The Course

Roosevelt Municipal Golf Course sits nestled in the lower hills of Griffith Park on Vermont Avenue, just north of Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. The Course lies across the street from the famous Greek Theater, and at the entrance to the main drive to Griffith Observatory. On concert days and evenings, the golf course is blanketed with sound from the Greek. For twilight golf, it adds a great ambiance to the game.

The Course was founded in 1937, as part of the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation system, adding to the pre-existing Harding and Wilson Golf Courses. The Roosevelt course is a 9 hole par 33, stretching over 2,478 yards of play. The only "executive" course in the Griffith Park Golf system, Roosevelt boasts 6 par 4's and 3 par 3's, with loads of non-traditional hazards.

The course has a sandy consistency due to the location, but is well maintained considering the frequency of use and soil type. There are some tough bunkers placed strategically around the course, but these are hardly the most dangerous of the hazards presented. Aside from regular warnings of rattlesnake sightings, the Griffith Park location offers loads of other wildlife to be concerned with. This is the heart of coyote country, they are often seen in Hollywood proper, so seeing them on the course shouldn't necessarily be a surprise. I see them nearly every time I am on the course, the most brazen sighting being near a crowded clubhouse where 2 full grown coyotes ran directly through the group of 50 or so golfers. Also, take care when swinging in the rough, as bees often graze over the wildflowers that grow there.

Be aware of the longer fairways with obscured greens, as they make use of the safety flag system. As your party passes the safety flag, remove it until all golfers are well past its location. Then replace the flag and move on. This is used to let the following party know not to tee off, until the safety flag is returned to its place on the fairway. This system is rarely actually used, as most golfers just give a fair amount of time for the next party to reach the green. The most important thing to remember is to watch where you are hitting the ball, and give a loud "fore" if you have any reason to be concerned with another golfers safety.

Hole 1 - Par 4

275 yds / 260 yds / 245 yds

Hole 1 is a nice starter, with the gallery, practice greens and restaurant to the left and an incline into a clearing of trees on the right. The tee is in a fairly busy area, with players queuing up on the left of the tee and others finishing and cleaning clubs on the right. This sets the tone of the course, with numerous distractions and occasional onlookers to break your concentration.

Down the fairway, there is a slight dip, and the fairway finishes with a bunker on the front left of the green, which doesnt pose much of a threat.

Hole 2 - Par 4

392 yds / 377 yds / 362 yds

The 2nd hole is slight dogleg left, which crosses a rolling hill with a large dip before the green. A shallow bunker borders the left side of the green, shielded to some degree by some overhanging trees. A fairway shot over the hill and past the Safety Flag should make par possible.

Hole 2 is the first to make use of the Safety Flag in the center of the fairway. Do not confuse this for the green, as its not even halfway through the hole. The concept here is to play to the flag, take it out, and then once your party is fully past it, replace it, so the next party knows its safe to play on.

I've never seen this used once on the course. I don't think anyone really follows this rule, but following the rules isn't exactly of paramount importance, it seems.

Hole 3 - Par 3

156 yds / 141 yds / 130 yds

The 3rd Hole is a short par 3, with large hourglass shape to the fairway. The fairway however is skewed so that the tee and green are at opposite corners of the hourglass shape, leaving a large drop of rough on the right side of the green, and a sizable (but seemingly out of play) bunker on the left.

The green itself is fairly large and level, but it is pretty fast, so be easy on your approach.

Hole 4 - Par 4

340 yds / 325 yds / 315 yds

The 4th hole is an uphill dogleg right, with a barrier of trees all along the right side of the fairway, and a bunker at the far left side as viewed from the tee. The tee ground converges at the 5th hole green and the 6th hole tee, so you can get a good idea of how fast to play through the next two holes by taking a glance to your left.

The muddy, asphalt cart path follows the long 4th fairway on the right, which acts as a long hazard. Getting caught in the trees on the right will ensure a muddy landing, with a difficult play. If you get stuck on the hill side, watch your head, as players will be coming up the other side, finishing the 2nd hole. Roosevelt gives you a drop off the wrong tee or green, but everyone will know what your score really is...

Getting up the hill to the green on the 4th hole is a good challenge, the bunker doesn't present much of a danger except when teeing off. A fence at the back of the green should prevent lost balls, so taking a gutsy shot is acceptable. The large green is surrounded by shrubs and an outhouse, and the grass fades into the surroundings, so putting from most areas on top of the hill should be possible. Take a breather, get a drink and onto the 5th.

Hole 5 - Par 4

339 yds / 329 yds / 319 yds

Hole 5 follow the opposite path to Hole 4, doglegging to the left, hinged by a large bunker in the center of the fairway that can ruin your day. A huge dip course creates a healthy distance that you must clear to hit the main length of the fairway, with a gutter and dirt path at the lowest points.

The large bunker in the center urges you left, towards to the green, but a large line of evergreens and another leftside bunker will keep you in check. A fence on the far back right side of the green attempts to prevent against shots ending up on the 6th tee. Once you are over the hill, its just a matter of closing ground on the green.

Hole 6 - Par 4

310 yds / 297 yds / 280 yds

The downhill 6th hole offers some amazing views of downtown Los Angeles. If you stand at the top of the hill, you can see all the way to the US Bank building and further. Don't let the views distract you, the skinny fairway is brutal, and the leftward slope eats balls into a covered quagmire of low hanging trees and bushes.

From midway, you should be able to make it to the green. You may have to punch it out from under the left side trees, but getting to the green in 2 is not much of an issue. Overshooting the green can get you in trouble though, as there is a deep hole with a sewer grate to the back left, and homes over the fence to the back right. Bank your shot off of the hillside on the front right of the green and you can get on the green and putt onto the 7th hole.

Hole 7 - Par 3

158 yds / 148 yds / 138 yds

The 7th hole is a short uphill par 3 protected by 2 large bunkers, one of which fully blocks the players view of the green. This hole continues the wickedly deceptive trend set up by the previous holes. The green appears to be a short hole up a small slope but it can eat you
up, and spit you back down the deadly drainage ditch that runs up the middle of the fairway. There's nothing like having your ball delivered at your feet for a second shot off the tee!

Hole 8 - Par 4

346 yds / 321 yds / 305 yds

The signature hole of the Roosevelt Golf Course, arrival at this tee welcomes the golfer with a magnificent view of Griffith Observatory. The great view lulls the player into a false sense of security, as this hole is treacherous.

This is one of the most menacing on the course. The hard dogleg right comes at the top of a steep incline, and is well protected by a line of thick trees and brush. Three large bunkers make the finish a continued challenge, with a heavy drop off on the left and back of the green. The danger is getting stuck in a deadly rut betwen the hillside and railroad ties that mark the path to the 9th hole.

This hole has a lot of hazards. The slope of the course is a challenge, though a low iron can get over the brush and most of the way to the hole.

Hole 9 - Par 3

162 yds / 150 yds / 142 yds

The 9th hole is a deceivingly difficult par 3, with an hourglass shape, imposing trees and 2 drainage ditches to trip you up. As the hole descends from tee to green, the sides creep up, and provide occasional relief from poor shoots...