Long Beach Golf Guide

Golf is a wonderful/horrible game, equally exhilarating and maddening, that nonetheless keeps us always coming back for more. And Long Beach offers you so many more ways to play it, whether it’s with friends, clients, potential clients or by yourself as the city is home to courses of all sizes, layouts and difficulties, including ones you play indoors. Let’s tee it up!

BIXBY VILLAGE GOLF COURSE

This 9-hole executive course takes pride in providing an accessible, friendly atmosphere to get a few swings in. Bixby Village’s (6180 Bixby Village Dr) 1,795 yards offers a surprisingly varied terrain of challenges, including a lake. Its clubhouse also lays claim to housing one of the most surprising, culinary hotspots in Southern California: Crack. Crack makes some of the best burgers in the region and has become renowned for its bacon jam as well as rotating sides like white bean chicken chili and apple pie baked beans.

RECREATION PARK GOLF COURSE 18

Recreation Park Golf Course 18–known locally as “Big Rec”–is one of the oldest and most popular courses in Southern California. Designed in 1910, its beautiful, 6,405-yard layout, though not long by today’s standards, features rolling terrain, tree-lined Kikuyu fairways and challenging bunkers defending fast, undulating greens, offering golfers a true test of their skills. The course’s clubhouse has been designated a historical landmark.

EL DORADO PARK GOLF COURSE

Sitting cozily amidst rolling greens and majestic trees, El Dorado Park Golf Course (2400 N Studebaker Rd) is located in a picturesque corner of the city featuring uninterrupted views of lush, stunning landscapes at every turn. Designed by golf legend Ted Robinson, Sr. and built in 1962, this 6,921-yard, par 72 is home to the prestigious Long Beach Open and a popular choice for hosting tournament fundraisers.

BIRDIES ‘N BREWS

Birdie’s N’ Brews’ (90 E. Fourth St.) two golf simulators allow you to hit real golf balls–they also supply the golf clubs–at the virtual likes of such hallowed courses such as Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. The simulators can be rented for up to six people. Afterward, you can relax in the lounge area watching sports on TV and enjoying craft beer, hard seltzer and cocktails, making this a great place to go with friends, a date or clients.

SKYLINKS

Located across the street from Long Beach Airport–from which it gets its name–Skylinks (4800 E Wardlow Rd) underwent a complete renovation in 2004, one that garnered awards, recognition and the attention of local golfers. It doubled the amount of lakes–from two to four–and increased the number of bunkers to just about 70, making Skylinks’ 6,909-yard course one of the best tests of a golfer’s skill and nerves.

RECREATION PARK 9

Recreation Park 9 (5000 E Seventh St) –known to pretty much everyone as “Little Rec”–is a 9-hole, 1,865-yard executive course that opened nearly 100 years ago. Located across the street from “Big Rec” it provides an entertaining layout featuring four, par-4 holes, a signature seventh hole that plays over Colorado Lagoon and a par 3 third hole known for its hole-in-one potential. Recent improvements have seen the enlarging of the first green and the addition of more than 100 trees.

HEARTWELL GOLF COURSE

Located in the northeast corner of the city, Heartwell Golf Course (6700 E Carson) is an 18-hole, 2,143-yard, par 3 course that offers the perfect environment for those just learning the game or picking it back up. Its most famous student? A young tyke named Eldrick “Tiger” Woods. Yep. Of course, it's also a fun place for old duffers to play, convenient as well for playing after work, as it is lit up most evenings for nighttime play.

TOP GOLF SWING SUITE

Topgolf, the wildly popular virtual driving ranges/lounges have widened their concept into the Swing Suite (500 E. First St.) at the Courtyard by Marriott. Located in Downtown Long Beach, its twin simulators not only allow you to hit golf balls but play other games as well. Baseball, football, hockey, carnival games like Zombie Dodgeball. As you play, you can enjoy fantastic food and beverage services in the comfy lounge setting.

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.