Golf in Los Angeles Area – Griffith Park – Wilson and Harding

Golf in Los Angeles Area – Griffith Park – Wilson and Harding

Los Angeles is a great city for Golfers.  Weather pretty much permits great golf all year round, and there are a lot of courses to choose from.  Of course like any area, there are good, bad, easy, and tough courses in the Los Angeles area, but today I will post about the one that seems to be the one that meets in the middle.  Not only did I play regularly at Wilson and Harding, Wilson actually happens to be the first course that I ever played.  (FYI Wilson – President Thomas Woodrow Wilson / Harding – President Warren G. Harding)

Every golfer remembers the first time going out on the field, and the toll it plays on you physically and mentally.  My first time on the field, I was no where near ready to play.  I had just started to learn at the range for a few months, and have never even hit a driver before!  My uncle wanted me to experience playing on the course, and help me learn faster, so he took me to Wilson, joined 2 strangers to make a foursome, and experienced something that is close to a nightmare.  Luckily the 2 strangers who played with us were very patient, and actually threw pointers my way to help me out.  Nonetheless, it was hard trying to figure out all the etiquette and rules.  Of course trying to keep on pace with the group in front of you and behind you didn’t help at all.

 

Fast forward a few years, now I have a list of favorite golf courses.  De Bell, Brookside, Hansen, Rio Hondo….of course when I have guests, or want to play somewhere nicer, Los Verdes, Trump or Angeles National Golf Club etc.  However, when not planned in advance, my weekend go to place was always Wilson or Harding.  There is another golf course right there at Griffith Park called Roosevelt, but I’m not a huge fan of Roosevelt.  I had some bad experiences there with the quality and conditions, and never really needed to try again with Wilson or Harding right there.  I would wake up at 5am, my clubs were always in my trunk, so just drive to Griffith Park, and at that hour with familiar faces, they never mind you even going out alone, or with just a two or threesome.

Practicing is also really good here.  They have a pretty large putting green, chipping area, and a 2 story range where they offer lessons, or where you can work on your skills alone.  If I’m correct, Wilson is a little longer, and tougher than Harding.  Both courses are well maintained, and the rates are very reasonable.  Very beautiful, and yes, you will occasionally run into wildlife there like deer, geese, mules, etc.  Finding parking is never an issue here, but I don’t recommend parking next to the range.  I have had a golf ball land on my hood before, and left a decent sized mark.  It actually looked like someone stepped on my hood with high heels.  For the golfers who want to get a quick semi round, or just want to try your new shot out, they offer twilight and super twilight rounds.

How is the clubhouse?  The clubhouse is really good, however I have never been to a clubhouse that had “BAD” food, so I guess my opinion isn’t too credible for clubhouse food.  But honestly, how can “Bar” food and beer taste bad after golf?  They hold weddings and events here too like most clubhouses.  For more information about the clubhouse, you can reach them at (323) 661-7212.  The Pro Shop can be reached at (323) 663-2555.

4730 Crystal Springs Drive, 90027

So if you are looking for a nice round of golf, I highly recommend Wilson or Harding for a decent priced, well maintained course.  Like I mentioned before, if you want to go to a really nice course, my favorite in this area is Angeles National Golf Club.  GPS on the carts, strict dress codes, spread tee times, and very challenging to name a few things, however weekend rates are $130.  On the other end, another great place to go with just a few irons and your putter, is the Los Feliz golf course, which is a Par 3, 9 hole, and from what I remember, costed less than going to the range.  They have really good hot dogs here too =)

 

JULY 22, 2018 BY DAVIDIN