Discount Greens Fees

If you want to take a swing at an L.A. golf course while on vacation, cheaply of course, here are a few options:

Rancho Park--Located on Pico in West L.A., this is one of the premier public courses in the U.S. It's been the site of PGA tournaments over the years and many of the game's greats have been challenged by its design. It's also the course where you're most likely to run into a star or two, with Fox Studios across the street. For 18 holes on a weekday when the crowds are fewer, it's $31 for non residents and $26 if you've got an L.A. address, not including rental clubs or a cart. They also have discounts for twilight golf and 9-hole. Call for reservations 310-838-7373.

DeBell--Perched in the Burbank hills, DeBell is a scenic, challenging course with a range of holes. It's probably best played on clear days in the spring and fall when you can get a nice view of the surrounding valley. Weekday greens fees are $25 for non residents, $18 if you live in Burbank. Call 818-845-0022 for reservations.

Scholl Canyon--A truly unforgiving 18-hole executive course with great views of downtown from the Glendale foothills. Greens fee is normally $26 midweek, however, by going to golfnow.com you can find a tee time that fits your schedule for as little as $12.50.

Balboa--Located in the Sepulveda Basin in Encino near the iconic L.A. River dam (once you see it, you'll recognize it since it's been the site of countless movie and TV chase scenes) the Balboa course is long and mean. If you're planning to tackle it in summer, remember this is the Valley, it regularly gets 100 degrees and above (or at least it feels like it) so you'll want to schedule a tee time early or late. Weekday greens fees are $31 for non residents and $26 for residents of L.A. Call for reservations 818-995-1170.