Looking for somewhere inexpensive and not too far from home. Back to Los Amigos. Not a whole lot different from my last time here, except they did punch the greens, which did not roll all that badly. ... Continue »

Looking for somewhere inexpensive and not too far from home. Back to Los Amigos. Not a whole lot different from my last time here, except they did punch the greens, which did not roll all that badly. Recent rains helped "green" everything. No real issues with residual water, Less busy than last time I played, which was a pleasant surprise. Several of the tee boxes still being worked on.

If you get out early, this course can be a fun track to get around. Not too tough, but interesting enough to keep your interest. If you're a senior the price is right !

Had to be in Downey for the weekend. Booked tee time for 12:06 on Sunday 3/27. Teed off at 12:35. Finished 16 holes at 5:30 and called it a day.

I would summarize this course as chaos and anarc... Continue »

Had to be in Downey for the weekend. Booked tee time for 12:06 on Sunday 3/27. Teed off at 12:35. Finished 16 holes at 5:30 and called it a day.

I would summarize this course as chaos and anarchy. Seven minute tee times and fivesomes are maybe good for County of LA revenue but not good if you like to play golf unless you like to take 20 minutes or so to play a hole.

Used to be nice to play there since I only stay five minutes away. I think that five or more years ago it was OK but would not play again on a weekend unless I had one of the first tee times out which are really hard to book.

Glad I live in the Coachella Valley now.

First out on a cool, damp morning. Busy, but was able to get out in front of the crowds. While I did not expect great conditions, I was very disappointed in the fairways. If you "played the ball down"... Continue »

First out on a cool, damp morning. Busy, but was able to get out in front of the crowds. While I did not expect great conditions, I was very disappointed in the fairways. If you "played the ball down", it would almost be impossible to get a decent lie because of all the clumps, so your ball would end up between the clumps and make it very difficult to get the club face on the ball. I did not have any mowed greens because I was ahead of the cutter, so the greens were slow and bumpy. Tee boxes were a mixes bag, some good, some not so good. They had the back tees closed on holes #3 and #16. I found a bunch of bunkers today, which as it turned out was fine, because every bunker was well maintained with adequate sand.

Despite the conditions, enjoyed the quick round. I find this course somewhat charming. An interesting layout with some fun holes. For a shorter course, it keeps my interest level up. The greens would normally be more of a challenge, but because none were cut, they played so much easier.

Saturday round back at Los Amigos this past weekend and there are definitely some issues that need handling at The Friends. We had a 9:40am tee time and all walked from the blue tees.

Conditions a... Continue »

Saturday round back at Los Amigos this past weekend and there are definitely some issues that need handling at The Friends. We had a 9:40am tee time and all walked from the blue tees.

Conditions are not optimal currently but playable for sure. The fairways are fairly thin (especially around the greens) but you'll find most to be playable as long as you're hitting the ball crisply. The rough is not penal and the tee boxes vary from hole to hole in quality, but a lot of them are really just dirt patches from overuse. Sand is quite good.

The greens rolled okay but are quite bumpy in patches and no one here does a great job of fixing their pitch marks. Speeds are medium to medium-fast depending on the hole/time of day but optically they also just look a bit out of sorts.

Funny story: When I checked in, the starter accidentally charged me for a cart but could not simply cancel that transaction for some reason so I got a voucher instead for a free round on my next visit. I guess you'd call that great customer service! That score would have been higher of course if we had any cart service out on the course, but never happened.

Anyway, we all know what to expect at Los Amigos. It's flat and somewhat uninspiring until the last holes on the course where it comes alive, but it's always a decent alternative in a pinch with tee times still a bit hard to come by if you book late.

Sunday round at Los Amigos with a 2:22 tee time playing with my friend Jimmy. There were no push carts available at that time (nor were there any carts) but I wanted to walk and just carried my bag th... Continue »

Sunday round at Los Amigos with a 2:22 tee time playing with my friend Jimmy. There were no push carts available at that time (nor were there any carts) but I wanted to walk and just carried my bag this time. The starter's shack is small and bare-bones, but gets the job done, and they still don't take cash. On to the round.

We took off as a twosome, but the group ahead of us was so awful and slow that at the third hole we invited the twosome behind us to join us to share in the misery. At the turn, we had another group come between us, only to find out it had been the group in front of the slowpokes who cut in front since that group had stopped to grab a bite. Needless to say, POP was pretty horrific coming in at around five and a quarter hours.

Conditions were mixed with the fairways actually being in pretty decent shape on most holes with some thin areas on the sides and near the greens, but plenty of lush spots as well. Rough was completely playable, and the bunkers were unraked but have good sand in them.

On the flip side, the greens were quite bumpy on most of the holes, and some of them had some noticeable damage and were filled with sand. They rolled medium at best and required the best guess as to where they might turn at the last minute, but at least they were consistent and it didn't take long to figure out the speed. Tee boxes were also a bit beat up (as is common here) but at least level and wide enough to find a decent spot here or there, but some were just bare and that was disappointing.

Still, despite the varied conditions (with the greens likely bringing down the overall grade), I played a very good round and of course that helps you enjoy a place so much more. I'm not sure I would rush back though for a while, but every once in a while I'm always curious to stop by here again and see how it's going.

Got a nice last-minute tee time at Los Amigos through a buddy on Sunday after flying home from vacation on Saturday. We caught the perfect window of cold, but clear weather with a 10am tee time that h... Continue »

Got a nice last-minute tee time at Los Amigos through a buddy on Sunday after flying home from vacation on Saturday. We caught the perfect window of cold, but clear weather with a 10am tee time that had allowed the previous day's rains to dry out a bit.

Unfortunately it didn't do much for course conditions. And $60 for a round here + cart is way out of bounds. Right now the course should not be more than $45, but demand is high so they're going to do what they're going to do. Our choice to play here or not.

Right now, the greens are really terrible. Completely bumpy, inconsistent speeds, aesthetically disappointing and no confidence in any lines as they make their way towards the hole in whatever fashion they like. Fairways are slightly less than good but playable if you're good with picking the ball up from thin lies. Rough is even worse. Bunkers are good as always, and the tee boxes are good enough to find a level spot, although some are beat up good.

POP was not too bad except on a few holes, but the parking lot was fairly empty so we expected an even faster round. Great little snack shop kiosk at the turn that's wildly convenient and will get you what you need. But there's no way this place should be charging that much for a round in this condition.

I was looking for somewhere to play where the course was not charging holiday rates all week, so decided one of the L A County courses would work. I wish I had read Robert's review before making the ... Continue »

I was looking for somewhere to play where the course was not charging holiday rates all week, so decided one of the L A County courses would work. I wish I had read Robert's review before making the tee time ! I have played here a number of times and kind of know what to expect, so I do not expect a whole lot, but that said, I was disappointed by the overall conditions. The greens here are usually the best part of the course and with the slopes on them and the bunkering, they can be kind of a challenge and fun, but when your putts just wander with a mind of their own, takes a lot of the incentive away.

Otherwise the course was playable. Fairways were a mixed bag - some good lies, some thin/bare areas. I generally play the tips, so there is usually decent lies at the back of the tee boxes. Rough was also inconsistent.

I actually like this little course. Some fun holes which do not require a ton of distance, which I go longer have, so nice to have holes I can reach comfortably in regulation for a change. Condition aside, the pace of play and price made it tolerable.

Played a Sunday round at Los Amigos with two friends and enjoyed a nice, fun and leisurely paced round, riding from the blue tees. POP is usually a big issue here, but the round flowed quite smoothly ... Continue »

Played a Sunday round at Los Amigos with two friends and enjoyed a nice, fun and leisurely paced round, riding from the blue tees. POP is usually a big issue here, but the round flowed quite smoothly with the only major holdup at the par 3 17th hole. Carts have apparently been upgraded at Los Amigos, so that's a nice change. May have happened a while ago, but it's been a spell since my last round there, so they were new for me. Also nice to have the grill open at the turn all day with great food and drink options conveniently located. You know the story about the layout - flat, flat and flatter, parkland style front nine with no thrill rides along the way, then a more challenging back nine with three monsters to finish. It's a good confidence course, however rough conditions can put that to the test. And conditions right now are definitely more on the 'rough' side, but good enough if your expectations aren't Riviera level. Fairways are burned out and thin in a lot of places, but you'll also find some good lies along the way. Rough is thick in places, but thin in others. Bunkers are in very good shape as they always are here, but tee boxes are blasted out and the greens are in very poor shape - bumpy, slow and fast depending on the grade, some sloping nightmares and just a poor aesthetic. You will look on in bewilderment as your putts twist and turn in 3-4 different directions en route to who knows where. But hey, you're also not being fleeced for a hundred bucks. I got a tee time, a cart and a sleeve of Titleist AVX balls for just over $50 - well worth that price. Keep expectations low, catch the place on a good day in terms of POP (and the weather was simply as good as it will ever get), and you'll get your money's worth.

Joined a friend this morning for his rehab 9. He picked here and its good he is a good friend LOL. Good thing it was only $15. Walking only is allowed for back 9 players (which is fine with me). But i... Continue »

Joined a friend this morning for his rehab 9. He picked here and its good he is a good friend LOL. Good thing it was only $15. Walking only is allowed for back 9 players (which is fine with me). But if you are unable to walk and need a cart, no go. Got out early so no issues. Course is not in good shape IMO. Tee boxes are hit and miss and need assistance. Fairways are terrible. Blotchy with patches of grass but mostly dirt areas. Traps are totally unplayable. Very little rough anywhere. The water ponds are smelly and look like the green blob landed in them. Greens, though wet from morning dew had not been mowed. They were decent enough, but not great. They also had numerous repaired ball mark spots on many of them. Customer service was a little rough. The young girl checking players in did not seem to want to be there this Monday? Masks at check in and around cart area. Shop closed and check in is at starters shack. They did have a breakfast available at their new BBQ area adjacent to the Pro Shop. Did not eat, so no idea as to what they were serving? So if the back 9 looks like it did? I only hope the front is better? But I doubt it. A few years ago this course was a pleasure to play after the many improvements made? No idea why they have let it get so run down? Not recommended.