DOVE CANYON GOLF CLUB
🇺🇸 Dove Canyon, CA, USA
Designed by Jack Nicklaus

Dove Canyon Golf Club sits in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in southern Orange County, California, approximately 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Jack Nicklaus designed the course, which opened in 1991 as the centerpiece of a private residential community. The layout occupies rolling terrain with significant elevation changes, characteristic of the foothill topography where the coastal plain meets the mountains.
The routing takes advantage of natural canyon features and ridgelines, with several holes playing across or along ravines. Fairways move through native chaparral and oak-studded hillsides, and the design incorporates strategic bunkering and water features that reflect Nicklaus's emphasis on risk-reward decision-making. Elevated tees and greens are common throughout, providing views across the development and toward the surrounding mountains.
The club operates as a private equity facility serving the Dove Canyon residential community and its members. The clubhouse and amenities support a family-oriented membership, typical of Southern California country club developments from the late 1980s and early 1990s. The course has hosted regional amateur events and qualifiers over the years, though it is not widely known outside the Southern California golf community.
Dove Canyon represents one of several Nicklaus designs in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County area completed during a period of significant golf course development in the region.
Reviews
Jack Nicklaus design, built in 1990, this private club is a gem. Loved the par 3’s especially 17, with huge elevation drop. Lots of variety on the par 4s. The par 5’s on the back 9 were very long and tough. Lots of deer and wildlife abound here. The clubhouse was Frank Lloyd Wright inspired and felt like a mountain cabin, cool men’s locker room and poker room!
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Dove Canyon at Dove Canyon Golf Club has a Course Vaults score of 8 out of 10 based on 4 explicit golfer ratings.
Dove Canyon was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Dove Canyon at Dove Canyon Golf Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Dove Canyon is 71.
Dove Canyon plays 6,903 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Dove Canyon is 139.