
Santa Ana Course
Santa Ana Country Club



About this course
Santa Ana Country Club is a haven of classic California golf, a meticulously preserved testament to the region's early 20th-century sporting life, nestled in the heart of Tustin, CA. It's a course that whispers of a time when golf was less about brute power and more about strategic placement. Designed during the Golden Age of golf architecture, the parkland layout features subtly undulating greens and strategically bunkered fairways. While not overly long by modern standards, Santa Ana demands thoughtful course management. The mature trees that line many fairways favor a controlled fade, rewarding those who can work the ball with precision. Blind shots and doglegs add another layer of complexity, requiring a keen understanding of angles and distances. Original architect Willie Watson’s design has seen thoughtful renovations over the years. While it hasn't hosted major championships, Santa Ana’s standing among courses is as a respected and cherished local institution. It represents an experience removed from modern competitive golf - the course and membership instead provide a traditional, close-knit community.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- Santa Ana, CA, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1923
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- John Duncan Dunn, Cary Bickler, Fred Bliss, Ted Robinson Sr.
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,503 yards
- Difficulty
- 71.5/129
- Course Vaults score
- 8.7
Getting there
Most visitors to Santa Ana Country Club arrive through John Wayne Airport (SNA), a sleek and efficient gateway less than ten minutes south of the club's historic gates. The proximity is rare among American country clubs of this vintage - you can be standing on the first tee within a quarter-hour of wheels down. The approach follows the broad, palm-lined corridors of Orange County's arterial grid before slipping into the tree-canopied residential streets of Santa Ana's old guard, where the club has occupied its gracious corner since 1923, a pocket of timeless California elegance amid the sprawl.

FAQ
Common questions about Santa Ana
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Santa Ana has a Course Vaults score of 8.7 out of 10 based on 25 logged golfers.
Santa Ana was designed by John Duncan Dunn, Cary Bickler, Fred Bliss, and Ted Robinson Sr..
Santa Ana is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Santa Ana is 72.
Santa Ana plays 6,503 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Santa Ana is 129.




