Looking for best public course (sans Torrey Pines) in all of Southern California

[RichieHunt]

I am looking for a place to play next Monday. I'm willing to travel to as far north as Santa Barbara as far east as Palm Springs and as far south as San Diego.

 

Pelican Hills and Torrey are out. Pelican South is being aerified and there are no tee times left for Torrey.

 

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

RH

[Clambake]

Rams Hill

[ButterCutter2]

hard to beat rustic canyon especially if you're a purist / like tracks influenced by golden age architecture.

[RichieHunt]

I've already got plans to play Rustic Canyon as well as Angeles National. Playing private courses on Thursday and Sunday. Trying to find somewhere Monday.

 

 

 

 

RH

[Oldboy]

goose creek

oak valley

sandpiper

palm springs has multiple options

[Zac1321]

rams hill hands down end of discussion

[ButterCutter2]

despite it's premier location, i'd skip angeles national if i were you. a ride into the OC or out to oak quarry is a better use of your time.

[ASN21]

Definitely Sandpiper

[MaxBuck]

My vote would go to either Firecliff at Desert Willow or one of the Indian Wells resort courses. Personally prefer the Celebrity course. Marriott Shadow Ridge also in the running.

[81Ralph33]

Maderas is always a great course to play

[blitzgolf]

I'd probably say The Vintage Club, The Quarry or the Madison Club (all very private).

[Schley]

> @blitzgolf said:

> I'd probably say The Vintage Club, The Quarry or the Madison Club (all very private).

 

If access is arranged then sure, but if you can get access then why not play all the privates in LA. I think LA has a strong lineup of public courses that are above average, but doesn't have alot of great public courses. Especially with some closings over the years.

The private lineup in LA is very strong and outside of New York City area is hard to beat.

While Richie is willing to drive basically anywhere in So Cal, I really hate driving in LA area in what seems like endless traffic and try and minimize if possible. Ram's Hill is very solid, I like the journey at pechanga as well but not as good as Rustic or Rams Hill.

[mtex22]

I recommend Aviara in Carlsbad, CA. Its always plush and they had the KIA classic there a month ago so it should be in great shape. Great amenities and one of the best burgers. The whole experience is a real treat!!

[RichieHunt]

Wow, you guys are awesome. Thanks so much for the feedback.

 

 

 

 

RH

[Storms]

Another vote for Ram's Hill. It was the most pristine course I've ever played and the layout was good as well. My pro put it in his top 3 as well and between the two of us we've played probably every course in San Diego including most of the privates

[NJGolfer0624]

Torrey Pines always has walk up times for the first few times of the day. The last few times I’ve played there which was the first day the public was allowed on after the Farmers, I just waited out back and got out either first or second.

Other courses in the area that I’d suggest are Barona and LaCosta in the SD area or PGA West and Classic Club in the Palm Springs area. All 4 of those suggestions are former PGA Tour or Web.com tour courses.

[MaxBuck]

Is Steele Canyon still viable? It was one of my favorite layouts in that neck of the woods.

[PutterKilledTheDream]

Rich- go to Ram’s Hill spend the night Casa De Zoro.

[Shades234]

If you're going to SD County, you're probably going to be between Rams Hill and Maderas. I'd lean toward Rams Hill as others are saying.

 

Don't sweat not being able to get a tee time at Torrey. The South course is under renovation right now. They're redoing a bunch of bunkers, new drainage/irrigation and modifying some green complexes. Work will be ongoing through summer. They're doing 2 holes at a time so those 2 holes are closed so you'd only get to play 16. Plus they punched a little less than a month ago I believe. So you're not missing anything. However, when the work is done and if you're a single, you can usually walk up and get out within an hour unless its abnormally busy.

[rangersgoalie]

If you’re up at Rustic, going to sandpiper fits logistically was there a couple weeks ago looking around and it’s in pretty good shape

[bradski]

I agree that Rams Hill is the best in southern california for Public that is not n the ocean.

 

Best in Sd county,

Torrey,

Maderas

Barona

Aviara

 

All others are 2nd tier

 

Best in Palm springs IMO

Classic club

desert willow Firecliff

Indian Wells

PGA West Stadium- PGA tour stop and unique course

 

Best in Orange county

Pelican

Oak Creek

 

 

[RichieHunt]

I just wanted to thank everybody for their responses. I ended up playing Rustic Canyon, twice. I played it once with ShutSteepStuck and then again with Preston Combs (golf instructor) on Monday since Preston lives in Santa Barbara.

 

I got to play Wood Ranch on Sunday with another friend.

 

I'll keep this in mind when I com back next year. I'll probably schedule 5 days off instead of 4 days off to get that extra day to play Torrey.

 

I tried to schedule Torrey 5 days ahead using their online site, but there were no tee times available. And then 3 days before tee times became available, but I had already planned on playing Rustic again.

 

Better off not playing it this year anyway given the renovations. But, thanks again to everybody that contributed.

 

 

 

 

 

RH