Rio Hondo Golf Club

Rio Hondo Golf Club, a popular course owned by the city of Downey, is located just 10 miles or so south of Los Angeles. You won t find too many muni courses in Los Angeles County that offer a better combination of fun and challenging golf and good value. Though Rio Hondo Golf Club dates all the way back to 1924, the course was redesigned in 1994. Houses are present by a portion of the perimeter of the playing field but they don t intrude on the action. Mature trees line the fairways and give the playing field an attractive look. They also provide much of the challenge of the golf grounds, as the playing corridors are tight, especially on the tough front nine. Though Rio Hondo Golf Club lacks elevation changes, its landing areas are punctuated by a few humps, dips, and undulations. A number of water features help defend par. Holes 6, 7 and 8 surround a lake. Two other short par 4s the 12th and 14th feature greens situated by a smaller lake in the northernmost corner of the site. The par-71 layout stretches from 5,103 yards to 6,370 yards. In addition to the four sets of tee markers, the scorecard lists two combo distance options, ensuring that everyone can play from an appropriate distance. While Rio Hondo Golf Club may seem somewhat short, most of the par 4s and three of the five par 3s are quite long. Many players deem the one-shot 14th hole, with its long carry over water, the toughest hole on the course. Your best scoring opportunities come on the two short par 5s on the back nine. The layout s gently contoured greens do not have a lot of break. Rio Hondo Golf Club is a great course for walking. Practice facilities include a large putting green, a chipping area with a sand bunker, and a lighted driving range. Tall netting flanks both sides of the range and helps protect players on the adjacent 1st and 18th holes. The facility boasts a very nice clubhouse with a pro shop and a grill-style restaurant where you can get food until the late afternoon. Rio Hondo Golf Club may not be a high profile course, but a tee time at this friendly muni in LA s southland provides excellent value on an attractive, walkable, and fun layout.