The Rio Hondo Golf Course opened in 1924. The course was designed by John Duncan Dunn. In 1994, the city invested over $5 million dollars to completely renovate the course's design. This project was led by architect Gerald W. Pirkl.
The ennovation changed a once flat course to one that now has large mounds and moguls coming into play on every hole. Lakes have been added to the design and come into play on seven holes. The narrow fairways are lined by large mature pine trees and bordered by a standard cut of rough. The course has large, slightly undulating greens that are soft enough to hold your shots.
Par for the course is 71. From the back tees the course plays to 6,360 yards. From the forward tees the course measures 5,103 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 4, a par-5 that plays to 535 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 17, a par-3 that plays to 154 yards from the back tees.
Watch out for # 4, the 535 yard par-5 challenge is the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole is # 17, the 154 yard par-3.
Each nine at Rio Hondo Golf Course has an outstanding finishinghole. #9, a 416-yard, par 4, requires a tee shot to a small landing area guarded by a lake on the left and huge mounds on the right, then an approach shot to a green that is protected by several large white-sand bunkers.#18, a 424-yard, par 4, requires a long tee shot, then an approach shot to a green that has a large tree blocking approach shots from the left and out-of-bounds stakes on the right.
$51 (cart included), played on Sunday, April 2013 at 10am
Lots of Sunday golfers. We almost got hit from drives from opposite tee on two occasions. Trees hide everything. Cart girl, Monette, was great
$26 (cart not included), played on Friday, April 2013 at 6am
This is a nice golf course, especially considering it is a municipal course.
$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, May 2012 at 6am
Play the course at least 2 times a week. Belong to a private club but I would only play Rio Hondo if it were closer to me.
$21 (cart not included), played on Wednesday, July 2011 at 4pm
I was very pleased with the condition of this course. I was so pleased that I have played it 3 times in the past 5 days. I must say that it is not the most difficult course, but it is not the easiest either.
Member (cart included), played on Saturday, February 2011 at 6am
I play there every weekend and my game changes each time. Not the course it's me.
(cart included), played on Friday, January 2010 at 6am
You would have thought this course was a private country club.
(cart included), played on Thursday, January 2008 at 6am
This is a very pleasant course to play, with interesting challenges all around. It seems easy at first, but you must focus and manage your play to make your score. Several water features on several holes can rear up and bite you if you become complacent (don't you love that word?). A house once lived in by the Carpenters sits on the right on one hole... we'll let you figure out which one...
Latest Golf Course Reviews
$46 (cart included), played on Wednesday, June 2017 at
Nice straightforward course. No hidden surprises that only the "local" know about. Greens always in good shape with subtle breaks and slopes. Usually easy to get on during the week, no long waits but call to check if they're having a tournament. Lots of tree lined fairways. Off the fairway usually will cost you a stroke to get back in play. Plays longer than the yardage on the scorecard as a nice cooling breeze comes up everyday around noon or so. Water comes in to play on seven holes but only to catch an errant shot. Only one hole with a forced carry over water and it has a bailout area if you don't want to try an over-water shot. Good food in the restaurant. During the week usually about a 4 1/2 to 5 hour round. Play it, you'll like it.