El Dorado vs. Skylinks: Which Long Beach Golf Course Fits Your Round?

El Dorado and Skylinks are both public 18-hole, par-72 options in Long Beach, but the better choice depends on the round you want. Use their official course information to compare tees and layout, then consider the actual start times available to your group.

There is no universal winner. A course that sounds ideal on paper may be the wrong choice if the only available reservation conflicts with everyone's day.

Compare the documented course characteristics

El Dorado Park's official course page describes a layout with water hazards and practice facilities. Its listed back-tee yardage is 6,461 yards.

Skylinks' official course page describes a links-style layout with rolling fairways and substantial bunkering. Its listed championship-tee yardage is 6,909 yards.

Those figures are reference points, not recommendations for which tees you should play. Both pages list additional tees. Check the current scorecard when booking or arriving, especially if anyone in the group is new to the course.

Your group's priority	A practical comparison
Choosing a manageable length	Compare the tees you would actually use, not just the longest yardage
Preparing for hazards	Look at water placement at El Dorado and bunker placement at Skylinks
Warming up	Check current practice-facility availability and arrive with enough time to use it
Keeping the day relaxed	Choose a reservation everyone can reach without rushing
Playing competitively	Agree on format and handicap arrangements before the first tee

Match the tee choice to the group

The name of the back tees should not decide the day. Talk about how far each golfer normally hits the ball and which approach shots they want to face.

A mixed-ability group can enjoy a round without everyone pretending to have the same game. If you plan a formal net competition from different tees, confirm the scoring setup before starting. For casual golf, agree on expectations and keep the focus on a round everyone can complete comfortably.

Avoid declaring either course “easy.” Course difficulty depends on tee selection, conditions, and the particular shots that suit you. A simple decision is often to choose the more comfortable distance for a first visit.

Compare the reservation, not just the course

Both courses are linked from LBC Golf. Look at the actual date, start time, price, and party-size options before settling the debate.

Check whether the quoted rate includes the cart arrangement you want and what happens if a player drops out. Send one clear confirmation to the group with the course name, address, tee time, and check-in plan. Do not assume everyone will notice a course switch in a long message thread.

If neither course has a suitable opening, our Long Beach public golf overview gives you other formats to consider.

Make the next round easier to choose

After playing, note what mattered: the tee length, the kinds of approach shots, the travel, and whether the group would want to return. That is a better basis for the next booking than a generic ranking.

Early Birdies organizes social rounds and club tournaments around the region. Check our current events for the actual venue and format, or ask about membership if finding a regular group is the missing piece of your Long Beach golf plans.