Short on Time, Long on Courses

By Peter Yoon

The recent downturn in the economy has seemingly spared nothing and the golf industry is no exception.

But one area of golf that appears to be enjoying a bit of a revival is short courses. Executive and par-3 layouts are less expensive, less time consuming and less difficult than regulation-length courses, therefore addressing the three biggest issues in declining participation in the game. And even as the course-building business has gone flat, a pair of short courses —Terranea in Rancho Palos Verdes and Monarch Dunes’ Challenge Course in Nipomo — are on the short list of courses that have recently been built in Southern California.

“We think it’s going to be a home run,” said Todd Eckenrode, designer of Terranea. “People want faster, more affordable golf and this gives it to them.”

The stigma that has been attached to short courses is that they are not “real golf,” but this recent trend has tried to address the issues of poorly maintained pitch-and-putt courses. “We tried to build world-class par-3s,” Eckenrode said. “The holes are challenging enough for everyone, but certainly playable for beginners from the front tees.”

The trend could also extend into the long term. Short courses are less costly to build and maintain, so they make financial sense for developers. They also give homeowners golf course views with fewer of the drawbacks associated with living on a course.

“These types of courses meet a lot of what the golf world needs,” Eckenrode said.

Reidy Creek Golf Course
Location: 2300 North Broadway, Escondido
Vitals: 18 holes, par 54, 2,582 yards
Green fees: $15-$18 Estimated time to play: 2½ hours
Details: The rolling fairways and greens are products of the surrounding canyons that make the course feel like an escape. A creek and several lakes come into play and many greens are well-guarded by stunning bunkers that add to the aesthetics. The holes are all par threes, ranging in length from 93-194 yards but several forced carries and multi-tiered greens are enough to keep the attention of golfers of all abilities.
On the Web: www.reidycreekgolf.com

Aliso Creek Golf Club
Location: 31106 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach
Vitals: 9 holes, par 32, 2,221 yards
Green fees: $26-$35 for adults, $22 for seniors and $17-$25 for juniors
Estimated time to play: 1½ hours Details: It’s just up the road from the ocean, but it feels like a mountain course because it’s tucked into the Aliso Canyon and you never see the water. The four par-4 holes range from 195 to 265 yards with tight driving areas and forced carries. Par-3s of 201, 195 and 207 yards will keep you plenty challenged from the back tees.
On the Web: www.alisocreekinn.com

Bear Mountain Golf Course
Location: 43101 Goldmine Dr., Big Bear Lake
Vitals: 9 holes, par 35, 2,783 yards
Green fees: $25-$30; $19-$24 for juniors and seniors.
Estimated time to play: 2 hours
Details: It’s a regulation-length nine-hole track with two par-5s (512 and 463 yards) and three par-3s. Towering pine trees line the fairways and make it a picturesque course, but they also come into play. An elevation of nearly 7,000 feet adds about 10-15 percent of distance on every shot making it good for the ego but it’s only open April through November, so get your fix in the summer.
On the Web: www.bigbearmountainresorts.com

Cimarron Golf Resort Pebble Course
Location: 67-603 30th Ave., Cathedral City
Vitals: 18 holes, par 55, 2,941
Green fees: $19
Estimated time to play: 3 hours Details: It’s a classic desert golf course, only shorter. The resort uses the same care on the Pebble Course as it does on its neighboring regulation course, so conditions are top notch — especially the greens. The only par 4 is 313 yards and the par-3s range from 116 to 192 yards, ensuring you’ll use every iron.
On the Web: www.cimarrongolf.com

Hidden Oaks Golf Course
Location: 4760 Calle Camarada, Santa Barbara
Vitals: 9 holes, par 27, 1,027 yards
Green fees: $12-$13 for adults, $10-11 for seniors and students, $6-7 for juniors Estimated time to play: 1½ hours
Details: This par-3 course designed by Billy Casper has been open since 1976, but remains one of the best kept secrets in Santa Barbara.  Situated on a hillside less than two miles from the Pacific Ocean, it features undulating fairways and greens with scenic views. Large Oak trees make for relaxing scenery as well as added obstacles.
On the Web: www.hiddenoaksgolfsb.net

Lindero Country Club
Location: 5719 Lake Lindero Dr., Agoura Hills
Vitals: 9 holes, par 29, 1,626 yards
Green fees: $11-$15 ; $10-$14 for juniors and seniors
Estimated time to play: 1½ hours.
Details: A classic-styled Ted Robinson design, the course features several creeks and winds through houses. The par-3 holes range from 123 to 196 yards, so it’s no pushover.  Several sets of tees allow an 18-hole round to be more than just playing the same nine holes over. Try the six-hole “Quick Fix” for $8 if you’re in a real hurry.
On the Web: www.linderocc.com

Lomas Santa Fe Executive Golf Course
Location: 1580 Sun Valley Rd., Solana Beach
Vitals: 18 holes, par 56, 2,431 yards
Green fees: $22-$28; $20-$26 for seniors, $18-$26 for juniors
Estimated time to play: 3 hours
Details: This executive course designed by Ted Robinson features one par-4 hole on each nine: the 236-yard No. 2 and the 257-yard No. 14. The remainder of the holes are between 90 and 159 yards.  Proximity to the ocean makes for a relaxing setting, but it’s challenging enough to hold the 9-10 year old division of the Junior World Championship.
On the Web: www.lomasexec.americangolf.com

The Challenge at Monarch Dunes
Location: 1606 Trilogy Parkway, Nipomo
Vitals: 12 holes, par 36, 1,868 yards
Green fees: $19; $15 for juniors
Estimated time to play: 2 hours
Details: Its uniqueness lies in the number of holes —12. They are all par-3 holes and there are no pushover holes here. They are all designed to be championship caliber holes with water in play on five holes and extensive bunkering throughout. The holes range in length from 65 to 205 yards and feature huge, undulating greens to add extra challenge. Three sets of tees can accommodate golfers of all skill levels.
On the Web: www.monarchdunes.com

The Links at Terranea
Location: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
Vitals: 9 holes, par 27, 1,239 yards
Green fees: $30-$35; $20-$25 for teens; $10-$15 for youth under 12
Estimated time to play: 1½ hours
Details: Sweeping views of the Pacific highlight this oceanfront course which is set to open later this month as part of a new luxury resort on the property of the old Marineland. The par-3 holes range in length from 115 to 173 yards from the back tees, but a set of forward tees measuring only 674 yards ensures that even beginners can enjoy the cliff top views of Catalina Island as well as several coastal landmarks.
On the Web: www.terranea.com

Scholl Canyon Golf Club
Location: 3800 East Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale
Vitals: 18 holes, par 60, 3,039 yards
Green fees: $15-$22 walking; $23-$34 with cart
Estimated time to play: 3½ hours  
Details: A mid-length course designed by William Bell, Jr., this course is on the top of a hillside and offers excellent city views of downtown Los Angeles. The front nine is quite straightforward but the back nine features significant elevation changes with canyons coming in to play. Take a cart if you have trouble walking up hills. Six par-4 holes range in length from 252 to 324 yards. The longest par three is 167 yards.
On the Web: www.schollcanyon.americangolf.com