Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club

They've done wonders with this place. Still struggling a little with 3 or 4 greens (it's been an 8-year drought, folks), but they've upgraded both fairways and greens considerably, and turned the place into a terrific day's golf. You're 2 minutes from Interstate 5, but you never see a house, and you feel like you're hours from civilization. Course is imaginative and fair; very playable (except for the 12th hole, which is a monster). Staff is friendly, food is spectacular, and their attention to pace of play is real. If you're out there more than 4 1/2 hours, there must have been a death in a foursome in front of you. Typical reaction by my cousin from the east coast: "This is a PUBLIC course??!!"

This is a fine layout, however, they cannot get many of the fairways and most of the greens in playable condition. While this would be okay if you're notified ahead of time, or there was a discounted rate. Arroyo Trabuco management, in my opinion, thinks silence is golden. And the irony is, sometimes the staff doesn't actually know what's happening maintenance wise on the course. On the day I played, two of the greens had been micro-punched, and several fairways drowning in water - all with no notice to the paying customer. For me, I'd like to know course conditions before I play. Arroyo Trabuco could for example say - "Mr. Golfer, when you play, next Tuesday we will be doing maintenance on holes -; fairways - and etc. On a scale of 1-10 the course is a 5, 6, 7? right now, and we wanted to let you know." This would set expectations and result in more transparency. Know before you go, or you might be disappointed.

I belong to Aliso Veijo, however I prefer to golf here, just an overall better experience!

Good mixture of short and long holes; some tee shots require forced carry of 100 to 150 yards over hazards. No nearby homes so lots of wildlife including hawks and the occasional deer. Carts are equipped with fairly accurate GPS. On-course staff maintain good pace of play. Recent problem with 2 or 3 greens has finally been resolved. Above average bar and restaurant.

my favorite course in orange county, ca

ATGC is a hidden jewel.. If your use to regular mini golf this place is not for you. For those that don't appreciate golf course design, this course is definately unique. Fairway grass is a type that is intended for very tight lies. Greens have a unique undulations due to the topagraphy of the course, if they were rolled weekly, average golfers would never finish. Each hole is unique to itself.. Pro shop personnel very knowledgable. Very good practice range, but needs a short game area. Dining and entertainment superb. Oncourse cart girls wonderful.

Although I enjoy playing this course and like the layout and challenge, and the fact that there are no homes along the track, I wouldn't necessarly recommend it because the conditions of the greens and fairways are average at best and there are other tracks in the area (Tijeras Creek, Talega) with similar or better conditions where you can usually find better deals.

This particular course is slightly above average, but not by much. It is better than some, but for some reason the price keeps creeping up while the conditions remain barely average. The fairways were in decent shape, but the greens fell way below expectations. I have played this course before when it was in better shape. Hopefully, their maintenance crew will get this back into acceptable shape.

I have played this course many times and always enjoy it. The bermuda fairways were in great shape and the greens were good but a tad slow compared to my home club. You feel like you are out in the country away from everything even though it's in the heart of Orange County. There are tee boxes for all skill levels and the challenges presented are more than enough. The staff is great, the food is great and the price is great, all of which make this a hard course to beat for a round of golf!

This is the best course in SoCal. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a home course. Great events and staff!

Very few golfers repair their ballmarks. Therefore, its the many golfers that contribute to any golf course's rating. Golfers please repair your ballmark and one more!! "Fairways & Greens!"

Overall favorite course in all of Southern California

A fair and interesting course that is maturing into good condition.

I've played ATGC from the beginning and have enjoyed seeing the course mature. Driving over Avery into the parking lot is like going into a new and totaly relaxed atomsphere where the hassels of the day disappear behind you. While the fairways on #1 thru #5 forgiving, don't get too laxed as there is significant challenge for even the scratch player on the balance. This is no hum-drum muni-like course with the back and forth parallel par 4's. Its needle threading precison, followed by canjons and crevaces, with challenging, undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers and water that temp your best shot at every turn of the course. The untouched, natural terraine is a real treat by today's standards and one should not pass up the opportunity to play Arroyo Trabuco, especially finishing at sunset during the summer months. Afterwards, see John in the lounge for the "Best Lemon Martini on Earth."

Hey KNUCKLEHEAD reviewers ... and everyone else who is going to play this golf course! This course is VERY unique BECAUSE OF its grasses, which die off each summer, but that's the way it is. And, yes, the fairways will change throughout the year BECAUSE OF the kind of grass it is, and THAT is what makes is SO WONDERFUL. IT IS NOT A COOKIE-CUTTER, COMMERCIAL-COOKED, COURSE OF GOLF. it is NOT STATIC, like a shallowminded marshmallow golfer might want. it's ever-changing, flowing and evolving with the seasons - very unique in that aspect!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE - for many, many reasons!! Arroyo Trabuco is THE BEST VALUE in Southern California - FAR AND AWAY!!! The clubhouse (food n bev) is run by Matt Donahue, perhaps the best at what he does in the entire region ... and what an incredibly generous guy! He KNOWs food, wine, hospitality!!! That clubhouse is worth going to even when you don't play golf!!! Two fireplaces, live music, awesome apps, fine wines and drinkable wines, and your first beer costs the same as the score you shot that day. So, if you pay over 80 cents for your beer, work on your short game! When it's hot, watch out for rattlers! On this course, I have seen bobcats, coyotes, snakes, lots of deer, many hawks and vultures, and even an eagle one time. The coot population is hopefully under control, because it can be a bummer when bird droppings prevent your ball from rolling. But THE CUTEST CART GIRLS IN ALL OF ORANGE COUNTY!!! Shoots! That's reason enough to risk being eaten by wild animals, right?!!! Bottom line is: you will love every aspect of this golf course and dining facility (wouldn't do it justice to call it a "clubhouse"). Way to go Matt!

I was looking forward to playing Arroyo Trabuco again after a three month absence, but was disappointed by course conditions. The fairways, normally extremely close-cut, were uneven and, in some places downright shaggy. The greens putted as if they hadn't been mowed in at least three days. I'm guessing they stimped at no more than 5.5 - 6.0. Still, it is a great layout and lots of fun to play, challenging all aspects of your game.

My buddy and I play every Sunday morning at 6:57 am and we are off the course in 4 to 4 1/2 hours depending on who is in front of us. We love the course, we are double digit handicappers but enjoy playing from the blue tees. We normally get paired with another twosome and have also enjoyed the people we play with. Everything about Arroyo Trabuco is fantastic and we love it here.

Love this course, wish it had more grass on the fairways and a deeper rough, but fully understand the type of grass we have. Green are always in great shape and after all the rain we had at the end of 2010, they did an exceptional job getting the course playable again. Would highly recommend for tournaments, they do a great job on accomadating groups!

Very nice layout, completely removed from the hustle and bustle of SoCal. The course has plenty of challenge for most every level of player. It is nice to get away from the condo canyons most of us have to play through. I have a friend who is a member at Big Canyon - His son, a scratch player, prefers Arroyo Trabuco over Big Canyon. Drives him crazy.

This course is challenging and fun to play.

The course is excellent, but the staff is even better. The service and attention to detail is better than at many private country clubs. It is a must play when in and around Orange County, CA.

Enjoyable day on the links with friends. Course layout was challenging and fair....rewards good shots and penalizes bad ones. Greens and fairway conditions could be better, but overall a terrific course.

good course/complex. Fairways thin and pace of play slow.

I drive from South Bay to Mission Viejo to play regularly. Has the best practice facility and seasoned fitters and instructors. This course is known locally for the restaurant and bar. But the course is nothing to sneeze about. No houses and you dont see other holes until 17 and 18. The only con is the conditions of the greens; but that only became an issue this summer. Otherwise, the green rolls true and firm.

I have played this course dozens of times. From the tips, it is a great test for even the most skilled golfer. It is one of the only OC courses secluded from any housing and the setting is really beautiful. One of the best layouts around and the facilities are first class. Don't miss the Sunday buffet - a real bargain at 1/2 off if you play that day. That said, pace of play is agonizing and the greens are always rough and slow. Depending upon the season, the fairways can be pretty dormant and thin. At this price point, I expect better consistency year round and wish the marshals were empowered to speed up play. Bottom line: come for the challenge, scenery and great food but ready to forgive the greens and the pace of play.

I have played it since opening day. At first the layout and thin fairways were a challenge. It grows on you; over the years I have enjoyed the course very much. Seasonal issues with fairways and plugging the greans this year; no big deal. If this course had the club deals Tijeras has I would play it more. It is one of my favorite courses.

This is a fun and fairly challenging layout for the most part. The fairways and greens were in fairly good shape, but the greens were slow and appeared to be cut higher than the fairways. For the area, is fairly priced. However, Orange County golf is overpriced when compared to other areas in Southern California. All in all, is worth a round. The grill here is actually really good and worth a meal.

Play this course regulary, and generally is the best course in the aera. Have been playing this course since it first opened several years ago. Staff are always friendly and polite. Fairways were dry and rough during January and February. The worst I have ever seen them.Greens were a little rough but still best public course (geens) in the area. Excellent driving range. Plenty of Parking. Resturant is outstanding.

My only issue was a seasonal one in that the greens had been aereated recently and the putts rolled like they were going through molasses. Other than that, the course was great, as it usually is, and I really enjoyed my round.

I play this course weekly and enjoy its challenges and beauties. Great course. Learning it is a pleasure and worth the effort.

Played the course in a tournament many times. Very good for that.

The greens were very beat up

Pretty nice course, but average for the area, and a bit overpriced for the area.

My Cousin Bruce invited me out to join a 3-sum. Never played this course before. Right when I arrived staff offered to carry my bag. Very classy facility. Nice layout, great ambiance. And would definitly play there again. Thanks Cousin Bruce...

Ask for senior discount, if you qualify, and check for specials and replay rates. This is a busy course.