Over the past 20 years of entertaining clients in Los Angeles, I have chosen Malibu Country Club as a venue more times than I can recall. Although it is a public course, it has the feel of a private facility. You can join their client list and reserve tee times well in advance, and the greens are just about as good as those on private courses. The clubhouse could use renovation, but playing the course is truly relaxing and fun.
Designed by William F. Bell, Malibu Country Club opened in 1977. It became the subject of great controversy in the mid-1980s when the owners wanted to develop housing around the course. Malibu West residents and the National Park Service (the Santa Monica National Recreation Area surrounds the country club) were concerned about storm water runoff polluting the canyon’s streams. So far, no homes have been built, and the National Park Service carefully monitors the amount of fertilizer in runoff from the course. In 2006, Malibu Associates bought the course for $30 million. It remains a beautiful escape into the area known as “L.A.’s backyard” — and is a shot maker’s delight!
Hole 1 (398 yards, par 4)
Play your tee box drive to the left center of this fairway. Shots on the right side are tucked too far, and you will have difficulty reaching the green. You might be able to draw the ball and clip the left side of the green from this position, but it is very difficult. Your approach shot is usually a long-iron or wood; the hole plays slightly uphill all the way to the green. Players who don’t use enough club often come up short on this hole. Watch for the large bunker on the right of the green.
Hole 4 (488 yards, par 5)
You tee off to a valley below, then the fairway takes you uphill to the green. From the tee box, you need a near-perfect shot to the center of the fairway. If you stray to the right, you might find yourself among pine trees; to the left is the dead zone — out of bounds and full of rattlesnakes — so take your pick. Your second shot is a make-or-break based on your position. I have seen many great drives go slightly left and get blocked by a small grove of trees. Last time I played, I hit a screaming 4+ wood, which veered too far left. I thought the ball was gone, but it had bounced off the hills and landed in the rough near the green.
Hole 5 (236 yards, par 3)
The length and tight landing area make this a difficult par 3. You tee off from the elevated box to the green below, which is protected by traps on the front and back left. Many players come up short or end up too far right, where the ball often hits the cart path and rolls out of bounds.
Hole 6 (476 yards, par 5)
This is a dogleg right from the tee box, with the green tucked away on the left side. From the box, you can cut the corner a little, but cutting too much will find you either up in the hills (and out of bounds) or in a small creek along the right side of the fairway. Drive left or straight, and you will roll off the fairway into harm’s way. If you hit a good long drive from the position “A” tee, you can make the green in two. On the same round, I brought out my trusty 4+ Callaway wood and slammed a shot, cleared the trap in front of the green and rolled on the left side of the green. I putted in for birdie. It was do or die, since I had a 6 on the previous hole.
Hole 13 (504 yards, par 5)
I call this wonderful par 5 “on top of old Smokey.” The tee box is elevated about 200 feet to a relatively straight valley that climbs uphill, an easy hole for those who can hit three perfect shots. Drive your ball center, avoiding the lines of pines on the left and right. Errant shots are playable, but will cost you a stroke as you weave out of tree branches. This green is not reachable in two, so take out the club you feel will get you to about 130 yards from the green; beware of the trees that continue left and right. From here you ha ve an easy approach to the green.
Hole 14 (444 yards par 4)
This is the No. 2 handicapped hole and is difficult to reach in regulation. Your drive should not be a problem, as the fairway is quite wide, but balls straying left and right will get hung up in the trees. The green is tucked to the left of the fairway and is elevated. Big hitters might get the ball to the top of the green, but it is unlikely — most come up short and chip on. Beware of the trap guarding the front.
Hole 15 (158 yards, par 3)
I teed up first on this hole — I had nothing to lose, as I carded a seven on the 14th. From the elevated tee I nailed a 9-iron back left of the green below. A trap right front and a hill on the left can cause havoc. Steve, Bill and Gary all brought their “A” games and landed on the green, much closer than I, and tapped in for pars and birdies. I 3-putted!
Hole 18 (433 yards, par 4)
Golf is a story of defeat and success, and this is where my partners fell off their game as I quietly tapped in for par. From the tee box you are driving the ball to a downhill fairway with out of bounds on both the left and right — not to mention plenty of signs reading “Beware of Rattlesnakes!” I hit a pop-up, so my approach was a do-or-die shot to the green with a 5-wood. I hit a slight fade that landed on the green for a great finish to an up-and-down round. In the end, it was a beautiful day at my “home course” on the West Coast!
Malibu Country Club
901 Encinal Canyon Road
Malibu, CA 90265-2405
tel 818 889 6680
www.malibucountryclub.net
Read This Next
Diabetes
2004 / April 2004
Sep 1, 2010All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 30, 2023The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach’s Wellness Experiences
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers travelers a new immersive wellness experience: Healing in Hawai’i.
Daily
Mar 30, 2023NoMo Soho Introduces New Private Event Spaces, Return of Rose Garden
NoMo SoHo recently announced the return of Rose Garden as well as the introduction of two new event spaces, The Penthouse and Nina’s.
Daily
Mar 30, 2023A New Type of Art Experience: Rotterdam’s Depot Boijman’s Van Beuningen Opens
A little more a year ago, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by architectural firm MVRDV, opened to the public in Rotterdam. At Depot, everything revolves around the interaction between the visitors and more than 151,000 works stored in various areas of the unique building.
Sponsored Content
Enter to Win $500 and Get Six Months’ Free Access to the New GT App
Now through May 8, sign up for a free six-month trial of the Global Traveler app and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice for Amazon, Apple or American Express.
Daily
Mar 29, 20234 Spring Hotel Openings
With the start of spring, travelers have their choice of new design-centric boutique properties opening in the coming months. Check out these properties for travel inspiration.
Elk Cove Inn & Spa Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 29, 2023Last-Minute Spring Deals from SIXT
eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023Andaz Mayakoba Welcomes Summer with 20 Percent Off All Suite Stays
Just in time for summer travel, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya launches its Suites on Sale promotion. During the summer months, the resort offers travelers 20 percent off a stay in a suite.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
eFlyer Lead
Mar 29, 2023Will Unruly Passengers Soon Be Banned from Flights in the United States?
After a series of high-profile unruly passenger incidents, many of which made their way across the internet for thousands to see, a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced a new push for legislation to ban passengers fined or convicted of serious physical violence from commercial flights.
ShareThis