golf clubs in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine area - 2019 edition

Hi all, I have seen some old threads on country clubs in the area but wanted to gather a little updated intel...

I'm about to turn 36, and rent a place in Newport Beach. Ideally looking for something not more than a 20 minute drive. Interested in golf, and more golf. Don't care about clubhouse, CC amenities, and my wife doesn't golf.

1) I'm supposed to get in touch with a member from Santa Ana CC soon, does anyone have any idea on what the equity buy-in looks like today, and do they offer junior memberships?

2) Any other decent clubs in the area nearby? My budget would be up to ~$800/mo. but would be great to spend less.

3) Are there any good public courses that offer passes, and what would those rates look like? e.g. Oak Creek, Strawberry

Thanks!

Within 20 minutes of Newport, you would be looking primarily at the following:

- Santa Ana CC

- Newport CC

- Big Canyon

The above 3 are fairly expensive with Big Canyon leading the way. Last I heard, Santa Ana does have a junior membership for those under 40. I believe it was something like $5,000 down and $350/mo with no minimums. Other clubs that might be in your range are Hacienda, Friendly Hills, and Yorba Linda CC. Most courses in the Irvine area offer passes, but I feel they are over priced for what you get.

thanks @kekoa - Newport and Big Canyon are indeed out of my range. Quite interested in Santa Ana if it's anywhere close to what you've heard. I'm supposed to connect with a member thru a friend soon.

Hacienda/Friendly/Yorba are a little further than I'd like to drive. Would love to have a place where I can pop out for an evening 9. Currently play too much at Rancho San Joaquin, which I only play within the first hours or last hours of sunlight - public golf in soCal is the sloooowest as folks know :(

Does anyone have any feedback/experience with Mesa Verde?

I'm a member at Mesa Verde ... I'll take it all day over the other courses listed. Big Canyon ($$$), Newport (Nice Clubhouse - Course not so much), Santa Anna (fun course for some - not for others, loud, and has had a rough time since their redo with keeping members) ... Mesa Verde is the best all-around club in the area right now - especially for the money. PM me, if you want to get out for a round.

I'm with Siper, Mesa Verde is better than those 3.

Thanks for the feedback. PM'd Siper.

I’d agree with the thoughts on Mesa Verde

Santa Ana as mentioned is all about your taste in golf courses. Some like, some despise

Practice facilities were done very well though

I need to try mesa verde one day. Had no idea it was that good. Most guys I talk to love Santa Ana.

Mesa Verde’s greens just brutalized me. I consider myself a decent, good putter but those greens just tore me a new one. And they weren’t even running that fast when I was able to play it. If you’re on the right spots it’s ok. But if your miss is wrong than good luck getting up and down.

Not a huge fan of the 18th being a par 3 but I loved the layout. Not too tricked out and more traditional than trying too hard to be a modern test for modern game. Solid course and facility.

> @atj5206 said:

> Does anyone have any feedback/experience with Mesa Verde?

Just played as a guest with a Member I know over there. Course was in great shape. Was able to get in 36 holes during my visit last week. Great service and facilities.

Was able to get out with @Siper11 on Friday. Great facilities and friendly, helpful staff. They did a nice job with the clubhouse remodeling and the views off the terrace over the course are wonderful! Not to forget my steak was cooked perfectly.

Course was quite enjoyable. The greens rolled smooth and I can see how some would find them challenging. Liked the layout quite a bit, as I'm a fan of traditional parkland-style courses. This place doesn't have too many OB areas that come into play (for me at least)- if you miss the fairway, you just have to get creative out of the trees. Very walkable- we played as a fivesome, with two members walking, and finished in 4 hrs flat on a "busy" Friday afternoon. Pretty peaceful place, especially on the farther-out parts of the property that sit adjacent to some type of ecological preserve. Lot of mature trees line most holes. We played in the afternoon, and the wind definitely comes into play. It was wild clubbing up 1-2 clubs into the wind. Par 3 18th was intimidating but fair- lucky to get out with an 81 off my current 6 handicap. It's a type of course you could definitely play every day and not get bored.

Overall, it's a true country club with a fantastic course- Thanks again @Siper11 for the tour and great hospitality :-)

@atj5206 @Siper11 - I live in HB and have been looking at joining a club in the area. What are the dues and joining costs for Mesa Verde? Super interested as have heard good things about the club since the club/restaurant remodel.

> @PBC said:

> @atj5206 @Siper11 - I live in HB and have been looking at joining a club in the area. What are the dues and joining costs for Mesa Verde? Super interested as have heard good things about the club since the club/restaurant remodel.

Could someone from this thread list the top 3-5 public courses for someone visiting OC (Santa Ana) this time of year? Many thanks.

do you have a budget? pelican, monarch, oak creek

i wouldnt recommend visiting for a golf trip and if i were here with family id just spend my time doing other things tbh, beach, shopping, theme parks etc.

everything is overpriced and overcrowded golf wise in OC. and nothing is "cant miss" imo

Arroyo Trabuco . Decent priced . Good day

Our members have said that Tijeras Creek is in good shape.

Id always recommend Goose Creek. It's not in OC, but at the right times it's an ok drive and a great place for the price

Tijeras, talega

@Zac1321 thank you - would your advice change if I was alone traveling for business?

thanks also to @birdiebuster72 and @rangersgoalie for the recommendations!

depends on how youre looking for having the free time to do it. if youre really trying to squeeze it in between other stuff i would probably skip it, but if that isnt an issue i would go for it