What are you favorite Courses in So Cal?

[HogansMyHero]

I, like most golfers, love to play different courses. And it seems that there's always one or two I've never heard of. Well, here's my shout out for cool courses:

 

What are your favorites in So Cal and why?

[jdhallissey]

Cross creek, The grand del mar, formally Del mar National. Steele canyon, madaras, Golf club of southern california. The private club in Valley center is absolutely stunning and stupid hard. I can name a ton but I think it would be better if you gave a area and a driving time not distance because we all know you do not give a distance (mileage) you give a time amount lololol.

[ALPINE240]

Rustic Canyon: the one true links style course with under $70 weekend green fees!
Wilson Golf course: great muni course. classic tree-lined course. $43 on the weekend.

[JackpotJohnny]

[quote name='jdhallissey' timestamp='1317176403' post='3595919']
Cross creek, The grand del mar, formally Del mar National. Steele canyon, madaras, Golf club of southern california. The private club in Valley center is absolutely stunning and stupid hard. I can name a ton but I think it would be better if you gave a area and a driving time not distance because we all know you do not give a distance (mileage) you give a time amount lololol.
[/quote]

What CC in Valley Center are we talkin about ?

[fjk]

I really enjoyed Oak Creek last weekend. Great service and layout! Robinson Ranch was great too.

[toddnt]

Barona Creek in east San Diego county.... No homes, fast greens, GPS in carts, lots of bottles water on course, great practice facility- free for use before/after round, fast pace of play and the course is demanding- but not tricked up!

[jdhallissey]

Pauma Valley golf club (very private). AMAZING track. Also if you get a chance go play woods valley another great course public.

[Steel Ninja]

Talega Golf Club in San Clemente. Fun layout! Co-designed by Fred Couples. Always great shape, not overplayed and reasonably priced for SoCal.

[tiger-vs-me]

I really enjoyed Steele Canyon

[cml694]

Valencia Country Club, Saticoy Country Club, Classic Club. Valencia has immaculate conditions and the greens are tough, Saticoy is by far the hardest course I've played, the wind blows super hard up there and the greens are probably some of the fatest around.

[misterpak]

i'm all about mile square twilight when i can. was lucky to play vellano country club and it was a beautiful, fun course. strawberry is one of my favorites as well.

[dudehere]

A lot of good courses - depends on which county/area you are looking and If you want private or public options. Welcome to the forum!

[fonetic]

If you sign up for Tustin Ranch's bday club, you can play for free on your actual birthday unless it falls on a weekend. It's the best deal in OC!

[kekoa]

Just a few of my favorites with some caveats.

- Hillcrest CC (private)
- Virginia CC (private)
- Torry South (Not worth $280)
- Aviara (Not worth $200)
- Barona (Middle of nowhere)
- Pechanga
- Cross Creek

[greg c]

Rustic Canyon...best public course in SoCal....period....and folks, at least learn how to spell your favorite course before posting about it...jeez

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='greg c' timestamp='1334893544' post='4756072']
Rustic Canyon...best public course in SoCal....period....and folks, at least learn how to spell your favorite course before posting about it...jeez
[/quote]


Best that I have played anyway. Admittedly I have not played every course in SoCal, but honestly, I would be happy to play Rustic everytime I visit.

[Jeembo]

I haven't played too many yet, but I'd throw Navy GC in Seal Beach on there. Great price, great staff, solid, fast greens, challenging, no-BS layout, and they don't allow fivesomes so you can actually get done in under 5 hours. Only gripe I really have is that their fairways and rough aren't in the best of condition.

[barneykiller]

My favorite course in SoCal would have to be the Ike course at Industry Hills. I also really like Champions at the Retreat for the sheer shotmaking.

[Airmick]

Rustic Canyon. Definitley a jewel in the rough. Right off the Ronald Reagan freeway. I have had fun adjusting to the links style greens. Great value, as well.

[faraway1215]

Royal Vista Country Club!! They are just getting better and better!! good and stable greens, and it is definitely challenging in some holes!! should definitely try it!!

[duffer888]

FWIW, I've heard from multiple people, not go to Royal Vista in Walnut.

[Dave Arcobello]

My Top 5

1.) No love for Tierra Rejada in Moorpark? Easily my favorite. Also really sick practice facilities for a muni.

2.) Links at Summerly in LE - just an awesome Cal Olson design plus you have the most degen card room in socal right around the corner

3.) Yucaipa Valley Golf Club - in the middle of nowhere but a really good value and good people running it

4.) Los Robles - Nothing fancy but a great everyday track. The eagle's nest is pure.

5.) Temecula Creek Inn - three distinct 9 hole courses, all awesome, makes me miss living in Temec


Worst 3

1.) Rancho Park and its not even close, only good thing about it is Mr. Walker - best swing coach in LA

2.) Redhawk - dont know why everyone loves it, super gimmicky, numerous design flaws and snobbish mgmt

3.) Lost Canyons - another gimmicked out, over hyped track

[HackerD]

I've only played in the Santa Barbara area. My picks would be
1) Sandpiper - tough test by the sea; afternoon sea breeze makes it tougher.
2) Rancho San Marcos - canyon golf, picturesque, not too tough; (up and down history of ownership changes but last time I played, 2008, course was in beautiful condition).

[Jeembo]

Sterling Hills in Camarillo is a really great course for the price. Rio Hondo in Downey is a VERY hidden gem as well. Great prices for a very tight, enjoyable course in great shape.

[tesuquegolfer]

It has been many years (late 80s) since I played Industry Hills but I recall it being very nice. Torrey is always at the top of my list but it is getting harder for me to justify the $200+ to play South. I am hoping to play Sand Piper in a few weeks and remember it to be nice with a few holes on the ocean from the one time I played it in 1987. I am also excited to play Monarch Beach in Orange County in a couple of weeks. I've always wanted to play it but when I lived in So. Cal in the late 80s but it was beyond my budget. It is still pretty pricey but now that OB Sports is managing it, the rate I pay as a card member is pretty reasonable ($95). I would like to play Pelican Hill but at $240 I can't quite justify it.

[Phillies Fan in SoCal]

Here are my current faves:

[b]Sierra Lakes Golf Course- [/b]It's literally 5 minutes from my house, and is a true gem. I really like Ted Robinson designs, and this is no exception. Immaculately maintained and really fun to play. The staff is excellent, and the Pro Shop (something I don't usually care about), is incredibly well-stocked.

[b]Robinson Ranch- [/b]Like I said, I like Ted Robinson designs, I was sorry to hear of his passing.

[b]Oak Quarry- [/b]Expensive, but worth it. The GPS in the carts is spot-on, and I love the design, plenty of interesting holes.

[b]Canyon Crest Country Club (private)- [/b]I'm, biased towards this one, because my in-laws have been members for 30 years, and the wife and I have been social members for 5. Very nice layout, excellent starting hole.

[b]Angeles National- [/b]Awesome layout, but be warned,if you stray from the fairway, your ball is gone.

[OptionlessM]

I'm moving to Sherman Oaks in two weeks and need to learn some courses. I won't have anyone to play with though.

[kekoa]

[quote name='faraway1215' timestamp='1339255218' post='5057442']
Royal Vista Country Club!! They are just getting better and better!! good and stable greens, and it is definitely challenging in some holes!! should definitely try it!!
[/quote]

Is this the course in Walnut? If so, its anything but a Country Club.

Its a quirky and short track, but I'll agree that the greens are normally pretty good and what makes the course a bit tough.

[TML]

Need a recommendation for best course near Irvine. Was going to play either Talega or Monarch Beach. Can someone recommend the best course in the area? Friend won't pay more than $120 or $130.

[Jeembo]

Oak Creek is nice but it's pricey. Check out golfnow.com to see if you can find any deals.