SoCal Golfers - Public or Private?

[gtello9]

Hey Guys,

I just moved to Irvine, CA from New Jersey for work and was looking to see how the golf life is here as I've heard some mixed reviews. 

What are the best private options for a Mid 20's mid-handicap player looking to meet new people, have fun and play in some club tournaments from time to time.

 

I live close to Tustin Ranch Golf Club and was able to play yesterday which was super packed and very slow (greens were in rough shape as well) so that's the only public experience I've had here. What's the best route for my circumstance?  I know Orange County tends to be pricey, and being in my Mid 20's I figured that some Junior membership options were available at hopefully an intriguing price. 

 

Any feedback is appreciated!

[tw422]

Welcome to CA from the East Coast.  I'm a transplant from Philadelphia (6 yrs) and live near LA.   In short public golf in SoCal is not great (similar to your experience at Tustin - expensive, packed and boring golf course).  The issue you are going to run into here is traffic.  It's as bad and even worse than you have heard.  Nothing like East Coast/New Jersey.  Don't think that just because something is 20-30 miles that you can get to it in 30 min.  Could take 1-2 hrs (or more) depending on time of day.  

 

You have some decent courses close to you like Mile Square (not expensive), Black/Gold (mid priced and tight - just an ok course) and Oak Creek (ok course and on the expensive side) and you will more than likely run into PoP issues (Mile Square). 

 

Pelican Hill Resort has 2 good courses but they are $$$$$.  Monarch Beach Golf Links is average layout and $$$$.  The good news is there is decent private options close to you.  I would look at Aliso Viejo CC and Mesa Verde CC.  SeaCliff in Huntington Beach is ok but not great.  Not expensive but not great. Shady Canyon CC and Big Canyon CC are high end private clubs but worth it if money is no object.

 

If you go downstream a bit into the more affordable muni's you will find 5-6 hr rounds are normal and conditions are average to poor.  I would stay away from Rancho San Joaquin and Strawberry Farms.  There are other decent courses like Arroyo Trabuco and Tijeras Creek but again they are ok not great.  

 

Wish I had better news for you but I've actually played way less golf since moving here.  It's a pain in the a** to get anywhere and not worth the money to be on a course for 5-6 hrs.  I would highly recommend going private if you can.

 

 

Edited June 24, 2021 by tw422

[Sboooooo1245]

I'd echo everything above -- I can't tell which I like better between Black Gold and Oak Creek . . . the former being overly tight but more interesting, the latter being pretty boring but in fairly good conditions. Would also suggest Goose Creek and Oak Quarry in Riverside depending on timing/traffic from wherever you are. Pelican Hill is a great course with very good POP but is very expensive even for twilight rounds. The courses down in San Diego are all great from what I've hard (Torrey, Maderas, Aviara).  I haven't played but have heard Aliso Viejo and Mesa Verde are both very good, and I'd look at Coto de Caza as well if you are going for private. 

[manku]

Agree with above...you can have cheap, close and quality but only two of the three.

 

I've basically stopped playing golf the past 18 months...before the pandemic, it was really pretty open on the muni front during the week...could get around in under 4 hours fairly often.  Now it's a parking lot...I'll pass.

[tw422]

23 hours ago, manku said:

Agree with above...you can have cheap, close and quality but only two of the three.

 

I've basically stopped playing golf the past 18 months...before the pandemic, it was really pretty open on the muni front during the week...could get around in under 4 hours fairly often.  Now it's a parking lot...I'll pass.

Totally agree - I've literally not stepped foot on a muni since March 2020.  Simply can't get a reasonable tee time and even if I did I wouldn't be interested in a 6 hr round.  

[dvq9654]

Golf in SoCal is really tough (excluding the desert, which is great). I would 100% recommend going private if you can afford it and find a course you like. Public golf is either slow-paced, underwhelming munis or overpriced courses than may or may not be nice. Monarch Beach in Dana Point is a perfect example of the latter. Exorbitant green fees for a course with 2 nice holes. Would be fun at $100, maybe, but at $250 it's a complete joke. 

 

I'm evaluating every private option possible, but living in LA it's tough, so until then I'm relegated to munis and occasional rounds at Rustic / in the desert. Don't end up like me...haha  

[tw422]

16 hours ago, dvq9654 said:

Golf in SoCal is really tough (excluding the desert, which is great). I would 100% recommend going private if you can afford it and find a course you like. Public golf is either slow-paced, underwhelming munis or overpriced courses than may or may not be nice. Monarch Beach in Dana Point is a perfect example of the latter. Exorbitant green fees for a course with 2 nice holes. Would be fun at $100, maybe, but at $250 it's a complete joke. 

 

I'm evaluating every private option possible, but living in LA it's tough, so until then I'm relegated to munis and occasional rounds at Rustic / in the desert. Don't end up like me...haha  

Totally agree with you on Monarch and you can throw Trump National in there in terms of a course with exorbitant greens fees for a blah course.  Monarch takes the cake though.  Not a great golf course with average conditioning.  The second hole is a total joke too.  

[Pepperturbo]

Whether private club or public golf, depends on your fiscal resources, and type of club culture you desire.  The more you spend on green fees, the less likely you'll have PoP issues.

 

Public golf in SOCA is different from other parts of the country.  POP is a crap shoot on most public courses cause tee sheets are packed on weekends.  Currently, tee spread runs 8-12 min, causing difficulty.  Until tee spread gets back to 6-7min, It's challenging to get tee times, too.  If you find a course you like, check on discounts and membership.  I have 3 memberships, currently.

 

Finding a well-kept, reasonably priced course takes patience and time, so we play in OCty, RCty and SDCty.  I let my buddies and wife chase tee times, and typically play during the week and 1 or 2 days on the weekend.  Green fees run $50 - $150+.  This weekend we're playing Sun/Mon.

[gtello9]

Can't thank you guys enough for the help! Unfortunate to hear the public route is tough but I guess I'll figure it out as I go. 

 

 

[a_gorilla]

It's tough--if you want to have a better POP then you need to put in some effort to book something as far in advance as possible down here and the earliest tee times you can get. The only courses I play here regularly in OC are basically Costa Mesa and San Clemente. I'll play Rancho San Joaquin, but only if I can book one of the first 3-4 times.

 

Like others have said, you kind of have to spend more and drive a little further out of OC. I typically play either Los Serranos course in Chino Hills (about 25-30 min from Irvine) and Goose Creek (about 35 min). But there are definitely some nice and decent places here, however I walk like 95% of my rounds so my choices are a bit more narrow than others.

[johnrobison]

On 7/1/2021 at 6:14 PM, dvq9654 said:

Monarch Beach in Dana Point is a perfect example of the latter. Exorbitant green fees for a course with 2 nice holes. Would be fun at $100, maybe, but at $250 it's a complete joke. 

Yep! And, honestly, without that amazing view, those 2 holes are both kinda lame.

 

There are only a couple of public courses where I can get in a 4 to 4.5 hour round on a Friday afternoon. Navy in Seal Beach has always had a pretty decent POP (though I honestly haven't played it in a few years) and MS Classic course moves fairly well - I'd guess my rounds there avg just over 4 hours.

Edited July 6, 2021 by johnrobison

[jkim]

I play San Clemente Muni quite often. I usually can play around 4 hours.  But it depends if you get behind a slow group. It was 4.5 hours yesterday.  Try San Juan Hill or Arroyo Trabuco 

[tw422]

On 7/6/2021 at 10:13 AM, johnrobison said:

Yep! And, honestly, without that amazing view, those 2 holes are both kinda lame.

 

There are only a couple of public courses where I can get in a 4 to 4.5 hour round on a Friday afternoon. Navy in Seal Beach has always had a pretty decent POP (though I honestly haven't played it in a few years) and MS Classic course moves fairly well - I'd guess my rounds there avg just over 4 hours.

I have found the same with Navy Destroyer Course - always decent PoP.  Good layout and fairly priced.

[Siper11]

The issue you'll be facing is availability, especially if you're looking for a junior membership.  Since COVID, the other issue may be cost. Many clubs have gone up 200% in the past year. 

 

Closest to where you live: 

 

Private: 

1. Santa Anna CC

2. Mesa Verde CC

3. Aliso Viejo CC (Younger Membership) 

4. Mission Viejo CC

5. El Niguel CC

6. Dove Canyon CC

7. Coyote Hills CC

8. Old Ranch CC

9. Yorba Linda CC

10. Hacienda CC

 

* Getting a Jr. Membership at Newport Beach CC, Big Canyon, or Shady Canyon is going to be too "political" 

 

Membership "Discount" Cards

1. Tustin Ranch 

2. Oak Creek

3. Strawberry Farms

4. Black Gold 

5. Tejeras Creek

 

Search "So. California Private Courses" .. There are several write ups on all of the options. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by Siper11

[Schley]

I lived in so cal for 10 years and played everywhere. The biggest PITA is the drive as you have to spread your wings to have variety. I couldn't afford a private option then. In your location and can swing the coin, Shady Canyon would be the top option in terms of proximity and track. I don't know what their junior membership is now, but would guess around 30-40k. Mission Viejo cc would be my backup.

 

Traffic is a big deal in so cal and having a club 15 or less miles from me would be a nice target.

[Shades234]

I played Mission Viejo CC for US Am qualifying in July. If I lived in OC I'd be trying to join there. Tough track but fair. Don't think I'd get tired of playing there every day. Very demanding off the tee and on the greens. Downside is that the front 9 is really hilly. Would get a good workout walking there.