Golf Course Archives - Grumpy Gopher

Wilson and Harding Golf Courses

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The Wilson and Harding Golf Courses are City of Los Angeles layouts which are located within the historic Griffith Park. Each of these courses has a long and impressive history of its own, but both remain very much relevant today. Each provides plenty of length to challenge experienced players, and there are plenty of trees on the property. For a classically L.A. golf experience, you need to head out to Wilson and Harding at least once.

Wilson Golf Course

This course opened back in 1927, and today it provides golfers a test that can be stretched to 6,967 yards from the back tees. To prove that the course isn’t just all length and no substance, it has a course rating of 73 and a slope of 125. Without a doubt, you are going to have to know what you are doing in order to get the ball around Wilson with a solid score.

Harding Golf Course

Believe it or not, Harding Golf Course is actually older than Wilson. It opened in 1923, and it currently stretches out to 6,679 yards from the back tees. A slightly more forgiving test, this course has a rating at 71.3 and a slope of 121. If you are trying to pick between the two courses and you are worried about how your game will hold up, test yourself first on Harding and move to Wilson when you are confident in your skills.

History on a Budget

It isn’t often that you get to play classic golf courses with such a rich history for an affordable price – especially in Southern California. Wilson is slightly more expensive than Harding, but only by a few dollars. Either way, you can spend less than $50 to get out onto either one of these two courses, and you will be in for an experience that lets you know what golf in L.A. is all about. To save even more money, these courses also offer opportunities like twilight rates, nine hole rates, senior rates, and more.

As these are municipal golf courses, the usual expectations apply, such as potentially slow play, spotty course conditions, and a lack of amenities. However, if you are looking for amenities, you shouldn’t be looking at municipal courses. For a fun day of golf and a taste of Southern California history, the Wilson and Harding Courses in Griffith Park are a popular pick.

Click here for our list of the best golf courses in San Fernando Valley.

El Cariso Golf Course

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Located in Sylmar, California, El Cariso Golf Course is a County of Los Angeles facility which offers an executive length 18-hole golf course. If you are in the area and in the mood for a quick round of golf around a short track, El Cariso is a good option. The course is located near Los Angeles Mission College, just a short distance north off of the 210.

Keep It Fun!

Golf is supposed to be fun, and many players have been reminded of that fact when they play El Cariso. Sure, it doesn’t have the 7,000+ yard layout of a championship style course, but so what? As far as spending a day out under the sun goes, you can have a great time on this par 62 design. The social part of the game is another important part of having fun on the golf course, and this is a good place to bring your friends of all skill levels. If you have a group of friends who all golf but don’t necessarily all have the game to play a bigger course, choosing El Cariso could make everybody happy.

Save Some Cash

You aren’t going to have to take out a second mortgage on your house to play at El Cariso, which is part of the reason why it is so much fun to play. Even on the weekend the rate is less than $32, and you can play for just $24 during the week. It is hard to get onto a golf course for that kind of price these days, so this is a welcome opportunity to hit the links for a modest cost.

Get Started

If you are just getting started in golf, this is exactly the kind of course that you should be hoping to find. The short layout will not be as demanding on your developing skills as a long course would be, and there will be many others around you who are just learning the ropes. There will be plenty of time to play longer courses later if you so choose, but getting started by learning the game at El Cariso is a perfect option.

Click here for our list of the best golf courses in San Fernando Valley.

Encino and Balboa Golf Courses

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The Encino and Balboa Golf Courses are located at the same facility in Encino, California. This is a City of Los Angeles Golf facility, and each is a full-size course with plenty of challenge to offer the serious golfer. The Balboa coarse stretches beyond 6,600 yards from the back tees thanks to a 2008 renovation, and Encino course can go beyond 6,900 yards when played from the tips.

One of the best things about heading out to Encino/Balboa is the presence of 36 holes on the property. This is especially handy if you are deciding to play at the last minute and have not made a tee time. With two courses to pick from, your chances of getting out in a reasonable amount of time are increased as compared to heading to a facility with just one course.

Reasonable Rates!

As you certainly know, playing golf anywhere in Southern California is often an expensive proposition. That isn’t the case at Encino and Balboa, however. For residents, the rate is just $40 on weekends and holidays, which is a bargain compared to most of the competition. Of course, as municipal facilities, they may not be quite as manicured as a luxury resort, but they still deliver great value. To get out and enjoy a round of golf with your buddies without breaking the bank, it is hard to do better in the greater L.A. area.

Access from Anywhere

Okay – so maybe not anywhere, but you can get to the Encino and Balboa Golf Courses from a variety of locations around Los Angeles. The courses are located at the northwest corner of the intersection of I-405 and the 101, meaning you can come west from Pasadena, north from Santa Monica, east from Thousand Oaks, and on and on. Of course, no one can do anything about the traffic problem, so pick and choose your tee times wisely.

Encino for a Challenge

If you are a serious golfer and you would like to test yourself, picking the Encino course would be your best bet. In addition to being approximately 300 yards longer, it is also rated almost two strokes more difficult. Specifically, the par threes stand to present a serious test, so your long iron game better be ready to go. With that said, the Balboa course is no pushover. It still features a course rating over 70 and enough yardage to make you pay attention.

In all, heading to Encino or Balboa Golf Course for a day on the links under the Southern California sun is a great decision. You might not find the luxury that is offered at some of the resorts around the region, but you also aren’t going to find greens fees that are in excess of $100. For a moderate price and a convenient location, these courses are a great option.

Click here for our list of the best golf courses in San Fernando Valley.