From the Links to the Hills

Road Trip

Tired of struggling to find a tee time in Los Angeles, then, if you do, playing 5 1/2-hour rounds on the weekend? If you don’t mind getting behind the wheel for a while, there are plenty of courses in surrounding counties where tee times are available and the golf is worth the drive. Here’s a look at some of those courses:

CROSSCREEK GOLF CLUB

The drive: About 83 miles from downtown L.A.

Address: 43860 Glen Meadows Road, Temecula.

Phone: (909) 506-3402.

Rates: $49-$74, cart included. Walking permitted (same rate).

Overview: The initial impression of this course as it comes into view after the four-mile country drive west of I-15 is reminiscent of links layouts in Scotland -- an expanse of land with fairways and greens cutting through natural, rolling terrain. And in many ways, that’s the same impression you get on much of the front nine here, though there are also plenty of native live oaks and sycamores, and a meandering creek.

The back side is entirely different: hilly and tricky, more like target golf. Each side is loaded with character, two courses in one that blend to make a very enjoyable whole. Tees range from 4,606 yards to 6,833, but the slope of 142 from the tips gives an indication of how tough the layout can be.

The course is in excellent shape, with firm, true bentgrass greens. Many of those greens are elevated, bracketed by trouble with very few areas that encourage running the ball up. You’ll need good shots to hit these greens.

Unlike most new courses, walking is permitted, though most people ride, at least in part because the cost of the cart is included in the green fees. The front nine is an easy walk, but there is a real hike from the ninth green to the 10th tee. The back nine is a real walk in the park -- a very, very hilly park.

Free tip: Even if you usually prefer walking to riding, take a cart on your first trip to CrossCreek. There are several blind tee shots on the back nine, and the GPS system in the carts will help.

Tip No. 2: Assuming you don’t hit your irons as precisely as, say, that Woods fellow, go ahead and simply go for the middle of the greens. If you try to get cute, you’ll probably pay for it.

Nice touches: Before you step to the first tee, the starter hands you a free chocolate bar. If you’re walking, save it for the back nine, when you’ll need the boost in energy.

Snapshot to remember: The views of the surrounding mountains, avocado groves, stands of live oaks and sycamores are terrific from start to finish. This is a great setting for a golf course, and a layout worth of the setting.

-- Mike James