[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

If I was to play three courses in the san diego area, what should they be?
Anything within about 40 miles I consider in the area!
thanks for any advice

[Jud_T]

Barona, Barona & Barona on the public side....

[Jeff_Lewis]

Go directly to Barona Creek. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
SKIP Torrey. Better off spending the rest of the day in the Barona casino.

[Ryan Admussen]

what they said

[Kalen Braley]

Pete L has a copy and paste that he's done on these SD threads time and time again.

Man, I really really wish we could get sections added to this DG so we could have a dedicated spot on the site for threads like this.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

I agree Kalen, the search never really answers the question..

[Eric Franzen]

Pete Lavelle sent me this a couple of years ago when I was on my way to SD. Since then I have played Barona Creek three times and wouldn't think twice about getting back there again. I like it a lot.

Where to play in San Diego?

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. Greens still need work to justify the $100-$125 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 hour of tee times (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.

La Costa     760-438-9111
     Fans of Dick Wilson will enjoy the artistry of the bunkering on the original tournament course. The bad news is it has been split into the South, with 9 holes shoehorned in by Wilson and the North with its’ additional 9 holes on ample ground with good movement across the street, done by Joe Lee Unfortunately neither nines are a match for the original work. Sometimes the Resort will let the first group off the North actually play the tournament course, so long as they can beat the first group off the South to the back 9.

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! Little over an hour from downtown but very close to Barona.


Municipal:

Coronado     619-435-3121
     Jack Daray designed San Diego’s “Hidden Gem”, built on fill dredged from the harbor in the 50’s, 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 $25/day for everyone it’s the best deal in town.

Balboa Park     (reservations)  619-570-1234
     Built in 1918 by William Park Bell, 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.

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.

Del Mar National     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.
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).

La Jolla CC
     Canyon golf at its best from William Park Bell, built in 1927.

San Diego CC
     Another William Park Bell layout with several barrancas was built in 1921. The redesigned greens seem unsympathetic to the Bell style.

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 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.

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.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

thank you very much..good advice, I appreciate the help.
mwp

[Pete Lavallee]

Michael,

With unlimited access your list would look like this:

Barona Creek GC
Rancho Santa Fe CC
San Diego CC
The Farms CC
Torrey South

You can play Barona and Torrey easily. Rancho Santa Fe is open to people staying at the Rancho Santa Fe Inn ($$$$).

[Tim Book]

Pete,

Would you play either the Farms or San Diego CC before the Bridges?  I have never played the Farms, but I think if I had the choice I would play the Bridges before SDCC.

[Matt Day]

just as an important question for a thirsty aussie...is the Gaslamp Quarter as good as it looks for some light beverages?

[Pete Lavallee]

Tim,

I haven't played The Farms or The Bridges, so I can't comment. I would hesitate to recommend a cart ball track like the Bridges over a walking course like SDCC. The Farms is meant to be greatly improved by the recent renovations and has the reputation for being a player's club.

Matt,

Although we don't hose down the streets with fire hoses at 4:00am like they do in King's Cross, I'm sure you could have a good time in the Gaslamp!

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