About Ben Brown’s Golf Course – Orange County Register

There’s nothing like opening a new year with a tee shot at a golf course you’ve never played before.

One of my golf buddies, Mike Balliet, who has a sweet 12-point handicap, suggested we play Ben Brown’s Golf Course at The Ranch in Laguna Beach, a picturesque nine-hole layout along Aliso Creek, nestled among the canyon walls off the Pacific Coast Highway. along the way, a destination golf course with as much natural beauty as you’ll find in Orange County.

Ben Brown’s public golf course has 2,221 yards from the longest tees with par 32. The golf course is in excellent condition and the high-speed lawns are as pristine as any country club in America.

A challenging course, Ben Brown’s Golf Course is carved between lush and dramatic canyon walls, creating an extremely private playing experience with great views and elevation variation on each fairway .

It features free valet parking, a pro shop, a spacious courtyard with comfortable loungers and heaters, a fine-dining restaurant, a high-end “snacks” over 9 trees, and an organic garden. facility to fulfill food orders in catering establishments. There are resort-style rooms and other amenities for overnight guests.

When Balliet and I got to the first tee, we were greeted by a father and son from the Chicago area to form our quartet. We used handcarts as the recent rain made some of the terrain wet and muddy, and golf carts were not available to rent.

Ben Brown’s consists of five par-4s and four par-3s, and many cross-holes along Aliso Creek. The customer-friendly layout has a few holes for you to break your driver, along with stunning views throughout the journey.

“I like the first hole (a par 4 hole 300 yards from the longest tees) with its high tee and valley view,” says Balliet. “All holes are challenging, despite the ‘executive’ nature of the layout. There are more par-4 courses than the typical (9-hole golf course) and some of the best views in Orange County as a backdrop.”

Among the most notable nine-hole golf courses in California is the Northwood Golf Club in Monte Rio, set among towering Redwoods and along the Russian River in the heart of Northern California’s wine country. Balliet has played Northwood a few times and considers it a “spiritual” experience to hit the tee.

As for Ben Brown’s, there is no shortage of peaceful feelings among the surrounding green canyons. Whether you’re a 12th handicapper, a scratch golfer or a beginner, this is an inspiring and demanding course, and surprisingly has been around since 1950. Gary Roger Baird is the man. course design.

My favorite holes are 7 and 9, both of which allow a golfer to use the club from the tee. The 298-yard par 4 7 calls for a tee shot over a bridge over a creek, with a friendly embankment along the right side of the fairway, perfect for hacks.

The 274-yard par 4 finishing hole requires a straight tee, although the fairway is open to misfires. The 9th green is covered with a bowl-shaped edge because stray approaching shots can land in a more favorable placement.

It costs each golfer $44 (along with $7 for a hand cart) to play the daily fee course. Customer service is exceptional.

On occasion the club organizes three barefoot club tournaments for beginners, families and golf enthusiasts.

The person contacting the course is Ryan Sheffer, the golf department director.

Richard Dunn, a longtime sports writer, writes a regular Dunn Deal column for The Coastal Current North’s weekly The Coastal Current North.