Where to join if I live in San Clemente?

[kelpie]

Moving to San Clemente in the near future and wondering what courses to think about. I'm scratch and play 1-2 times per week. Would need a good practice facility, too. Looking for a fun place, walkable if possible, challenging. I still play competitive golf. Thanks!

[rangersgoalie]

What’s your price point/ age?

[kelpie]

55, can do $20-40K for initiation, $1000/month. Don't want to drive more than 20 minutes to get to the course. I thought I was going to be in Huntington Beach but that changed. I was focused on Virginia, Mesa Verde or Sea Cliff if I was there.

[Siper11]

Private courses 20 minutes from San Clemente in that price range would be Marbella, Aliso Viejo, El Niguel, Dove Canyon, Coto De Caza, and Mission Viejo. They all have their good and bad ... MV is well-liked by its members and plays very difficult from back tees - "Mission Impossible", Marbella & Dove are ClubCorp, Aliso used to be a 27 hole public course (fun - young members), Coto has 2 courses and is very family-friendly, and El Niguel has put a lot of money back into the course and clubhouse over the past 10 years, is walkable, and is known to have great greens.

 

[Schley]

Outside the box option is going South to El Camino CC in Oceanside, which I have never played, but know people that have and it is ok. Proximity is probably closer to 25 minutes, which is a tough criteria. Would be cheaper than the OC clubs I’m sure as well.

[kekoa]

> @Siper11 said:

> Private courses 20 minutes from San Clemente in that price range would be Marbella, Aliso Viejo, El Niguel, Dove Canyon, Coto De Caza, and Mission Viejo. They all have their good and bad ... MV is well-liked by its members and plays very difficult from back tees - "Mission Impossible", Marbella & Dove are ClubCorp, Aliso used to be a 27 hole public course (fun - young members), Coto has 2 courses and is very family-friendly, and El Niguel has put a lot of money back into the course and clubhouse over the past 10 years, is walkable, and is known to have great greens.

>

 

This. If I was to chose, I would go with either El Niguel or Mission Impossible. Dove is ok too, but I am not a fan of Coto at all despite them having 36 holes.

[Zac1321]

> @"Schley " said:

> Outside the box option is going South to El Camino CC in Oceanside, which I have never played, but know people that have and it is ok. Proximity is probably closer to 25 minutes, which is a tough criteria. Would be cheaper than the OC clubs I’m sure as well.

waaaaaaaay cheaper. no range ok short game practice area but not really that special. only played a few times but I wouldn't want to play it regularly as my home course tbh

 

[Zac1321]

let me clarify, its serviceable and for the price, I don't know the details of all the privates in north san diego county, pretty sure there are very very few if any that come close. If you live in the area (personally I wouldn't consider it an option if coming from OC with potential traffic driving past camp Pendleton) and want a course you can get out for a few holes here and there during the week after work or for a quicker round on the weekend then most publics in N SD County it would be a great option. last I heard from someone was a waived initiation and a few hundred a month, think there was a pretty small F&B too. Given your budget seems like you have a lot better options in the OC area

[Sparky14]

Welcome to San Clemente! We love it here, despite CA politics.

I'll put my order of preference to be El Niguel CC slightly above Mission Viejo CC. El Niguel is just a bit more playable. MV is great, but tough, but that might be more to your liking. Marbella is nice, but a step below the other 2. Bella Colina in SC is a fun track, but not something I'd play regularly and the range sucks. Coto is a great facility, but it is 30 minutes to get there. Dove Canyon is really nice, but closer to 40 minutes.

The higher end publics this way (Talega, Arroyo Trabuco) are both pretty good tracks. AT has a nice range as well. SC Muni is a fun track, and real cheap for residents. Don't rule out the public options.

 

[kelpie]

Great input Sparky. We are heading down next week to check things out. Not going to be playing, but we are investigating the city and some houses by the beach area. Looks like I've got some good options. I saw the SC Muni on Google and was excited that it was a Billy Bell course.

 

[goaliedad30]

I lived down that way years ago, and was a member at Mission Viejo. Played El Niguel in high school matches, and much preferred the MV course. Testing, but liked the layout better. That said, this was close to 40 years ago, so things may have changed.

[rangersgoalie]

El Niguel and Mission Viejo. Equity clubs. Both have done some extensive course work recently and are in great condition imo

 

Marbella, Coto, and dove are non equity. Coto is ClubCorp. Dove group owns Dove, Bear Creek, Pauma Valley and rumored Bermuda Dunes?

 

If practice is important I’d say Coto has best practice facilities. Pretty decent range lots of grass area but uses mats 2-3 days per week. The mats are good. Two good sized putting greens, and a solid short game area. Plus it’s 36 holes.

 

Dove I was told last week sounds like it is down in members. Lots of unsubstantiated rumors of trying to sell, but that seems non stop over the years I take it with a grain of salt. Their range is decent too.

 

Marbella is managed by American Golf I believe. Funky course that has to be played. It’s a love or hate kind of course. Not a great range. But pretty darned good location from San Clemente

 

Not a fan of the ranges at Mission Viejo or El niguel

El Niguel has a nice little wedge practice area. But the courses and conditions are very good right now.

 

With the new road the drive from San Clemente is not too bad at all to Coto, though it will likely turn to tolls at some point depending o. The political battle.

 

Good luck!!