
Penmar Course
Penmar Golf Club


About this course
Penmar, a venerable pitch-and-putt in the heart of Venice, California, isn’t chasing majors; it’s chasing accessibility. This flat, unassuming layout offers a quick, affordable round just blocks from the Pacific. Its charm resides not in championship pedigree, but in its democratic spirit. Originally conceived as a recreational amenity for the surrounding community, Penmar's design favors approach shots and putting. The short, largely treeless expanse presents a challenge to even the most skilled player, demanding precision from tee to green to hit tight fairways and elevated greens. Wind is often a factor, particularly afternoons and evenings near the ocean. While it has never hosted a major championship, Penmar is a constant hub of activity, a testament to its enduring popularity among locals and visitors alike. The course exemplifies the ethos of public golf, where anyone can pick up a club and enjoy the game. And if the round goes sideways, there's always Abbot Kinney to explore after the final putt drops.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- Venice, CA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1962
- Holes
- 9
- Designer
- David W. Kent
- Par
- 33
- Length
- 2,582 yards
- Difficulty
- 34.1/113
- Course Vaults score
- 6.6
Getting there
Los Angeles International Airport lies just five miles to the south, making Penmar Golf Club one of the most accessible municipal courses in Southern California for travelers arriving by air. The drive north along Lincoln Boulevard takes less than fifteen minutes in light traffic, threading through the westside sprawl before delivering you to the corner of Rose Avenue in Venice, where the modest clubhouse sits tucked between the neighborhood's eclectic bungalows and the distant hum of the Pacific. Santa Monica Airport, though now closed to fixed-wing traffic, once offered private flyers an even closer approach - today, the journey remains refreshingly straightforward, a rare ease of access for a course that has quietly hosted serious golf since 1956.

FAQ
Common questions about Penmar
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Penmar has a Course Vaults score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 51 logged golfers.
Penmar was designed by David W. Kent.
Yes. Penmar is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Penmar is 33.
Penmar plays 2,582 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Penmar is 113.




