Tips for playing Riviera

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By John G

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  1. John G

    John G
    Napa, CA

    So next month myself and two friends from college are heading to Los Angeles to play Riviera.  I am very excited and totally looking forward to it.  Does anyone who has played it have any tips?  I think it's one of the courses on an old Wii game I have. I was going to play that a few times just to get familiar with the holes and layout.  I know that might sound kind of dumb, but I figure it's better than nothing.

  2. Dino J

    Dino J
    Burnaby, BC

    John G said:

    So next month myself and two friends from college are heading to Los Angeles to play Riviera.  I am very excited and totally looking forward to it.  Does anyone who has played it have any tips?  I think it's one of the courses on an old Wii game I have. I was going to play that a few times just to get familiar with the holes and layout.  I know that might sound kind of dumb, but I figure it's better than nothing.

    Hi John,

    I find that when playing Riviera, it helps to keep the drives straight and hit from the short grass. Hitting irons from the fairways helps too.

    Okay... just kidding. :-)

    I'm a bit envious. Wishing you all the best John and would love to read a post from you on your experience! Playing Riviera would be one of my bucket list courses ...so look forward to hearing your impressions and experience!

    All the best,

    D.

  3. Steve M

    Steve M
    Hatboro, PA

    John G said:

    So next month myself and two friends from college are heading to Los Angeles to play Riviera.  I am very excited and totally looking forward to it.  Does anyone who has played it have any tips?  I think it's one of the courses on an old Wii game I have. I was going to play that a few times just to get familiar with the holes and layout.  I know that might sound kind of dumb, but I figure it's better than nothing.

    John, not all that dumb of an idea. I've done the same thing before playing Sawgrass a few years back and have also done the same with Bethpage Black. I did find that it helps a bit to see the basic layout and know the general breaks on the greens. Good Luck and yes, I'm jealous!!! Steve
  4. John L

    John L
    Cumming, GA

    I've played the video game before I went and played a one day tournament at East Lake. No matter how you play, I'm sure you'll find it in pristine conditions.

  5. Mark C

    Mark C
    Shorewood, WI

    I hope I'm not too late to reply. I played Riviera a few years ago and had the round of my life. My only suggestion is to play it safe given the Kikuyu grass. The rough was deep and hard to find the ball errant shots. After the 3rd hole I went a club or two down. My goal moving forward was to keep the ball in play moving forward. Fairways & Greens,
  6. John G

    John G
    Napa, CA

    Thanks for the info Mark.  I'm playing it next Thursday 10/8. Last night I actually dug out my '07 Wii game and played Riviera twice to get a feel of the layout.  What I did notice is the fairways are pretty narrow and on holes with a dogleg, there are trees protecting the corner, so shaping shots and having the right angles seems important.  On the positive side, I should be able to hit 3-wood on a few of the shorter par-4's.  

  7. Mark C

    Mark C
    Shorewood, WI

    The first tee box is intimating with the clubhouse directly behind you and balcony above. When I played the balcony was filled and noisy until I was about to hit. Then someone said shhhhh he’s going to hit. A hush came over everyone and I teed off. When I was in the Kikuyu my only thought was “just get out and move on”. On your approach shots make sure you position yourself so you have a clean shot to the green. Otherwise you’ll have trouble getting on the greens with overhanging eucalyptus trees and the undulation of the greens. My two favorite holes were the 6th which I almost got a hole in one, and the 16th which I again almost holed out. I’m jealous that you’re playing one of the greatest courses in on the PGA tour. I hope you enjoy the round as much as I did.
  8. John G

    John G
    Napa, CA

    Yesterday was the big day, and what a day it was.  Our host who is also an alum from our college was a great guy and a lot of fun to hang out with.  Our tee time was 12:30, and they actually have a starter that comes out and announces each players name and where they are from when they take the tee which was pretty fun.  The golf course was in great shape.  The greens were fast, but held well - when I actually hit them.  We played the white tees which were just over 6,500 yards.  A couple of highlights for me was driving the short par 4 10th hole which is listed at 301 on the card.  My ball actually rolled off the back.  I had a good pitch back on to the green, but missed a short birdie putt.  Another was being in the trees on the right on 18.  I had a narrow gap between two trees and was actually trying to hit it at the cart direction stakes in the fairway, but the ball flew further and more to the right than I planned.  I ended up carrying the traps on the right and being pretty close to the green.  After the round, we had a couple of beers in the bar, shopped in the pro shop, and visited the museum that is just off of the lobby.  It was great to soak in all of the history from such a great club.

  9. Mark C

    Mark C
    Shorewood, WI

    Hey John, It looks like you had a great day from your picture. It looks like you had a great time. What a wonderful memory you’ll have of one of the greatest golf courses in America for a lifetime. Again I jealous. Fairways and Greens,

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