SOUTHLAND FOCUS

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

Westridge Golf Club

Address: 1400 South La Habra Hills Drive, La Habra

Phone: (562) 690-4200

Green fees: $55 weekdays, $75 weekends.

Tee Times: Seven days in advance.

The facility: This is mountain golf in the middle of the city. Much like Coyote Hills in Fullerton, Westridge has a wild feel to it, and it has the environmentally sensitive areas to prove it. Hit a shot into one of these spots and it’s a lost ball, even if you can see it. The course opened in October, and the driving range opened the first week in December.

The good: Westridge is very mature for a new course and it has some excellent holes, including a great finishing trio. No. 16, the signature hole, is a short par four to an almost island green; No. 17 is a difficult uphill par four; and No. 18 is a downhill par five with a third shot over water. On a personal note, the par-five 14th can be eagled with a big drive, a solid five-iron layup and a wedge into the hole. Try it.

The bad: Some of the holes on the front nine lack a certain definition. It was difficult to get a feel for where to hit a drive, especially for a first-timer on the course. The par threes aren’t exactly bad, but they’re very short and pretty much the same length (the longest from the white tees is 155 yards).

The score: It’s always good to have a new course that is not out of the average golfer’s budget. Westridge is a fun course and even if you have a bad round, moods can be sweetened across the street with a Krispy Kreme doughnut or 12.