Destination: Orange County
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Five for five: Some of the more memorable par-5 golf holes in Orange CountyThey’re often the no. 1 handicap hole on the course, but they can be good birdie opportunities as well. We’re talking par 5s, where good players can sometimes hit the green in two or at the very least set up a wedge shot for a possible up and down. On the other hand, the average player has to hit three good shots in a row to set up a birdie putt, a daunting task for most players, but not impossible. Add a few hazards and usually a smaller green and you’ve got a great challenge. Here are five of the best par-5 holes in Orange County.
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Golf in the O.C.: Seven things you should know about your trip to Orange CountySo 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.
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Talega Golf Club in Orange County: A beauty and a little bit of a beastLocated 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.
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Photo gallery: Seaside golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point can be testyMonarch Beach Golf Links is one of the few courses in southern California that’s located right next to the Pacific Ocean. While that accounts for the panoramic views, it’s the challenging Robert Trent Jones Jr. design and outstanding course conditions that really make it special.
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Photo gallery: There’s no shortage of variety at Talega Golf Club in San ClementeFred Couples and Brian Curley have worked together on several courses, but Talega Golf Club may be their best. Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean in San Clemente, Talega is always in excellent condition. Every hole is easy on the eye, even if it isn’t easy on the scorecard. Mike Bailey shows us Talega in this photo gallery.
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The Resort at Pelican Hill: A seaside Tuscan village in Newport CoastUpon opening in 2008 The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast leapfrogged more famous golf resorts to climb atop many “best of” lists. The gorgeous 504-acre property, with panoramic views of the coast and ocean, rated as the top golf resort in California by readers of Conde Nast Traveler in 2011. And don’t miss the golf: Pelican Hill Golf Club’s Ocean North and South courses get all the publicity, but a third Tom Fazio course affiliated with the resort, Oak Creek in Irvine, is another great play.
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Tricky greens, panoramic views make Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda a slick escape from Orange CountyLocated in the scenic hills adjacent to Chino Hills State Park, Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda will dazzle golfers with views of the Pacific and Catalina Island — and baffle them with greens that are among the best in Orange County. “If you don’t get a handle on the correct speed and contours early in your round, you will be looking at a multitude of three putts,” David R. Holland writes. The bottom line: This is a fun golf course that makes you get serious over any putt.
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Photo gallery: Alta Vista Country Club in PlacentiaAlta Vista Country Club in northern Orange County is a private golf course built over a naturally rolling terrain. It features more than 70 sand bunkers, majestic pines, and lakes that come into play on several holes.
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Coyote Hills Golf Course a must-play for Los Angeles-area golfersI just spent a few days in Southern California on business and took a day to host a client for golf. I stayed in a hotel in Long Beach and found a really interestingly designed course in Fullerton – Coyote Hills Golf Course – just a 25 minute drive away. What I really liked about this track is that the 6,510 yards from the tips felt legitimate all the way.
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The Island Hotel: Where you’ll feel movie star cool in Newport BeachLife is full of awkward moments. That’s why The Island Hotel in Newport Beach is such a satisfying getaway. At this plush spot in the toniest of shopping neighborhoods (or complexes in this case), you feel cool, even if you’re not one of the beautiful people in $500 jeans or form-fitting leather pants.
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