Bodega Harbour Golf Links greens fees: $60-$90. Photo Credit: Brian Oar & Aviara Golf Club - Hyatt. The Grand Golf Club - Luxury Pick. According to Billionaire.com, the two most exclusive golf courses in California are Cypress Point Golf Club and Los Angeles Country Club. So in just a few minutes, you can get to the hub of the city. 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. There are three 9s available at Steel Canyon, these include the Canyon, Ranch, and Vineyard. 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. The Farms Golf Club. 1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel; 831-626-2510. Why wouldnt you? 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. Those criteria make these facilities the toughest to tackle. Greens fees: $65-$180. Aviara Golf Resort. Its courses are famous the world over for their lush greenery, dramatic oceanside vistas, majestic elevation changes and nearly perfect . The topography of the course is very hilly, and the scenery is top-notch, it includes rocky areas, waterfalls, and plenty of wildflowers. This is most apparent on the front 9 which are not up to the conditions we would expect of such a course. Our community loves the value and experience at these popular and affordable military facilities and even book online. 20 Clubhouse Road, Santa Cruz; 831-459-9155; www.pasatiempo.com. 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. We can get you one. For many golfers, the fact it was the stage for the incredible Tiger-Rocco duel of 2008 is reason enough to make the trip to San Diego (I have a relative who had to book a round on the South while in town despite hardly ever playing golf before. It is one of the hardest golf courses in the world to get a tee time. A plethora of semi-private clubs from San Diego up through Oceanside await those willing to put on a few miles. . But the views are priceless, if you can get a tee time. Phoenix-Scottsdale Golf Courses Worth The Green Fee, Sanctuary Golf Course: Colorados Most Elusive Round Of Golf. Vermejo is over 550,000 acres of wild New Mexico land and a natural home for the reinvigorated, majestic North American bison. Torrey Pines South Golf Course - Most Famous. The course spans more than 8,000 yards, making it the longest golf course in San Diego. However, rather than undo the work, officials decided to enlarge the other greens to match. Greens fees: $110-$130 (includes cart). Experience The Best Championship Golf California Has To Offer . Hurry.our best deals go fast. Located in the hills of Poway northeast of San Diego, Maderas Golf Club features a steely, tumbling layout and exceptional conditioning that can hold its own with any course in town. The landscape is very hilly making shots a lot more difficult than they look at face value. Greens fees: $80-$100. Amateur qualifying rounds have been held here. . Players should aim slightly to the right as the natural slope will cause your ball to roll to the middle. Aliso Viejo Golf ClubTeam Nicklaus (Jack and son Jackie) has done some engaging and, in places, brilliant design work here, producing a trio of creative and not overly long nines that make for one of the best golf experiences in the entire Orange County area. words by ivy elrod, illustration by Gigi Rose Gray. Fairways are tight, greens are tiny, bunkers are difficultclassic in every wayand the terrain imparts a majestic solitude in places. The South Course At Torrey Pines Golf Course San Diego, California. Carmel Valley Ranch Resort, Carmel Valley . 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. Neighboring municipalities like Carlsbad, Coronado and Oceanside also deliver affordable, fun munis for all. Fazio used his signature bunkering to frame holes and protect greens. Tecolote Canyon is a centrally-located, 18-hole short course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. For buddies trips, these abbreviated layouts make for a great, casual afternoon round or a place to stretch your legs if you're cruising up or down the coastline. In 2020, Golf Pass ranked Old American as the second toughest public golf course in the United States, after a survey of thousands of its users. 11480 North Torrey Pines Road. Explore the surrounding area to find 29 courses, 36 leagues, and 7 stores. Answer (1 of 6): I don't think you can name one single course that is hardest at all times. So that summarizes the 9 best golf courses in San Diego according to fellow golfers. Plenty of width with a small pool just short of the green. The North is just as scenic as its neighbor but wider, shorter and its greens are more receptive to all playing abilities. Encinitas Ranch has elevated tees as well as some distant ocean views, plus the course is super playable. The Robert Trent Jones Masterpiece at Treetops The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort. Designed by Gary Player, its plain to see from the above photo that the Steel Canyon golf course is highly photogenic. To our bellies and elsewhere. 21301 Heron Drive; 707-875-3538; www.bodegaharbourgolf.com.The Sea Ranch Golf Links greens fees: $45-$80. As a guest, you can book your sessions up to 60 days before your intended visit date to secure a spot. The Aviara course features unusually large greens. 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 . 18. Its one of the most beautiful on the course and versatile in its club selection. In Carlsbad, theres La Costa Resort & Spa, which has played host to numerous LPGA and PGA Tour events over the years. Bay Hill's par 3s might be the toughest on Tour (and they have a huge impact on the Arnold Palmer Invitational) Jason Lusk. Not all of the best golf courses in San Diego are within view of the coast, however. The course is open for both La Costa club members and guests. PGA West (TPC Stadium Course) Designed by Pete Dye to be the toughest golf course in the world, this Palm Springs area legend is actually hacker fun. 12. The length alone, which spans more than 7,800 yards from the black tees, makes it a test of physical endurance unlike many other courses used by the PGA Tour. Considering what you pay in the area to play courses half as challenging, you may blink in astonishment at the $60 weekday rate ($85 on weekends). The Links At Spanish BayIn the past decade this sprawling golf hotel and its photogenic "true" links course have matured into a complete gourmet golf experience from first drive to last putt. With excellent views, amazing staff, and a forecaddie for each group, the Grand Golf Club has one of the best golf courses in San Diego, no doubt. Pasatiempo Golf ClubIf you sense an unapologetic predisposition toward "classic" courses, you're quite correct and need look no further than this sweet masterwork of subtle design, which is right on your way from the San Francisco Airport to the courses of Monterey. The Bayonet is long and difficult, and a must-play course while you're waiting for your tee time at Pebble. Torrey Pines Golf Course actually consists of two courses, the North and South (a brute). Aviara is designed by Arnold Palmer who is one of the greatest golf players who ever lived. 1300 Sylvan Road, Monterey; 831-373-2700; www.pebblebeach.com. 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. Combine that with a par of 73, and a ridiculous Course Rating of 80, and you've got one of the most consistently challenging courses in the . Green fees: $119-149, Highly scenic and relatively affordable golf awaits east of San Diego in Jamul. Edgewood Tahoe Golf CourseAnother California beauty although technically just yards over the Nevada line, the redoubtable Edgewood has been quite nicely spruced up by Tom Fazio, the nephew of George Fazio, the course's original designer. And finally, there are some municipal courses with coastal views that fly under the radar a bit. Visit website. Set in the Barona Valley about 30 miles northeast of the city, this track is worth the drive, especially if you're looking for a secluded getaway with a casino on the premises. Alister Mackenzie built this storied nine-holer amid the towering redwoods and massive firs in 1928. You could spend a lifetime collecting perfect golf experiences here. Pacific Grove Municipal Golf LinksFinally, the true "poor man's Pebble," a thoroughly engaging muni linkslands, set on a priceless hook of rock in view of the more famous (and expensive) courses of the Monterey Peninsula, and designed by Jack Neville, the same man who created Pebble Beach Golf Links. Greens fees: $30-$100. Golf Courses. The Coronado Golf Course overlooks the San Diego Bay and features over 6,000 yards of space. This will be even more pronounced in tomorrow's slate, with winds looking to be brutal as the day progresses. Enjoy the ambiance because the golf shots in front of you are always demanding. Print Green Fees. Cypress Point Golf Club in Pebble Beach, Calif., and the Los Angeles Country Club were selected by Billionaire.com as two of the 10 most exclusive golf courses in the world . And Also close is the Tom Fazio-designed Grand Golf Club, which is next to thethe 400-acre Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort. Goat Hill Park (Oceanside), Crossings (Carlsbad), LaCosta Champions (Carlsbad) Parrish 1 year ago. Nonetheless, its a must-try for avid golfers. Outstanding, major championship-worthy municipal courses paired with lavish resorts make San Diego a legendary SoCal getaway. Just grip and rip, and enjoy the lovely view and the deer that come out to watch at dusk. Ravines, barrancas, and small glimpses of the Pacific through the dense vegetation lull you into a complacent reverie if you're not careful. Greens fees: $175-$195 (includes cart). Greens fees: $85-$103. Throw in all sorts of off-course activities from beaches to a Padres game, a fabulous dining scene, microbrews galore, and luxurious accommodations and spas, San Diego delivers on all fronts. The pilgrims keep coming in droves, and the answer is an unequivocal "yes." Sonoma Mission Inn And Country ClubConsidered one of the best places to play in California, the jewel of Sonoma wine country features gentle elevation changes, traditional greens, and enough open spaces to make it ideal for serious beginners: the perfect activity between treatments at the inn's famed spa two miles away. Greens fees: $70-$96 (includes cart). December 07, 2011 . 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad; 760-603-6900; www.golfsd.com/aviara.html. Canyon is the toughest, narrowed by creeks and trees, while Mountain features elevated tees, sumptuous views, and spacious landing areas. Behind is a beautiful man-made waterfall. The addition of a new spa and major renovations to guestrooms have helped restore the vaunted reputation Ojai once enjoyed as a love nest for golfing movie stars. Greens fees: $300-$350. Course conditioning has improved dramatically in recent years, and greens fees are a bargain: $27-$37. Greens fees: $130-$145. The greens are in great shape, and the course demands a nice variety of shots, including a few blind ones and uphill approaches. The total package here, highlighted by Fazio's delightful shaping of rugged terrain and generous playing corridors, along with lots of beautification on the perimeter, sets the standard for San Diego resort golf. The Champions, with lots of huge bunkers and plenty of water holes like the exciting par-3 16th beside the hotel grounds, has long been considered the more reputable and hosted past PGA Tour events and has some Tiger Woods history here to boot. Tee times deals in San Diego starting from as low as $12. This will be welcome news for many, as some reviews noted that the upkeep of the course had slipped a little. As long as you're not playing it from those back tees. It seems the quality of the course has unfortunately declined a little in recent years. However, over time the total number of courses has risen to 72, and among these, there are many which are exceptional. What they're saying: "The elevation changes off the tee box are dramatic as you fire your tee shot through a chute of trees to generous fairways that seem to funnel the ball into play." - StoicGolfer. Its 522 yards in total with a pond on the left, a tree line on the right, and a small creek before the green. Tot Hill Farm Golf Club. Weiskopf, known for his short par 4s, built some of the world's best public and resort courses. There is a pond situated on the right and just before the green. Hole 12, Par 4: Golf Magazine's "Top 500 Holes in the World," 2000. La Quinta Hotel guest greens fees: $50-$205. Torrey Pines South, home of the 2008 and 2021 US Open, is on everyone's list. It has earned a reputation as arguably the best value golf course in America, but scoring a tee time here isn't easy. The course has undergone two major renovations, one in 2001 and another in 2019, the latter costing $14 million. 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. All rights reserved. It is also one of the hardest golf courses in the world to get a tee time. The trouble isn't finding them; it's whittling down the field. The layout of the course is very flat, so you should have no trouble walking it irrespective of your age. A tricky downhill par 3. Every facet of the game seemed to get more difficult. This article couldve literally been written without setting foot on a golf course in San Diego. The two courses the Champions and the Legends Course have undergone renovations in recent years as part of a $50 million dollar overall improvement program at this storied resort. This previously private, member-built classic that dates back to 1895 is a must-play for any golf enthusiast or student of classic design and club architecture.