The Best Golf Courses in Orange County

For The Best Golf Courses in Orange County
Please See the List Below

While we Orange Countians want to know where The Best Golf Courses in Orange County are located, Golf, a sport of precision and patience, has deep roots throughout the United States.

A Swing Through History: The Evolution of Golf Courses in the United States
From humble beginnings to sprawling, meticulously designed landscapes, the evolution of golf courses in the US is a journey worth exploring. The story begins in the late 19th century when golf was introduced to America. Scottish immigrants brought the game, and soon, makeshift courses began to pop up in places like Yonkers, New York, and Charleston, South Carolina. These early courses were rudimentary, often little more than fields with a few holes marked by flags.

As the popularity of golf soared, particularly among the wealthy elite, so too did the demand for more sophisticated courses. In 1895, the United States Golf Association (USGA) was founded to standardize the game and establish guidelines for course design. Architects like Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor played pivotal roles in shaping the early American golf landscape, drawing inspiration from the classic links courses of Scotland.

The early 20th century saw a boom in golf course construction, with legendary designers like Donald Ross and Alister MacKenzie leaving their mark on courses across the country. From the iconic Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina to the stunning Cypress Point Club in California, these architects transformed the American golf experience, blending natural landscapes with strategic design elements.

The post-World War II era brought further innovation to golf course design. Architects like Robert Trent Jones Sr. embraced a more expansive vision, creating courses that challenged players with water hazards, bunkers, and undulating greens. Meanwhile, the rise of suburban living fueled the development of residential golf communities, where courses became central to the lifestyle of homeowners.

In recent decades, environmental concerns have influenced golf course design, leading to the rise of sustainable practices and the preservation of natural habitats. Architects like Tom Doak and Bill Coore have championed minimalist designs that embrace the land’s natural contours, creating courses that are both challenging and environmentally responsible.

Today, golf courses in the United States come in all shapes and sizes, from historic gems steeped in tradition to modern marvels pushing the boundaries of design. Each course tells a story, reflecting the rich tapestry of American golf history and the enduring allure of the game. As golf continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the timeless appeal of teeing off on a well-crafted course, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts.

The Best Golf Courses in Orange County

Aliso Viejo   Aliso Viejo Country Club   33 Santa Barbara Dr   (949) 598-9200   Call For Rates – California Cuisine Restaurant Open   Website

Anaheim   Anaheim Hills Golf Course   6501 Nohl Ranch Rd   (714) 998-3041   $65 and up Greens Fees – The Scorecard Grille Open 7 am – Dusk   Website

Brea   Birch Hills Golf Course   2250 E Birch St   (714) 831-0550   $20 – $30 Greens Fees – Treehouse Bar & Grill Open 7 or 11 am – 5 pm   Website

Buena Park   Los Coyotes Country Club   8888 Los Coyotes Dr   (714) 994-7788   Call For Rates – Dining Available   Website

Costa Mesa   Costa Mesa Golf Course   1701 Golf Course Dr   (714) 540-7500   $40 – $59 Greens Fees – Tavern on The Greens Restaurant Now Open!  Website

Cypress   Navy Golf Course   5660 Orangewood Ave   (714) 889-1576   Call For Fees – Take 5ive Grille & Bar Open   Website

Dana Point   Monarch Beach Golf Links   50 Monarch Beach Resort Drive North   (949) 248-3002   $69 and up Greens Fees – Monarch Café Open 11 am – 5 pm   Website

Fountain Valley   Mile Square Golf Course   10401 Warner Ave   (714) 962-5541   $31 – $69 Greens Fees    Website

Fullerton   Coyote Hills Golf Course   1440 E Bastanchury Rd   (714) 672-6800   $11 – $20 Driving Range Fee, Call for Other Prices – Coyote Grill Open   Website 

Huntington Beach   Meadowlark Golf Club   16782 Graham St   (714) 846-1364   $40 – $83 Greens Fees – ‘Lark Lounge Open Daily 6:30 am – 5 or 6 pm   Website

Irvine   Oak Creek Golf Club and Driving Range   1 Golf Club Dr   (949) 653-5300   $70 – $230 Guest Fees – Oak Creek Grill Open 7 am – 8 pm Daily   Website

Irvine   Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course   1 Ethel Coplen Way   (949) 786-5522   $33 – $98 Greens Fees   Website

Irvine   Shady Canyon Golf Club   100 Shady Canyon Dr   (949) 856-7000   Members or Invited Guests Only – Call For More Information   Website

Irvine   Strawberry Farms Golf Club   11 Strawberry Farm Rd   (949) 551-1811   $80 – $185 Greens Fees – Farmhouse Grill Open Daily 6:30 am – 7:30 pm   Website

Laguna Beach   The Ranch at Laguna Beach Golf Course   31106 Coast Hwy   (949) 499-1919   $55 – $65 Greens Fees – Dining Available   Website

La Habra   Westridge Golf Club   1400 S La Habra Hills Dr   (562) 690-4200   $29 – $75 Greens Fees – Westridge KBBQ Restaurant Open 11 am – 10 pm   Website

Lake Forest   Lake Forest Golf and Practice Center   23308 Cherry Ave   (949) 859-1455   $15 – $19 Rates   Website

Mission Viejo   Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club   26772 Avery Pkwy   (949) 305-5100   Call For Rates – O’Neills Bar & Grill Open 7 am – 8:30 pm   Website

Mission Viejo   Oso Creek Golf Course   27601 Casta Del Sol   (949) 470-4996   $29 – $45 Greens Fees – Three Restaurants Available to Choose From (See Website)   Website

Newport Beach   Newport Beach Golf Course   3100 Irvine Ave   (949) 474-4424   $27 – $30 Greens Fees – Restaurant (949)574-4995    Website

Newport Beach   Pelican Hill Golf Club   22800 S Pelican Hill Rd   (844) 878-0942   $135 – $415 Greens Fees – Caffe II Open for Breakfast or Lunch   Website

Rancho Santa Margarita   Tijeras Creek Golf Club   29082 Tijeras Creek   (949) 589-9793   $30 – $120 Greens Fees – TJ’s Tap & Table Open, Taco Tuesday Specials   Website

San Clemente   San Clemente Municipal Golf Course   150 E Avenida Magdalena   (949) 361-8384   $31 – $53 Greens Fees   Website

San Clemente   Talega Golf Club   990 Avenida Talega   (949) 369-6226   $50 – $150 Greens Fees – Signature Grille Open Daily – Father’s Day Brunch Special   Website

San Juan Capistrano   San Juan Hills Golf Club   32120 San Juan Creek Rd   (949) 493-1167   Call For Rates – SJH Sports Bar & Grill Open Daily, Fridays & Sundays Offer FREE Live Concerts    Website

Santa Ana   Riverview Golf Course   1800 W Santa Clara Ave   (714) 543-1115   $29 – $53 Greens Fees – Niblick Bar, Grill & Patio Open Daily   Website

Santa Ana   Willowick Golf Course   3017 W 5th St   (714) 790-0115   $22 – $53 Greens Fees – Bar & Grill Open Daily 9 am – 2 or 4 pm   Website

Tustin   Tustin Ranch Golf Club   12442 Tustin Ranch Rd   (714) 730-1611   Call For Rates, Discounts Available – The Restaurant at Tustin Ranch Golf Club Open 8 am – 7 or 8 pm   Website

Written by: Patricia Braun – Publisher My Local OC
Research by: Tina McNamara – Marketing Assistant My Local OC