SOUTHLAND FOCUS

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

GRIFFITH PARK, WILSON COURSE

Address: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles.

Green fees: $17-$22.

Phone: Tee times: (213) 625-1040; Pro shop: (213) 664-2255.

Tee times: Seven days in advance, must have city golf card available at all city-run courses.

The facility: The longer of two championship courses at the site, it was designed by George Thomas, the architect of Riviera Country Club, and favors long hitters. It opened in 1924 and its fairways are lined with mature trees. No. 1 was the location for the “I am Tiger Woods” TV commerical.

The good: The course plays to its full length and is demanding; the fairways might not be considered lush, but they are well maintained, wide for the most part, and because the turf is thick, roll is often limited. Long hitters will get a good test from the back tees; short hitters will be overmatched from the tips. There is plenty of trouble.

The bad: Between 115,000 and 120,000 rounds a year are played at the City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department course, and the greens usually show it. They are bumpy, often long and fall victim to unrepaired ball marks. Because of the traffic, play can be slow.

The score: A layout with character. No. 2 is the hardest-rated hole on the course, with a blind, uphill tee shot. The three par fives are 536, 576 and 577 from the back tees, so you won’t see many eagle putts. There’s a real premium on tee shots to give you a chance to reach the greens in regulation.

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Overall rating: 2 1/2 balls

* One ball: No-frills golf.

** Two balls: Worth an occasional round.

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

**** Four balls: Where the golf gods play.

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Hole Back Tees Middle Tees Men’s/Women’s par Front Tees 1 536 516 5/5 509 2 416 411 4/4 398 3 192 180 3/3 166 4 335 322 4/4 310 5 329 320 4/4 318 6 397 389 4/4 382 7 397 379 4/4 374 8 431 408 4/4 403 9 576 551 5/5 532 Out 3,609 3,476 37/37 3,372 10 410 391 4/4 374 11 222 201 3/3 177 12 367 349 4/4 343 13 375 361 4/4 348 14 577 567 5/5 556 15 152 137 3/3 134 16 438 435 4/5 429 17 398 389 4/4 363 18 399 389 4/4 387 In 3,338 3,219 35/36 3,111 Total 6,947 6,695 72/73 6,4834

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Rating/Slope: Black--72.7, 117 Middle--70.7/114, Front--76.0/128