played LRG for the first time weekend of 11/3 in an early morning (b/t 7:30 and 8:30) tee time, walking the blacks. i had heard strong things about the course since it's renovation and wanted to check... Continue »

played LRG for the first time weekend of 11/3 in an early morning (b/t 7:30 and 8:30) tee time, walking the blacks. i had heard strong things about the course since it's renovation and wanted to check it out, and felt $58 to walk was pretty reasonable. coming from near hollywood, it's a pretty easy ride to the track since it's right off the freeway and a bit closer than the moorpark courses. needless to say, LRG likely exceeded my expectations. the greens could've been faster, but were smooth. fairways were good, much better than the LA muni's. the overall look of the place was awesome with the turf reduction and retro looking (though its now a modern thing) traps. we played the blacks as the course is short, but its so funny to see a front 9 around 2800 and a back nine around 3500. id say overall the course played its distance and was mostly out in front of you. wasn't too crazy about the 15th hole and not having a clue that missing the green right was dead. we also found judging the downhill for the par 3 16th harder than judging the downhill for the par 3 6th hole. overall, i really liked the course though left a few shots out there, particularly on the 12th & 14th holes. also for what it's worth, and i know par is just a number, but calling the 1st and 12th holes par 5s is silly. i had 185-210 yards into each of them, and the 8th hole played longer than both. i suppose they do it b/c the look of a par 70 is more enticing than a par 68, but what this course really is a solid challenging par 68 from ~6300 yards. given how hard prime tee times are to come by, my review isn't exactly spoiling a hidden gem here. net net, i was very happy w/ los robles and would come back. it's an easy walk (minus gap between 9 & 10) and it makes you think. you could conceivably hit driver on all 13 non par 3s, but it's certainly optional, almost not preferred, on 3-5, 9 & 13. as for these new bunkers, lots of sand, fluffy and somewhat moist, but the ball doesnt get hung up in the fingers. they are tough, but fair. if you catch a lie in the high grass surrounding the bunkers, good luck. caught 1 on 11 and moved the ball 5 yards into the trap in front of me, but hey thats what gives the course its teeth and that is fine. net net, you get what you pay for @ LRG and i'd say $58 to walk it or $74 to ride is preferable to $92 at tierra rejada and comparable to river ridge victoria lakes given location for a LA resident. olivas/rustic still preferable, provided you can play in under 5 hours. but the combo of cost/course/condition/proximity makes LRG a top play right now for a LA resident.