Hours: 6am-10pm 
Green fees: M-F $10.50 (residents $8); Weekends $13 (residents $10)

Pico Rivera is south east of downtown Los Angeles and located just off the 605 Freeway – Beverly Blvd. Exit. It is a 9 hole executive golf course with two short par 4 holes. The course was opened in 1965, but went through a renovation in January 2012. In the golfing complex is also a putting green and driving range. There is also a small club house with a bar at the golf course. The course has lights throughout the 9 holes, thus enabling play until 10pm each day. The last tee time is 8pm.

This is another of those small golf courses in Los Angeles County which is not widely publicized. If you live outside the Pico Rivera area you probably will not know about it’s existence. It is advisable to call in advance and book a tee time. We played on a Saturday morning and it was extremely busy. We had to wait about 10 minutes past tee time to get started. After which there was very slow play and delays at almost every hole. It took 3 full hours to play 9 holes! Not good.

The course is well laid out and has a nice flow to it. You have to tee off from mats and no plastic tee’s are provided. The par 3 holes were pretty long for a 9 hole executive course – each being around the 150 yard mark. This is not a course to play if you are a complete novice, but a good progression before you hit the full 18 hole, par 72’s. The standout holes were 6 and 8 and 9. Hole 6 is a 161 yard hole where you have to hit over a ravine. In the background is some kind of reservoir gate which has interesting architecture. Then hole 8 is a dog-leg right short par 4. You tee off, then your next shot is 90 degrees right over a small lake. If playing there for the first time it is a little tricky to know where to go, as hole 9 green looks like it is in play also. There is no signage or direction. Water comes into play on holes 8 and 9 and there are a few bunkers spread out throughout the course. Hole 9 is a straight par 3, but with two small ponds (with fish in) in front of it. So if you hit short you are going to be in trouble.

Each hole has a nice ball cleaner and a bench by the tee box. Also several tee boxes have water dispensers and paper cups. After the 4th hole, there is a little drinks/ snack cart. Where they also sell bottles of beer.

The course condition was above average, but not excellent. The greens were large and again above-average. As with some of the other courses which we have recently played the grass is very dry and the ground is hard. Also there are power lines running straight down the middle of the course, so on some holes you hit the crackling/ buzzing of the power lines above your head. The starter is friendly and there is a little pro shop on site. Although the course was above-average, it is marked down overall due to the amount of people and slow play.

Richie says… “Nice course, but too busy. 3 hours to play 9 holes of par 29 is way too long.”

Chris says… “Course was generic, played courses like this before. Big greens, big crowds. 3 hours to play 9 holes – I don’t think so!”

Albino says… “I don’t like the vibe here. Plus you can not get in the rhythm with your shots and stay loose as you have to wait to play each hole.”

Hole by Hole

Hole 1 – 107 yards

Hole 2 – 163 yards

Hole 3 – 149 yards

Hole 4 – 142 yards

Hole  5 – 276 yards (par 4)

Hole 5 – 2nd shot (100 yards out)

Hole 6 – 161 yards

Hole 6 – green

Hole 7 – 131 yards

Hole 8 – 262 yards (par 4, dog-leg right)

Hole 8 – 2nd shot (80 yards out)

Hole 9 – 109 yards