Where to play in San Diego? This comes up at least once a year so I made a handy guide. Of course the privates are all very good but I can't help you out there. If you stay at the Rancho Santa Fe Inn or Hotel Valencia you can access the privates in Rancho Santa Fe; pricey but worth it. They can get you on Rancho Santa Fe CC, The Farms, Fairbanks Fanch and Del Mar CC, greens fees are over $200; I have only played RSFCC so I can't comment on the other 3. Barona Creek and Coronado Muni would be your choices on the non-private side. Balboa is close to downtown and well worth the effort also. Encinitas Ranch would be the closest to Del Mar.
Resorts:
Barona Creek 619-387-7018
This is the must play course in the San Diego area. Just a 30 minute drive from downtown, Todd Eckenrode’s creation in Wild Cat Canyon offers a thrill for every class of golfer. The course features strategic bunkering, scattered at different distances, through the wide fairways. Firm and fast conditions put a premium on attacking from the correct angles to the highly contoured greens. Hotel and Casino on site.
Torrey Pines (reservations) 619-570-1234
South: The host for the 2008 US Open is set up as a test of the modern game. Even from the white tees (6,880) this course plays long. Rees improved the 3 holes he moved to the canyon’s edge (3, 4&14) but 18 double plateau greens are a bit repetitive. Green conditions now finally justify the $180-$220 rate.
North: The proposed redesign has been postponed, here’s your chance to play what could be William Francis Bell’s best work. Better use of terrain, nicely contoured set of pushup greens, surely the more scenic of the two courses.
Golfers can show up as early as they want to line up for the morning’s first tee times which begin at 7:00am (cars line up in the parking lot on weekends, during the week you place your golf bag in line in front of the starters booth on the balcony); singles stand a decent chance of getting off through the waiting list in the afternoon.
Carlton Oaks 619-448-4500
This Perry Dye redesign has all the “dye-abolical” trademarks: waste areas, pot bunkers, bulk headed water hazards and many greens that slope away in the back. At 7,225 75.2/146from the tips it’s definitely the second toughest layout in the County. Lots of fun from the blue or white tees though. Hotel on site.
The Grand Golf Club 858-792-6200
The only Fazio course in San Diego County; All golfers really want is a thrill; this course comes up short here. Very playable and takes a great picture, but the tea cups at Disney Land are more exciting than this place. Must stay at the Resort to play here now.
La Costa 760-438-9111
Champions Course (formerly the North)
Fans of Dick Wilson will be upset that it is impossible to play the original Tournament Course. A recent redesign by Passcusso, Pate and Brauer makes it difficult to mix the two dissimilar grassing schemes. The course contains the original front nine and nine additional holes across the street.
South Course
Contains the back nine of the original course and nine holes that are really shoehorned in. They have just completed a redesign here too.
Sycuan 800-457-5568
There are two regulation 18 hole courses Willow Glen and Oak Glen. Willow is the more interesting layout with numerous doglegs, strategic bunkering and angled greens. Oak Glen is the more sporty course. Also has an 18 hole par 3 course. A good example of what Ted Robison was capable of before his “dark period”.
San Vicente Inn and GC 760-789-3477
This resort in the mountains is a good example of the “good Ted Robinson”; not a waterscape in sight! Close to Barona if you’re in the area.
Warner Springs Ranch 760-782-4270
High desert course is both scenic and challenging. The remote atmosphere makes this course special; resort rooms have no TV or phones! A little over an hour from downtown but very close to Barona. The Course is now closed and hopes to reopen soon!
Municipal:
Coronado 619-435-3121
Jack Daray designed San Diego’s “Hidden Gem”, built on fill dredged from the harbor in the 1957, it has 4 holes that play along Glorietta Bay. Subtle doglegs test driving ability, the pushup greens punish poor iron play, wind is often a factor. At $30/weekday and $35/weekend for everyone, it’s the best deal in town.
Balboa Park (reservations) 619-570-1234
Built in 1918 the course originally had oiled sand greens and dirt fairways. William Park Bell supervised the addition of irrigation via a WPA project in 1938. This short (6,281) trip out through the canyons and back across the mesa has remained a tough track to score on. Sam Snead’s course record 60, shot here while in the Navy in WWII, still stands. Views of downtown and the Coronado Islands, walkups should have no trouble playing here.
Encinitas Ranch 760-944-1936
Located ten minutes north of Torrey Pines and five minutes south of Legoland this is an enjoyable and reasonably priced daily fee course. Wide open front nine is complemented by the canyons on the back. Built on the site of a former flower ranch by Cary Bickler, conditions are usually good.
Tecolote Canyon 858-279-1600
The only Robert Trent Jones course in San Diego County, this is a fun executive course. There are four 300 yard holes where you can “let the big dog eat”. The remaining par 3’s all have interestingly contoured greens. Close to Mission Bay, a round here should take only 3 hours.
Sail Ho! 619-222-4653
This 9 hole par 3 course was the original site of A G Spaulding’s San Diego CC. It served as golf course for the Navy’s recruits at the now defunct Navy Training Center. A complete redesign has made it an interesting way to spend an hour; minutes away from the Airport.
CCFAD’s:
Maderas CC 858-451-8100
Built on a hilly site this course promises the thrilling downhill holes off the bat, the key here is how much fun the uphill holes are. Neal Meagher’s perfect mix off unique green sites are worth the price of admission alone. Soon to go private when enough memberships are sold.
Riverwalk 619-296-4653
Built over the old Stardust CC, this course’s three nines are the perfect example of the Ted Robison “dark period”. Located in the heart of Mission Valley, it is convenient to those staying at Hotel Circle.
Salt Creek, formerly The Auld Course 619-482-4666
Although built to sell houses you would find it hard to hit one from the golf course. Die hard walkers beware, you must ride here. Cary Bickler and John Cook have crafted some fine holes though, well worth a look if you’re in the South Bay area.
Aviara 760-603-6900
This Arnold Palmer design has the first and 18th holes playing alongside Batitiquos Lagoon; the remainder of the holes wind through housing. If you’re a big fan of highly landscaped par3’s, this course is for you; if not save on the high fees for a round somewhere else.
Privates:
Rancho Santa Fe CC
Don’t pass up an opportunity to play here. Max Behr’s 1929 layout got the highest Doak rating in San Diego County (5). Without a doubt, this is the best of the private clubs. The Rancho Santa Fe Inn allows guests to play here unescorted after 1:00pm.
San Diego CC
Thanks to a presentation by some GCA’ers the Club has finally embraced its 1921 Willie Watson heritage. For many years it was touted as a Billy Bell design; surely he did work here over the years but the greens are larger than the ones he typically built. Excellent topography for golf with rolling hills and some canyons in play. Some of the deepest bunkers in San Diego County compliment the fine putting greens.
La Jolla CC
The two canyon holes are spectacular; there are several other unique holes here, built by William Park Bell in 1927.
Tijuana CC
The course claims a MacKenzie heritage, but it sure looks like a William Park Bell to me; possibly during his relationship with Tillinghast. Close enough to the border to take the trolley down and hop in a cab for the short journey to the golf course; public access allowed.
Pauma Valley
The only Robert Trent Jones Sr. course in San Diego County is in the high desert just past Barona; once rated within the top 20 in Ca.
Military:
Marine Memorial GC, Camp Pendleton 760-725-4704
Set within the expansive Marine base this course by William Francis Bell occupies a peaceful and secluded river valley 50 minutes from downtown. Somewhat shaggy conditioning here doesn’t detract from the enjoyment. Open to the public during the week.
Miramar, Memorial GC 858-577-4155
Jack Daray shows how to turn a flat parcel of land into an interesting golf course at the old Top Gun base. Now a Marine Corp Air Station it has some of the best conditioned greens in the County; wind and FA-18’s are always a factor here. Also open to the public.
Sea & Air GC 619-545-9659
Located on North Island Naval Air Station it is a tale of two nines, the front nine was recently redesigned to make play safer; several new holes were added greatly improving it. The back nine weaves through sand dunes with 3 holes playing right along the beach next to the Hotel Del Coronado. The runway splits the back nine and you’ll have an opportunity to see many types of Military Aircraft practicing their touch and goes. You need proper ID to access the base.
Admiral Baker GC 619-487-0010
North Course
This Jack Daray design winds through steep canyons. A recent redesign has greatly improved the quality of the putting greens. A good test that has been is good condition lately.
South Course
This is a short course well suited to beginners. Both courses are open to the public.