Course Reqs Near Irvine

I'm in the Irvine area in a couple weeks and wanted to get some local pro tips on where to play. Only have time to squeeze in a morning weekday round but would love to get your thoughts on the following research I've done thus far:

1. Strawberry Farms - I'll be closest to this one and leaning towards it unless the course is no bueno
   
2. Arroyo Trabuco - Looks nicer than SF so I'll make the drive if it's clearly the better course
   
3. Tijeras Creek - Heard this is the nicer course of the other two
   

Stumbled across Shady Canyon so on the off chance someone here is a member and wants to get out to play mid-week, I'd love to tag along!

Thanks in advance for the input...

/ep

Strawberry will disappoint conditions wise vs. the price you pay. Arroyo is the best of the three layout wise but I haven't played in years. The back nine at Tijeras is far and away the best nine however. So much so, if I we're you I'd look at conditions/recent reviews and if they are good id lean that way. Oak creek is another solid consideration. Same with Monarch Beach (but the price is too much for what it is). Black Gold is awesome as well and cheaper than most of these. I'd say

Tijeras Back Nine

Black Gold

AT

Oak Creek

Monarch

Strawberry

This ranking also factors in value not pure golf. Miss socal, enjoy.

I think you have covered them, but here are my suggestions in no particular order:

- Oak Creek (pricey, but nice lay-out)

- Tijeras

- Mondarch (pricey, with ocean views)

- Pelican Hill (if money isn't an issue)

Shady is one of the more exclusive clubs in the area. I played there once and was charged $350 on a reciprocal. Not worth it at all IMO.

I rarely go to Strawberry Farms or Monarch Beach anymore. They both have disappointed me too many times. Tijeras has also been crappy a lot, but that back 9 is awesome and I hear conditions are pretty good there these days - so that's a maybe.

Black Gold and Oak Creek are my favorite mid-priced options. "Mid" being relative. Arroyo isn't too far behind. Talega in San Clemente is a great layout, but conditions have been spotty lately.

I played Strawberry a few months ago, and no joke, it was the worst putting greens throughout i have EVER seen (and i play a bunch of munis). Do yourself a favor and don't play there.

I just finished playing Mile Square, and it was $69 with cart on a weekend, but the course was very well maintained. There are two courses, one with a lot more water than the other (guess which one i played ;-)). The downside is it was pretty crowded on a saturday as you would expect. But you should be fine on a morning weekday.

Or just break the bank and go Pelican Hill!!!

If your goal is to just be able to ply in new area all our serviceable. Value-wise I think everyone will agree youre going to walk away thinking you didn't get your money's worth

Thanks for the input fellas.

I actually played Monarch Beach last year and the views were definitely legit - played terribly but I'll definitely have to go back to play it again sometime.

Sounds like the Strawberry Farms is definitely a no-go.. I'll have to look into Oak Creek, Black Gold, and Tijeras and will likely pick between those three.

In terms of Pelican Hill - I don't mind coughing up the $300 to play a legit track (cus I've heard it's incredible), but I don't want to pay that to play alone. Maybe someday!

Agreed with all the feedback you’re getting. Strawberry Farms is overpriced and just not a good track. Pelican and Monarch are ok but again over priced. Monarch front 9 is gimmicky. If you’re up for muni’s I do like Mile Square and if you’re ok for a little driving there are plenty of options near Long Beach - especially Navy Desteoyer and Lakewood CC. Both are both decently priced and have good layouts. El Dorado is nice too but always too crowded. Don’t be surprised to see 5 hr + rounds if you go public even during the week. SoCal is super crowded and we play golf 12 months of the year.

If you're in Irvine, head down the road to play Oak Creek. The greens are running pretty damn good right now. Check out Golf Moose for the deal they have until March 15th. Bring a solid long club (hybrid and/or 3 iron), because 3 of the 4 par 3s are beasts (especially if the wind is blowing). I actually pull 3 wood and play both 3 hybrid and 3 iron there because of this.

Stay away from Strawberry, terrible layout and spotty conditions, Arroyo Trabucco is a tough but good course, but the greens seem to come and go. Black Golf is ok, but definitely not close to Irvine.

Agreed with all the sentiments here--you're better off biting the bullet and playing oak creek. You could try looking at booking Pelican Hill with a hot deal on golfnow if you want try to save some bucks--though it's basically only one tee time for the day.

+1 for Oak Creek. If you want to save some coin check out Costa Mesa (Los Lagos) fun track just reflective of green fees vs oak creek

I’ve never been able to finish a round in under 5 hrs at Oak Creek. That said it’s a very good course with excellent conditions. Just know coming from out state that rounds at public courses here are 5 hrs+

I’ve never been able to finish a round in under 5 hrs at Oak Creek. That said it’s a very good course with excellent conditions. Just know coming from out state that rounds at public courses here are 5 hrs+

Does that still apply if I play at 7:30-8am mid week?

I’ve never been able to finish a round in under 5 hrs at Oak Creek. That said it’s a very good course with excellent conditions. Just know coming from out state that rounds at public courses here are 5 hrs+

 

Does that still apply if I play at 7:30-8am mid week?

I’d still expect a min of 4.5 hrs. Public golf in SoCal is so crowded it’s not even funny.

I’ve never been able to finish a round in under 5 hrs at Oak Creek. That said it’s a very good course with excellent conditions. Just know coming from out state that rounds at public courses here are 5 hrs+

 

Does that still apply if I play at 7:30-8am mid week?

The 5+ hour rounds typically come with a late morning start, but they're very real our there. If you're off around 7:30-8am, you should be closer to 4-4.5 hours (this typically my time slot over there). If have gotten around in 3.5 hours, but only by grabbing the first tee time of the day and playing solo.

I’ve never been able to finish a round in under 5 hrs at Oak Creek. That said it’s a very good course with excellent conditions. Just know coming from out state that rounds at public courses here are 5 hrs+

 

Does that still apply if I play at 7:30-8am mid week?

 

I’d still expect a min of 4.5 hrs. Public golf in SoCal is so crowded it’s not even funny.

Nobody plays there anymore, it’s too crowded

you a private club member in austin? if so, thousandgreens.com.