Not going to lie, some of my most favorite rounds of golf are after work squeezing in 9 or 18 holes at the local executive course.  It’s quick, it’s fun, and are a great way to fit in practice for my short game.  Plus, who doesn’t want all of those extra chances at a hole-in-one?

Here’s our list of the top Southern California short golf courses (AKA executive golf courses or par-3 courses) per SOCAL Golfer region:

ORANGE/INLAND

Lake Forest Golf Course

• Location:  23308 Cherry Ave., Lake Forest, CA 92630
• Phone:  949.859.1455
• Website:  http://www.lakeforestgolfcenter.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $5 to $15 depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $5 to $17 also depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  Features include 9-holes, driving range with grass or mat option, two on-course lakes for a challenge, and seasoned instructors for lessons.

Brea Creek Golf Course

• Location:  501 W. Fir Street, Brea, CA 92821
• Phone:  714.529.3003
• Website:  http://www.golfbrea.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $8.50 to $14.50 depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $12 to $16 also depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes; Replay costs range from $8 to $10.50.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  A fully stocked pro shop, snacks, seasoned instructors, driving range, and a full events calendar are features to this 9-hole north Orange County course.

Birch Hills Golf Course

• Location:  2250 E. Birch Street, Brea, CA 92821
• Phone:  714.831.0550
• Website:  http://www.birchhillsgolf.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $12 to $32 depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $15 to $42 also depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  This 18-hole course was recently renovated to improve on 7 of the holes.  Also included is a driving range, player development program, and seasoned instructors for lessons.

Cimarron Golf Resort – Pebble Course

• Location:  67603 30th Ave., Cathedral City, CA 92234
• Phone:  800.701.1656
• Website:  http://cimarrongolf.com/
• Cost per round:  Rates range from $20-$40 depending on time of year and time of day
• Features:  The Pebble Course features 18-holes with panoramic views.  The resort features a driving range, pro shop, restaurant, and several options for golf instruction.

GREATER LOS ANGELES

Altadena Golf Course

• Location:  1456 East Mendoncino St., Altadena, CA 91001
• Phone:  626.797.3821 ext. 2
• Website:  http://parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/ThingsToDo/Golf/Altadena_Golf_Course
• Cost per round:  Weekday – $17.25 before 2:00 p.m., $12.75 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., $7.50 after 4:00 p.m.; Weekend – $21 before 2:00 p.m., $15.25 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and $9.50 after 4:00 p.m. (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  This 9-hole course offers blue, white, and red tees, cart rentals, a driving range, bar/grill, pro shop, teaching pros for private and group lessons, and a practice area for bunker, putting, and chipping.  The course features large tree-lined fairways, level terrain and views of the surrounding mountains.

Westchester Golf Course

• Location:  6900 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045
• Phone:  31.649.9173 ext. 1
• Website:  http://www.westchestergc.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $8 to $25 depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $11 to $32 also depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  This great course is located just 2 miles from LAX and features 18-holes of the perfect opportunity to work on your short game.  Also included are a driving range, practice area, range shop, music, and full snack bar.

Weddington Golf & Tennis

• Location:  4141 Whitsett Ave., Studio City, CA 91604
• Phone:  818.761.3250
• Website:  http://weddingtongolfandtennis.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – $12 with an $8 replay fee (Seniors $10 with $10 replay fee); Weekend/Holiday – $15 with a $10 replay fee;  Reduced holes – $2 discount for 7 or 8 holes due to limited play before dark. (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  Weddington offers a 9-hole course, driving range, and seasoned instructors for lessons.  This is a great course to come out and play with reasonably priced replay fees.

GREATER SAN DIEGO

St. Mark Executive Golf Course

• Location:  1556 Camino Del Arroyo, San Marcos, CA 92078
• Phone:  760.744.9092
• Website:  http://www.stmarkexecutive.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $11 to $31 depending on time of day and walking or riding in a cart;  Weekend – Rates range from $11 to $33 depending on time of day and walking or riding in a cart.
• Features:  This course features 18-holes of fun short holes to work on your short-game.  Included are the Tap-In-Tavern with daily food/drink specials, trivia night, and sports viewing, social events, and a state-of-the-art golf simulator.  This course is also in the same community as the St. Mark Country Club in case you wanted to play a full length course as well.

Lomas Santa Fe Executive Golf Course

• Location:  1580 Sun Valley Road, Solana Beach, CA 92075
• Phone:  858.755.0195
• Website:  http://www.lomassantafegc.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $18 to $25 depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes with replay rates of $10-$16 for walking/riding; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $18 to $35 also depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes with replay rates of $14-$18 for walking/riding.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  Located just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego and one short mile from the beach this coastal course is a great place to get in a quick round.  Features panoramic ocean views, practice area for putting, and seasoned golf instructors.

Goat Hill Park

• Location:  2323 Goat Hill Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056
• Phone:  760.433.8590
• Website:  http://www.goathillpark.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $5 to $25 depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $5 to $32 also depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  The famed Goat Hill Park golf course is as challenging as it is fun.  Features include a driving range, up and down style holes, weekly clinics, pro shop, picnic area with grill, ocean views, and support from some of the top names in golf and the celebrity world.

Mission Bay Golf Course

• Location:  2702 N. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
• Phone:  858.581.7880
• Website:  https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/golf/mbgolf
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $10 to $29 depending on time, age, desired amount of holes and whether or not you have your San Diego Residents Card; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $22 to $36 also depending on time, desired amount of holes and whether or not you have your San Diego Residents Card.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  This bayside course has 18-holes, driving range, snack bar, practice area for bunker, chipping, and putting work, and seasoned instructors for lessons.

VENTURA COAST

Sinaloa Golf Course

• Location:  980 Madera Road, Simi Valley, CA 93065
• Phone:  805.581.2662
• Website:  http://www.sinaloagolf.com/
• Cost per round:  Weekday – Rates range from $6 to $10 depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes with replay rates of $4 to $6; Weekends/Holidays – Rates range from $8 to $12 also depending on time, age, and desired amount of holes with replay rates of $6 to $8.  (All costs provided are walking rates)
• Features:  The course features 9-holes and is located near the larger Simi Valley Golf Course.  Practice facilities are available as well as seasoned golf instructors for lessons.