on the course. Walked off after 7 b/c sun was going down.