Much like San Diego, I think Orange County is the toughest region to rank. It’s tough to compare some of the expensive courses with the more affordable options, as both generally have their pros and cons. In some cases near the top of the list like Tijeras Creek, Pelican Hill or Monarch Beach, it’s hard to ignore a great course I like no matter what the price. In others further down, the rankings are more based on relative value compared to some of the less expensive options around.
These are based on my impressions of the overall design, scenery and relative value combined with more measurable elements such as conditioning, facilities and customer service (taking into account my personal experience(s) at the course and general word-of-mouth from Greenskeeper.org reviews/ratings).
Keep in mind when clicking on any active review links below that often I review multiple courses in the same article, so sometimes you have to scroll down in the story to find the course listed here.
PUBLIC REGULATION COURSES:
- Tijeras Creek Golf Club • Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
- Pelican Hill Golf Club (Ocean South) • Newport Coast, CA
- Monarch Beach Golf Links • Dana Point, CA
- San Clemente Golf Course • San Clemente, CA
- Coyote Hills Golf Course • Fullerton, CA
- Pelican Hill Golf Club (Ocean North) • Newport Coast, CA
- Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club • Mission Viejo, CA
- Anaheim Hills Golf Course • Anaheim Hills, CA
- Strawberry Farms Golf Club • Irvine, CA
- Talega Golf Club • San Clemente, CA
- Black Gold Golf Club • Yorba Linda, CA
- Oak Creek Golf Club • Irvine, CA
- Westridge Golf Club • La Habra, CA
- Costa Mesa Country Club (Mesa Linda) • Costa Mesa, CA
- Costa Mesa Country Club (Los Lagos) • Costa Mesa, CA
- The Navy Golf Course (Destroyer) • Cypress, CA
- San Juan Hills Golf Club • San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Tustin Ranch Golf Club • Tustin, CA
- Green River Golf Club • Corona, CA
- Meadowlark Golf Club • Huntington Beach, CA
- Mile Square Golf Course (Players) • Fountain Valley, CA
- Mile Square Golf Course (Classic) • Fountain Valley, CA
- Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course • Irvine, CA
- River View Golf Club • Santa Ana, CA
- Willowick Golf Club • Santa Ana, CA
- Dad Miller Golf Course • Anaheim, CA
- *Cypress Golf Club • Cypress, CA (*CLOSED)
- *El Toro Golf Course • Irvine, CA (*CLOSED)
PRIVATE COURSES:
- Shady Canyon Golf Club • Irvine, CA
- Big Canyon Country Club • Newport Beach, CA
- Dove Canyon Golf Club • Dove Canyon, CA
- Mission Viejo Country Club • Mission Viejo, CA
- Aliso Viejo Country Club • Aliso Viejo, CA
- Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club (South) • Coto de Caza, CA
- Newport Beach Country Club • Newport Beach, CA
- Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club • San Clemente, CA
- Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club (North) • Coto de Caza, CA
- Yorba Linda Country Club • Yorba Linda, CA
- El Niguel Country Club • Laguna Niguel, CA
- Marbella Country Club • San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Mesa Verde Country Club • Costa Mesa, CA
- Old Ranch Country Club • Seal Beach, CA
- Los Coyotes Country Club • Buena Park, CA
- SeaCliff Country Club • Huntington Beach, CA
- Alta Vista Country Club • Placentia, CA
- Laguna Woods Village Golf Club • Laguna Woods, CA
- Laguna Woods Village Par 3 Course • Laguna Woods, CA
PUBLIC SHORT COURSES:
- Oso Creek Golf Course (formerly Casta Del Sol) • Mission Viejo, CA
- Ben Brown’s Golf Course at the Ranch • Laguna Beach, CA
- Birch Hills Golf Course • Brea, CA
- Shorecliffs Golf Club • San Clemente, CA
- Fullerton Golf Club • Fullerton, CA
- Newport Beach Golf Course • Newport Beach, CA
- David L. Baker Memorial Golf Course • Fountain Valley, CA
- The Navy Golf Course (Cruiser) • Cypress, CA
- Lake Forest Golf & Practice Center • Lake Forest, CA
- Brea Creek Golf Course • Brea, CA
- Hyatt Regency Newport Back Bay Golf Course • Newport Beach, CA
- *Buena Park Golf Center • Buena Park, CA (*CLOSED)
