Played Rancho for the first time in about 9 months on Saturday 11/12. We were the 3rd group out on the course and the pace was really nice. Overall the course is in decent shape for late fall, but t... Continue »

Played Rancho for the first time in about 9 months on Saturday 11/12. We were the 3rd group out on the course and the pace was really nice. Overall the course is in decent shape for late fall, but the big issue is that they are doing a lot of maintenance on the tee boxes. Many of the tees on the front side were pushed up to the white tees and even some were set up at the gold tees (black, blue, white, gold were all in a bunch together at the same yardage). So it shortened the course up quite a bit. Frankly it made the course more enjoyable in some ways, but I couldn't help but feel like I was cheating. On the back nine, most of the tees were set up in their normal position, which made it even more confusing as I was going through the round trying to figure out how I should post my score. One of the guys in the group (someone who we got paired with) decided he had had enough and was just teeing up where the black markers normally would be, but clearly they are trying to do some maintenance (punching, etc.) so me and my buddy just played wherever the tees were set up. Anyhow I've spent a whole paragraph talking about the tee boxes. The rest of the course was in decent shape, and I forgot how fun and frustrating the course can be. Great layout which never lets you feel really comfortable coming into greens. Finishing with 2 par-fives that are birdie holes also leaves you feeling pretty good no matter what happens during the middle of the round. If you're a stickler for playing the back tees, you might want to call ahead and see what the situation is. Otherwise, I'd recommend Rancho with the usual caveats.

I played Rancho Park last Saturday with SR714 in a match for GK Cup 19. Decent muni conditions overall at one of LA's best courses. It was very crowded and pace of play was on the slow side, so don't ... Continue »

I played Rancho Park last Saturday with SR714 in a match for GK Cup 19. Decent muni conditions overall at one of LA's best courses. It was very crowded and pace of play was on the slow side, so don't be in a hurry as this is one of the most popular courses in Los Angeles. The Restaurant and clubhouse is under construction. There is a trailer for the starter and a another for the snack bar. No cash accepted here. WTF?

This is an old course with wonderful, mature trees. There are no water hazards; the only real hazard here is the deep rough, trees, and the driving range. I'm not sure what the problem is with the range fence, but you really need to play a brightly colored ball on Holes 9 and 18. Hole 9 was not as bad, but Hole 10 had white range balls blanketing the fairway all the way across.

Greens: My impression is they are very small targets. They ran much faster than Olivas' did the week prior. I would call the speed as medium-fast. There was a decent amount of subtle to not-so-subtle breaks. I did fix a number of ball marks on most greens as they were soft.

Fairways: A mix of kikuyu and Bermuda grasses. A good amount of roll and decent coverage. Soft enough to take a good divot, even in the areas that appeared dry.

Rough: There was a good amount of turf coverage, even under most of the trees. It was deceptive, but finding a ball sometimes was a challenge as the turf was about 2 1/2" deep in many areas.

Sand: I visited a bunker or two. The sand was basically a thin layer of fine, white sand over hardpan.

Tees: We played the Blue tees and they were level and lush.

I believe this to be one of LA's top courses; Steve got us a GolfNow deal at $50 each, riding. It was worth it, but I'd loathe to pay much more.

A course where I never play well but enjoy walking it nonetheless. The first 3 greens were not good. I think there is some disease on them or they just haven't recovered well from being punched. From... Continue »

A course where I never play well but enjoy walking it nonetheless. The first 3 greens were not good. I think there is some disease on them or they just haven't recovered well from being punched. From 4 on the greens got better. The ball rolled less wobbly and more true. The fairways were very nice. I love this layout. I am trying to get my work buddies to play here at least once. Getting a tee time is a challenge but worth the effort. With only private courses nearby like Hillcrest CC, Brentwood CC, and LACC, Rancho Park is a gem for muscle class golfers like myself.

Did you ever notice how many golf courses go out of their way to make sure the first hole looks really nice and then things gradually deteriorate from then on for the rest of it? Rancho Park turned th... Continue »

Did you ever notice how many golf courses go out of their way to make sure the first hole looks really nice and then things gradually deteriorate from then on for the rest of it? Rancho Park turned this notion on its head this week with the first tee box being an absolute disaster, then hitting into a pretty dry and thin first fairway. The rest of the course, to varying degree, followed suit but got better as the day went on.

I was truly excited when I found a late single tee time for my 'home' course that I rarely get to play anymore thanks to the crazy busy schedule that is LA City Golf, but was disappointed to find the course in far less than optimal condition, with the one exception of the now mostly healed greens that were running quite nicely.

I was paired with two gentlemen and another single who were all not the fastest players around, but we still managed to get through all 18 at Rancho in less than five hours, so that's always something to celebrate. As previously mentioned though, we cannot celebrate how dry and beat up so much of the course looks. You're going to find some good lies later in the round and sporadically across this LA classic, but it's been in far better shape before.

The tee boxes are truly disastrous right now, at least from the blue tees which I played. I magically avoided every single bunker on the course so I can't speak to them too much, but did watch those in my group hit from numerous sand traps with no major complaints. The greens are good to go though and played quite quickly and held lines well.

There was no cart service on a busy afternoon and the snack shop at the 12th hole was completely closed, so that was upsetting and will see some points knocked off the course's GK rating. I walked but I did hear once again about GPS issues from our other single, who then switched carts at the turn.

And once again, the 18th hole here with its 1000 range balls in the middle and off the fairway as you inch towards the narrowed green is an absolute nightmare. It's simply no fun to hit a good shot and then spend 3-5 minutes sifting through every range ball while looking for yours and worrying you won't find it in time as the group behind you closes in. Make the fence higher for the love of God!

I'll be back though for sure and hoping things improve.

Played today 5/1 with a tee time just after 12 noon. POP was around 4 1/4 hours to play 18. Not bad for a Sunday.

We had cart issues because the cart person didn’t know how to reset the GPS in the... Continue »

Played today 5/1 with a tee time just after 12 noon. POP was around 4 1/4 hours to play 18. Not bad for a Sunday.

We had cart issues because the cart person didn’t know how to reset the GPS in the cart. Cart would give message that you exceeded the number of holes and return to starter. We called and got a new cart. It started doing this again on the 18th hole.

The other issue we had was the greens haven’t quite recovered from being punched almost 2 weeks ago. The greens were rather sandy, bumpy and slow. Maybe wait 2 more weeks for it to recover.

The tee boxes were in good shape. The fairways were about average with good coverage from tee to green. The bunkers for once had decent sand for a change.

The clubhouse is under renovation and is currently closed. The starter is in a trailer next to the clubhouse. There’s a food truck on premises if you want to get food next to the driving range.

We had one last issue while playing. One person was hit by an errant ball from the driving range onto the 18th hole. I almost got hit by a ball while approaching my ball to hit a pitch shot to the 18th green. Be careful playing 18th hole. From about 150 yards in, there’s so much driving range balls here.

Played 4/24 early in the morning. Good service on a crowded day. Got out on time and finished in 3;55 walking.

The course was in good shape except for the greens. They aerated a few days prior and ... Continue »

Played 4/24 early in the morning. Good service on a crowded day. Got out on time and finished in 3;55 walking.

The course was in good shape except for the greens. They aerated a few days prior and it was a heavy punch with a lot of sand. The greens were relatively slow and bumpy. No other complaints. I would wait a few weeks to get out there to allow the greens to recover.

4-9-22 Got lucky and was able to get on as a single before the men's club tournament this morning. Teed off at 7:45am and the pace of play was good for a LA city course on a Saturday. Finished the rou... Continue »

4-9-22 Got lucky and was able to get on as a single before the men's club tournament this morning. Teed off at 7:45am and the pace of play was good for a LA city course on a Saturday. Finished the round in 4hrs and 15min. The tee boxes were in good shape. Fairways were in good shape and the ball got a good roll on tee shots. The greens were in the best shape I've seen them in, in the 25yrs I've played this course. The greens were soft but had good speed to them, they rolled true. In all, it was a good day and I will definitely be playing Rancho again soon

Was invited to join an early AM time today. Glad I did. Left real early to avoid traffic and to stop at a long time favorite breakfast place (glad it was still open). Great Sr rate with LA City card B... Continue »

Was invited to join an early AM time today. Glad I did. Left real early to avoid traffic and to stop at a long time favorite breakfast place (glad it was still open). Great Sr rate with LA City card BTW. As previously mentioned clubhouse being redone. I hope they took some pictures to show future generations just what the place looked like from opening to remodel? Shame not to save the history of this great course IMO. Just a perfect weather day and the course reciprocated. Tee boxes fine. Fairways had decent coverage and good amount of roll and made for a lot of fun and laughter. Found no issues with the rough either. Not in any bunkers but heard no complaints. Greens had good speed and chipped/putted great all round. We got around in just under 4 hours. While the place seems in a state of chaos (not the course itself) it seems under control. Nice fast check in and everyone in a pleasant mood. Love having the chance to play here when available. Recommended and play it if you get the chance.

Played sunday 3/20, 9am tee time... 4 1/2 hr round. Haven't played here in about 15 years, a full round in 20. When I lived in LA and had a city card, played here once a month... so when I got the o... Continue »

Played sunday 3/20, 9am tee time... 4 1/2 hr round. Haven't played here in about 15 years, a full round in 20. When I lived in LA and had a city card, played here once a month... so when I got the opportunity to play, with a early tee time, and catch up with some friends, I hopped on a plane and let the nostalgia run wild. They are doing renovation to the clubhouse, so there are a bunch of temporary structures for check in and food. Same double decker range with some top tracer tech in some stalls. I don't recall a putting green by the driving range before... maybe I just don't remember.. I remember there was one out front.

Course in really good shape; it's running hard and fast. Greens are about a fast 10, slow 11... so pretty fast. Bunkers are beachy. Windy day. Overall, had a great time, and was glad I made it out.