Black Gold Golf Club - Yorba Linda, CA
Black Gold Golf Club was built in 2001 on over 219 acres of rolling terrain that once was an oil field owned by Shell Oil Co, hence the name, Black Gold. This Arthur Hills designed par 72 layout tips out at 6,756 yards and incorporates several water features, slight elevation changes, rolling hills, strategic bunkering and the incredible vistas overlooking coastal Orange & Los Angeles Counties, including portions of the Newport Beach Coast and Catalina Island.
While this course has many unique features, Black Gold Golf Club is a thru and thru placement track. Standing on the tee boxes, hazards, undulations, slopes and elevation changes are extremely noticeable. Safe to say there are a few intimidating tee shots. Don’t be fooled by the risks of errant shots at Black Gold, there are plenty of opportunities to score that rest in the reachable par-5’s, the longest being the par-5 18th tipping out at 535 yards. However, they do require a decent tee shot and an even better second shot to put you in position to score.
Majority of the holes at Black Gold Golf Club fully live up to its reputation as a placement track. One example is Hole No. 2. For longer hitters, this par-4 tips out at 299 yards and is certainly in reach but plays 20+ yards uphill. Bunkers surround the green front and are strategically positioned in the layup areas, forcing the golfer to be precise whether going for it or laying up.
Through the rolling fairways, pure greens, and Orange County views, one thing is for certain. The presented challenges of Black Gold Golf Club is what makes it fun to play—especially when you get a good break once in a while. BG National, as I commonly refer to it, has been my home track since I first started swinging clubs. This track is a must play. Come see for yourself and give my guys at Black Gold a visit. To see more Black Gold Golf Club, check out a few of my favorite shots in the gallery below!
