Before golf was invented, grassy pastures were viewed as the exclusive territory of roaming sheep, herds of cattle, and overzealous Civil War re-enactors. Celebrate turf's competitive utility with today's Groupon: for $48, you get one nine-hole round of golf for two (a $30 value), two $20 range cards, two pull carts (a $6 value), and a $20 credit to the Fairway Café at The Lakes at El Segundo (a $96 total value).

The Lakes at El Segundo maintains a manicured, nine-hole chain of bentgrass fairways enhanced by a number of practice areas and clubhouse facilities. Grab a friend and launch dueling drives along the par 29 course lined with trees, sand traps, elevated roughs, and water hazards that obscure errant shots or hide whistle-blowers too nervous to go into witness protection. Self-sufficient caddies will find the trek across 1,327 yards of links easier after loading their clubs onto a pair of pull carts. Finesse strokes before or after the round by blasting piles of 35 ($5), 70 ($7), or 105 ($9) dimpled spheres from one of 58 personal striking stalls. The range hosts a quartet of targeted greens stationed 75–225 yards away, each manned by barbershop singers who croon "Mr. Sandman" if hit at the same time. A natural-grass putting green and bunker-equipped chipping range reside on-site to build close-range accuracy.

As green-bound games come to an end, the Fairway Café beckons birdied-out bellies to indulge in breakfast and lunch eats, as well as cool drinks. Squander the $20 dining credit on cloudy french toast ($7), hearty BLTs ($6), or Caesar chicken salad ($9), or keep to a liquid diet with a domestic ($11) or imported ($15) pitcher of beer. The eatery’s patio affords weary whackmen a peaceful vista of the lake and waterfall, occasionally interrupted by overzealous cries of "Fore!" or wandering mobs of roller-derby fans.