Brookside Golf Course, wedged between the hills of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl, is a stalwart of Los Angeles public golf. Opened in 1928, the Billy Bell designed #2 course is shorter, tighter, and often more strategic than its "hit it as far as you can" big brother layout (both courses originate from the same clubhouse).
First and foremost, Brookside is a very social golf course. For better or for worse, you will rarely if ever feel any semblance of seclusion. Whether it's due to the walkers, runners, hikers, and bikers on the surrounding roads, or your fellow golfers playing on one of the many parallel fairways, you'll not be left feeling lonely. It should be noted that this does not make the experience unpleasant. In fact, my Saturday morning round was enhanced by the busy-ness of it all. Playing golf in the shadow of the Rose Bowl (almost literally…the #1 course serves as a parking lot for Bruin football games and other Rose Bowl events), gives you your first hint that you will not be playing a mountaintop course with birds, deer, and coyotes as your only company. Pasadena is a beautiful setting, though, and my advice is to take it all in - courses aren't built in locations and settings like this anymore.
Stretching out as far as it possibly can, the #2 course might nick 6100 yards, and it's clear after hitting short irons to many of the one-shotters, and taking a go at the green on a pair of "two-shotters" that the long irons and fairway woods can be left home for this one. Despite being among the hills of Pasadena, Brookside is on what is almost an entirely flat piece of property. Go ahead and hoof it - you won't find many easier 18 hole walks.
Other than the quirky 4th hole, Brookside #2 presents a straight-forward challenge that does not count trickery among its defenses. Most of the greens are elevated with bunkers both left and right. Fairways are lined with mature trees, which makes you think a bit about how to play your tee ball. The back nine, in part, runs up and down a concrete river/wash which comes into play for the errant driver of the golf ball.
The conditions were good, though not great. One would be foolish to expect immaculate fairways, groomed rough, and carpet greens, but I found the greens to putt truly and at an appropriately average speed (something for which I was thankful when I found myself above the hole on the severely sloped 12th and 16th greens). All too often, in the race for 13 on the stimp-meter, people lose sight of what is appropriate for their set of greens. Brookside has it right. The fairways are generally lush and grabby (see: kikuyu) - the rough is hit and miss, but fortunately, around the greens it is generally hit. One point of note is that the tee boxes, from what I am told, were recently re-done. This has left some areas roped off, and some areas over-worn, resulting in some muddy spots and quite a few bare locales. I can only imagine this is going to improve, but watch your step. When compared with other municipal courses in the area, I'd comfortably rate Brookside as a member of the upper half.
On the whole, Brookside #2 was a great experience…and it is just that, an experience. Go on a Saturday morning - take stock of the surroundings…enjoy it. Wave at a runner, smile at a cute girl (or guy), and enjoy life in Southern California…especially since you can be playing golf on a Saturday morning while some unfortunate soul is shoveling snow in Buffalo. Brookside #2 shouldn't beat you up too much, and though I am told that we got exceptionally lucky with our 4:30 walking round, I can happily report that in my experience, pace of play was more than adequate.
