Irrigation System Makes Difference at San Juan Hills

San Juan Hills Country Club in San Juan Capistrano provides a happy medium for budget-conscious golfers in South Orange County.

Sure it may not offer ocean views or even cheaper green fees such as San Clemente, but you won’t have to go to extremes--like 4 a.m. trips to the pro shop--to secure tee times. San Juan Hills’ green fees also are more affordable than San Clemente’s other public course, Shorecliffs.

For those who have never ventured to San Juan Hills, they will find a course that regulars are saying is in the best condition since it opened in 1966. An irrigation system that was installed last fall is largely responsible for the improvement.

“It’s a full 180-degree turn from where it was going,” said San Juan Hills head pro Mike D’Eugenio. “The course conditions have really improved especially over the last eight months.”

San Juan Hills is a good departure for players used to mostly flat, municipal courses.

The front nine is hilly--only three holes have little or no elevation change--and the back nine is distinctly different from the front, highlighted by a three-hole stretch that winds through a newly developed housing tract.

The course tests golfers from beginning, starting with two uphill holes. The first features what can be a visually intimidating tee shot and the second, the No. 1 handicap hole, is a deceivingly long, 360-yard par-four.

The tee shot on No. 1 goes over a water hazard, but it is only about a 150-yard carry even from the blue tees. But the water amplifies those first-tee jitters, especially for high-handicappers.

No. 2 is a hole D’Eugenio likes with its new enlarged green. Bunkers protect the right side of the fairway and the approach is to an elevated green some 25 feet above the fairway.

“This hole is a challenge because it’s always into the wind,” D’Eugenio said, “and I tell people that the approach looks short, but they should always take two clubs more . . . and you want to make that approach come in high and soft.”

Also on the front nine, there are scenic views of the neighboring mountains and valleys from the tees of No. 5 and No. 6. No. 4 features a newly rebuilt green that was completed last month.

The back nine has more challenges with the San Juan Creek running alongside the left side of the fairway of Nos. 10 and 11. But the fun really begins on No. 13.

For players walking, it’s a good hike from the 12th green to the 13th tee box, but it is well worth it. The par-fours--No. 13 and 15--and the par-three No. 14 are visually appealing, risk-reward holes.

No. 14 is a nice, 142-yard par three that was only added after the course was remodeled in 1995. From an elevated tee, players must clear a lake and bunker in the left front, but out of bounds also lurks right.

No. 15 is a 436-yard monster with a water hazard protecting the left side of the fairway. Play safe off the tee to the right and a 200-plus-type approach awaits. Find the left side of the fairway and a mid- to short-iron approach to a contoured green is the reward.

San Juan Hills may be a bit more expensive than some public courses, but it also offers bargain twilight rates. Twilight rates are $13, beginning at 2:30 p.m. and super twilight is only $9 starting at 4:30 p.m.

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Course Information

* Course: San Juan Hills Country Club

* Address: 32120 San Juan Creek Rd., San Juan Capistrano

* Phone: (949) 493-1167

* Green fees (regular/twilight after 2:30 p.m.): Mon.-Wed.: $22/$13; Thur.: $32 cart included/$13, $20 with cart; Fri.: $36 cart included/$15, $22 with cart; Sat.-Sun.: $45 cart included/$18, $25 with cart.

* Par/Yardage: Par 71/6,295 blue, 5,960 white, 5,402 women’s

* Rating/Slope: 69.5/116 blue, 67.7/111 white, 71.4/122 women’s

* Reservations: Seven days in advance