GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.5
1152 Reviews (1152)
5 Stars
166
4 Stars
249
3 Stars
337
2 Stars
194
1 Stars
206
Conditions
3.1
Value
3.9
Layout
3.7
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.5
70.0%
Recommend this course
670 out of 1152 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
42 Reviews (42)
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.4
Value
4.2
Layout
3.7
Pace
3.7
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.4
81.0%
Recommend this course
34 out of 42 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
110 Reviews (110)
5 Stars
40
4 Stars
31
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
9
Conditions
3.4
Value
4.1
Layout
3.8
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.5
77.3%
Recommend this course
85 out of 110 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
The consistently friendly and helpful staff stand out as a genuine highlight at Willowick Golf Course. Exceptional value for money and a forgiving open layout make it a rewarding choice for golfers of all skill levels.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 71
Length 6061 yards
Slope 110
Rating 67.7

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.

Book a Tee Time at
Willowick Golf Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1929
Golf Season Year round
Architect William P. Bell (1929)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Casual

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Restaurant
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

3.5
1152 Reviews (1152)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 16
Brunch 7
19th Hole Specials 6
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 19
Undulating Greens 8
This course/club is great for:
Walkers 20
Locals 19
Beginners 17
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 20

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

They charge money to play here???

I can’t believe the prices they charge to play here. It’s SICKENING. Course is a disaster and that’s putting it very mildly. This is the biggest scam known to man and they are getting away with it. How sad.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 10
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 34
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser

Worst corse I've ever seen. Never again...

This corse is the worst course I have ever had the misfortune of playing. I left afterthe first 9. Goffer holed and mounds everywhere. The only redeeming part was the shape of the greens.. Horrible fairways. Overall Horrible course.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 160
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 160
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

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

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/13/2023

Four stars for this course? You are far too generous!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

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.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Nearby Courses
Santa Ana, California
Public
3.7267694518
1444
Fountain Valley, California
Public
3.6651958364
966
Fountain Valley, California
Public
1.9019607843
18
Fountain Valley, California
Public
1.9019607843
18
Costa Mesa, California
Private
4.0
1
Santa Ana, California
Private
0.0
0
Costa Mesa, California
Municipal/Public
3.6412056103
2442
Costa Mesa, California
Municipal/Public
3.6412056103
2442
Newport Beach, California
Public
3.6824729892
507
Anaheim, California
Public
3.6706199006
569
Tustin, California
Semi-Private
3.709574739
260
Huntington Beach, California
Public
3.7506683095
1110
Golf Packages

Monarch Beach Resort Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ORANGE COUNTY, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel, the Montage Laguna Beach, or the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links.
MB2.1.jfif

Monarch Beach Resort Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ORANGE COUNTY, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel, the Montage Laguna Beach, or the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links.

Aviara Stay & Play Package

Click Below
SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa and golf at Aviara Golf Club.
Aviara Golf Club - Hole #18

Aviara Stay & Play Packages

Click Below
SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa and golf at Aviara Golf Club.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
LA JOLLA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Torrey Pines – South Course and Torrey Pines – North Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account