With Aviara's beautifully manicured grounds, expertly landscaped with native wildflowers and attractive water features, you may feel like you're playing in the middle of a botanical garden. By Anngmesa. The San Diego golf directory includes golf courses from San Marcos, Escondido, Carlsbad, and 22 other cities or towns. Believed to be more . Greens fees: $80-$100. Thanksgiving may have passed but the effects of celebratory eating around the table, and also possibly social imbibing during all the various football games throughout the weekend, are sticking with us. Don't worry, we can get you one. You end the course with quite a sight as well. Just 25 minutes north of downtown, RBI, as its known to locals, is a gracious, Spanish-style resort. Much more than golf, La Costa incorporates the wellness philosophy of Dr. Deepak Chopra, has an outstanding teaching fitness programs, and wonderful accommodations and dining. Selecting the top courses in the world is not easy, and some good grounds don't make the cut. The greens are in great shape, and the course demands a nice variety of shots, including a few blind ones and uphill approaches. If the course is booked, consider jaunting over to nearby Sea Ranch Golf Links, another seaside sweetheart that had a devoted cult following as a nine-hole track (it was listed as one of the best in America) until original designer Robert Muir Graves came back and built an equally companionable second nine. It spans 350 acres and has plenty of undulation. June 16, 2021 at 7:58 p.m. EDT . San Diego is also home to 11 leagues and 3 stores that sell disc golf gear. The modest greens fees make it even more memorable: $31-$36. According to Billionaire.com, the two most exclusive golf courses in California are Cypress Point Golf Club and Los Angeles Country Club. Narrow fairways and carries over native areas make it a test, but with six sets of tees, you can pick your poison. The 10 Toughest Golf Courses In America. Carmel Valley Ranch Resort, Carmel Valley . So much of this, fair . There are two 18-hole courses at this classic Carlsbad resort, each with a distinct look and set of challenges. Green fees: $128-160 non-resident plus $45 advanced booking fee per player. 2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach; 800-654-9300; www.pebblebeach.com. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. Finishing holes border the lake, and the par-threes are especially challenging and memorable. The Farm's began as a 240-acre cattle ranch and was transformed in 1984 by iconic . It has earned a reputation as arguably the best value golf course in America, but scoring a tee time here isn't easy. 1300 Sylvan Road, Monterey; 831-373-2700; www.pebblebeach.com. The topography of the course is very hilly, and the scenery is top-notch, it includes rocky areas, waterfalls, and plenty of wildflowers. Google Maps . But the natural beauty of this SoCal city doesn't stop at the blue Pacific coast. The Olympic Club (Lake), San Francisco . Wait until fall, and shoot away. The par 3s are particularly strong, offering a great variety and one of the toughest holes on the course, the par-3 17th, which can play as long as 242 yards over water. Written By: SoCalPulse Contributor. The only negative: During the busy summer season it can be difficult to get on. Photo Credit: Brian Oar & Aviara Golf Club - Hyatt. With 72 golf courses in every conceivable setting from mountains to desert to ocean, it's no wonder Golf Digest named San Diego one of the Top 50 golf destinations in the world.. San Diego's temperate weather keeping local links in playing condition year-round, so duffers and scratch golfers alike can get their fill of the wide fairways, rolling hills, stunning landscapes and challenging . 5827 Via de la Cumbre, Rancho Santa Fe; 858-756-3094. Golf Courses. It was created by William P. Bell and is located on a peninsula, with 18 holes total. Phoenix-Scottsdale Golf Courses Worth The Green Fee, Sanctuary Golf Course: Colorados Most Elusive Round Of Golf. Players describe the course as affordable and challenging. The course is an easy walk, and it is also an excellent place to rub elbows with local residents and members. Those criteria make these facilities the toughest to tackle. Coronado Golf Course. Ignore the help and play this gem with your bag on your shoulder. Or cruise north and visit stops like the great vibe at Goat Hill Park in Oceanside or 27-hole Oaks North (near Maderas). in Party Equipment Rentals, Casinos, Party & Event Planning. Among these are 3 courses which have 18 or more holes. You might not have heard of these brands, but they're leaving their mark. Another plus is its affiliation with the adjacent Four Seasons Resort, renowned for its customer service, which perhaps spills over to the pro shopone of the most customer-friendly operations in the state. Take a caddie and enjoy the walk. The front nine unfolds with a true links flavor, offering narrow fairways and few flat lies, while the home march leads you very nearly into the marsh itself. 1 Family Golf Destination in the Country by Golf Digest. In 2011 the course was renovated which included the addition of four new holes. However, the back 9 are much better. Pete Dye Course Courses in the United States Arizona. 2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach; 831-647-7495; www.pebblebeach.com. Torrey Pines South, home of the 2008 and 2021 US Open, is on everyone's list. Greens fees: $175-$195 (includes cart). The Legends is a spacious, open layout that provides just the right level of difficulty for a range of abilities. Torrey Pines South, home of the 2008 and 2021 US Open, is on everyone's list. For prestige and beauty, it's hard to beat Torrey Pines, site of the epic 2008 U.S. Open (which Tiger Woods won on a broken leg) and the future site of the championship, in 2021. The golf course is also a Bronze Signature Sanctuary Course of Audubon International, and you certainly get that sense of nature when playing it. Admiral Baker features 36 holes and is open to civilians. He's a modern master, and Pelican Hill stands as one of his best. It's pricey ($229 on weekends) and requires some advance planning to procure a tee time (go to sandiego.gov for details), but it's worth it for the magnificent views, top conditions and championship history. Steel Canyon Golf Club. Couples in the mood to splurge would probably put a peaceful stay-and-play here at the top of this list. 50-200 Vista Bonita, La Quinta; 800-598-3828. Copyright 2023 GolfNow. The iconic Omni La Costa Resort features two championship 18s, the Champions and Legends Courses. It has long been regarded as one of the state's best courses, and the back nine, rising into the fragrant floral hills above the quaint village of the same name, is particularly engaging. Over the last 30 years, Carlsbad, this sleepy little beach town and agricultural community located 35 miles north of San Diego, has exploded into the golf . I particularly admired the trueness of the greens and the fine conditioning of the turf. Greens fees: $85-$125. Not only considered one of the best golf courses in San Diego, its also one of the best bargains so tee times arent easy to get, but well worth the effort. Green fees: Dynamic, $159-229, Set in the luxurious confines of Carlsbad, Aviara Golf Club presents one of the most beautifully landscaped courses in the west (you'll never look at your yard the same). Ultimate Value: The best season to play golf in San Diego, The Grand Golf Club at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, has been tapped to extensively renovate the property, Ask GolfPass: Best public golf courses in Naples, A stronger, healthier 2022 golf game starts now, Equipment Report: The 2021 Holiday edition has eyes on these Black Friday golf deals, The best portable launch monitors for golf, Civilians welcome at these top accessible military golf courses, 7 up-and-coming women's golf apparel brands, Golf's newest collectable: custom logoed tees, Golfzon Leadbetter Academy opens at Reunion Resort outside Orlando, What golf's 'Patio-gate' episode of 2023 reveals about the limits of change in a centuries-old obsession. Is there a more fascinating hole on earth than the fourththat gorgeous wee par-four, hard by the Pacific, that requires you to bravely fire your shot over an ice plant and then thread an approach into an elongated sliver of a sunken green? Top 50 toughest golf courses in the U.S. - Golf Advisor. And Also close is the Tom Fazio-designed Grand Golf Club, which is next to thethe 400-acre Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort. In Carlsbad, theres La Costa Resort & Spa, which has played host to numerous LPGA and PGA Tour events over the years. Torrey Pines is just one of several outstanding golf properties along the Pacific Coast near San Diego. Poppy Hills Golf CourseI have a painful history with this course, which is undoubtedly why I place it far down my favorites list. The club is a quick ride away from the airport, making it a great opening or closing round to a golf trip. Food is hit or miss but compared to other private clubs, it is certainly on . Its one of the most beautiful on the course and versatile in its club selection. Rancho Santa Fe Golf ClubAlthough it's a members-only club, guests of the plush Rancho Santa Fe Inn have access after 1 p.m. The walking culture is quite strong as long as the property isn't too mountainous. 6. The Inn's large outdoor verandah overlooks the course and is a favorite gathering spot for aprs-golf. All rights reserved. It's often played by members of the nearby Bohemian Club and guests who have a sense of history and taste for adventure. Licking your wounds on the patio of the Lodge at Torrey Pines with dinner and drinks at sunset is a worthy consolation prize no matter your score. The Lobos enter the GCU/ASU Classic 6-9 after most recently recording a 1-4 effort last weekend at the Troy Cox Classic. Hole 18 in particular, is one of the most enjoyable. The TPC Stadium Course has several memorable holes, with the famous 17th island green, arguably outdone by the largely unrecognized 16th . No list of great or difficult golf courses would be complete without historic Shinnecock Hills. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. Bodega Harbour Golf Links greens fees: $60-$90. Its courses are famous the world over for their lush greenery, dramatic oceanside vistas, majestic elevation changes and nearly perfect . 300 Finley Road, San Francisco; 415-561-4653; www.presidiogolf.com. A first-time traveler to Africa examines the complicated relationship between safari tourism and conservation. The course offers a good challenge, with one of the toughest holes being the par-3 seventeenth hole. As long as you're not playing it from those back tees. Routed brilliantly over some spectacular terrain (woodland, vineyard, grassland), with excellent views and superfine greens, the course features almost every kind of shot value imaginablea true test of one's range of skills. At 6347 yards it is one of the shorter courses on offer, but that does help to ensure that a round doesnt drag on too long. 10. Bay Hill's par 3s might be the toughest on Tour (and they have a huge impact on the Arnold Palmer Invitational) Jason Lusk. Architect: Mike Strantz. I never play The Glass wellbut I also never miss an opportunity to play it. CARLSBAD, Calif. - It's been dubbed the Silicon Valley of golf and compared to Detroit for the auto industry or to Akron, Ohio, the rubber capital of the world. So that summarizes the 9 best golf courses in San Diego according to fellow golfers. Hole 12, Par 4: Golf Magazine's "Top 500 Holes in the World," 2000. While all the courses on the U.S. Open rotation are challenging, the South Course at Torrey Pines is among the most . The club is complemented by the presence of the nearby Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach. If you're looking for a uniquely challenging experience should head to The Farm's Golf Club. 3200 Lopez Road, Pebble Beach; 831-625-2035. 1 McClure Way, Seaside; 831-899-7271; www.bayonetblackhorse.com. You are eased in somewhat as the difficulty picks up on the back nine. Marine Memorial features a regulation 18 holes and a 9-hole par-3 course. It hosted the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open Championships. Notice the amount of green AM tee times. 4h Jeff Passan. The 9 Best Golf Courses in San Diego: At a Glance. This will be welcome news for many, as some reviews noted that the upkeep of the course had slipped a little. Coronado Golf Course. Aviara is designed by Arnold Palmer who is one of the greatest golf players who ever lived. We scoured the web of golf and found holiday savings up to 50% off. . 4. Aug. 12, 2014 8 AM PT. 10 Best SoCal Golf Courses. . Spyglass Hill Golf CourseRobert Trent Jones' West Coast tribute to Augusta National and Pine Valley has never been betteror more difficult. This very busy, very picturesque municipal course offers a completely different waterfront golf experience than its coastal cousin, Torrey Pines. The back nine, meandering through the stately Monterey pines, can soothe and haunt you, especially when the fog rolls in and the deer come out to feed at dusk. It's always busy, so call early for a tee time. The Grove is an absolute joy to play. So you could end up spending an arm and a leg if youre keen on going. The next time youre around the area, consider swinging by one and checking it out for yourself. The experience is certainly grand at this exclusive Tom Fazio design that's open only to resort guests and members. About National City. It's relatively off-the-beaten-path location also keeps its green fees a little lower compared to the top resorts and Torrey Pines in the market. But the tight doglegs, water hazards, and length of the course (7,087 yards from the tips) can be a serious test for the better handicap player, which is the reason both the U.S. Open and U.S. If you can follow. The two hardest holes are the 4th (with an uphill shot to a narrow green) and the 16th (with a huge canyon on the left flank). We are pretty sure it wont disappoint! Red Mountain Ranch Country Club, Mesa, 1986 (with Perry Dye) Karsten Golf Course at ASU, Tempe, 1989 (with Perry Dye) California. Torrey Pines South Golf Course - Most Famous. And last, but not least, theres the popular Coronado Golf Course, which is just minutes from San Diego International Airport. The recent addition of a Spanish-style full-service clubhouse with a thoughtful staff and an award-winning pro shop makes Pelican the perfect afternoon getaway for golf purists and harried L.A. executives. 2. But the course almost straddles the state line, and from the Golden State golf junkie's point of view it deserves to be mentioned with the best of its neighbor to the west. Asheboro, N.C. Yardage: 6,543| Slope/Rating: 138/72.5. Torrey Pines Golf Course actually consists of two courses, the North and South (a brute). Learn more about Coronado Golf Course. Every facet of the game seemed to get more difficult. 180 Lake Parkway, Stateline, Nevada; 775-588-3566; www.edgewood-tahoe.com. The landscape is very hilly making shots a lot more difficult than they look at face value. Sign me up to receive emails from GolfNow and NBC Sports golf brands. There are also only a few straight holes, but this doesnt seem to bother most players. Also, part of the Covenant of Rancho Santa Fe, it's famous for being one of the most challenging courses off the tee in Southern California. The Mountain West provided a taste of madness as No. Oct. 30, 2019 6:35 AM PT. Olympic? Sea n' Air Golf Course, meanwhile, is located on Coronado at the North Island Navy Base and open only to DoD personnel who have gate clearance. Resort guests at The Inn at Spanish Bay or The Lodge at Pebble Beach get a slight break. If you're looking for a good, inexpensive round, this is the spot. Fans of Cond Nast Traveler alsorated it as the top golf resort in Southern California. It weaves you through a wind-swept forest one minute and flings you out by crashing surf the next. 2. Gift certificates are valid for over 20 San Diego golf . This is scenic resort golf at its best, and an undeniably luxury experience from start to finish. Signature Hole: 9th hole which is 305 yards. Bayonet Golf CourseThe best-kept secret in "The Kingdom" (in other words, the Monterey area) is a stern course located on the grounds of defunct Fort Ord, off Highway 1, built in 1954 by a southpaw general. So before we begin, a big thanks to TheGrint! Lane, Hall of Fame boxing referee, dies at 85. Green fees: $42-49 non-resident walking (plus $18 booking fee 3-14 days out), The most exclusive resort course in San Diego, typically only Fairmont Grand Del Mar members and guests of the hotel or on a partner golf package can access the sparkling Tom Fazio design that tumbles through the hillsides of Carlsbad. Crossings (Carlsbad) LaCosta Champions Course (Carlsbad) DrTee 1 year ago. Behind is a beautiful man-made waterfall. words by Sophie Mancini, illustration by ahonen & lamberg. Plenty of width with a small pool just short of the green. Ranked 5th in the U.S. by Golf Digest, theres a lot to like about Coronado. You can also visit the Official Torrey Pines Golf Course website. You will walk in the footsteps of many a famous golfer at this municipal track, named after the rare native pine that grows wild along this stretch of coastline. Operated by Troon, Maderas is one of the great member-for-a-day experiences in the west. There is a strong military presence in San Diego of active personnel, retirees and vacationing veterans. The San Diego Golf Trail. Youre no longer on our newsletter list, but you can resubscribe anytime. SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at Aviara Golf Club. San Diego is a cracking area to play golf. Presidio Golf ClubIf you can't get on the grass at Olympic or San Francisco Golf Club (the city's two most elite and wonderful courses), fret not. More recently, renovation commenced on the course in November of 2022. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Round Mountain Golf Course - Round Mountain, NV. For prestige and beauty, it's hard to beat Torrey Pines, site of the epic 2008 U.S. Open (which Tiger Woods won on a broken leg) and the future site of the championship . La Costa Resort And SpaKnown for its many PGA Tour tournaments, golfing dons, and an enduring rumor that Jimmy Hoffa is buried beneath the 18th green, La Costa is often overlooked in modern guides promoting the best and brightest golf in the state. As a guest, you can book your sessions up to 60 days before your intended visit date to secure a spot. But the real improvement has been on the course itself, with the recent restoration of two of Thomas' "lost" holes, a magnificent long par-three seventh and a devilishly handsome eighth, a bending par-four where anything but a straight, well-struck approach shot can balloon your score. Pebble Beach or Cypress Hill on a windy day? The Grand Golf Club - Luxury Pick. 4. Enagic Golf Club at EastLake 9th hole. Today we will be rating the best golf courses in San Diego according to real playerswith help from TheGrint. 24. 55 c) . The course was formerly featured in the Farmers Insurance Open which speaks to its pedigree. CNN calls it the second-toughest golf course in the entire world and PGA Tour professionals have called "Carnasty" the . 4h Mike Coppinger. Which of course means that, at its best, Illinois wasn't at its best, and in trying to find what its best should be, it's had to experience its worst. Nicknamed the Parachute, this is a 450-yard par 4 hole that has a tonne of elevation from the tee. Its no secret that San Diego has arguably the best weather for golf in the continental United States. Do not expect to be dazzled by either the amenities or the staff at this longtime site of the Buick Invitational and favorite of local son Phil Mickelson. Book a Tee Time at National City Golf Course. By contrast, Dye's La Quinta Mountain Course, in 1992 the site of the California State Open, and the slightly gentler adjacent Dunes Course are frequently rated by pros and superintendents as two of the fairest tests in the state. Torrey Pines offers a good value if you have a San Diego city resident card. Rounds also include a forecaddie. Spyglass Hill Road, Pebble Beach; 831-625-8563; www.pebblebeach.com. Greens fees: $125-$140. We can get you one. Omni La Costa Champions and Legends, Carlsbad, The Grand Golf Club Del Mar at the Fairmont Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course, San Diego, Golf Digest's list of America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses, What To Do (When You're Not Playing Golf). Get exclusive tee times deals in San Diego! Greens fees: $30-$100. Yale Golf Course New Haven (No. Reset Search Filter. Given its frequent usage at the top level, it should come as no surprise that its a difficult course to play. 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla; 619-570-1234. Located in Poway . Greens fees: $175-$200 (includes cart).