A weekly look at golf courses open...

A weekly look at golf courses open to the public in Southern California.

Course Name: Los Serranos, South.

City: Chino Hills.

Greens fees: $24-$43, twilight rates available.

Tee times: Seven days in advance.

Phone: 909-597-1711.

The facility: Longer of two courses at former tennis great Jack Kramer’s 36-hole layout. Over hilly terrain, a demanding course to walk. Fairways are generous, though mature eucalyptus groves abound. Man-made ponds come in to play on Nos. 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17 and 18. Rebuilt No. 2 tee will lengthen hole. New, expansive clubhouse and locker room. Full driving range. Carts required weekend mornings.

The good: At $24 on weekdays ($35 with cart), an excellent value. Course usually in fine condition. Big, well-manicured greens. Wonderful views of San Bernardino mountains on clear days. Nos. 5 and 11 are extremely challenging par fours among many challenging holes. Management is committed to continual improvements.

The bad: It’s dairy country; when the wind is just so, you get the same olfactory experience as the farmers. Construction on Highway 71 makes access a bit complicated.

The score: A terrific course for good golfers, demanding all shots. Length (one of every three holes is a par five) might turn golf into a four-letter word for high handicappers.

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Overall course rating: ***

* One ball--Like an X on the scorecard.

** Two balls--Worth an occasional round.

*** Three balls--Like shooting four strokes under your handicap.

**** Four balls--Where the Publinx Golf Gods play.

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South Course:

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Chcp Regular Ladies’ Hole Blue Tees White Tees Red Tees Men’s Par 1 526 499 428 5 2 469 457 417 5 3 393 315 271 4 4 405 362 353 4 5 407 431 296 4 6 174 168 159 3 7 368 356 353 4 8 573 573 431 5 9 207 166 144 3 Out 3572 3327 2852 37 10 347 339 330 4 11 402 376 356 4 12 183 163 155 3 13 475 460 448 5 14 402 388 382 4 15 380 360 335 4 16 505 473 445 5 17 179 149 130 3 18 591 534 524 5 In 3464 3242 3105 37 Total 7036 6569 5957 74

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Rating/Slope: Blue--73.7/134, White--71.3/131, Red--73.9/128

-- MIKE JAMES, 11 handicap