What are the best public golf courses in Anaheim, California?

Introduction to Anaheim

In this blog post we’re going to take a look at the best public golf courses in Anaheim, California.

Part of the much larger Greater Los Angeles, Anaheim’s reputation is known worldwide. And this is because it is home to the infamous Disneyland Park.

Right in the heart of Anaheim, this attraction brings millions of tourists flocking here on an annual basis.

But one thing Disneyland Park doesn’t have, certainly here in Anaheim, is a golf course. So where do you go if you want to play golf? Read on to find out!

See also: What are the best public golf courses in Los Angeles, California?

The best public golf courses in Anaheim, California

1. Black Gold Golf Club

We kick off this list with the fantastic Black Gold Golf Club, north east of Anaheim. In fact, Black Gold Golf Club is north of Yorba Linda, routed in the foothills of the majestic Carbon Canyon Regional Park.

Because of its location, visitors here get to enjoy some magnificent vistas back across the whole of Orange County. This includes places as far as Newport Beach and on a good day, Catalina Island.

Designed by Arthur Hills and having opened for play in 2001, the layout is masterfully woven  through the mountainous terrain. Naturally, expect very few flat lies and numerous slopes.

Yes it is one of the best public golf courses in Anaheim and wider Orange. But it is also one of the most challenging. If you’re not hitting the ball well, it’s going to be a long day.

From the back tees, the layout stretches to just over 6,750 yards. But as we covered earlier, it is not distance that is the main challenge. 

There are two lakes which come into play, one next to the 18th green which includes an impressive waterfall. There aren’t tons of bunkers present. But where they have been placed, they’ve been positioned really strategically. 

This is a solid public golf facility, in a nice neighborhood. Make sure you enjoy the 20,000 square foot clubhouse after including the superb Derrick’s Grille which serves outstanding food.

2. Coyote Hills Golf Course

North of Anaheim, in Fullerton, is the sensational Coyote Hills Golf Course. 

This whole area is an elevated part of Greater Los Angeles which at times offers sensational panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This is one of the many reasons Coyote Hills is so popular. 

Despite being so close to urban life, it is perched up high in the hills in the vast Panorama Nature Preserve, a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. You can’t help but feel completely detached from the noise and stresses of modern life.

As for the course itself, it is wonderful. An award-winning par-70 which is as demanding as it is pleasing on the eye.

It was designed by Cal Olsen and the late PGA Tour pro, Payne Stewart and the duo didn’t let us down.

Alongside Olsen’s experience of designing golf courses on the west coast, and Payne’s impulsive brilliance, they created a superb layout which is widely considered one of the finest public golf courses in Southern California.

This recognition includes the likes of Golf Digest, ESPN and many others.

But Coyote Hills is tough. This is a challenging layout which simply demands accuracy off the tee. Miss the narrow fairways and on many holes you’ll lose your ball. And with a number of blind shots, this is no mean feat. 

That said, it is also fun. Assuming you’re not wildly off target, you’ll enjoy the constant elevation changes and plentiful bunkers. Just make sure you bring every shot in your bag!

See also: What are the best golf courses in Orange County, California?

3. Anaheim Hills Golf Course

Climbing up into Anaheim Hills stretching eastwards from the coastline, is where you’ll find this fantastic public access golf facility.

Anaheim Hills Golf Course is a hugely popular option with the locals and like the two entities above it on this list, is another which benefits from the dramatic canyon-like landscape. 

Known for being playable for all levels, this heavily tree-lined course has enough of a challenge without being too difficult. 

Yes there are a number of blind shots and beautiful rolling hills which may play havoc with errant shots. But on the whole, this is a fun and memorable layout.

It was designed in 1972 by Richard Bigler, a relatively unknown architect, and Casey O’Callaghan Golf Design. And they must have been delighted when first arriving onsite as the natural beauty meant even an average design could appear great.

Fortunately, the design matches the surroundings and this is why Anaheim Hills is so popular.

4. River View Golf Course

A unique design that simply has to be played to be believed, River View Golf Course is well worth the visit.

Occupying a long and narrow plot, it happens to be cut in two by the seasonal Santa Ana River, which runs down from the Southern California mountains to the Pacific Ocean. 

Being a seasonal river means the challenge on offer very much depends on how much rain or not there has been! And challenging the course certainly is. 

There are very few holes which don’t come into contact with the river. And generally, you’ll either find the hole you’re playing running parallel to, or crossing the river. This makes for some very uncomfortable tee shots and approaches.

Even more unconventional is the scorecard, which features seven par 3s, six par 4s and five par 5s, making an overall par of 70. As for length, from the back tees the quirky layout still reaches just shy of 6,200 yards.

Having opened for play in 1970, it was designed by the relatively unknown David Pfaff. And it’s fair to say River View is a love it or loathe it. 

Personally, I go down the love it route, primarily because it is so different. Another reason to want to play here is the pace of play, which is rapid. They pride themselves on an average of 3.5 hours midweek and between 4-4.5 hours on the weekend….not bad!

See also: What are the best golf courses in Glendale, California?

5. La Mirada Golf Course

Next up in the list is a course which has been named Los Angeles County ‘Course of the Year’ on half a dozen occasions. 

It has also been named as one of the ‘Best Places to Play’ by Golf Digest as well as having received various other awards and recognition.

This is the superb and immensely playable La Mirada Golf Course in La Mirada, north west of Anaheim. 

Many locals will know it due to the night-lit, two-tiered grass tee driving range. And to be fair, that’s as good as any reason to like this place!

But it’s the course we’re interested in and it was designed by William F. Bell, opening for play in 1961. What Bell designed was a fun and hugely playable par 70 which from the back tees measures just shy of 6,100 yards.

Lush green fairways are routed across undulating terrain, with a number of blind shots and well-bunkered greens coming into play. 

The signature hole is the impressive 10th, a par 4 of 364 yards. Off the tee, it features a sizable lake which lurks all along the left hand side of the dog leg left fairway. You then need to attack a well guarded green.

All in all, a fantastic public golf course near Anaheim I highly recommend. And so do numerous other publications.

6. Fullerton Golf Course

Yet another layout nestled up high in the hills north of Fullerton, this is approximately a 15 to 20 minute drive from central Anaheim.

Routed across a small valley, Fullerton Golf Course is a wonderful layout which was designed yet again by the renowned architect William F. Bell. Opening in 1961, this is a well established layout albeit effectively an Executive Course.

From the back tees the course measures 5,159 yards, and although I wouldn’t normally include shorter courses in these lists, I’ve made an exception for Fullerton Golf Course. 

This is because not only is it so popular with the locals, but it is a fantastic challenge! 

Set across a valley, visitors will experience constant elevation changes, doglegs and blind shots. Short it may be, but you’ll need to strategically plot your way round to avoid embarrassing yourself!

Great value, good fun, and set within a beautiful verdant site, what is there not to like?

See also: What are the best public golf courses in Corona, California?

7. Westridge Golf Club

For the last course on this list, we once again head up to the north Fullerton area, which enjoys wonderful panoramic views. No wonder there are so many golf courses up here.

Alongside Westridge, you also have Coyote Hills, Fullerton La Mirada and the private Los Coyotes Country Club. 

Like all the aforementioned, Westridge is no different in as much as it is routed on a lush expansive plot. Most fairways are tree-lined featuring beautifully sculpted bunkers. Water also comes into play in the shape of three lakes.

The design was overseen by the hugely respected Robert Muir Graves. This is an architect whose career spanned five decades and during that time, he was responsible for the design of dozens of golf courses. Most of these were located on the West Coast of the United States, so Orange County is a familiar playground.

From the back tees you’re looking at over 6,500 yards, which isn’t overly taxing. But considering the terrain, you’ll be thankful it isn’t much longer.

The rolling landscape results in very few flat lies. Instead expect uphill and downhill approach shots all the while looking to avoid the 60 or so bunkers dotted around the course. On the 5th hole, you have the pleasure of crossing a ravine!

Fortunately though, the demands of the course are softened by the stunning views, wildlife and native vegetation. This is a wonderful place to come and play and is awesome value.