Willowick Golf Course
About
Opened in 1929, Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana is Orange County's oldest public golf course. It is a challenging layout that has garnered a quite a following over the years. The course features wide fairways and large greens that offer ample room. There aren’t any water hazards a few strategically placed sand traps come into play and there are also mature trees lining the fairways. Golfers will get to practice a variety of different shots on this course. It is player-friendly enough for high-handicappers but there are still some challenges for low handicappers. The excellent condition of the greens and fairways are inviting no matter what your skill level. In addition to the golf course, Willowick also offers a grass driving range and three practice putting greens.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 71 | 6061 yards | 67.7 | 110 |
| Red (W) | 71 | 5742 yards | 72.3 | 118 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 68.4/113 W: 74.4/124 | 327 | 195 | 502 | 155 | 387 | 463 | 183 | 281 | 375 | 2868 | 520 | 541 | 154 | 388 | 330 | 397 | 286 | 178 | 399 | 3193 | 6061 |
| Green M: 66.5/109 W: 72.4/119 | 320 | 190 | 481 | 144 | 349 | 444 | 149 | 267 | 367 | 2711 | 510 | 532 | 147 | 381 | 323 | 382 | 270 | 157 | 329 | 3031 | 5742 |
| Handicap | 11 | 9 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 8 | |||
| Par | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 71 |
| Handicap (W) | 13 | 11 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 10 | 12 |
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Course Details
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Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by Caljuju on 02/14/2024
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Photo submitted by u8147525 on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by sykwoo2021 on 07/27/2021
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Photo submitted by Golfboi23 on 07/21/2021
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Photo submitted by Golfboi23 on 07/21/2021
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Photo submitted by u000004287194 on 09/08/2020
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Photo submitted by u000004287194 on 09/08/2020
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Photo submitted by u000004287194 on 09/08/2020
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Our scorecard... Photo submitted by Peter3419502 on 06/11/2020
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Photo submitted by HallsyHall on 05/06/2015
A 4WheelDrive with SuperSuspension Needed Here
Tee Boxes: good luck finding a level spot that actually has grass on it.
Fairways: much like the tee box, the fairways are mostly dirt and potholes and uneven. It is recommended that you move your ball to the closest area that has some grass so you don't hurt yourself. There seems to be more gopher holes in the fairways than grass. I have a standing chiropractor appointment that's needed after each time I play the course.
Greens: possibly the best feature at the Wick, which isn't saying much. Greens tend to roll on the slow side -maybe a nine on the stimpmeter. Mostly flat, with a few hidden breaks, mostly right at the hole.
Carts: new carts have arrived after the older ones broke down due to all the uneven terrain and squirrel and gopher holes. It's silly to have windshields on the carts, because they actually block your vision immediately in front of the cart that you need to have in order to avoid the bone crunching gopher holes all over the place.
Other: possibly the worst kept golf course in the USA, save for one I played in Oregon that also served as a beginner ski resort in the winter. It's sad that one of our oldest courses in OC has fallen to such lows. The only thing going for it is the pace of play and the price. But they just raised the prices to avg between $30 and $40. IMO, this course is worth $20 max, but don't forget to add on the doctor bills for getting your lower back pummeled for playing there.
Grass is optional
course was I pretty bad shape
pace of play was slow (5 hours)
and the driving range had no balls, they never picked them up from the day prior
Improved Willowick
After years of being in limbo, the course seems to have the support of Garden Grove (the owners of the land). The fairways are still covered with holes and bumps but overall the course is in decent shape for Willowick.
Greens and Tee boxes
I play Wick regularly. I’m accustomed to the less than ideal conditions, but yesterday it was more below average then normal.
I know maintaining the fairways and roughs are challenging. But, can you focus on the greens and tee boxes?
Par 3s are understandable. But, had a hard time finding a flat, manicured area to tee off.
The greens look like they haven’t been rolled. The amount of ball marks were unbelievable. I spent more time fixing them then lining up my putts. I gave up on the back nine. Signage in the carts and approaching the greens may help.
Thanks
Rough but playable
I’ve played this course 4 times in the past 18 months and the experience is always the same. The staff is cool to deal with and the pace of play is good/fair. The course is maintained but it’s still rough. The driving range grass is like hitting off of weeds but it’s not to far off from what you’ll be hitting off of when you go play your round. Rumor has it that the course is on its last legs and won’t be around in the next few years and it kinda feels that way. It’s a shame…this place has a ton of potential but just needs some extra love. You’ll have fun playing, no doubt, but don’t expect a lot.
Fairways were not good enough but you can always pick your ball and put it in a good lie.
Course really needs total renovation. The course can be a very good place to play again.
My old friend
This old track has always been a blast to play. It has all the charm of the local muni i love playing. The new GM is trying to make some changes and keep it going and we all appreciate his efforts. The greens are still good and the carts are new. Its got potential and needs our support so keep making tee times. I was part of the mens club back in the day and hope this course can get all the way back.
Willowick
Price was good on Golfnow. Pace of play was was good, 3 1/2 hours for 18 holes. Tee boxes need alot of help, greens are only fair for true roll.
Terrible experience. Played in the ghetto.
I’ve been playing golf for 20+ years and I’ve never had such a disappointment experience. The range is so uncapped, and that I couldn’t hit anything without a tee.
My wife is just getting into golf, so I thought this would be good practice, being a “troon” facility.
Instead, we had to think about our own safety and skip a few holes to avoid some thugs. They walked onto the course and harassed other players. Taking their golf cart, blocking the green, throwing their clubs around, etc..
There were six of these kids, so we skipped from 14 to 18, where two teenagers were making out right on the front edge of the green. I wanted to let someone in the pro shop know, but they’re already closed as two teams of young girls were going out to play.
For us to pay $80 total is offensive, and for golf now to be advertising This “troon” course is sad.
Terrible experience
No high points could redeem the horrible disappointment and discomfort of having a bunch of teenagers on the golf course, harassing gofers. I watched kids climb into someone’s cart and try to steal it in addition to having two other kids making out in front of a green.
Greens are in decent shape because no one is there to play. Paid $80 for my wife and I reply and she didn’t feel comfortable finishing with these kids around the course. A refund somehow.
To top it off, there are girls youth golf teams going out there. Whatever organizations are allowing their kids to go out and play there need to rethink that.
I deserve a refund. NOT to play there.
It’s not Pelican Hill…
Greens were in pretty nice shape considering all the rain SoCal has received this year.
The fairways… well this track doesn’t really have fairways. It’s all rough..
Tee boxes.. it’s like hitting off a lumpy cobblestone road.
Tee’em high and let’em fly!
Fairways were horrible
The fairways were not in good shape. The greens were good and they have new golf carts. They staff was great but not enough to get me to come back.
Poor condition
The course is in bad shape. The fairways are rough and have over grown weeds
Four stars for this course? You are far too generous!