Located in Burbank, Calif., DeBell Golf Club is a narrow, demanding course that many players find intimidating enough to avoid. This is the home course of Vlad Valesco, a longtime supporter of Global Traveler, who invited me to share some trick shots as we navigated the original design by William Bell, William Johnson and Richard Bigler. The course opened in 1959 and measures just 5,633 yards from the back tees for a par 71, with a rating of 68.8 and a slope of 114 on Kikuyu grass.
Locals often call DeBell a hidden gem: it sits right in the city of Burbank, is kept in excellent condition and the pro shop staff are welcoming. The property is frequented by deer, and the greens crew sometimes has to repair hoof damage even while rounds are in progress. Golfers who spray tee shots might want to skip DeBell or bring extra balls — stray shots are costly. Vlad and I have played courses across Southern California, Las Vegas and Pebble Beach, and it’s always a treat to hit the links together, especially on a course with as much character as this one.
Hole 1 | 457 yards, par 5
The opening hole is both beautiful and tricky. From the tee, the fairway drops away, and your drive should favor the right side of the dogleg left to give a clear angle to the green. Big hitters can reach or come very close in two. Vlad and I both struck excellent drives, landing within 15 feet of each other, but our second shots betrayed us. My ball finished left, where a tree branch blocked my approach, and after both of us three-putted for double bogey, we looked back wishing for the par we had left on the tee.
Hole 3 | 278 yards, par 4
This narrow hole can make you shake your head at the tee, wondering if every hole will be like this. The fairway is tight and the hazards press in: heavy brush catches balls to the right while a steep ravine on the left can end your day. I hit one toward the left, hoping the fairway trap would stop it. Vlad’s ball found the right rough, while mine disappeared. As I walked toward the ravine, a player from the group ahead waved me over — it turned out he lived a block from my home in Yardley, Pa., before retiring to Southern California. Small world. My ball had ricocheted off the cart path and sat left of the green in perfect position to chip. I played a low shot to avoid tree limbs, reached the green in regulation and two-putted for a satisfying par while Vlad looked on in disbelief.
Hole 6 | 124 yards, par 3
On this short but feisty par 3, I found a bunker right of the green and heard Vlad laugh when my shot finished there. He landed just short of the green and appeared set to claim the hole, but I had a sand shot I liked. Donning a bit of showmanship, I glanced toward the old Lone Ranger filming areas and called out, “Hi-ho, Silver! Away!” then executed a confident blast from the sand that got me up and down while silencing Vlad’s gloating. Tonto would have approved.
Hole 8 has a horseshoe bend. © Francis X. Gallagher
Hole 8 | 499 yards, par 5
Widely regarded as the signature hole, No. 8 lives up to its billing. The tee reveals the familiar DeBell profile: a narrow fairway framed by trees. The hole bends in a wide horseshoe to the right toward the green, and it’s easy to push too far and find rough off the fairway. As you approach, take in the homes perched on the high cliffs—then focus, because the green slopes from back to front and from right to left, making distance control crucial.
Hole 11 | 443 yards, par 5
Hole 11 will test those who favor leftward drives, as its left side borders a road and fence that are out of bounds. I’ve watched balls tumble humorously down the pavement on occasion. A center-left drive sets up the cleanest route to the rightward dogleg and approach. On our round, Vlad and I hit exemplary drives, and my fairway wood to the green looked perfect until it landed just short of the putting surface. A delicate chip left me inches from the hole for a chance at par, while Vlad’s ball found the right-side sand and cost him an extra stroke.
Hole 12 | 181 yards, par 3
This par 3 requires carrying the ball over a steep, rocky rise to a green that’s tucked out of view to the left. I took one extra club and managed to reach the green, but the ball bounced back to a patch behind near pine trees. Vlad played conservatively and landed short and right. I chipped on and two-putted for bogey; Vlad battled to save a double.
Hole 18 | 385 yards, par 4
The finishing hole runs straight from tee to green as if the architect drew a chalk line. To the right sits the old clubhouse, now used for storage; a newer clubhouse serves the first and tenth tees. A straight drive is the play here—some players are tempted by a subtle right-side landing area and end up in the pines. With a solid tee shot, you’ll have a comfortable approach to a large green that slopes from back to front and right to left. The hole descends toward the new clubhouse, offering a pleasant closing view.
DeBell Golf Club
1500 E. Walnut Ave.
Burbank, CA 91501
tel 818 845 0022
debellgolf.com