Tijeras Creek Golf Club, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Tijeras Creek golf course first opened for play in 1990. The par-72 course was designed by Ted Robinson. In 2002 a significant renovation of the course that included a complete bunker redesign was supervised by golf course architect Dick Bailey. Many of the bunkers on the course were re-sculpted and all of them were filled with brilliant white San Juan Capistrano sand.
Tijeras Creek golf course is playable for all levels, yet challenging enough to interest even the lowest handicaps. The Ted Robinson-designed Tijeras Creek Golf Club is the tale of two nines. The distinctive course layout at Tijeras Creek opens with a demanding front nine that is highlighted with shimmering water features that come into play in four out of the first nine holes. The back nine holes are legendary for the breathtaking scenery, and awe-inspiring elevation changes that wind through old growth sycamores, oaks and native chaparral. Hole number sixteen was voted one of Orange County's Best 18 Holes by members of the Southern California PGA.
Black tees: 6,948 yards, course rating 73.4, slope rating 136.
Blue tees: 6,948 yards, course rating 71.1, slope rating 129.
White tees: 6,948 yards, course rating 69.1, slope rating 124.
Green tees: 6,948 yards, course rating 67.3, slope rating 116.
Red tees: 6,948 yards, course rating 70.9, slope rating 129.
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, June 2014 at 8am
When the gardner (greens keeper) does not over water the fairways are great. ) If he does, they are a mess. (More damage is done to the golf course by maintenance staff than golfers. Cart path only on # 12 is a liability issue, as a drunk came over a mound and landed in a canyon. Sand traps are the big weakness. Lots have never seen real sand. Staff, food, and facilities are great. Must have a Creek Card. Big discount at TJ, as well as really good bargains in Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and several other states. If you play it 4 times a year you must have a Creek Card. $99.00 annually.
$56 (cart included), played on Friday, January 2014 at 10am
On Fridays it seems they have consistently over watered the fairways. Near green lies in some fairways can be sloppy wet. Can't drive cart on some fairways and for some of us the ball is not visible nor known. Walking looking for the ball with a hand full of clubs only to find out you didn't have the right club is frustrating. Long rough makes finding ball a chore and slows play, ball is hidden and you can easily pass by it.
$51 (cart included), played on Saturday, November 2013 at noon
Have to qualify my responses here. The course had been overseeded a couple weeks before, so when I played, it was cart path only, and the fairways and rough were tall and wet in a lot of places, making it difficult to play.
My biggest complaint is nowhere on their website do they alert you to this.
This is a nice course and I like the contrast between the front and back 9. Not the best deal in town but worth the play once they get the course back in condition in another few weeks.
$66 (cart included), played on Saturday, September 2013 at noon
This is a great course that I always look forward to playing when I visit Southern California. The Creek Card program also makes Tijeras Creek an exceptional value. The golf and food/beverage staff are extremely polite, helpful, and knowledgable. Caution, the front nine will lull you into believing you will have a great round and then the back nine will eat your lunch!
$66 (cart included), played on Thursday, August 2013 at 10am
Two different 9's, front 9, tight, surrounded buy housing, back 9 totally different and more fun. Fairways in bad shape, lots of dry areas! Overpriced. Bag drop off and pick-up extremely awkward, not a pleasant experience. Other clubs in area of similar stature have valet service.
$56 (cart included), played on Saturday, May 2013 at 6am
Have played this course since it opened its still the best golf course for your money.
$56 (cart included), played on Friday, September 2012 at 8am
Love the course, but have NEVER been satisfied with the greens. For a course with so much hype, the greens are average at best.
$51 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2012 at 8am
We play this course quite ofter, have the Creek Card, which is a great deal...always in good condition and very friendly staff, and great food and drink....
$56 (cart included), played on Saturday, July 2012 at noon
This course is lots of fun. It combines a traditional residential area front nine with an undeveloped natural canyon back nine. The back side is much more challenging than the front. The staff are very helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend Tijeras Creek.
$46 (cart included), played on Thursday, May 2012 at 10am
good course
$76 (cart included), played on Sunday, April 2012 at 6am
The only problem with this course is the pace of play.
$46 (cart included), played on Wednesday, May 2012 at noon
Great course with an excellent staff!
$56 (cart included), played on Friday, January 2011 at noon
I've played Tijeras a number of times over the last few years, and it is truly one of my favorite courses ever. I've always found it to be in very good condition, well maintained, and a very fair test - couldn't ask for more from a course. The variety of holes on the course is really spectacular and makes for a fun and challenging round every time. As stated in other reviews, the front and back nines are entirely different, and while the back seems tougher, the front actually plays to a higher stroke average. Very picturesque, and to me it seems more like a private course, and is a nice value. Highly recommended.
$41 (cart included), played on Monday, October 2011 at 10am
Layout offers a great variety of holes, i.e. doglegs left, right, elevated tees, elevated greens, etc.
$41 (cart included), played on Tuesday, August 2011 at 6am
This course gives you a feeling that you are playing at two different courses. The front 9 is very manicured and the back is wild and wooly. Lots of fun and challenging enough to satisfy the masochist in most of us.
$51 (cart included), played on Friday, August 2011 at 10am
Seems to be too wet on Fridays when I play, don't like wet lies in the fairway. Pin location are questionable, never in the middle of the green most on the edge. I don't need that type of challenge. Maybe they are trying to save the greens for weekend play.
$51 (cart included), played on Friday, June 2011 at 10am
Too often not sure what and where to hit. Could use a layout book or GPS. Maybe I should use my golfshot app but still requires lots of thinking time.
$56 (cart included), played on Sunday, April 2011 at noon
Have played here several times before and I think the course was in the best shape I've seen it. Conditions were very good on this day. This is a fun track and would recommend it to anyone. The only downside to it I think is that the first 8 holes have houses on them, although most are a decent distance off the fairways. Play was slow on this particular day and the group behind us did mention that pace of play is usually an issue on this course.
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, March 2011 at 8am
I did pay $99 and joined the "Creek Club" which alows for discounted green fees and other amenities.
$41 (cart included), played on Thursday, February 2011 at 6am
Greens were rock hard, very sandy with alot of ball marks. Seems like evry time I play this course, there's something going on with the greens! Bunkers had little sand and were not raked. (We were 4th group out)
$41 (cart included), played on Wednesday, January 2011 at 6am
Loved the course
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, October 2010 at 6am
Great layout, golf staff and food service staff. OB Sports Creek Card makes it a good value. Great rates at other OB Sports facilities. Greens have deteriorated and could use some work. Bunkers need a lot of work, but are improving.
$61 (cart included), played on Tuesday, August 2010 at 8am
Very good course layout. Conditions are very good most days, greens somewhat bumpy and slow. Pace of play...plan a 5 hour round, every time. Resturant has good food. Proshop has good selection and staff very friendly. Range and practice area good. Mats and grass area. Chipping area remote. Price is very good and discount membership available.
$61 (cart included), played on Tuesday, August 2010 at 8am
Very good course layout. Conditions are very good most days, greens somewhat bumpy and slow. Pace of play...plan a 5 hour round, every time. Resturant has good food. Proshop has good selection and staff very friendly. Range and practice area good. Mats and grass area. Chipping area remote. Price is very good and discount membership available.
$71 (cart included), played on Friday, August 2010 at 10am
Great layout, front nine & back nine like two different courses, enjoyable to play, challenging but can score well if you keep it in play (Duh), there is a reason this course is consistently in the Top 5 courses in SoCal.
$76 (cart included), played on Sunday, September 2008 at 8am
The front is like Palm Springs the back like another world, canyons with elevation change on numerous shots. If you don't well on the front, you will find the back will be a real challenge.
(cart included), played on Wednesday, September 2010 at noon
Great variety of holes and layout, including extensive canyon holes.
$41 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2010 at 6am
Very Good
$41 (cart included), played on Wednesday, September 2010 at 8am
beautiful course. Front 9 plays different than the back. Both are challenging. The greens are horrible and have been for the past 2 years. No root base, sandy all the time with not only a lot of divots, but holes from the birds eating the seed. Sand traps are horrible. Majority have very little sand more dirt and always wet with puddles of water in some all the time. The staff are very nice. They really treat the women great. Great club to the womens group.
$56 (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2010 at noon
Love this course. It is essentially our "home course" as we do not belong to a club. We have played it in many conditions and always have a good time. Love the back 9 which for some is a little intimidating, but is beautiful. Their breakfast burritos at the snack bar are the best! Really like all of the staff.
$56 (cart included), played on Sunday, August 2010 at noon
Best course in Orange County
$66 (cart included), played on Friday, May 2010 at 6am
With Private clubs at Coto and Dove the closest options, Tijeras takes you to the cleaners on fee. Great layout and decent conditions with fairly good pace of play in morning, I would recommend.
$51 (cart included), played on Friday, June 2010 at 6am
Great membership benifits with OP Sports
$26 (cart included), played on Saturday, April 2010 at 2pm
greens were still recovering.
$31 (cart included), played on Wednesday, March 2009 at 2pm
Course had just punched and sanded the greens, so the conditions weren't that great. But, it is a great course for the money with a very professional ambiance.
$51 (cart included), played on Thursday, January 2008 at 6am
This is a GREAT golf course. We vary playing from the white, blue and black tee-boxes; which makes the course very different. By the way, purchasing a "creek card" ($99/year if purchased before 3/13), makes playing this course an incredible deal, each time one plays.
(cart included), played on Tuesday, August 2008 at 10am
I play here regularly and the staff and course are top notch
$56 (cart included), played on Sunday, August 2008 at noon
Two unique nines. Pace of play can be so slow as to really effect your enjoyment of what should be a very nice course. Creek Card available, which gives the holder discounted green fees. well worth it!
Latest Golf Course Reviews
$51 (cart included), played on Wednesday, February 2017 at 8:00 AM
Tijeras Creek is a beautiful and challenging golf course. The personnel make the experience that much better. I would heartily recommend this course to anyone!