Penmar Golf Course Starter

Obviously, it’s not the nicest course. But for a short public course, it’s everything I could ask for. Quick, cheap, and a (mostly) nice set of regulars to play with. Groups move quickly, even without carts. I come here often and always enjoy my experience.

Fun little course for golfers of all abilities.
The course is typically in much better shape than Rancho Park. It’s par 33 but you will hit every club in your bag with 2 holes (5&6) being very difficult to par due to their length. Take an extra club on 5!
If you are a sub 15 handicapper the course isn’t going to put up much of a fight as the greens offer no defense at all. They are flat as a pool table and slow with very few bunkers. For all the play they get they are in ok shape usually.
Dan the starter is a prickly fellow don’t take it personally, I’ve played here scores of times and he still isn’t friendly. Funny all the 1 star reviews because he ruffled people’s feathers. This is a municipal course they aren’t going to fire him and they don’t care if you never come back. Think of him as local flavor.
The big downside here is pace of play — they allow 5-​somes and it is mostly novice golfers. Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours for 9 holes. If you hit it just right during the weekday you can go around in 1.5, but that is very rare.

All things considered — a solid 3.5 stars. The course is in good condition and plays well, but like all public courses people need to fix their divots. The price can’t be beat and the people who play there are very friendly. The restaurant is chill and has much more than just pre-​made sandwiches. The obvious downside is how slow the play is — 3.5 hours for 9 holes ouch. And now they have a famous tree that Harrison crashed his plane into!

WOW!!!
The starter at this course needs a REALITY check. You are not GOD you are a golf course starter, do your job and keep your rude unnecessary and back hand comments to yourself.
I will NEVER recommend anyone going to this course again.
Btw, the greens suck.

This will be your conversation if you try to book a tee time:
Me: «Hey how you doing? Happy Wednesday! Can I make a tee time for tomorrow?»
Penmar: «You have a players card?»
Me: «No.»
Penmar: You can’t make a tee time.“
Me: «Okay, that is a bit weird…»
Penmar: «You can call at 5am tomorrow to book the earliest tee time we have available for that day.»
You are not Augusta. I’d rather go play on the runway at LAX. Save your money and give it to someone who enjoys earning your business.

I just called and spoke with a man, believe his name was Pat. I was calling to make a tee time. He was extremely rude to me on the phone for no reason, cursed, and then said he just wanted to get out of this conversation. I simply asked what tee times they had available. I have played here before and they were so backed up that the round of nine holes took over 4 hours. I will never go back.

I’ve never met a staff that seemed more angry to have you playing their course than this group.
Not to mention that they consistently group you in to 5’somes which backs up all of play. Instead of doing 2’s or 3’s they’ll combine you, and as a result don’t ever expect to finish your 9 holes here in any less than 3 –3 ½ hours on a weekend.
Bring clubs or they’ll make you rent.
Course itself is alright. Pretty good course to get your golf fix or bring a beginner.

Unfortunately I can not write a review about the actual course due to the miserable creature who looks like he’s been sitting at the front desk since the course opened in 1942.
We showed up for our 5:30 tee time excited to get in 9 holes! Sign up at the front mentioned a $ 55 yearly membership which the two of us were ready to purchase… Wait, not so fast!
We were rudely greeted, if you can call it that, by angry Al (made up name). He snarled and asked if we both had clubs, which we did not because one of us is a beginner and hasn’t purchase clubs yet. We were told we could not share clubs. When we asked why not (because we had done it before) he snapped it was the rules of golf. I find it odd that this «starter course» would not allow that. I was unaware we were golfing with Jordan Spieth at Penmar…
For the record I was at pelican hill last week and people did share clubs.
There was absolutely no reason for him to be so arrogant and rude. Why would I spend my money there when a simple «I am sorry ladies unfortunately our course does not allow that» would have been a perfectly acceptable answer.
Penmar you should really give your employees a reality check, they are guarding a golf course not the pentagon.

5 stars for a beginner course
you can come and swing the sticks freely without being the only one not hitting it straight and making mistakes. Just take it easy on the first hole its the toughest bc its front and center the nerves kick in and you will do everything WRONG haha so swing easy and slow…

Course overall is really fun. Not your average pitch and putt 9 hole. You actually have a use for most of your clubs, even the driver. Downside to the course is the greens. They’re ok, not great, not awful. Worst part of the experience are most of the guys who work there. A couple are cool, but most are grumpy bastards. It’s comical if you don’t take it personally. They should really relax though, there’s no need to be dicks to everyone. Would be 4 stars if these dudes would take their Midol in the morning.

It is what it is– a local 9hole. Better than avg and enough to calm the golf itch.
Fairways– a bit on the thin side. Meaning, the grass is shallow.
Greens– below avg. bumps everywhere. There is no break. The course is close to the ocean, but not that close.
The place needs a facelift. Starting with the greens.
Nice ppl in the area.

Previous review still stands but I gotta give Dan, the starter a shout. I’ve realized what I perceived as grumpy is just his disposition. And frankly, it doesn’t hurt the quality of the round.
The course is kept in very good condition given the price.

I’d like to give a shout out to «Dan,» who answered the phone as I just called in now. His casual blend of arrogance and bitterness was not only confusing, but was delivered with such concise apathy, it impressed. You my friend, can preach volumes of disdain in the mere subtext of a of whisper.
This review is not indicative of the course or grounds as the initial customer service has prevented such an experience. I hope things look up for you soon, Dan.

Everyone that works here is a miserable old man. I don’t think any of them have golfed a day in their life. Service is garbage and course upkeep is average at best. But, it’s in Venice where the weather is perfect, vibes are chill, and the course delivers two hours of pure fun. Just expect a bunch of grumpy old man at the starter and restaurant. At least you only need to interact with them for 5 or 10 minutes

I’ve been playing golf here at Penmar for about 8 years. It was actually my first ever non par 3 course I have ever played. As a junior I used to pay 5 bucks whenever I wanted to play but I came here on a sunday for twilight and it was 12 bucks.
Penmar is a great course right in middle of the city. The fairways are very well up kept but the greens do lack attention. For me, this is the type of course that you come out here with some friends and bring some beers out for the afternoon. Took my and my buddies just about 2 hours but its a fun 2 hours. I recommend this course to pretty much everyone. Holes 1 and 4 are drivable par 4’s and its always fun to go for it. Enjoy

Great price for LA residents. Took a star off because they don’t give a deal to Santa Monica residents that are there with LA residents. Come on — we brought you 4 people, three from LA and one right over the border. But the guy wouldn’t budge for three bucks.
Great course. We went during the morning on a Tuesday and had not problem playing. More challenging than the Rancho Cordova Par3 course — though it is more expensive.

Perfect 9 hole course. Well taken care of and decent yardage. It is not your normal 9 hole course. Be prepared to wait a bit but other than that, not more that you can ask for at a 9 hole city course.
— No driving range, but they do have putting green and café.

Well maintained 9-​hole golf course with plenty of long and wide open par 4s. It’s a great price for local residences and an even better price when you do the replay. Just remember to save your receipts for the replays. The staff here can be grumpy at times but overall they’re alright as long as you follow the rules. The clubhouse also serves pretty good breakfast and lunch.
Oh, there’s no range here but a pretty good putting green.

Penmar is a well maintained 9 hole course. The course is your generic American woodland course. A few bunkers, no water hazards.
Long course and not for the hackers. One par 4 hole is 452 yards. Some people have written reviews saying that this course is for beginners. I disagree. You need to consistently hit the ball off the tee 200 yards before you play here. Nearby Rancho Park par 3 is more of a beginners course.
4 star course, but 3 stars because it is so busy. I went out early (it was literally still dark) my round took just over 2 hours. If you play after 8am, you are looking at a 3+ hour round of 9 holes. When I finished my round about 8.45am on a Saturday — there seemed to be 20 – 30 people milling around and waiting to start.

When you don’t feel like playing a full 18, Penmar is perfect. Approximately a 2.5 to 3 hr round gives you enough golf to scratch that itch.
The 9 hole course consists of 6 par 4s and 3 par 3s. Par 4s are driver/​wedge for most. Even though many of the holes are ²⁸⁰⁄₂₉₀ yds, they play a bit longer because of the stiff head wind.
Course length — not too challenging
Length of round — played in under 3 hours.
Fairways — great shape. Although there was some ground under repair — muddy in areas from the recent rain.
Greens — very spongy and slow greens. No breaking putts — always aim inside edge at most.
There are no sand traps (maybe 1 on the long par 3) and no water hazards on the course.
Cost — locals get a locals discount. $ 19 on this Sunday
This is a walking course that is great for beginners. There are no golf carts. Bring your pushcart or your carry bag and enjoy the nice breezes that come from the West.