Best golf courses near Anaheim, CA

Opening in 2002, Shady Canyon is a Tom Fazio design in Irvine, just south of Los Angeles. Fazio said his “ultimate goal is to have it appear as if nothing has been done, that the layout is completely natural.” At Shady Canyon, the course weaves through the canyon, with native brush and streams lining many holes, giving the layout the natural feel that Fazio strived for. Many of the greens have a significant amount of slope, often creating numerous distinct sections. If you’re not on the proper section, you’ll face a difficult two-putt.

In 2016, Santa Ana Country Club in Orange Country underwent a total transformation by architect Jay Blasi. The traditional treelined Ted Robinson redesign of an early 20th century course was entirely reimagined with a new routing that broke up the monotony of holes running back and forth in the same direction, angling them in new orientations and utilizing the club’s boundaries more engagingly. The new design keeps the play turning with strategies defined by lovely bunkering that’s more effective at evoking pre-Depression era architecture and a wild set of greens highlighted by expansive shortgrass surrounds. Santa Ana feels both aged and fresh at the same time.

Located at Pacific Palms Resort just east of L.A., Industry Hills hosted the 2011 Kia Classic on the LPGA Tour, with a composite layout of both courses used. Much like its sibling Ike course, the Babe Zaharias layout—known simply as “The Babe”—has plenty of elevation changes that create some tough shots to many narrow fairways. This William F. Bell track is demanding from tee to green, with tree-lined fairways demanding accuracy and the rolling terrain creating uneven lies.

Located at Pacific Palms Resort just east of L.A., Industry Hills has hosted U.S. Open Local Qualifying, PGA Tour Monday qualifiers and the 2011 Kia Classic on the LPGA Tour. The Eisenhower course, known as “The Ike,” was designed by William F. Bell and has plenty of elevation changes, providing vistas of the San Gabriel Mountains. Though the design has compelling variety, with doglegs moving in each direction along the rolling terrain, the conditions may not be up to a private-club standard.

Black Gold Golf Club traverses up and down hilly terrain, creating plenty of elevation changes and scenic views of the surrounding foothills. Just outside Anaheim, this Arthur Hills design is challenging, with many narrow, sloped fairways and undulating greens.