It’s five-star golf,” say avid players about the courses in San Diego. That’s why golfers throughout the country drag along their clubs when they’re headed to our fair city and why championship golf tournaments are held here.
For duffers, there are plenty of courses where one can have fun, enjoy the sport, and keep some self-respect intact.
In this chapter we’ll give you the goods on the good places to play. As you look over the listings, be aware that these aren’t the only places in the county. The yellow pages of your phone book and Web sites such as www.sandiegogolfer.com, www.golfsocal.com, and www.golfsd.com will give you lots of info, although they’re not always up to date.
What you have here are the ones we like and recommend to friends and family. And we’ve included all the extraordinary ones, like Reidy Creek, the ultimate executive course located in Escondido. In each case we’ve tried to sketch out what makes them especially worthy of inclusion—what makes them winners.
If there’s an extra cost for the cart or something special you need to know, like a dress code, we’ve added that. Most of the courses here have driving ranges and putting greens. However, we haven’t repeated those under the driving-range category. The driving range entries are strictly that, except for Surf & Turf in Del Mar, in North County Coastal, with its miniature golf area. Here you can play a really short game, and it’s also fun for the kids.
Like restaurants and shopping districts, golf courses sometimes change with time. So it’s smart to call to make sure you’ll get what you expect and to verify the greens fees, too.
We’ve divided our chapter into public golf courses, executive courses, and driving ranges, with entries under each category following our usual geographic order. At all of the courses and ranges, you can rent clubs, and at most you have to look clean and casual. At the Four Seasons Resort Aviara, for instance, you’ll want to spiff up a bit more, since this is an upscale course.
We’ve omitted those country club and resort courses where you need to be a member or guest to play. Keep in mind, however, that at courses connected to hotels, like Carlsbad’s La Costa Resort and La Jolla’s Lodge at Torrey Pines, you can get great golf-package deals.
If you’re determined to golf when visiting San Diego, if you want to play at a popular time, or if you’re traveling a distance, call ahead. Some courses, like Torrey Pines, which hosts the PGA tour, hold tournaments. We provide phone numbers so you can get the scoop and be sure you’ll get a tee time.