601 Club View Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 276-1604
18 holes (par 54)
Yardage: 832 yards
Hours: Dawn to dusk, 7 days
Green fees: weekdays $3, weekends $4
Armand Hammer is an 18 hole pitch n’ putt course located in Westwood, adjacent to UCLA. It is located within Hornby Park. The course dates back to 1940 and was saved from closure in 1981 by Armand Hammer and Hugh Hefner. I have no idea the connection with Hugh Hefner, other than the Playboy mansion being just a block down the street. As with Sea Aire in Torrance this is a pitch n’ putt as opposed to a conventional par 3 course. The course measures just 832 yards total for the 18 holes, with the longest hole being 68 yards.
We arrived at 9am on a Saturday. The course is supposedly open dawn to dusk, but there was nobody there. As the course is in a public park with no fences etc, we went ahead and played anyhow. We expected someone to arrive so that we could pay, but no one did. The course is spread throughout the park. The tee boxes are not marked and it was quite hard to find our way around. The hole number is on the flag, but as there was no wind each flag was just hanging down the post.
As it is a pitch n’ putt the course is tiny. All you need is a wedge and putter. If you don’t have any clubs, they can be rented for just 25c each. If the guy working there shows up! The course was a little challenging due to the fact that the greens were only about 10ft across. The grass was also long and nothing like you find on a real golf course. Armand Hammer is a quaint little course to take young kids you are just getting into the game. Other than practicing your short chips, this course is by no means for the serious golfer. I would also advise beginner golfers to stay away from here. It will be too hard for you. You need a good touch and decent chipping skills. Also putting will be tough as the greens will not run smooth or at a good pace. You would be better off playing one of the par 3’s located in the area. DeBell in Burbank is a good course for beginners and a step up from a pitch n’ putt course. As with Sea Aire, I am rating this as a pitch n’ putt course and the ratings should not be compared with your regular golf courses as this is obviously a different animal.
Richie says… “Located in one of the most prestigious parts of Los Angeles, this course is very quaint. You can bring your kids here for a laid back round, but not for the serious golfer. If you do bring your kids make sure they do not swing too hard as there are parked cars surrounding the course/ park. Also watch out for the people taking leisurely walks through the course/ park.”
Hole by Hole
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| Hole 2 – 62 yards |
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| Hole 3 – 51 yards |
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| Hole 4 – 35 yards |
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| Hole 5 – 46 yards |
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| Hole 6 – 68 yards |
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| Hole 7 – 63 yards |
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| Hole 8 – 63 yards
|
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| Hole 9 – 41 yards |
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| Hole 10 – 29 yards |
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| Hole 11 – 40 yards |
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| Hole 12 – 40 yards |
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| Hole 13 – 50 yards |
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| Hole 14 – 38 yards |
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| Hole 15 – 28 yards |
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| Hole 16 – 63 yards |
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| Hole 17 – 30 yards |
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| Hole 18 – 40 yards |
We arrived at 9am on a Saturday. The course is supposedly open dawn to dusk, but there was nobody there. As the course is in a public park with no fences etc, we went ahead and played anyhow. We expected someone to arrive so that we could pay, but no one did. The course is spread throughout the park. The tee boxes are not marked and it was quite hard to find our way around. The hole number is on the flag, but as there was no wind each flag was just hanging down the post.
As it is a pitch n’ putt the course is tiny. All you need is a wedge and putter. If you don’t have any clubs, they can be rented for just 25c each. If the guy working there shows up! The course was a little challenging due to the fact that the greens were only about 10ft across. The grass was also long and nothing like you find on a real golf course. Armand Hammer is a quaint little course to take young kids you are just getting into the game. Other than practicing your short chips, this course is by no means for the serious golfer. I would also advise beginner golfers to stay away from here. It will be too hard for you. You need a good touch and decent chipping skills. Also putting will be tough as the greens will not run smooth or at a good pace. You would be better off playing one of the par 3’s located in the area. DeBell in Burbank is a good course for beginners and a step up from a pitch n’ putt course. As with Sea Aire, I am rating this as a pitch n’ putt course and the ratings should not be compared with your regular golf courses as this is obviously a different animal.
