Derek Duncan
Lakeside Golf Club
Burbank, CA•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Lakeside Golf Club
4500 W Lakeside Dr
Burbank, CA 91505-4088
United States
Overview
Lakeside is a classic old-school layout near Studio City in North Hollywood. The course was designed in the early 1920s by Max Behr, a Yale graduate and the first editor of Golf Illustrated magazine. Lakeside has long been a favorite among Hollywood elite—Bing Crosby notably was a five-time club champion. The routing makes great use of a tight property, especially considering a portion of the original course had to be sacrificed during an expansion of the Los Angeles River that forms the southern border of the course (several holes played across the old river and back). Grassy barranas meander the property, creating depressions that cross and flank greens, and LA-based designer Todd Eckenrode's work remodeling the bunkers and large, sweeping putting surfaces has kept Lakeside a marquee attraction in a star-studded golf market.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Lakeside Golf Club is one of the true hidden gems of Los Angeles golf and one of my favorite courses to play in the city. It's a wonderful example of traditional Southern California parkland golf, with a good layout. What makes Lakeside special is simply how much fun it is to play. The relatively small greens create a meaningful challenge, placing a premium on accurate approach shots and a strong short game. While the course doesn't necessarily offer an abundance of strategic shot options, it provides an enjoyable and demanding test of golf without feeling overly penal. Conditioning is consistently among the best I've experienced in Los Angeles, and the quality of the playing surfaces adds considerably to the experience. The routing offers a nice variety of holes, and the traditional parkland setting gives the course a distinctive old-school feel. Lakeside also has a terrific membership and atmosphere, which only adds to its appeal. While it may not have the architectural grandeur of some of the country's most celebrated courses, it has a combination of playability, challenge, conditioning, and charm that makes it special. For me, Lakeside is a course I never tire of playing. A true Los Angeles gem and one I would enthusiastically return to again and again."
Read More2026
Review
“Old Hollywood club. Tiny greens. Tight course."
Read More2026
Review
“Classic design on a relative small piece of land. Routing fun with a great variety of holes from short Par 3'/4's and 5's to very long and challenging Par 4's. Course relatively short in total yards, but a Par 70 making the yardage a little deceiving, especially with the two short Par 4's (11 and 12) and the short Par 3 (15). The greens are small, making hitting greens in regulation challenging. There are a few blind shots, elevation changes (swales), the course is well bunkered (both off the Tee and around the greens) with plenty of trees making many of the Tee shots rather challenging. Conditioning of the course is always amongst the best in the area."
Read More2026
Review
“A difficult, well maintained course with well known celebrities often playing in the groups around you. A cool hang."
Read More2023
Review
“Challenging "old school" design at a club with so much history and ambiance. Course remodeled a few years back with many trees removed and a number of holes changed, all good changes. Course around 6,600 yards from the blue tees, but Par 70 with 2 really short (and tricky) par 4's and a really short par 3.......so it plays pretty long. Very small greens that are very well bunkered and arguably the best conditioned course in LA."
Read More2021
Review
“Great Golf course located right in the heart of Hollywood, awesome atmosphere and great conditions. go play it, it won't disappoint."
Read More2019
