What are some nice courses to play in Southern California?

[tonygonz1]

What are some nice courses to play in Southern California?

[Shindig]

Are you moving here and looking for a new home course? Or are you coming on vacation? Also, WHERE in Southern California? A great course in San Diego might not be worth getting to if you're vacationing in Bakersfield, for example.

[Mac62]

Are you moving here and looking for a new home course? Or are you coming on vacation?

Also, WHERE in Southern California? A great course in San Diego might not be worth getting to if you're vacationing in Bakersfield, for example.

Definitely true that specifying which part of Southern California would help narrow it down.  So Cal is a big place.  LA?  San Diego?  Inland Empire?  Palm Springs?  All those areas span a 3+ hour driving radius and there are literally hundreds of golf courses in Southern CA.

[tonygonz1]

I currently  ilve in Orange County. Willing to travel to Palm Springs and/or San Diego...I am less than 1 hour from both them cities...

[Golfingdad]

I currently  ilve in Orange County. Willing to travel to Palm Springs and/or San Diego...I am less than 1 hour from both them cities...

What courses do you currently play?  How much are you willing to spend?

[Big C]

First of all, welcome to the forum!

Second of all, your question is akin to coming on here and asking "Are there any good restaurants in Las Vegas?" The answer is yes, there are - thousands of them. So please be more specific. You have narrowed down the location a bit, but how much are you looking to spend? If price is no object, the recommendation would be different than if you had a limited budget. And would be different still if you were looking for an upscale course at a reasonable value. There are literally dozens of good courses that would fit each description. People here are happy to be a good resource, but give us a little bit to work with first.

[Mark B]

I currently  ilve in Orange County. Willing to travel to Palm Springs and/or San Diego...I am less than 1 hour from both them cities...

I've lived in OC for my whole life. There are many fine golf courses that suit all levels of ability and price points. There are also several fine courses just outside of the county line which are also very good and offer a wide range of possibilities. What type of course are you looking to play? i.e. public, hard, easy, challenging, high end, etc...

[No Mulligans]

In San Diego I mostly play...

Balboa Park Municipal 9 hole... because it's an executive course, it's inexpensive, it's good for walking, and early in the morning I often can get a round in with a foursome in an hour and a 1/2 or less.  And it has 5 par fours.  An 9 hole executive course with 5 par fours, that's pretty unique and cool.

Tecolote Canyon 18, because it's an executive course (four par fours, the rest par threes), it's inexpensive, close to my house, it's good for walking, and early in the morning I often can get a round in with a foursome in two hours.

These are lower end courses but fit my preferences.

I only once in a while play a full length 18 hole course and when I do it's usually Torrey Pines north.  That's a time commitment - 4 hours or more, and wears my old body out (I walk it).

[Coronagolfman]

Lived in OC/IE area for most all of my 60+ years - there is a huge variety of courses available for all pocketbooks and purposes (full round or just 9-12 holes twilight)

Here's a quick listing for above areas based on price:

1. Expensive ($200+)

Pelican Hill (two courses) - ocean views, Fazio designs, top of line golf experience - Newport Coast/OC

Trump - ocean views, nice facilities, Pete Dye course - Palos Verdes Peninsula/LA

2. Upper Mid-range ($100+)

Oak Creek - classic Fazio design, very good conditions, minimal dining facilities, nice practice area - Irvine/OC

LA National - Nicklaus target course built in river bottom terrain - on grass on rocks - Sunland/LA

Monarch Beach -  Seaside Trent  II course, two holes right on ocean, rest is condo golf - Dana Point/OC

Pechanga - Arthur Hills layout, some huge carries off the tee, next to big casino - Temecula/IE

3. Lower Mid-range (60+)

Black Gold - Arthur Hills course, hillside with lots of forced carries, very tight - Yorba Linda/OC

Empire Lakes - fun Palmer design, lots of water, open off the tees, easy walk - Ontario/IE

Eagle Glen - mountain goat course, very large and nice greens, lots of forced carries - Corona/IE

Mile Square Golf Course (two courses) - traditional golf design, easy to walk, ocean breezes - Fountain Valley/OC

Griffith Park (two courses) - busy LA munis, lots of mature trees, easy to walk - Griffith Park/LA

Oak Quarry - built in old quarry, some amazing views - Rialto/IE

Brookside Park (two courses) Right next to Rose Bowl, mature trees, easy walk - Pasadena (of course)/LA

4. Bargain

El Prado (two courses) spotty fairway conditions, greens are not too bad, $10 walking twilight rate - Chino/IE

Los Serranos (two courses) South is a long and tough test, North is less so - Chino/IE

Costa Mesa (two courses)  Traditional layouts, one is very short, afternoon breezes - Costa Mesa/OC

 

Leaving out a whole bunch of courses  but these should give you an idea of whats there

 

 

 

[Hacker James]

I live in San Diego's North County and have played here for over 40 years. There is a lot to choose from and as mentioned in all price ranges. Three Military courses are not half bad, although perhaps not as pristine as the resorts. North Island Naval Air Station has two courses, executive and full length; MCAS Miramar, flat and a lot more challenging than it looks, Admiral Baker Recreation field has 2 courses, Balboa.  North County has decent courses,  Castle Creek, Warner Springs, Pala Mesa, Hidden Meadows, Eagle Crest, Mt Woodson. Casino courses at Barona, Sycuan; San Diego Country Club, Bonita (South Bay area); Mission Bay (I think its still open, not sure), Tecolate Canyon prevously mentioned), River Walk in MIssion Valley, Carlton Hills (not sure). Lawrence Welk has a couple of executive courses. There are a few more, but just can't think of them at the moment.  Then of course the better courses on the Coast Arrow Wood ?, Aviara.  For the money, I think that Eagles Crest is a good deal. Senior rate $29 ??  normal weekend in the low $40's. and of course Torrey Pines if you can get on.

[Golfingdad]

I'm finally getting to play La Costa (Legends course) in a couple of days - am very excited about that!!