Okay, so I’ve been trying to get my golf game in better shape, and a buddy of mine told me about this place, Black Gold Golf in Yorba Linda. He said it was pretty nice, so I figured, why not? I booked a tee time online – super easy, by the way.
Getting There and First Impressions
Driving up, the place looked impressive. It’s got this kinda fancy vibe, you know? The course is all green and rolling, and the clubhouse looks pretty grand. I parked, grabbed my clubs, and headed inside.
Checking In and Hitting the Range
Checked in at the pro shop. The staff was friendly enough, nothing over the top, just good service. I wanted to warm up a bit, so I bought a bucket of balls and headed to the driving range. The range was decent, plenty of space, and the mats were in good shape. I spent about 30 minutes just loosening up and working on my swing.
The Course Itself
- Fairways: Nicely maintained, I gotta say. They were green and pretty well-manicured. Not a ton of dead spots or anything.
- Greens: These were fast! I mean, seriously fast. I’m not the best putter, and these greens definitely challenged me. They were smooth, though, which was good.
- Bunkers: I found myself in a couple of bunkers (who doesn’t?), and the sand was pretty consistent. Not too hard, not too fluffy.
- Overall Layout: The course had a good mix of challenging holes and some that were a bit more forgiving. There were some nice views, too, especially on the back nine.
The Pace of Play
I went on a weekday afternoon, and it wasn’t overly crowded. The pace of play was pretty good. I wasn’t waiting around forever on each tee box, which is always a plus. I think the whole round took me about four hours, maybe a little less.
After the Round
After I finished, I stopped by the restaurant/bar area in the clubhouse. It looked pretty nice, but I just grabbed a quick drink and headed out. Didn’t really get a chance to explore the food menu or anything.
My Final Thought
So, overall, Black Gold Golf? I’d say it’s a solid choice. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but the course is in good shape, and it’s a fun layout. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite course ever, but I’d definitely go back. It’s a good place to play if you’re looking for a bit of an upscale experience without being totally over-the-top pretentious.
