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Best Public Golf Courses In Orange County

Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club header 610
(credit: Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club)

(credit: Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club)

Orange County has the ideal weather year-round that can be great for those looking for some of the best golfing experiences. The area hails acres of farmland and orange groves and provides a great landscape for golf course architects like Tom Fazio, Casey O'Callaghan and Ted Robinson to do what they do best. Orange County also provides a unique indoor golf experience that can transport you to any of the multiple courses from around the world. So whether you want to keep it in or go out for your golfing experience, these are some of the best places to do it in Orange County.

Tustin Ranch
(credit: Tustin Ranch Golf Club)

Tustin Ranch Golf Course
12442 Tustin Ranch Road
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 730-1611
www.tustinranchgolf.com

Voted the best Orange County Golf Course in 2009 by the Orange County Register, the Tustin Ranch Golf Club is 6,842 yards of Ted Robinson design. Robinson, known as the driving force of golf course architecture, helped make this space which includes a full-service clubhouse, restaurant, wedding and banquet facility, driving range, school and private caddie services. The 18-hole course prides itself on its "public play, private feel" location as well. There are always specials run by the golf club for the public to take part in the services that it provides.

Pelican Hill Golf Club
(credit: pelicanhill.com)

Pelican Hill Golf Club
22800 S. Pelican Hill Road
Newport Coast, CA 9265
(888) 757-3767
www.pelicanhill.com/golf

With 54 holes of golf, the Pelican Hill Golf Club includes the 18 holes of Oak Creek Golf Club and 36 championship holes on the North and South courses. The design of the courses is thanks to Tom Fazio, a golf course architect that has designed more than 120 courses that rank in the top 100 in the US. The amenities available at the club include locker rooms, forecaddies, a practice facility, cleaning service and a golf academy. The North course offers a tranquil and peaceful view of the Pacific, whereas the South course offers brush gardens with sage and eucalyptus trees.

Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club-1
(credit: Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club)

Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club
26772 Avery Parkway
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 305-5100
www.arroyotrabuco.com

PGA Tour professional Tom Lehman and golf course architect Casey O'Callaghan joined forces to create the 18-hole championship-length course in Mission Viejo. It is 240 acres set in southern Orange County. All skill levels of golfers are welcome to this public course that has five sets of tee boxes. The location is also known for its restaurant, O'Neill's Bar & Grill. It is also an ideal location for those planning a wedding.

Related: Most Affordable Golf Courses In OC

Oak Creek Golf Club yelp
(credit: Lisa T./Yelp)

Oak Creek Golf Club
1 Golf Club Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 653-5300
www.oakcreekgolfclub.com

Challenges such as scenic greens, tapered fairways, lakes and bull-nose carved bunkers are just some of the features available at the Irvine course. With 18 holes, the Tom Fazio-designed golf course has five sets of tees on each hole and is open to the public daily. Fazio was named one of the best modern day golf course architects according to Golf Digest and many of his designs have received top honors. This club is tied to the heritage of Orange County as it is part of the original 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch.

golf tee
(Credit: Thinkstock)

OC Indoor Golf
17145 Von Karman Ave., Suite 104
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 354-4653
www.ocindoorgolf.com

What better way to have access to more than 43 courses from around the world? There are times when you wish you could go to a particular course, but either distance or money can be an obstacle. The indoor golf course can give you access to multiple courses from around the world and can even provide coaching to help speed up the learning process. By using the GC2 Smart Camera System, you can analyze shot shape and perform a comprehensive gap testing analysis. The facility also features the RoboPutt, which helps improve and build muscle memory during the putting process. The indoor process can be a great alternative for those who are looking to improve their skills prior to heading to a course.

Related: Best Golf Lessons For Kids In OC

Elle Toussi is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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