SOUTHLAND FOCUS

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

Industry Hills/Eisenhower Course

Address: One Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry

Green fees: $45-$60, cart included.

Phone: (818) 810-4653.

Tee times: 3 days in advance.

The facility: The longer of two championship ordeals at this Sheraton resort, the Ike has it all: length, dramatic elevations; tight, contoured fairways; large, fast, undulating greens; tree trouble, sand trouble, rough trouble, water trouble. Lots of waste areas where lost balls congregate. Get it? Not exactly the place to experiment with that nettlesome loop in your backswing.

The good: Almost always in fine condition, extremely challenging. No dull holes, they all require thought and execution. If you can score well here, you can score well anywhere. For what you get, the price is very reasonable. Annual membership of $350 offers preferred tee-time policy and reduced rates: a good deal if you plan to play there regularly.

The bad: Carts must stay on cart paths, and five-hour rounds are commonplace. Too difficult for most golfers to enjoy. Was noted architect William Bell in a really bad mood the day he conjured up this layout? Once-extraordinary bentgrass greens have been taken over by more ordinary Poa annua, though they still are fast and true.

The score: A real test of character and ability, and a regular site for local U.S. Open qualifying. Bring only your best game, and it still might not be good enough. Remember: Don’t start throwing clubs the first time you get a bad break; you’ll get plenty more.

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Overall course rating: 3 1/2 balls.

* One ball: No-frills golf.

** Two balls: Worth an occasional round.

*** Three balls: Like shooting four strokes under your handicap.

**** Four balls: Where the golf gods play.

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Hole Back Tees Middle Tees Par Front Tees 1 504 487 5/5 460 2 345 335 5/4 266 3 342 314 4/4 295 4 446 418 4/4 383 5 206 136 3/3 115 6 460 413 4/4 351 7 437 415 4/4 371 8 490 472 5/5 397 9 130 126 3/3 94 Out 3,360 3,116 36 2,732 10 529 489 5/5 458 11 330 318 4/4 266 12 462 450 4/5 430 13 194 167 3/3 141 14 360 325 4/4 311 15 154 138 3/3 115 16 403 393 4/4 356 17 325 297 4/4 275 18 618 569 5/5 505 In 3,375 3,146 36/37 2,857 Total 6,735 6,262 72/73 5,569

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Rating/Slope: Black--73.5/138, Middle--70.9/130, Front--73.1/135.