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Serena's Golf Page !!!!
This page is dedicated to the sport of golfing, which is what I like to do, but can't seem to do often enough.
Serena's Golf Thoughts of the Week ...
Since I have not been playing much, I don't have much to contribute here. I still think that good putting is the key to everything. Here, I must insert that I am so excited that I got a new Ping putter from Garry and Julie for my birthday. I'm sure that this will make the biggest difference in my game.
If I can reduce my 3 and 4-putts, I'm sure I can reach double-par!!!
Rancho Park 9 (West L.A.): This course isn't too crowded. Also, it's only five bucks. It is Par 3 all around, which is good for me. There is only one hole (hole number four) which if you hit too far over the green you will more than likely hit a car at the intersection of Pico and Motor Avenues. However, hitting over the green is never a problem for me. In addition, there are mats at every hole, so you never have to break a tee. No water hazards here either to lose your balls.
IronWood Nine (Cerritos): This course can get crowded, and you may have to call a few days in advance for a weekend tee time. Holes two and four are both par 4, and very long to me. Hopefully, once I learn to hit my driver, these holes will be a piece of cake. In addition, at hole two, there is a lake about fifty feet in front of the tee. The only other hole to comment on is hole 9, which, although a rather short hole, can be quite frustating, because a big lake covers the whole area before the green. This is especially difficult for me, because I tend to hit my balls to the right, which is where the majority of the water is! This course also has mats at every hole, but they are a good twenty yards from the women's tees. It costs about \\$8.00 to play.
Dominguez Hills (Carson): This is the course off the 405 freeway, with the gigantic golfer statue with the really big hat. The cost to play varies with the time you choose to golf. The best deal is the twilight period, during which you pay about \\$5.00 to golf. The trick is, you have to try to get through as many holes as you can before the sun sets, and you can't see anymore. The course is lighted but they only choose to light a few holes every night. The most noticeable part of this course is that it is very hilly. The actual placement of the green is level with the tee but there are about fifty hills to walk over to get there. Overall, the holes are short, which is good for me. Also, they have an automated golf range where the range balls come out of the ground, which is pretty cool. But a little more expensive than buckets.
The Lakes (El Segundo): This is a pretty nice course with a constant breeze from the coast. Although it's close to the airport, you don't hear any airplanes. Like Ironwood Nine, there are two par four holes, which again, are quite long !!! Hole four (I think) is especially difficult as it is over 300 yards, uphill, with a lake to the right, and a whole bunch of sand traps to the left. If you get it in the hole in fewer than eight, you're better than me. Overall, you will get a lot of chances to hit from the sand traps, as each hole has at least three of them. Of note, the sprinklers turn on at 8:00 p.m., so it is wise to plan ahead (or you'll get wet like I did). This course is \\$9.00 to play after 4:00 p.m.
De Bell Golf Course (Burbank): I only know this course thanks to the Annual Golf Tournament at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. It's a beautiful 18-hole public course, set in the mountains of Burbank. Mainly 4-5 par holes, which in my book means too long. Fortunately, when I play in the tournament, it's "Best Ball" and I get to take advantage of my better-golf-playing buddies. Hole 16 gets to me...there's a big trench in the middle of the fairly that loves to eat balls up. No water hazards though! Oh, by the way, De Bell also has a 9 hole Par-3 Course on the side that only costs $2.00 to play! You can't beat that price. Bring only a pitching wedge and putter though - the holes average about 60-70 yards - you get what you pay for.
Arroyo Seco (Pasadena): This is reportedly "the most beautiful 18-hole 3-par golf course in America"! And only \\$10 to play 18 holes ($12 on the weekends. This is probably the most compact golf course I've been on. You have to wait for the people ahead of you to tee off on the next tee before you tee off, for fear of beheading them. Get your megaphone ready, you'll be yelling "FOUR" quite often. The pin is anywhere from 99-167 yards from the tee. Be aware though, the putting is quite difficult on this course - there are lots of slopes and strange twists that I know I can't read. For me, the 3-putt was pretty much the rule. Pretty fun course though..I'll go back when my putting game has improved.
Monterey Park Golf Course: I was introduced to this course by my parents. It's cheap (always good) and not bad for the price. There are 9 holes, mainly Par 3. The first and last holes are both Par 4 - Hole 1 goes downhill and Hole 9 goes uphill. That's pretty much how the course is laid out...first 5 holes go down and last 4 holes go up. And, as I've learned from my parents' friends, if you go at the right time, you can pick fruit off of the trees and eat while you golf!
Brookside (Pasadena): I only even attempted this course because Mike wanted to try out his new clubs. This is a LONG course, well over 5000 yards total. I don't even remember if we were on Course 1 or Course 2, so I will have to return to the course to refresh my memory. What's to say...the course is LONG - only 3-4 Par 3 holes out of 18. For me, the cart was useless...it was faster to run and hit the ball. I averaged about 8-9 on each hole. Talk about a tiring 18 holes.
If anyone one of you knows a good cheap golf course, I'll be happy to check it out and add it to my page!!!
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