Waking up in Carlsbad this Saturday morning with a red-eye flight out of LA Airport at 10pm that evening... where would you suggest a young man might stay out of trouble (hopefully) for 5 of those hours?

thanks in advance for your suggestions...

The best course in Carlsbad is Aviara (website).

A new municipal opens in Carlsbad any day now. Looks pretty promising! (website)

The course at Camp Pendleton is, I believe, now open to the public. Not a bad design, I played it about 7-8 years ago with my military brother. With the security measures added since 9/11 I wouldn't assume anything, though. Give em a call.

While I agree with John that the design is not bad (it's actually prety good), the conditions as of late are terrible. And besides, it's only open to the public Mon-Thurs. I would recommend San Clemente Muni. A Bell/Bell jr design. Aviara is overated IMHO. And it's going to run you close to $200. Arroyo Trabuco in Mission Viejo isn't bad.

In defense of Mr. Boult, Aviara probably is the best course in Carlsbad. That's not saying much, but there it is.

The Crossings is on one of the worst pieces of ground I've ever seen a golf course put upon. In Greg Nash's defense (the designer) throughout the course of construction he had to re-route the course 10 times for varying reasons. The discovery of Indian burial grounds, dinosaurs bones, senisitive habitats, etc. Without these roadblocks along the way I think Nash would've still been challenged to produce a winner. With them, it was nigh on impossible.

Anthony,

You could play one of Fazio's "least bad courses", Oak Creek in Irvine; price alone should make it easy to get a tee time there.

Actually I just suggested that to see what Sandy would have to say about that selection.

If you like the ocean breezes, Encinitas Ranch is nearby and usually not too hard to get on. Good layout with some interesting holes and usually in good shape, good greens. Good value. Remember though, in Cali on a weekend your looking at a five hour round minimum and prob. a three hour commute to LAX.

Arroyo Trabuco
Oak Creek
Strawberry Farms
San Clemente Muni
Recreation Park (LB) Muni
Cross Creek - Temecula (a bit out of the way)

None of these are show-stoppers, but all are decent rounds of golf.

Quote from: Anthony Butler on August 29, 2007, 12:34:34 AM

Waking up in Carlsbad this Saturday morning with a red-eye flight out of LA Airport at 10pm that evening... where would you suggest a young man might stay out of trouble (hopefully) for 5 of those hours?

thanks in advance for your suggestions...

Does this have to be golf-related?  

Why Bill, whatever do you mean??

Second vote for Encinitas Ranch here.

If you like the ocean breezes, Encinitas Ranch is nearby and usually not too hard to get on. Good layout with some interesting holes and usually in good shape, good greens. Good value. Remember though, in Cali on a weekend your looking at a five hour round minimum and prob. a three hour commute to LAX.

The next person that says Encinitas Ranch, along with the others that mentioned it in this thread will be thrown off of this website forever, NEVER hoping to get back on it forever.

This place at one time stood for something, a brand of architecture that was inspired by new and older courses that don't exist anymore. Quite obviously we've been too quick to let some of the ragamuffin's of Golf register and comment on courses that mean absolutely nothing to Golf's Reinassance and it's creative process.

You should be ashamed of yourselves!

I blame Jeff Brauer and his "I'll bring them to their knees" agenda. He stuck to it well!

I need recommendations people... not threats to have people barred fom GCA. BTW-I have to spend Friday night in Temecula having dinner with a couple of French co-workers... if that changes anyone's opinion of where I should play on Saturday let me know.

Ragamuffin here...

I read a lot of crying but not much recommended.  The question wasn't about architecture.  Was about what to play given between Carlsbad and LAX.

I only know of the Carlsbad area.

Name one course better that ER in the 20-30 mile radius of Carlsbad for the money.  There's nothing.

... and please, please don't mention Aviara or Torrey or La Costa.  I think I'll puke.

The bottom line is the only course worth a damn in SD county is Barona.  But then you're looking at 1+ drive, traffic, etc.  Way down south.

In the San Bernardino hills / Moorpark, you've got Rustic Canyon.  But again out of the way.

Quote from: Anthony Butler on August 30, 2007, 06:01:04 AM

Quote from: Tommy Naccarato on August 30, 2007, 01:06:51 AM

The next person that says Encinitas Ranch, along with the others that mentioned it in this thread will be thrown off of this website forever, NEVER hoping to get back on it forever.

This place at one time stood for something, a brand of architecture that was inspired by new and older courses that don't exist anymore. Quite obviously we've been too quick to let some of the ragamuffin's of Golf register and comment on courses that mean absolutely nothing to Golf's Reinassance and it's creative process.

You should be ashamed of yourselves!

I blame Jeff Brauer and his "I'll bring them to their knees" agenda. He stuck to it well!

I need recommendations people... not threats to have people barred fom GCA. BTW-I have to spend Friday night in Temecula having dinner with a couple of French co-workers... if that changes anyone's opinion of where I should play on Saturday let me know.

Anthony, I'm pretty sure Tommy's toungue was planted firmly in cheek. If you are spending the night in Temecula, that opens up a few more options. It will be very, very warm, however. From a comfort standpoint, I would stick to the coastal corridor andthe courses Simper mentioned will be the best route. FWIW, I live about 5 minutes from Encinitas Ranch, and no, it' s not worth your time. San Clemente Muni is getting the course in shape for the city championship, so it's going to be a little better than it usually is. Just remember, it's a muni. Nearby, there's Talega, a Brian Curley/Fred Couples course. It's not cheap, has couple of strange holes, but it's a nice facility.

My knock on ER has more to it than just the course. It's too   much money for what you get and the rounds there take forever. Nowhere did I state that it shouldn't be played   simply because the course itself isn't my cup of tea, so let's clear that up right now. I can name a few courses in a 30 mile radius that are better than ER (appro. acronym by the way  ) without naming the obligatory TP, LC, Avia., Bar. Cr. I believe they have been named above already by myself and others.


And BTW, compared to the Bay Area, we have legitimate reasons to "cry" as you say (Patrick). This whole area is a desolate wasteland in terms of golf, and that's not just because of the courses themselves. Come on Hucks, you know full well what I'm talking about. This is a GCA site. People here are going to recommend good courses (or what they think are good courses). If they are 2 different things as you said, what difference does it make? Hell, play anywhere. Good or bad, they are all overpriced for the most part. If the course doesn't fall in the first category (good arch) then it falls in another, bad. Or at least bad value for the money. When someone asks me where to play around here, I always try to keep in mind that the course for most people is only one part of the equation. But remember where we are right now posting these comments. I would think the course itself is a little higher on the importance list. Call me strange, I can't play just for the sake of playing. My time is too limited.


OK, I'm done busting your balls. Shew, I must've had too much coffee this morning!

I have always had fun at San Luis Rey Downs and you would be able to cut over to I-5 from Temecula.  Gary MCcord holds the course record and I have heard stories of legendary gambling games.
San Clemente Muni is fun.  Dave Cook , teh pro is a high school classmate and one of the great guys in golf.  The $40 fee is great but I chuckle, in my junior days we played for a quarter.