xcops420

I haven't played Santa Anita in awhile despite being a local. I actually haven't played much golf in general over the past 6 months. I tend to put my clubs in time out every few years and take a breather. On a whim I decided to run up to Santa Anita. I found a great twilight time so I went for it. I didn't think I'd get in 18 before dark, but I went anyway.
The weather was cool and grey like a Scottish day. Just how I like it when I play golf. And in SoCal. that type weather usually keeps people away. Sure enough, the course was really open. I think I played about 22 holes in total. Shot an 81 which I was pleased with considering how long I've been away from the game.
I learned that the course is under new management. It looks like the clubhouse and out buildings have been painted. The pro shop is now stocked. (It wasn't for many years) The staff was very friendly. They didn't see my golf now reservation but I gave em my confirmation # and they were ok about it.
I've always liked SantaAnita. SA is a classic So Cal course going back to the 30's right near SA racetrack. There is no real elevation changes, but the course is very rolling with elevated greens. IT's a good course. There is brown out there, but not in the important areas. The greens were slow but in good shape.
Overall it was a good day. Love that Scottish weather.

Well, I lucked out this time. Usually Santa Anita is a very busy facility much like Brookside or Encino/Balboa. It was a Monday and that is usually one of the days you can find Santa Anita open. It was wide open.
The greens were punched but that is no biggie to me. I am a pretty good putter, so tee to green is really what I work on the most. I had a pretty good day. 82 from the back. Although, punched greens make birdie putts pretty unlikely to go in.
I am a local for this course so it was nice to play it. I don't play it as often as I might because of the normal crowds. Santa Anita can be tough because it always seems like the ball is above or below your feet. It's an old course. Fairly generous off the tee, but as with any course, you have to hit the ball !!

Well, both my partner and I played for the first time at RR and what a terrible disappointment. The clubhouse is nice. The staff was great. The beer was ICE cold. LIke that. But you simply cannot avoid the elephant in the room. The course (Mountain) was just in awful shape. Yes, the tee boxes and greens are green, but that is it.
I hit a lot of fairways and had nothing but hard pan dirt for all of my lies. I just can't fathom how you let a course get this bad.
The fees do not reflect how poor the course is. I've played beat up little 9 hole courses in the city that are greener. Although I guess some grass is more than no grass.
I cannot imagine coming back unless massive changes were made. I did like the layout of some holes, but golf is meant to be played off grass.

I enjoy DeBell for the target golf aspect. Too many men watch PGA golf and think they need 7000 yards when they play. DeBell will show you that short holes can be very challenging. You don't need the driver much at DeBell, but on #10 you better rip a good one. There are 3 good long par 3's and a blind one (the "Bell") hole. Aim just right of the big tree.
Good wildlife. At one point I had 7 coyotes just hanging out around my tee. They were no threat. I saw a ton of deer. Like most hillside courses there is a lot of wildlife.
The Clubhouse is definitely one of the coolest looking ones in LA for public courses. Oh.....and the genuinely nice, engaging, blonde cart girl is never a terrible thing.

Brookside has a reputation for being a very busy facility. I was shocked that it was so light on a Friday afternoon. Pace of play was good and we got it all in with daylight to spare. The course seemed to be in decent condition. No major flaws but not so manicured I took notice. What I did notice was how light it was on a Friday.