Update: Greens are much improved since last week...still slower than usual, but should be in good condition throughout the rest of the month when they begin aerating for the fall. So get on while it... Continue »

Update: Greens are much improved since last week...still slower than usual, but should be in good condition throughout the rest of the month when they begin aerating for the fall. So get on while it's still good if you can stand the heat!

Just a heads up...I played here on 8/27 and the greens were semi-aerated. There aren't large holes with sand on the greens but they were all punched with small holes and not mowed, causing the the gr... Continue »

Just a heads up...I played here on 8/27 and the greens were semi-aerated. There aren't large holes with sand on the greens but they were all punched with small holes and not mowed, causing the the greens to be very shaggy and slow. I know that all the courses are dealing with the drought conditions but maybe this is one way their dealing with it. Hopefully they mow/roll them some time in the days after. I'm scheduled to return at the end of this week with some friends and will post if conditions are improved.

First time playing SA today, got around in 4 hours with an early tee time, $27 walking green fee, LA County operation here. Maintenance crews out a bit late, so first 5 holes had shaggy greens, not f... Continue »

First time playing SA today, got around in 4 hours with an early tee time, $27 walking green fee, LA County operation here. Maintenance crews out a bit late, so first 5 holes had shaggy greens, not fun. Looks like they were micro-punched two or three weeks ago. After mowing, they were a somewhat better but not very quick and did not always offer decent rolls ... definitely not the highlight of the course ... they were very soft Poa (and other unknown type of grasses) and held any decent approach ... mostly flat or slightly crowned surfaces with some moderate undulations. Would be super challenging if the greens were firm and fast :-) Fairways mostly had good Kikuyu coverage but there were minimal/matted areas, too. Rough very bare, hit and miss would be pretty accurate ... most of my lies in those areas were on dry or damp hardpan. Tree lined fairways throughout, mostly open off the tee with many valleys, mounds, and undulations to navigate which led to uneven lies just about everywhere on the course ... it's main defense ... I don't recall any water hazards. Only in one greenside bunker, very nice sand. Tee boxes weren't very level or cut so I can't agree with the previous poster ... I had to seek out places to tee it up even when hitting the driver on several holes. Layout-wise, not what I'd call a difficult track, very walkable, and there's quite a bit of street noise on the first 5 or 6 holes. SA has a nice view of the nearby mountains and the course does have some local character ... I'd call it an interesting round, especially with all the mounds and collection areas which is atypical of most muni courses I've played. A bit of a drive but I'd play it again as long as I know the greens are cut and rolling true ... but that can be just a matter of chance unless you're a regular and have figured which are the best days to play. Also, previous knowledge is very beneficial.

Hit Santa Anita Sunday, 8/3, as a single and was paired up with two other singles around 12:30-ish. After playing Wilson fairly recently, it was a striking contrast as to how open SA was on this Sunda... Continue »

Hit Santa Anita Sunday, 8/3, as a single and was paired up with two other singles around 12:30-ish. After playing Wilson fairly recently, it was a striking contrast as to how open SA was on this Sunday. Perhaps it was the morning clouds and predictions of some rain. Overall conditions were excellent and, perhaps because of the humidity, everything seemed a bit more on the lush side. With one minor exception, the tee boxes here are consistently good. Fairways are well grown in and green throughout—definitely not of the fast and firm variety. The greens were on the soft / receptive side, and rolled true at medium speed, which felt a touch slow compared to the more typical, medium quick speed of the greens here. Rough was generally playable and usually would cost you a stroke based more on location of the miss than grass thickness. Missed the bunkers, so no comment other than they looked fine and have been good in the past. No one in sight to start and we didn't catch the group in front of us until the 10th hole. Not sure, but something over 4.5 and under 5 hours for the pace. It's an interesting, walkable layout at a good price. I'd like to see the greens closer to their regular or maximum quickness, but it is a minor quibble and a personal preference. Realistically, I don't see how the conditions for this course could be much better.

great rates, crowded but moved along, greens were in great condition, traps consistant, i can see it gets a lot of play but the course was fun to play and challenging greens!

great rates, crowded but moved along, greens were in great condition, traps consistant, i can see it gets a lot of play but the course was fun to play and challenging greens!

Tee Time: June 01 @ 16:00

it was a beautiful and slight breeze in late afternoon. couldn't have asked for more of a perfect weather. we walked the course and surprisingly, finished in 4 hours. this... Continue »

Tee Time: June 01 @ 16:00

it was a beautiful and slight breeze in late afternoon. couldn't have asked for more of a perfect weather. we walked the course and surprisingly, finished in 4 hours. this course has been known for slow play on weekends due to tons of walkers because of the easiness of course layout. tee boxes were level and with few divots. fairways well maintained and couldn't remember any bare spots. roughs were about 1-1.5in. traps were good but still, we all got to do our parts and rake them please. aprons were nicely kept. greens were medium pace and a bit soft and spongy. however, roll was true and kept the line. it was a perfect afternoon to end the weekend. We all enjoyed it and especially when one of my golf mates shot a blistering 77 and one of our female friend EAGLE on hole# 6

it was amazing to witness both...

Went over on my own around 9-ish Saturday morning, 5/3. The starter had no one to pair me up with before a small outing was about to launch, so he was nice enough to let me proceed as a single rather ... Continue »

Went over on my own around 9-ish Saturday morning, 5/3. The starter had no one to pair me up with before a small outing was about to launch, so he was nice enough to let me proceed as a single rather than have to wait for the back end. With a few open holes in front of me, I played at an efficient, but casual pace, playing two balls for much of the front nine, with minimal waiting after I caught up with the general flow of things around the 8th hole. At the end of the day, the field was moving at something just over a four hour pace—pretty impressive for a Saturday muni on a warm, sunny day. The conditions here are solid right now. One tee box was down to dirt in the teeing area, but that was the exception to generally nice, flat lies with good coverage. Fairways had the occasional dry, thin patch, but very infrequent. Overall the fairways were pretty nice and I often found myself in areas where the grass really had the ball setting up. Bunkers were raked and good to hit out of, more firm than fluffy, and one was damp. The greens are rolling well at a medium quick speed, receptive, and no excess of ball marks. The rough played fair—usually just long enough that it might cost you a shot, but playable and you weren't going to lose a ball. It's a good course in good shape—and it's a good time to play it.

The greens and bunkers at Santa Anita are at prime condition right now. Putting surface is rolling true and at medium speed, which is as fast as it'll roll for this course. Tee boxes are in good sha... Continue »

The greens and bunkers at Santa Anita are at prime condition right now. Putting surface is rolling true and at medium speed, which is as fast as it'll roll for this course. Tee boxes are in good shape and fairways are mostly lush, with a few brown spots here and there. No major damages. PoP isn't great here. Took us around 5 hours for a mid morning tee time. You'll see 5-somes galore.

Played yesterday, 1/13, a little before 1:00. With the understanding that we are talking winter conditions, they were pretty good all around, consistent with the last couple of reviews. Maybe it is th... Continue »

Played yesterday, 1/13, a little before 1:00. With the understanding that we are talking winter conditions, they were pretty good all around, consistent with the last couple of reviews. Maybe it is the warm stretch we've had, or my expectations, but I think the fairways were even offering a bit better lies, on average, than when I was here last month. The round was a little over 4 hours—a little slower from 6 thru 12, with only a serious wait on the par 3 eighth. A very playable and satisfying course, especially for the time of year. It didn't hurt that the weather was immaculate on the day.