Penmar Golf Course
Penmar Golf Course offers a brisk, enjoyable nine-hole experience in Venice, California. Its short coastal layout blends coastal winds, smooth greens, and approachable design, making it ideal for players seeking quick rounds or focused short-game practice.
Course Overview
Penmar Golf Course presents a welcoming and spirited option for those seeking a quick yet engaging round in the heart of Venice, California. This nine-hole municipal layout provides a refreshing escape from the city bustle, with a compact design that encourages brisk play while still offering interesting challenges for all skill levels. The course stretches out to just under 1,300 yards, featuring short par-3s and par-4s that reward precision and creativity more than sheer power.
Its seaside-adjacent setting infuses rounds with a distinctive coastal atmosphere. Gentle Pacific breezes play subtle tricks on approach shots, adding a dynamic element without overwhelming less experienced players. Penmar’s greens roll true and smooth, making putting a satisfying test that blends strategy with touch. Bunkers are modest but thoughtfully placed, guarding key pin positions and inviting players to consider their angles carefully.
The course is primarily designed for walking, which suits its intimate scale and lively community vibe. Players often comment on the relaxed pacing, making it ideal for a quick afternoon round or a practice loop. For visitors planning a trip, sturdy shoes and a light windbreaker prepare you well for the changing seaside air. The terrain is generally flat with gentle undulations, allowing golfers to focus on shot-making and course management without excessive strain.
Penmar stands out not only for the quality of its golfing surface but also for its connection to the local neighborhood. The clubhouse and restaurant offer a casual setting to unwind after your round, though service can vary, so patience and a sense of community spirit are appreciated. The course regularly hosts charity and community events, emphasizing its role as a lively social hub as well as a place to sharpen the short game.
For players who want a straightforward, accessible course with a coastal personality, Penmar Golf Course delivers. Its friendly environment and thoughtful layout make it well-suited to beginners looking for confidence and more experienced golfers wanting a refreshing change of pace without committing to a full 18 holes.
Course Highlights
A compact nine-hole layout with coastal breezes influencing shot selection, smooth putting surfaces, and bunkers strategically positioned to challenge approaches. The course’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean creates a distinct seaside atmosphere, while its role in the community as an event and charity venue reflects its spirited local appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Cole Rutherford
This is a fun muni with great vibes an energy. I played as a single and got paired up with a fun group mostly younger crowd. It’s a walking course and I understand it can be slow sometimes but we finished our round in about 2 hours which was great. I’d recommend for anyone trying to sneak in a quick, fun 9.
CRG
This is a gem of a public course. The restaurant is fantastic and the staff is great.
Caitlyn Austin
Ate at the restaurant on a Saturday afternoon. They should definitely work on their service. The servers we had contact with seemed very inconvenienced by us in general. We sat down at a table outside as its seat yourself and the busser came over and told us we had to get up for him to clean the table. There were some water cups and glasses left so we tried to move them and he told us no and to stand up, so we got up and he wouldn’t let us sit back down until he had taken the glasses back and then returned and wiped down the table. He was very rude about it, flinging his rag all over the place, and didn’t communicate with us very well about what he was doing - just saying “no”. Then once we sat down we had to flag down a waiter as no one had come to take our order after 15 mins. The food took about 45 mins to come out. Everytime we needed something we had to flag someone down, no one was stopping by at any point. The food (chilaquiles pictured) wasn’t bad but we were very let down by the experience and won’t come back.
Robert Oishi
A great little find! Played there for the 1st time, and what a pleasant surprise. A nice 9 hole executive course in Venice. Not overly long, but interesting enough. The greens are in nice shape and roll nicely. Very relaxed atmosphere, but play seems to move along nicely. I will be back!
Ben
Good golf course, great friends ;) golfed here for a charity event and I gave them no money!!
Sandra Paul
A great 9 hole course with an amazing cafe on-site.
David Bonilla
to crawl
Jacob Hoffmann
bernadette spear
Great 9 hole course, surprisingly excellent food and the best staff. There's a bunch of events for the community they throw regularly also. This place was an oasis during lockdown for me and continues to be an excellent asset to the neighborhood.
Emanuele Visentini
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Course Details
Access & Location
1233 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291, USA
Casual clubhouse with dining and events space
Walking is encouraged; course is flat and compact, comfortable walking shoes recommended
No tee time reservation required, first-come, first-served tee times
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