Private Golf & Country Club — Laguna Niguel, California

A quiet oasis,
ten minutes from the Pacific.

Member-owned since 1976. Championship golf across 240 canyon acres, a Craftsman-style Clubhouse, and a culinary program built by people who take it seriously — all a short drive from Laguna Niguel's own coastline.

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Founded
1963
Member-owned since 1976
Course
18 Holes · Championship
Renovated 2018, Todd Eckenrode
Visit
Laguna Niguel, CA
23700 Clubhouse Drive
Call
(949) 496-5767
info@elniguelcc.com
Location & Setting

A private sanctuary in a little green valley.

El Niguel Country Club is a private, member-owned 18-hole golf and country club in Laguna Niguel, California — set across 240 canyon acres less than a mile from the beaches of the Orange County coast.

Our Story

The land beneath El Niguel was part of the Rancho Niguel land grant claimed by the Spanish in 1769, and later ran cattle through the middle of the 20th century. The golf course itself was built by the Laguna Niguel Corporation as an inducement to developers in the area, opening for play in 1963.

In 1976, a group of 23 founding members formally incorporated El Niguel as a member-owned club, purchasing the golf course, Clubhouse, and surrounding property outright. The current Clubhouse — completed in 1972 — and the golf course have both undergone continued renovation and enhancement in the decades since.

Connected to Community

El Niguel isn't a residential club — there are no homes within the campus — but its setting among a number of close-by Laguna Niguel communities gives it an unmistakable neighborhood feel. Members describe it as a quiet oasis tucked into its own green valley, a short walk or drive from home, with glimpses of the Pacific and canyon views threaded by a running stream.

It's a members' club first — but the setting, the history, and the sense of belonging are exactly why people who join tend to stay for decades.

A Modern Update

Renovated in 2018 by Todd Eckenrode — always known for some of the best greens in Orange County.

World Class Golf

Championship golf, welcoming culture.

Touring professionals, serious amateurs, and weekend regulars have all been drawn to El Niguel's course since 1963 — for its scenic beauty, and its reputation as one of Southern California's best.

Championship Course

A complete 2018 renovation by architect Todd Eckenrode, with tee boxes stretching from 4,983 to 7,208 yards — enjoyable for scratch golfers and mid-to-high handicappers alike.

Practice & Instruction

PGA-certified professionals who take the time to match players by ability and personality, plus practice facilities built to USGA specifications.

Leagues & Groups

Handicap-appropriate groups for men, seniors, women's 18- and 9-hole play, couples and juniors, plus team play with other local Orange County clubs.

Tournaments

A well-regarded tradition of member play, including The Tradition, The Niguel, the Member-Member, and the Sea Country Classic.

The TraditionThe NiguelMember-Member
18
Holes
7,208
Yards, Back Tees
4,983
Yards, Forward Tees
2018
Todd Eckenrode Renovation
Food & Drink

A flavorful lifestyle, done seriously.

El Niguel has earned a reputation for culinary experiences that surpass traditional country club expectations — the equal of restaurants in and around Laguna Niguel.

A candlelit table set with wine glasses at El Niguel Country Club's Main Dining Room

Farm-To-Table Kitchen

Seasonal, farm-to-table menus from an exceptional Executive Chef and team, plus an Exhibition Kitchen where the culinary staff engages and educates members and guests in the open.

Wine Culture

A curated range of domestic and international selections, brought to life through regular tastings, wine dinners, and flash sales for members.

Mixology Program

Certified mixologists — including Matthew Salinas, Marcelo Benitez, and Lily Felix — bring a refined, in-depth study of the craft to every bar and beverage program.

The Whiskey Club

Our own ENCC Bourbon.

In 2021, El Niguel barreled, batched, and distilled its own bourbon label in partnership with Woodford Reserve — the best of Kentucky bourbon tradition, made El Niguel's own. It's the foundation of the Club's signature Smoked Old Fashioned, and the centerpiece of a Whiskey Club built around Chef-curated, whiskey-paired dinners and Members-only bottlings you won't find anywhere else.

Est. 2021 · With Woodford Reserve
Private Events & SoCal Social Life

Host it here. Belong here.

Warm, Craftsman-style interiors, an open-air Terrace overlooking the golf course and lake, and a full-service event staff — for members' celebrations, and for the community beyond them.

Weddings & Receptions

The Main Dining Room's views of the golf course and lake, plus an outdoor Terrace for ceremonies — accommodating intimate gatherings up to 200-plus guests.

Corporate Events

Board retreats, all-day conferences, and holiday parties, customized by an event team that treats your brand as carefully as its own.

Tournaments & Fundraisers

Consummate professionalism for golf tournaments, charitable fundraisers, and the after-event festivities that follow.

“I'm a newer member and this has exceeded every expectation I've had about belonging. There's just a lot of activities, a number of events, and a great sense of community here.”

— Donna Worsham, Member
Membership

Membership that fits your lifestyle.

Each membership category is limited in number, by design, to protect the quality of the Club experience for the members who already belong.

Full Voting Rights

Equity Membership

485 Equity memberships, available to anyone over the age of 21 — with spouses, significant others, and dependents up to age 26 enjoying full membership privileges alongside them.

  • Unlimited championship golf access
  • Full voting rights in the member-owned Club
  • Dining, events, and social calendar included
For Non-Golfers

Social Associate Membership

Full use of El Niguel's dining facilities, event planning and hosting, and the Club's non-golf events and activities — without a golf commitment.

  • Full dining and Clubhouse access
  • Year-round social calendar
  • Private event hosting privileges
Request Membership Information
Find Us

Right on Clubhouse Drive.

23700 Clubhouse Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Get In Touch

Come see it in person.

El Niguel Country Club

Address
23700 Clubhouse Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Phone
(949) 496-5767
Email
info@elniguelcc.com
Membership
Equity & Social Associate, by inquiry
Inquire About Membership