I played Porter Valley as part of the GK/GolfMoose event on Monday, 11/15/21. The event was setup well with registration a breeze, thanks to Johnny & others. POP was fine for a shotgun start event a... Continue »

I played Porter Valley as part of the GK/GolfMoose event on Monday, 11/15/21. The event was setup well with registration a breeze, thanks to Johnny & others. POP was fine for a shotgun start event and the course was in great shape. The only issue was there was no food available and the cart girl ran out of sandwiches very early into the round. Note to self, pack snacks!

The course itself is a deceptive but fair challenge that although short on the card, demands good shot making. There are some great views of the valley and hillsides as it winds itself through some homes and a good number f the holes play uphill adding to the deception of what you see on the card.

The tee boxes were in great shape, somewhat small, but very well maintained. The fairways were excellent and I don't remember seeing any brown spots or ground under repair. The greens are the teeth of this course. They roll true and were somewhat quick, but being nestled among the trees and rolling hills made subtle little breaks difficult to see and prepare to hang on anytime you're above the hole.

I was warned by many that this was a very tight course. Because of the distance, driver wasn't automatic off the tees often so again, it becomes a shot makers dream. I think most of us in SoCal are so used to desert courses and wide fairways that tree lined fairways get in our heads a bit. The fairways are all tree lined and there are many well placed mature trees that just demands that you not always try to bomb it, but think through the shots and do your best to execute. In my case, that wasn't always the case, but I think with prior knowledge and good planning this course can be a a favorite of many.

I highly recommend trying to get out to Porter Valley whenever the opportunity arises. I definitely look forward to getting back there and hopefully getting the better of it next time.

Another Monday (11/15), another private club GK/GolfMoose outing, another Ted Robinson design, and another very enjoyable day! This is very much a city golf course, built into the hillsides just abov... Continue »

Another Monday (11/15), another private club GK/GolfMoose outing, another Ted Robinson design, and another very enjoyable day! This is very much a city golf course, built into the hillsides just above the 118 Freeway, tree-lined and occasionally tight, some great valley views, a few nice little ponds, and it plays about 400 yards longer than the 6100 yards from the blacks because darn near every hole is at least slightly uphill. The main challenge is presented by the uncomplicated smooth but small greens that roll true but are quite deceptive because of the surrounding hills—very easy to read too much break and occasionally being above the hole is a death sentence. Deceptively challenging, with a few genuinely beautiful holes, this is a course that would be very fun to play regularly. Only downside is one too many par threes, which at least today is what caused us to get slowed down quite a bit and cost us at least an extra 20 minutes on the round; one of them is quite long and contributes to more that usual slowing at the short holes. Still, there is much to like about this design that makes the most of the hillsides and is exceedingly well maintained.

As always, registration was smooth as silk with Johnny on the scene and cooperative golfers eager to get out to the course. The range is smallish and distance restricted, but the practice putting green is superb because it is pretty flat and allows for good calibration prior to the round. (Didn’t help me, as it turned out.) The course is in beautiful condition all around, one of the best maintained I have played of late; few brown spots anywhere, and they put the money and time into the playing areas. The routing makes great use of the hillsides; there is one very steep downhill par 4, nothing else is severe but almost always gradually uphill. The course is right there in front of you, well bunkered, and fair but occasionally narrow landing areas. The turf is great, but does not provide a lot of roll out; every yard of distance is truly earned.

If given a chance to play here, take it. It is a fun city course and will reward good ball striking and test your putting. Kudos to the maintenance staff, they deserve a lot of credit for making this a very fine golf course. Thank you, Johnny GK and GolfMoose!

Played here, first time, in the GK / Golf Moose shotgun, 11/15/21. Encouraged by the reviews from a few weeks ago, and wasn't disappointed. Not much more to add from previous reviews. Conditions stil... Continue »

Played here, first time, in the GK / Golf Moose shotgun, 11/15/21. Encouraged by the reviews from a few weeks ago, and wasn't disappointed. Not much more to add from previous reviews. Conditions still at high level. Fairways (I believe kikuyu) were well maintained and very lush. Kikuyu cut short and were nice and firm but still provided a good cushion. Greens, little bumpy in spots, but otherwise quite fast and smooth, subtlety tricky . Most were tilted back to front so approach shots to the correct level was important. While I did not venture into any bunkers, they looked great and playing partners commented very positively. Fun layout and still a good challenge albeit at just over 6000 yards form tips. Would recommend to anyone who gets a chance to play here.

Played 11-4-21 with John, Nate, and Larry teeing off in the afternoon from the black tees and finishing in about 4 hours. Fun semi-tight course with some elevation and a few lakes thrown in. Tee boxes... Continue »

Played 11-4-21 with John, Nate, and Larry teeing off in the afternoon from the black tees and finishing in about 4 hours. Fun semi-tight course with some elevation and a few lakes thrown in. Tee boxes were in good shape, level and mostly lush with a few being a little thin but nothing major. Fairways were in great shape, lush with great lies and minimal roll out. Rough is cut pretty short along fairways with some thicker areas around the greens, all off it being in good shape. Was in one greenside bunker that had a good layer of very nice sand and nice to hit from. Greens were rolling medium/fast and holding shots nicely, they were mostly smooth with a few bumps on the back side later in the day. If you get a chance to play here, take it.

Super fun day with GK Gurus, rgm2525, 24hourgolf and NateofCA.

I love this golf course from first play. It is ridiculously fun to play with its beautiful conditions, wildly undulating greens, tight... Continue »

Super fun day with GK Gurus, rgm2525, 24hourgolf and NateofCA.

I love this golf course from first play. It is ridiculously fun to play with its beautiful conditions, wildly undulating greens, tight tree lined fairways carved into surrounding hills, up and down the hills with fantastic views of the San Fernando Valley, doglegs left and right, risk reward Par 5’s and Par 4’s, strategically positioned bunkers and small water hazards… all this packed into 6000 yard layout that will test all of your game. I can’t wait to get back here for another round. Check out the photos I just posted. They don’t do it justice.

Conditions are very lush Bermunda/Kikuyu turf fairways, green surrounds, rough and tee boxes. Greens are very healthy/receptive poa rolling smooth with exception so some of the softer greens on the back nine that are taking a little longer to heal from aeration however by next week will be much better. Bunkers were excellent … well groomed with a beach sand like texture.

In all my years living in SoCal, kicking myself for not getting out to this private track sooner. Anyone playing in the upcoming Golf Moose/Greenskeeper.org outing on 11/15 is in for a treat (still some spots open).

Note although, the golf clubhouse in the middle of major interior renovations. Not sure when those will be completed.

Only negative are the very small practice facilities. Small range off mats limited to 250 yards carry. No practice pitching/sand area I saw. And only one practice putting green.

One more observation, almost all the fairways are tucked into small valleys with homes above them on hillsides. Talk about perfect design to retain water and be lush despite the SoCal drought. This might also explain the name of the club being Porter “Valley” despite the golf course being a very hilly track.

Highly Recommended.

Played Porter Valley CC yesterday with Johnny GK and couple other GK Guru members. I don't know why they call the area Porter 'Valley' because I never felt like I was in a valley, especially consideri... Continue »

Played Porter Valley CC yesterday with Johnny GK and couple other GK Guru members. I don't know why they call the area Porter 'Valley' because I never felt like I was in a valley, especially considering the course is in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley. However it's in the area as you start climbing the Santa Susanna Mountains out of the SF Valley. I checked the altitude using an app on my phone a couple times which read over 1100 feet on one hole and close to 1300 feet on what I was told is the highest hole of the course. The temperature is a little cooler than the SF Valley below which is certainly a good thing in the summer months. It was a beautiful day with very low wind and a clear sky.

The course was in amazing shape. Tee boxes, fairways and greens in great shape. There are four tee positions - black, white, gold and family (whatever that is). Many of the greens slope downward from back to front. The slope from white tees I played is 124, fairly difficult. Yet I played one of my best rounds all year mostly because I did some advance homework reviewing the scorecard and using Google Earth to measure some distances to doglegs, determine how wide fairways were, how many trees or houses were near, etc. The result of that research for me was that I needed to stick to clubs I had most confidence in hitting straight shots wiht and having a good idea how far I hit my clubs. I chose not to use my driver on any shots and stick to my 3-wood and 3 hybrid on par 4 and 5 holes and it paid off. Some holes run along side a couple of major streets in SF Valley and I didn't want to chance breaking a car window either. Since the course slowly climbs up a mountain and descends back down there are a lot of uphill fairways and uneven lies to compensate for. Bottom line is you need to play this course smart and fairly conservative if you want to score your best. It averages about 200-220 yards to the bend of most dogleg fairways so a driver could put you in rough, trees or someone's backyard on some holes. I only lost one ball and it was on an approach shot, not a tee shot. There's also small lakes near the greens on three holes, if I remember correctly.

It's a beautiful course with some nice views and scenery along the way. I consider it a very 'nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there', as the saying goes. The sound of emergency sirens all through the four hour round and a fire that broke out not far away with the smell of smoke and helicopters flying nearby sort of spoiled a perfect outing and reminded me I was in the crowded city of Los Angeles. I'm a rather spoiled nearby Ventura County resident where most of our golf courses are pretty quiet places. Nevertheless honestly it was one of my most enjoyable golf outings this year and I would definitely be open to playing the course again.

Had the great pleasure of playing here today. This is a Ted Robinson Sr designed course and I have to say, one of his best. A few holes with water yes. But not the usual T R course many are familiar w... Continue »

Had the great pleasure of playing here today. This is a Ted Robinson Sr designed course and I have to say, one of his best. A few holes with water yes. But not the usual T R course many are familiar with. Played with JohnnyGK, rgm2525 (who still retains the birdie chain) and NateOfCA. I had not played here in over 20 years and have always wanted to get back here. I thought the course was great then but it is now a fantastic test of golf. I have to rate everything a 10. Not a hair out of place. One of the nicest private courses I have had the pleasure of playing in my golfing life. From check in to the course, the professional courtesy shown is wonderful. My first acknowledgement goes to the superintendent and his crew. What a fabulously maintained course. This is how a golf course is supposed to look. Tee boxes 10 (so clean). Fairways 10 (like walking on a carpet) and the lies to die for. Traps 10 (so playable). Greens 11 (they bite). Rough was not penal but it will take its toll. One thing I do not remember and perhaps they were like this? The greens were large and many had a ridge running through the middle. So if you did not have local knowledge (which I did not have because I am old and forgot this about the course) you could come up short if the pin was in the back. Causing a tough uphill putt. Get above the hole and look out. Homes do line most of the fairways but they rarely come into play (ask John) and they are high up from the fairways. Spectacular views from the golf course and many of the homes as witness of the beautiful decks. Nate said that one hole was at 1000 FT elevation and one 1200 after using his cell phone app. PVH is a Club Corp run course for those who are CC members or have the CC traveling plan. Go play it and you will not be disappointed (other than your score). Golf Moose is planning a private event here (check with John). And by all means if you can join the event do so. BTW do not be fooled by the 69.6/127 Black or 68.3/124 White ratings. Many holes up hill and many side hill lies to deal with. Very nice driving range and putting green (that is exactly like the greens - fast). Excellent golf carts though no GPS (bring your own if you need such a thing). Great outdoor patio to eat. Though we did not sample any food. I absolutely loved it. If I lived close by I would be a member and never play anywhere else. Well unless I was on vacation.

Played Porter Valley CC on Friday 6/25 as a guest of a Member. I know the course well as I was a Member years ago.
Although I don't love the shorter, hilly course it was a good time visiting.

The... Continue »

Played Porter Valley CC on Friday 6/25 as a guest of a Member. I know the course well as I was a Member years ago.
Although I don't love the shorter, hilly course it was a good time visiting.

The course is in FANTASTIC condition. Best ever that I can recall.

Tee boxes, although small are in good condition. Fairways awesome, a pleasure to hit from. Rough great condition until you get to the hillside areas (my bad!) Greens not as fast as I recall, but are in great shape. Very few ball marks. Pace of Play was excellent, less than 4 hours.


The staff here is friendly & efficient. Restaurant is under needed renovation. It's open, but construction noise makes it tough to hang out.

A very good time on a course in Prime condition. If you have the chance, play it.

Played Wed 12/09/2020 11:15am tee time as a guest of a member. Really nice layout. Was paired up with two other players, all with separate carts. Great condition, greens were super fast, good sand in ... Continue »

Played Wed 12/09/2020 11:15am tee time as a guest of a member. Really nice layout. Was paired up with two other players, all with separate carts. Great condition, greens were super fast, good sand in bunkers, all expected for a private club course. Typical pace of play for a private track. Nice variation and layout for this vintage course. Not too long, but very strategic, with trees, hills, water all from a mature layout. Thank you! There is a good drone flyover on the club website.