The mighty have fallen. Played Rancho twice this month; it's my regular course. It is a great layout with lots of subtle challenges. The par 3 holes in particular are quite difficult, each for a diffe... Continue »

The mighty have fallen. Played Rancho twice this month; it's my regular course. It is a great layout with lots of subtle challenges. The par 3 holes in particular are quite difficult, each for a different reason. The hills throughout the layout really add to the test, and trees come into play on most holes. People complain about 5-6 hour rounds on weekends, which is the time it will take you if you tee off after about 9 a.m. Early tee times allow you to finish in 4 to 4 1/2 hours. It's hard to play much faster due to the difficulty. All things being equal, this is the jewel of the Los Angeles city courses. Unfortunately right now all things are not equal. The course is in an extreme state of disrepair. The tee boxes are a disgrace. They are largely uneven. Unrepaired divots everywhere, it's very hard to find a place to tee up that is level and actually has grass underneath. The fairways are just as bad. If you hit it well and straight, you can't count on a good lie; often as not your ball will be in a divot hole or on some bare turf. Bunkers are another adventure; some have fine sand, some have dirt; some have a mix of the two. At least the greens are in decent shape, although they run pretty slow, especially in the early morning. L.A. City Golf Division charges a premium to play Rancho [along with Wilson GC]. Golfers aren't getting value now. Obviously the city is not willing to pay for basic maintenance, and it really detracts from the enjoyment of a round here. While the course is being aerated I am looking forward to playing at other venues that don't abuse the golfing public like the City of L.A. is doing here at Rancho.

Wanted to play twilight and called at last minute and got a 3pm time. Started right at 3pm. Finished at 7:45pm. Last two holes were a increasingly getting dark. I really like Rancho with its elevation... Continue »

Wanted to play twilight and called at last minute and got a 3pm time. Started right at 3pm. Finished at 7:45pm. Last two holes were a increasingly getting dark. I really like Rancho with its elevation changes and doglegs. Every hole is somewhat different. If you stay in fairway your score will reflect your accuracy. Leave the fairway and you will give up shots. Greens were in fairly good shape, but as we played late in day, they were a little bumpy at time. Fairways were in very commendable shape for a muni course that gets a lot of play 365 days per year.

Twilite fees are a bargain if you tee off close to the beginning of twilight, otherwise you will not finish 18 holes.

I will return again and again.

Played Rancho on 4/8/13 with Gk'er Barkinesq. Called up last minute and was able to get out at 3:00 pm.

Greens: Rolled true. A little bumpy, but that was to be expected so late in the day. They... Continue »

Played Rancho on 4/8/13 with Gk'er Barkinesq. Called up last minute and was able to get out at 3:00 pm.

Greens: Rolled true. A little bumpy, but that was to be expected so late in the day. They were running pretty consistently medium-fast and holding shots very well. Only real negative was all the ball marks...I'll never understand why people don't fix their ball marks.

Fairways: Lush and green for the most part. There were definitely a couple of bare spots in the most frequented areas. Fairways were a little firmer inside 100 yards, but still very playable.

Rough: 3-5 inches along most of the fairways. Greenside rough was significantly shorter and less penalizing. Not too many bare spots except around some tree roots and golfer-created access roads i.e. driving between holes instead of on the cart path.

Tees (Blue): Some pretty damaged areas, especially on the par 3s. However all were level and playable.

Bunkers: I was in 1 greenside bunkers and 2 fairway bunker and all had ample and fluffy sand. No hard packed areas, at least in the bunkers I was in.

POP/etc: Teeing of at 3:00 pm with 2 walkers who played very slow, I was not expecting to finish. However, all groups were waving up on the 3rd hole, which created a little breathing room. We didn't run into the group ahead of us until the 8th hole. On the back 9, we played as a twosome and the foursome in front kept a really good pace. Minor back up at 12, but opened up a little after that. Hooked up with a single on 15 and played the last 4 as a threesome. Miraculously finished in 4:45 with waiting on very few shots. That's certainly not the norm here, as 5+ hour rounds should be expected, but the golfers in front of us were really doing their part to keep things moving. Just goes to show that even with all the play Rancho (and other munis) get, sub 5 hour rounds are possible when golfers play responsibly and courteously.

For the rest of May, twilight starts at 2PM (gets pushed back to 3pm on May 1). $33 to ride is a pretty good deal if you can get out around the beginning of twilight and give yourself a shot at finishing.

Played my first round on Rancho Park on Tuesday, 2/26. An unexpected computer crash at work sent my boss and I to the golf course for a mid-week round. I've been wanting to play Rancho for a while n... Continue »

Played my first round on Rancho Park on Tuesday, 2/26. An unexpected computer crash at work sent my boss and I to the golf course for a mid-week round. I've been wanting to play Rancho for a while now, but it just never happened. Now that I've played it once, I seriously doubt I'll ever go back again. The classic layout is awesome!! Love all the elevation changes and doglegs. In my opinion, the greens are awful. Bumpy and beat to crap. Not surprising considering how much play this course gets. The fairways and tee boxes are typical LA City Muni...thin at times, but not horrible. The other major negative for me is the POP. 5 1/2 hours to play on a Tuesday afternoon. Ridiculous. I had to warm up and stretch 3 separate times during this round. Major deal breaker for me. The only way I would ever play this course again is if I went out in one of the first 4 groups of the morning, but those tee times are next to impossible to get. I'm very happy I got to play it, but once was enough for me.

Aaaaah Rancho Park. One of the best public courses in the country, steeped in tradition and history. The classic course where the old L.A. Open used to be played, back in the 60's, with the famous 18t... Continue »

Aaaaah Rancho Park. One of the best public courses in the country, steeped in tradition and history. The classic course where the old L.A. Open used to be played, back in the 60's, with the famous 18th hole where Arnold Palmer shot a 12. The LA City Chamber of Commerce commemorated that moment with a plaque that they placed at the top of the back tees - check it out. The best time to play the course is in the winter months, after a little bit of rain. The moisture and the cooler weather keeps the greens nice and tight, and they roll great. Tricky greens, some with crazy undulations and slopes. It's an older course so the trees are mature and tall, making some of the holes look tight. With modern equipment, a lot of the holes can be overcome, but the dogleg twists and turns and the ups and downs are still great challenges even to this day - a testament to its wonderful design. It's always fun to play Rancho, even when it's crowded! But beware! The weekends are a guarantee for 6+ hour rounds, and during the week it's best to get out there early.

Played today at 7:40am , finished at 12:00pm. Great day to play golf. The condition of the course overall was above average. The greens were rolling fast and smooth. This was the best conditions I ha... Continue »

Played today at 7:40am , finished at 12:00pm. Great day to play golf. The condition of the course overall was above average. The greens were rolling fast and smooth. This was the best conditions I have played at this course. Fast and smooth greens, good fairways and good tee boxes. Will play here again soon.

Just got back from a long day at Rancho. The course is in wonderful shape overall. Greens are rolling semi fast and true, ball marks are at a minimum, fairways were cut but a little most and damp from... Continue »

Just got back from a long day at Rancho. The course is in wonderful shape overall. Greens are rolling semi fast and true, ball marks are at a minimum, fairways were cut but a little most and damp from the recent rains. Some of the rough was longer on the fairways but playable around the greens. OK, I have to say it. There was a foursome in front of us and they were all in their 60's and one was at least 70+! No big deal but they were playing from the Blue's?? Really slowed play, but I shouldn't say much as the two guys I was with were playing from the Blacks and couldn't find their T shots most of the time! If you do go to Rancho on Wednesday's it's Lady's day and you wont get out until after 9am, bring your lunch, cigars, whiskey and a good book! LOL ;) still my home course and I love it!!

Rancho Park Golf Course Review
Los Angeles California Golf Course Reviews

Just got back from playing. This is my home course. I went out today thinking it would be super crowded being Fri but to my surprise Nada! Very relaxing day of golf. I played the Whites today because... Continue »

Just got back from playing. This is my home course. I went out today thinking it would be super crowded being Fri but to my surprise Nada! Very relaxing day of golf. I played the Whites today because the group I joined was playing them and the tee boxes were in good shape, the fairways a little thin at times, Hey, it is Winter.... and the Greens were in decent shape. Soft and holding approach shots, a little bumpy but rolling out and semi fast. Here is what I think could be a scoop. The White tee's were playing very far Up! There were no ladies tees. I saw a guy from SCGA out Scoping the holes with a laser like Sky Caddie does. I said to the cart guy, "The White tee's were really moved up" and he said they just did that today. Maybe They are getting re-certified? Any way, it was worth the greens fees and the course is in decent shape. Go have fun!!

Played today hoping to beat the rain. We managed to play 15 holes before the rain came. Finished n the dark and relatively dry. Tee boxes lush. Fairways lush. Bunkers packed and well stocked. Gr... Continue »

Played today hoping to beat the rain. We managed to play 15 holes before the rain came. Finished n the dark and relatively dry. Tee boxes lush. Fairways lush. Bunkers packed and well stocked. Greens were a little bumpy with med-fast speed. Had to be aggressive for puts to hold their line. Pace of play was quick. Group ahead of us were in carts and they disappeared after the 5th hole. Thing is I think we held up the groups behind us. Even though we finished 18 holes after 3hours 45 mins.

FYI LAPD tournament Friday/sat. So watch the tee times. It looks be a HUGE affair. I miss this place. Been over 10+ yrs since I played here and wondering what took me so long. Will be back!

Rancho Park Golf Course Review
Los Angeles California Golf Course Reviews