Teed off at 2:10, 9/17 as a twosome joined by a single. Overall conditions are good, tempered by the fact that many fairways double as parking lots for Rose Bowl events. That means some occasionally t... Continue »

Teed off at 2:10, 9/17 as a twosome joined by a single. Overall conditions are good, tempered by the fact that many fairways double as parking lots for Rose Bowl events. That means some occasionally thin or bare spots on the fairways and white parking lines scattered about. This is limited to certain parts of certain fairways and not as impactful as it sounds. With dry weather, the ground is pretty firm and takes the traffic fairly well. Teeing grounds were all in pretty good shape. Fairways overall had good coverage and rollout, rough was not especially punishing in most cases, greens were quick and in pretty good shape as were the immediate surroundings. Bunkers were firm-ish and mostly clean. Even though I only live ten minutes away, I confess I am not a big fan of the Brookside courses but still like to get out there once a year or so just for variety and check it out. Weather was blessedly a little cooler than it has been lately, pace was about 4.25 and steady, and despite the erratic state of my current form, it was a nice day to walk a course that is flat enough to encourage it. I still won't go back soon, but my preferences shouldn't color yours, and if you've never played there it's worth a look. If you like the course, more power to you. As to the conditions, not pristine, mostly good, no serious issues and I give it a thumbs up.

Enjoyable Saturday round at the EO Nay course #2 at Brookside playing with my monthly golf group that roams the southland looking for a good time. We found it on a picture perfect day in Pasadena, fiv... Continue »

Enjoyable Saturday round at the EO Nay course #2 at Brookside playing with my monthly golf group that roams the southland looking for a good time. We found it on a picture perfect day in Pasadena, five groups going off at 8am and playing from our customary white tees with this ensemble.

I had only played Brookside #2 twice before this, usually opting for the superior Coiner course on most other visits. I had always felt the holes at at the Nay course felt too repetitive, with the same type of green complexes. The front nine is eight par 4s and a single par 3, so, once again, 'repetitive' becomes the operative word. And of course a par 70 fills one with a greater sense of accomplishment after 18 holes.

All that being said, it was actually a lot more fun than I remember it in the past, probably due to far better ball striking and finding more fairways this time around. It's 'short,' but not easy, as the greens are quite tricky (and many postage stamps), and there are some OB areas that are quite reachable, including the concrete ravine that bisects much of the course. It's a good challenge for sure.

Conditions are quite good right now as well, with green fairways and plenty of nice lies, but of course you're going to find a few thin ones here and there and some GUR areas near the greens. Bunkers were a bit above average, but still not enough people using rakes (nice to have this to complain about again after last year), and the tee boxes were a bit on the shaggy side but all level and manageable.

Greens are very tricky here with lots of strong slopes and tough reads if you're above the hole, or sometimes even worse when pin high but with some distance to cover. Those arcing putts that need enough juice to get to the hole but then run 15 feet past it after you miss can be excruciating. But if you hit good putts, they're going to roll true, you just need to be very accurate when choosing a line.

We had cart service come by 2-3 times which was nice, and the POP was around 4:45, which wasn't too bad as it was likely our slow groups having a good time making that time slow. We rode for the round and the carts have a good GPS system installed now.

Driving range is still a mess so don't plan on getting a quick spot there without having to wait in line a good while. It's much too small for a facility of this size, and the practice putting green had like 4-5 golfers for each hole. It's a bit crazy. I suggest being mentally prepared for a short warmup pre-round at the tee box and take your chances, or get there early and be disappointed.

So yes, Brookside #2 did do a good job of converting me back into a fan after this weekend.

Its been over 2 years since I played Brookside #2 even though it is right by my office in Pasadena. Went out on Tuesday at 2 pm. No check in until 10 minutes before your tee time. Course is just as... Continue »

Its been over 2 years since I played Brookside #2 even though it is right by my office in Pasadena. Went out on Tuesday at 2 pm. No check in until 10 minutes before your tee time. Course is just as busy as before, but 10 minute tee time intervals and 4 somes only make POP at 4 hours 10 minutes!! Greens were the highlight of the day running at 9.5. Remember the pull towards the Rose Bowl on all your green reads...for breaks and speed. Tee boxes definitely needed some work and the rough was juicy. Fairways had good coverage. Sand traps were average shape. The snack shop at the turn was closed. Outdoor dining and togo available in dinning room. Super strict about wearing mask on driving range. No mask needed on the course. New carts with GPS were a nice addition. Tons of action all around between joggers, runners, cyclists, and car whizzing by... Definitely sensor overload on the back nine.

I was actually hoping to play the #1 course, but since #2 was less busy, decided to play the "little course". I 've always enjoyed this shorter course. It still provides a reasonable challenge becau... Continue »

I was actually hoping to play the #1 course, but since #2 was less busy, decided to play the "little course". I 've always enjoyed this shorter course. It still provides a reasonable challenge because it's far more narrow and the green complexes are more difficult IMO. The greens however were not great, still recovering from the aeration, so a bit slow and bumpy. Generally the fairways were OK, with some areas which were too wet/uncut. Tee boxes need some attention, as do the bunkers. (enough sand - just needs maintenance)

One of the things I enjoy most about the Brookside courses is just how walkable they both are. The senior rate makes them a bargain to play, which now days is such a rare treat, when it seems every other course has raised their prices through the roof. Golf like it used to be !

Played here on a Sunday morning. Mothers day ftw. Was able to book 9am the day before with multiple times available.

The last time I was out here it was close to 6 hours to finish. Talked to th... Continue »

Played here on a Sunday morning. Mothers day ftw. Was able to book 9am the day before with multiple times available.

The last time I was out here it was close to 6 hours to finish. Talked to the Ambassador and he said those days are gone. With the Covid protocols, 10 minutes between tee times and no more 5 somes I was able to finish in 3:40. Definitely a welcome change.

Tee boxes are green but only 1 of 4 or 5 are flat. Fairways look great. Rough is very penal, can often be hard to find the ball. Sand was good. They replaced 5,6 or 7 years ago and still in great shape. They definitely need to put more upkeep into it though as it looks like it hasn't been touched in a week. With no rakes it can look like the beach in some bunkers. Greens were ok. They looked good but rolled very slow. Most were still showing signs of aerefication a few weeks ago. Definitely need to be rolled and cut.

Course is very tight. Trees lining most Fairways, few bail out areas. If you're not hitting straight it could be a long day. Choose also played long. Drives that were going 270 were going 245 out here. Irrigation doesn't seem the best. Many very damp areas and some puddles. Ball can end up muddy even on the fairway.

Will definitely try to get out more often if the pace of play is always like today. Under $45 walking. $16 for the cart. New carts with GPS. GPS only to the front back and center not to the pin.

Morning tee time at Brookside #2. A steady mist during the entire round and they were aerating the tee boxes with large holes and after were spreading the plugs to break them up. Problem was it was so... Continue »

Morning tee time at Brookside #2. A steady mist during the entire round and they were aerating the tee boxes with large holes and after were spreading the plugs to break them up. Problem was it was so wet that all the tees were covered in mud. They had also cut the rough and left the clippings and the greens were covered with mud and grass clippings. Course should be back to normal in about a week. POP was a tick under four hours.

Out early on a very cold AM. Wow what a difference this course is w/o a years worth of no parking. Check in was easy and fast. Found the tee boxes to be covered in grass and no issues. Fairways have g... Continue »

Out early on a very cold AM. Wow what a difference this course is w/o a years worth of no parking. Check in was easy and fast. Found the tee boxes to be covered in grass and no issues. Fairways have good coverage (yes there are some thin winter areas) and very good roll out. Traps were being cleaned as we played so no issues (I think we all know how they will be later in the day w/o rakes). Greens were very nice. Good grass coverage, mowed, firm and fast (best I personally have ever seen them). Excellent customer service and they have the check in area very well controlled vs the mob scene witnessed in past visits. I think by switching the 9's around on Koiner it removes the congestion between the two courses. I will be going back for sure with these current conditions. No food/beverage early AM but they do have an outside food area that opens later in the day. LA Co virus rules at check in and around the tee boxes. Pro shop and restaurant (of course) were closed. Pace of play was great and there was a marshal out moving things along. Not too busy when we arrived @ 6:15 but busy when we finished @ 9:30. No idea how Koiner course is? But it was green.

Wednesday morning tee time on Brookside #2. Check in is always a little crazy here, covid protocol being followed and the line to check in is in the path of carts going back and forth due to social di... Continue »

Wednesday morning tee time on Brookside #2. Check in is always a little crazy here, covid protocol being followed and the line to check in is in the path of carts going back and forth due to social distancing. Single carts only we tried to have two to a cart and were told this was not allowed. Course in very good shape. POP was a little more than 3 hours. Very hot day.

Today was my first time playing Brookside. I’ve tended to avoid it as I’ve often heard how crowded and slow it can be. I decided to give it a try with an 8am tee time hoping to get in before the crowd... Continue »

Today was my first time playing Brookside. I’ve tended to avoid it as I’ve often heard how crowded and slow it can be. I decided to give it a try with an 8am tee time hoping to get in before the crowds. I was paired with a very nice threesome of guys. I walked and they each had their own carts.

The usual precautions are in place – masks in common areas, no putting green, waivers for carts, foam in the cups. They did have portable hand washing/sanitizing stations set up near the check in. The only available restrooms were on the course and in the Rose Bowl Parking lot. The pro shop was closed so I was unable to get a logo ball :-(

The course conditions were pretty good. Several fairways and greens showed signs of recent punching, but it didn’t affect play at all. The fairways had good coverage but the grass was so dense – and the rough so long and deep- that it was a lot of work pushing my cart. I often took a round-about way to my ball just to avoid walking through it.

Early in the round, the course was very damp. That, combined with the deep grass, caused very little to no roll out. The greens were so slow it was ridiculous. They did speed up a lot by the back nine, though. I was in one bunker and it was just damp dirt. Some of the others looked much better.

The layout was really boring. Other than one par 3 where we hit over the ditch, there were no memorable holes. POP was ok at 4:15. Overall, I had a good time but it’s just not a course I can see playing again.