Roosevelt Golf Course

About Roosevelt Golf Course

Roosevelt is the City of Los Angeles's nine-hole executive course, across Vermont Avenue from the Greek Theatre and below the Griffith Observatory. It's par 33 and just 2,496 yards from the back tees, but it's walking only and the ground is steep. The course calls it hilly and very challenging, and the architect who restored it says the hills and valleys are the whole defense. There are only five bunkers. You'll use most of the bag, and a push cart is worth the rental.

The name goes back further than the course. Roosevelt started in 1927 as nine holes left over from Tom Bendelow's original 1914 Griffith Park course, on land where the L.A. Zoo is now. In 1937 parks superintendent William Johnson and architect William Park Bell rebuilt it, turning the oiled and sand greens to grass, and it became Roosevelt Memorial. When the new zoo was planned, the city meant to get rid of it; golfers organized to save a nine-holer you could play quickly, and in 1964 a new Roosevelt opened further up in the park, credited to David Kent and landscape architect John Ward.

Forrest Richardson restored the course for a 2019 reopening, reworking the bunkers, adding tees, bringing the greens back to their original shapes and putting in irrigation for recycled water. The cafe serves breakfast until 5, plus ice cream, craft beer and margaritas.

It's one of 9 courses in Los Angeles on Yoink, and Wilson Golf Course is practically next door — handy when your first choice is booked solid.

Booking a tee time at Roosevelt Golf Course

With an L.A. City Golf Player Card ($25 a year, sold only in person by the starter at any city course) you can book up to 9 days ahead starting at 6 a.m., one foursome per day. Book online or call (818) 291-9980; the Roosevelt starter is (323) 665-2011. The posted rate for nine is $19 on weekdays and $24 on weekends, $27 before 9 a.m.

How to get a tee time at Roosevelt Golf Course