The fairways were almost completely dormant, but the greens were in pretty good shape. (We played 1/2/12.) Previously I would say this was great facility for the money, but with the price increase they're creeping out of that territory. I asked the Starter about the price increase. He didn't come right out and say it, but he said the powers that be in the City of Downey (who run the course) may have miscalculated about trying to squeeze more money out the course since raising the price has resulted in selling fewer rounds. Silly. Nonetheless, the restaurant and bar are one of the best.

Rio Hondo Country Club Review
Downey California Golf Course Reviews

There was still plenty of debris from the wind storm that still needed removing when we played Sunday (12/11/11) with an 11:36 tee time. However, most of fallen trees had been piled up and moved out of the way and roped off. I'd say the course is in average condition for the winter season, the greens being fairly smooth and true.
As always you have to know your way around this course particularly when you're getting so much roll over some of the dormant patches of the fairways. (Leave the driver in the bag, Dummy.) Furthermore, the restaurant and bar is the best of any golf facility. I never go wrong ordering the soups or fresh turkey.

De Bell Golf Course Review
Burbank California Golf Course Reviews

The greens are still recovering from a recent aeration. We played Sunday 11/27/11 teeing off in the late morning. Every putt had to navigate the bumps left over from the punching; you didn't know what was going to to happen, which is frustrating for short putts you're accustomed to holing. This is a good course when it's in good shape. It was in much better shape years ago (right after the remodeling) but at $42 to walk it's still a good bargain and in line with other City courses. Also the bar was open after dark which is a nice change, but they still close the kitchen at about 4:30 PM. Despite having room full of guys drinking pitchers of beer, they don't even bother trying to sell hot dogs and nachos. I guess that's the recession?

Montebello Country Club Course Review
Los Angeles California Golf Course Reviews

They're doing some good work on DeBell Golf Course. They've completely rebuilt the tee boxes on 7, 9 and 17. They still working on the 13th tee. Many of these tee boxes have been in bad shape for a long time. The character of the golf course remains unchanged. Therefore you'd better know how to manage a course and play methodically. I've run into so many guys who just won't play up there. The clubhouse just happens to be a good neighborhood restaurant that stay opens late. I guess you can tell it's my favorite.

Montebello is a good value. For that price range ($41 weekends) it has the best greens of all the courses I play. Many of the holes are quite long from the back tees, but at least if you hit a wayward shot there are plenty of adjoining fairways bordered with sparse trees and somewhat short rough. There are a couple holes that are right next to the Pomona Freeway which always bugs me, but that's true of many LA golf courses.
As for the concession facility, the prices were better than average but they close the kitchen at 3:30 PM and the bar around 5 or 6 PM even though they're running a large banquet facility and night club in the same building. Nonetheless, the staff was friendly and helpful, particularly a young lady named Daisey who tended the bar.
By the way, we did not experience any attitude from starter as mentioned above. We dealt with someone jovial and kind.

This is a thinking man's course and a tough walk up the hills of Burbank. The bar/restaurant is the best in the area.

This is my favorite course. I've played it hundreds of times over the past 20 years. I've come to know plenty of guys who won't play De Bell because they can't take out their driver on every hole. Those are the same guys who know very little about course management which is essential for shooting low at De Bell. Knowing how to read tricky greens helps too. As I write this, the course is a little beaten up from the winter weather but overall it's in the best shape I've ever seen it.
Now that the new clubhouse is there, De Bell has the best concession facility of any of the area courses. So many of the other places don't keep the kitchen open late or they don't stay open at all (I'm looking at you Rancho Park). Plus the pricing is better. I can't believe places like Enicno/Balboa are charging $16.50 for a pitcher of beer. Anyway, it's basically a good restaurant that just happens to be at a municipal golf course.