Los Verdes Golf Course
January 16th, 2013 by Tyler Pringle
Los Verdes Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA might be one of the best golf values available in all of Southern California.
The green at the par 5 16th Hole.
Los Verdes Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA might be one of the best golf values available in all of Southern California. The course is characterized by spectacular views, uneven lies due to the surrounding topography, and difficult greens full of subtle nuances. Designed by Bill Bell in 1970, Los Verdes has been a favorite amongst Los Angeles golfers for generations because if its affordable tee times and unparalleled beauty.
At 6,617 yards from the back tees, Los Verdes provides a challenging and enjoyable day for golfers of all skill levels. Elevated tee boxes tend to offer wide, forgiving fairways below. Off the tee, the course is very friendly and even poorly struck shots are still playable. Instead, the course prefers to show its teeth on approach shots to well-protected greens.
The 11th tee box. Many players attempt to drive the short par 4′s green below from the tee.
Because Los Verdes sits atop the Palos Verdes Peninsula, most fairways slope towards the ocean, resulting in the golf ball sitting above or below the golfer’s feet on most approach shots. These slight adjustments tend to play a significant role in shape of approach shots and how the hole can be attacked overall.
The signature hole at Los Verdes is the downhill, dogleg-left par 4 15th. The tee shot calls for a right-to-left shape to a fairway sloping toward the ocean. The approach shot is normally from a downhill lie to a perched green protected by bunkers short and long. On a clear day, Catalina Island looks to be within a pitching wedge’s distance. The remaining holes play back uphill to the clubhouse.
The 15th green with Catalina Island in the background.
