Shorecliffs Golf Club

I live about a mile from this course but only played it 3 times in 20 years. I generally play at San Juan Hills in the area. My overall impression is this with some improvements to the clubhouse ( like being torn down and starting over) can be a real nice place. The food is good and the course interesting. The last time I played was in 2011 and the only thing green were the greens, the fairways if you could call them that were almost dirt, goffer holes everywhere . However having just played it again I was actually impressed how far its come in a year and a half. The fairways weren't bad and the greens were pretty good, for an online price of $50 for two with cart is unheard of for golfing in orange county. That all being said this course unless your straight off the tee will cost you balls and strokes, nowhere to hit from if you put your drive left or right, you will have to drop a ball and take a penently stroke. The greens are also rather small so your approach shots will also have to be good. Bottom line a good value for a decent round. If you can score well here you can score well just about anywhere. It is much more difficult then the other local public courses In the area.

This is a high review for Shorecliffs but it’s all about perspective. It’s not Monarch beach but you can play here for $20 dollars vice $200. Challenge/narrow course. Relaxed staff, good service, no rush atmosphere. Nice place to get out cheap, enjoy a few beers and some golf. So….maybe no photographs on the mantle as a take away but if you are local and want to get in some budget practice and have some fun this place is great. They also just got new carts and really take care of the local military guys.

Just played the course the other day and overall, it's not that bad. It is definitely a far cry from anything country club esque but a hell of a lot better then any American Golf managed clubs in terms of staff (very friendly) and the way they schedule their tee times (your not backed up 10 foursomes deep on the first tee and throughout the course on a weekend). The club house is nothing to write home about but it is basic with decent eats (more bowling alley fare then country club again), pro shop is small but manageable and prices are fair for the course. My personal favorite part of this course is it's topography. They literally carved the course into the existing landscape and made do the best they could. Hell, to access many of the holes, you drive through storm drains and what not. Kind of cool if you ask me. If I had to describe this course in as few words as possible, I would call it an adventure golf course because you will lose a few balls and some of the tee boxes are a hike.

Although for the past 7 or 8 years I have lived within 5 minutes of this course I have not played it once in all that time because before I moved this close I had played it and can say almost nothing good about it other than it has a very good chipping and sand practice area which other than the range is all I use. How Golf link came up with a rating of number 5 in California and 18 in the nation is beyond me; knowing what I know about Shorecliffs I don’t think I can put any stock in their other ratings

Yes it is not the best maintained course, no question about that, but it is tough and you have to use your head when you play. I have played it many times. The course may not be pretty and it can get muddy especially hole #2 (west side) and yes you will loose a few balls, but it is a challange to play and really the greens are always in good shape. The first hole is probably the hardest par 5 in the area. It is a Me and My Brother Course (dog tract) and if you can master this course you can play any other course and become a pretty good golfer.

I want to be fair but this course makes it tough to be nice given that there aren't many highlights to mention. The course is relatively cheap but not worth the trip unless you live nearby.

The course has potential to be a good track but it's going to need lots of TLC. When I played, I couldn't tell if the course was muddy or dried out. Sometimes, I hit the fairway and my ball just plugged. Other times, ball would be in the middle of a dirt patch even though I was well within the fairway.

The greens are small and bumpy but are in decent shape compared to the rest of the course. The clubhouse needs some upgrades as well but I sincerely doubt that I would come back if the green fees went up.

Finally, the locals are a bit rough around the edges but I'm sure they're harmless. I didn't feel uncomfortable but a middle aged woman that looked like a hooker in tight shorts and and high heels made me laugh when I saw her stumble out of the bar.