California Golf Course Reviews
The hills are alive at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, California
The greens of Black Gold Golf Club have replaced the oil fields of yesteryear, but this excellent daily-fee course still pays homage to an industry that once produced wealth here. But for golfers, what's really golden is in the fairways. Find the short grass off the tee, and you have a chance to claim your reward. No doubt, Black Gold is one of the better public options in the Orange County area.
... full article »Haggin Oaks Golf Complex: Visiting Dr. MacKenzie in Sacramento, California
Alister MacKenzie designed eight golf courses in Sacramento, Calif. but his 18-hole layout at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex is his only 18-hole course in the area that is public. MacKenzie's designs like Augusta National and Cypress Point rank among the world's best, and it's good northern California golfers can sample his work, Ted Johnson writes.
... full article »Rancho Las Palmas resort near Palm Springs, California endures and endears
The 27 holes designed by Ted Robinson at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa near Palm Springs, Calif. continue to flourish in the shade. The grounds maintain their relevance with an unapologetic wealth of shot-making opportunities, resort-style conviviality and scoring aplomb. This is the essence of a confidence-builder and a reminder that golf is meant to be an enjoyable activity.
... full article »The Ridge Golf Course near Sacramento: Decoding Robert Trent Jones Jr. in California's Sierra Foothills
The Ridge Golf Course can torment the first-time visitor. As it plays up and down oak-laden hillsides before descending into flat wetlands for the final three holes, the initial round can generate plenty of frustration. You might want to give this layout a few turns before making final judgments. To be sure, The Ridge isn't easy. And architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. did his best to add to the challenge.
... full article »Gary Player golf course at Westin Mission Hills Resort near Palm Springs, California is fit for all levels of play
The Gary Player Signature Course at Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, Calif., is a versatile design that not only stretches out for the low-handicapper but also appeases the vacationer who seeks a resort-style game. It's a very pretty and fun course to play, but it won't beat you up, Judd Spicer writes.
... full article »Don't think long at 'skinny' Pete Dye Resort Course at Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California
Think one word when you visit the Pete Dye Resort Course at Westin Mission Hills: skinny. The Rancho Mirage, California course charts just 6,700 yards from the tips, and the par-70 scorecard presents a mesh of Dye signatures and dart board shot-making requirements. Despite the lack of length and just two par 5s, the course can indeed prove a challenge to the inaccurate. A selection of water hazards, lengthy dune bunkering and tee shots into the prevailing wind await.
... full article »Firecliff Course at Desert Willow Golf Resort: The beautiful brute of Palm Desert, California
Those who travel to the Palm Springs region to enjoy the spectacular grounds that make up the Desert Willow Golf Resort are in for a real treat. While both the Mountain View and Firecliff Courses impressively mirror the allure of the top-notch clubhouse, the Firecliff has to be counted among the Coachella Valley's most demanding venues.
... full article »The Links at Bodega Harbour in northern California offers a unique challenge and an amazing panorama
The Links at Bodega Harbour often serves as a starting point for excursions up the northern California coast. Once on the golf course, natural beauty and stunning vistas dominate the experience, which can take away good scoring because precision and a good touch on and around the greens are required, Ted Johnson writes.
... full article »The Champions golf course at La Costa Resort near San Diego: Bringing Dick Wilson into the 21st century
After more than three decades as a PGA Tour venue, the old La Costa had become dated. So the venerable San Diego-area resort pretty much shut down golf for more than a year for a renovation of 22 of its 36 holes, most notably the North Course, which is now the Champions Course. There's very little not to like about the new version, Mike Bailey writes.
... full article »Solace, substance and fun at Barona Creek Golf Club outside of San Diego
Mention Barona Creek Golf Club to anyone who's played a lot of golf in the San Diego area and you will most surely get a positive reaction. Rated as one of the top resort courses in California, it's a premium golf course. But Barona Creek is unique. How? Mike Bailey explains.
... full article »- The Golf Club at La Quinta in California: Skins Game is gone, but the soul remains
- Indian Canyons Golf Resort's South Course: A perfect first for a Palm Springs-area golf vacation
- The Classic Club in Palm Desert, California still making waves in the sand
- Greg Norman Course at PGA West in La Quinta, California: A tranquil shark of desert golf
- Half Moon Bay Golf Links in northern California: Firmer, faster enhances links experience
- A San Diego golfer's happy place: Willow Glen at Sycuan Resort in El Cajon, California
- Pebble Beach bound? Don't overlook old Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California
- Four Seasons Resort Aviara Golf Club near San Diego: Augusta of the West Coast
- Indian Wells Golf Resort's Player and Celebrity courses: California desert-golf paradise
- Presidents Cup host Harding Park Golf Course is San Francisco muni magic
- After restoration, Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, California is back where MacKenzie intended
- Pete Dye's Stadium Course at PGA West is kinder, gentler than before - barely
- Northwood Golf Club in Sonoma County: An Alister MacKenzie golf fairy tale in the redwoods
- Ashwood Golf Course a pleasant round of golf in Apple Valley, Calif.
- Revamped Pelican Hill Golf Club combines luxury, spectacular ocean views and Fazio golf
- Revitalized Rancho Las Palmas a surprise in Palm Springs golf
- Eagle Falls Golf Course in Palm Springs is awaiting discovery
- Torrey Pines Golf Course still a San Diego round worth remembering
- Don't blow by Westwinds Golf Course in So. Cal's High Desert
- Hesperia Golf & Country Club in California will have you playing where the greats once roamed
- Green Tree Golf Course has a great Victorville location
- Moorpark Country Club a sweet and tasty So. Cal treat
The greens of Black Gold Golf Club have replaced the oil fields of yesteryear, but this excellent daily-fee course still pays homage to an industry that once pr [...]
Photo Gallery: Plenty of green at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, California
Playable Palm Springs: Four great golf courses for the Snowbird with a rusty swing
