Birch Hills Golf Course : Brea, CA

This month’s golf course review is Birch Hills in Brea. Birch Hills is one of the most affordable golf courses in Orange County. With prices starting at $10 and maxing out at $33.50, it is very popular with individuals looking to play a round of golf and not break the budget. Birch Hills is a short 18 hole course with a par of 59 and a maximum yardage of 3,466 yards. However, this course is usually in pretty good condition, especially the greens. When playing inexpensive courses such as this one, it seems that greenskeepers tend to not pay as much attention to course conditions. This is not the case with Birch Hills. Most of the greens all well manicured because the staff knows that the abundance of par 3s can do damage to the greens.

Most of the golf course is par 3s with a few par 4s thrown in. It is a beginners type course, but can be enjoyed by players of all ability levels. I play there often with my father and few friends. It allows lower level players a chance to go out and not be intimidated, while upper-level players can work on their technique. The course is also short enough allowing players of all ages and ability levels the chance to walk and save a few dollars instead of renting a cart. When I play, I usually play during the week and schedule a tee time in the afternoon (usually around 1:00) allowing me the chance to finish my round in plenty of time.

The first 3 holes of the course are short par 3s. It seems that a short par 3 tends to calm the nerves of the "first tee jitters" as compared to an opening par 4 or 5 with a driver. After the first 3 holes, you will be faced with your first par 4. The fairway if very open and forgiving on this hole (as with most of the par 4s). Moving onto hole 5, you will be confronted with another par 4. Both of these holes measure in the mid-300 yard range. Hole 6 is the shortest hole on the course measuring approximately 88 yards, and is guarded by a bunker on the front of the green. Hole 7, 8, and 9 are all par 3s as you finish out the front nine.

Hole 10 is a longer par 3 measuring approx. 180 yards, but this hole always seems to play longer than the sign dictates (especially if there is a slight breeze in the air). Hole 11 is a fun par 4 with water guarding the entire right side of the fairway. A flag in the middle of the fairway is a good guide. This shows you how far the water runs into the fairway as you get closer to the green. Longer hitters should hit a 5-6 iron off the tee to leave you a decent approach shot. If you can control your hybrid or 3 wood off the tee, then play for a draw aiming to the left-center of the fairway. This will leave you a very short approach shot to the green.

Hole 12 is a longer par 3 measuring approx. 180 yards. This hole also seems to play a bit longer than its yardage, so if the flag is playing back you may want to take one more club. Hole 13 is a short par 3 that seems harmless but can be dangerous if you are long off the tee. Any shot to the left, right, or long on this green will run down the slope and will guarantee a high score. Leaving your tee shot below the hole will usually allow for an uphill put on this green no matter what the flag location is.

Hole 14 is another short par 4. If you are a long hitter, think twice about hitting driver on this hole. If you hit a solid drive, you could run your tee shot into the water at the end of the fairway. This hole is also guarded by water to the right. A hybrid, long iron, or 3 wood is usually a good club choice off of this tee. Hole 15 is a par 3 that is guarded by water on the right. Make sure you do not leak you tee shot to the right finding water, or to the left finding the bunkers. Hole 16 is a longer par 3 measuring approx. 180 yards. This hole also seems to play longer than the yardage indicates, so think about taking one more club length on this hole. Hole 17 is a fun (and short) par 4 that is easily reachable from the tee. I usually play a 3 wood from the tee. This hole is heavily guarded by bunkers towards the front of the green. It does have a small "alley" to the right of the green which allows running tee shots the chance to role up on the green. Hole 18 is a short par 3 that finishes out your round.

Birch Hills has a decent snack bar with lunch/driving range special during the week. They also have a small clubhouse if you need supplies for your round. If you leave relatively close by, Birch Hills is a great place to work on your short game. They have two nice putting greens, one near the parking lot and the other down below the clubhouse. As I stated earlier, pricing is one of the main reasons people play Birch Hills. Weekday rates are $23.50 for prime time, $18.50 for twilight, $14.50 for super twilight, and $10 for sundowner. Weekends and holidays are $33.50 for prime time, $25.50 for twilight, $19.50 for super twilight, and $12.50 for sundowner. They also offer discounts for juniors and senior citizens. Eighteen hole cart fees are $10.50 and $11.50 for weekdays and weekends respectively.
If you haven’t had a chance to play Birch Hills, you should schedule a tee time. It’s a fun little course without having to worry about spending a ton of money or spending a ton of time on a regulation size course. Finishing 18 holes of golf here in 2.5-3 hours is easily doable depending on when you play.

Corey Bogardus received his B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Fine Arts from Azusa Pacific University. He is the Editor-In-Chief of the IPU. He also heads up a company known as Trinitas Creative (www.TrinitasCreative.com), a design firm which produces print and web graphics for companies such as the IPU. His love for sports includes college and professional football, golf, basketball, hockey...and the list goes on. He is an avid golfer, and understands the finer points of the game.