Woodley Lakes Golf Course

golf portfolio, Woodley Lakes opened in 1975 with wide fairways and large greens that make it a forgiving, flat, walkable Sepulveda Basin muni.

Course History

Woodley Lakes opened in 1975 as the third and final municipal course built in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, joining the older Encino and Balboa courses across the basin. Designed by Ray Goates, it remains the youngest 18-hole course in the City of Los Angeles golf portfolio, laid out over flat floodplain ground with roughly nine acres of water hazards that give the course its name.

Because it sits inside the Sepulveda Dam flood-control basin, the course has periodically closed when the basin stores stormwater — closures were reported as far back as the mid-1990s — and it has been flagged for refresh in the city's long-range Sepulveda Basin planning. Through it all, Woodley Lakes has endured as one of the San Fernando Valley's busiest, most beginner-friendly public tracks.

The Design & Architecture

Ray Goates's design favors width and playability: broad, straightaway fairways, minimal forced carries, and some of the largest greens in the city system. Water comes into play around the course's namesake lakes, but the flat terrain and generous landing areas keep the layout approachable for every skill level. The turf is kikuyu — the springy, warm-season grass that defines Southern California municipal golf — on the fairways and greens alike.

Playing the Course

From the back tees Woodley Lakes stretches to 6,816 yards at par 72, with a 71.8 rating and 120 slope — real length, but delivered on pancake-flat, walkable ground. Long par 4s and 5s reward players who can swing away in the wide corridors, the par 3s are reachable for most golfers, and the big, receptive greens make this one of the better courses in Los Angeles to chase a personal-best score. The all-grass driving range is a rarity among LA munis and a favorite Valley practice spot.

Know Before You Go

• Public course at 6331 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406; call (818) 780-6886 for tee times and details.

• More info and booking at https://golf.lacity.gov/course_woodley_lakes/.

• Amenities include an all-grass driving range, practice putting and chipping areas, and an on-site bar and restaurant.

• Tip: the course sits in the Sepulveda Basin flood-control area — after major storms, call ahead to confirm it's open and playable.