Birch Hills Golf Course

Address: 2250 East Birch St., Brea.

Phone: (714) 990-0201.

Green fees: $17-$24.

Tee times: Seven days in advance.

The facility: This executive course has a grass driving range (mats are used on weekends and holidays) with 25-30 stations, well equipped pro shop and small restaurant. The front nine is about 300 yards shorter than the back, which was redesigned 2 1/2 years ago. The back, according to head professional Steve LaBarge, is three or four strokes more difficult than the front.

The good: Not many executive courses are kept in the kind of shape Birch Hills is. Fairways are clearly defined; greens and tee boxes are maintained adequately despite heavy traffic. The back nine is a real challenge. Three par threes are at least 178 yards and a lake running the length of two of the par fours is ready to swallow shots that are only marginally off line. Fairways on that side are Bermuda grass, overseeded in winter.

The bad: Play can be slow during busy hours. In terms of character and challenge, the front nine pales in comparison to the back.

The score: For seniors who aren’t belting 250-yard drives anymore and juniors trying to figure out whether a fade or a draw is the way to go, this is a perfect place to tee it up. And for golfers accustomed to playing par-72 tracks, it’s a fine spot to work on your irons; you’re not going to hit the greens on many of the holes on the back with mis-hits. It’s an executive course with the feeling of a regulation layout.

Overall rating: 2 balls.

Overall rating: 3 1/2 balls

* One ball: No-frills golf.

** Two balls: Worth an occasional round.

*** Three balls: Like shooting four strokes under your handicap.

**** Four balls: Where the golf gods play.

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Hole Back Tees Middle Tees Par Front Tees 1 132 127 3 116 2 128 119 3 102 3 152 147 3 132 4 369 361 4 313 5 337 317 4 276 6 98 92 3 86 7 139 135 3 123 8 127 119 3 109 9 143 140 3 129 Out 1,625 1,557 29 1,386 10 178 172 3 163 11 341 327 4 288 12 191 177 3 138 13 137 128 3 94 14 333 326 4 295 15 161 150 3 126 16 187 180 3 149 17 258 251 4 230 18 149 142 3 134 In 1,935 1,853 30 1,617 Total 3,56 3,410 59 3,003 In 1,935 1,853 30 1,617

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Rating/Slope: Back-57.7/91, Middle--57.3/90,Front--55.9/85