Day Two of a Two-Day Getaway…
Moving further North, Black Gold was next on the agenda. Probably my favorite Orange County course, it’s been some 20 years since I last played here…and I’m so thrilled I returned.
It’s the type of course where a look at the scorecard may lull you into thinking it’s a pushover…Black Gold is not all that long by modern standards…yet is a true shot-maker’s delight. Multiple elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and some wickedly diabolical, yet fair, greens will demand your best if you hope to score well here. Rarely do you find a perfectly level lie…and throw in some 20 MPH gusts for good measure; well, you get the idea.
This is such an outstanding layout: it asks you to work the ball both ways, demands restraint on certain holes while allowing an aggressive mindset on others, requires precise approach shots in order to score well, and is just an absolute blast to play. I really don’t feel there’s a weak hole to be found on the course; each one possesses its’ own unique characteristic.
Conditions were top-notch…
>Tee Boxes: Good Shape
>Fairways: Plush and Tight Lies
>Rough: Thick and Punishing
>Bunkers: Firm and Well-Maintained
>Greens: On a Different Level
I’ll devote my attention to the putting surfaces: I can’t recall playing greens where approach shots…regardless of length…stuck like darts on a dart board yet putts rolled so fast. It’s not often I’m able to back up a 7-Wood. With that being said, I found myself fixing at least 10-12 ball marks on every green…and they were fresh. Shame on you ignorant idiots!
I have no idea what the Stimp reading was but the greens were definitely quicker than the ‘12s’ I encountered at Rams Hill last month. Took just one putt on #4 to realize what I was up against but I was able to adapt fairly quickly.
The putting surfaces are generously large with many subtle slopes so as a general rule, you simply cannot afford to be putting from above the hole. And the greens seem to break a little more than your initial read may tell you so speed and start line must be spot on in if you hope to convert a few putts.
Teed off as a foursome @ 12:20 and finished in four holes flat despite a slow down over the final three holes. Was treated to a fantastic rate of $66.00 thanks to a friend who secured the tee time and I must say it was a steal. Cannot wait to return; if I lived close by, no question Black Golf would be my home course.
I do want to add that the Par-3 10th hole is still impacted by the sinkhole issue that took place in 2023. Delays in permit approvals kept things at a standstill until this past November, when the reconstruction project finally got under way. Bureaucracy…go figure.
As a result, a temporary tee box has been set up along the cart path adjacent to #18 fairway, where you approach the green from East-to-West, as viewed from the clubhouse patio. Hole plays about 100-110 yards and this is the only blemish as far as I’m concerned yet I feel management addressed the issue as best that could be expected. Ther’s also another temporary box adjacent to the 18th green that allows you to play the hole straightforward as originally intended but it was not in use today.
I was told they’re hopeful the project will be completed by July of this year; let’s hope things proceed without any further delays or issues as it is quite an extensive operation. I’ll also add that the driving range continues to be impacted by the Solar Panel Project, although much closer to completion.
Still, I would not let either of these caveats impact your decision to play Black Gold. While some courses in the Orange County region may carry a little more ‘cachet’…and much steeper price…Black Gold checks all the boxes when it comes to presenting a challenging, fair, and fun test of golf at a more than fair price.
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