Courses, Travel & Tee Times

Golf in the O.C.: Seven things you should know about your trip to Orange County

So you're heading to the O.C., and you're planning a little golf. Fortunately, there are plenty of choices, but this is Orange County, California. Things move a little differently here. It has its own pace; its own vibe. Golf in the O.C. is no exception, so there are a few things you should know before you play golf around your trip to Disneyland. Here are seven.

The hills are alive at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda

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.

Talega Golf Club in Orange County: A beauty and a little bit of a beast

Located in the hills of San Clemente, set above the "Spanish Village by the Sea," Talega Golf Club is a picturesque course in a very pleasant setting. If you like great conditions, generous fairways and nice scenery, then Talega is a good choice. Its bentgrass greens roll true, no two holes are alike and the course features a terrific finishing stretch.

Black Gold Golf Club: A slick escape from Orange County

Built on a former Shell oil field, Arthur Hills-designed Black Gold Golf Club makes for one of Orange County's most unique golf experiences.