Trump National Golf Club-Los Angeles

When you have a tee time at Trump National Golf Club-Los Angeles, a high-end public golf course located 30 miles south of Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, your round will be filled with  Wow moments. The routing spreads out over a two-mile stretch of picturesque oceanfront real estate facing Catalina Island. Donald Trump has called the site the best piece of property in the world, and while everyone knows he s prone to hyperbole, on a clear, sunny day you ll be hard pressed to challenge his boast. Thanks to elevated tees, every hole showcases a view of the ocean. That was just one change that Trump made after he purchased what was formerly known as Ocean Trails Golf Course, a Pete Dye design with a star-crossed history. (A portion of Dye s course most notably the 18th hole fell into the ocean during a landslide.) Trump National Golf Club-Los Angeles, Trump s first venture into public daily fee golf, is also the first course in which he tried his hand at designing. He poured an inordinate amount of money into the site to redo the course and give it the full, over-the-top treatment. On the 1st hole, not one but two artificial waterfalls lead to an island green and an infinity-edge water feature. Notwithstanding this splashy introduction to the golf course, Trump National Golf Club-Los Angeles is full of so much excellent golf that you may soon forget about elaborate water features. You actually won t find another waterfall until the 17th green. The truth is that rousing golf and rousing views of the ocean provide more lasting memories here than the glitzy elements. Bear in mind Trump National Golf Club-Los Angeles is anything but easy. The good news is the fairways are reasonably spacious--most players will feel comfortable hitting drivers off the tee. Barrancas and coastal sage, along with large shallow bunkers, help define the holes. At times the barrancas cross the fairways, so your swing will be threatened often. Adding to the challenge, the wind is often a factor and the terrain tilts toward the sea. Awkward lies and stances are commonplace. Even skilled players are likely to mess up a shot here and there, but, hey, one look to the side and you ll be enchanted by a mesmerizing sea view. As you would expect at Trump National Golf Club-Los Angeles, the clubhouse is as glamorous as any five-star hotel. There s a golf shop stocked with pricey clothing, a fine dining steakhouse, an elaborate Italian fountain, Waterford crystal chandeliers, plenty of granite and marble, gold fixtures, and picture windows with priceless views. No wonder Trump National Golf Club-Los Angeles is as popular a venue for weddings and special events as it is for golf. We ll bet, though, that most of those who come for a special event wish they had a tee time on this beautiful golf course.