Round out my San Diego Itinerary

[Phireside]

Not sure which course to add to my itinerary for a mid December trip. Need to add one more. Would like to keep under $100 but open to spending more.

 

Here is the current roster

 

- Coronado

- Torrey South

- Torrey North

[puttnforthe8]

Pretty much the only real/good choice at that price is Barona

[cbbaron]

Prolly 275 but I really liked Aviara

[Phireside]

> @puttnforthe8 said:

> Pretty much the only real/good choice at that price is Barona

 

Willing to entertain over $100

[cbbaron]

> @Phireside said:

> > @puttnforthe8 said:

> > Pretty much the only real/good choice at that price is Barona

>

> Willing to entertain over $100

 

Aviara or Maderas

[ButterCutter2]

barona creek or rams hill. i assume you don't have any access to the privates?

[Wardonation]

San Diego CC hands down if you have access...

[MikekiM]

Under $100 I like Arrowwood, Mt. Woodson

Over $100 Maderas

[gripandrip]

I always liked Balboa Park. Haven't lived in San Diego for a number of years, but was always a fun place to play. Close to downtown, some nice views.

[ButterCutter2]

> @Wardonation said:

> San Diego CC hands down if you have access...

 

or la jolla cc.

[Phireside]

> @ButterCutter2 said:

> barona creek or rams hill. i assume you don't have any access to the privates?

 

correct

[Sparky14]

Maderas would be my local choice.

Rams Hill if you want to make a drive. A really nice drive, but it is a drive.

Mt.Woodson for a cheap, fun option.

[GeorgeL]

Already mentioned here but I recommend Barona. It's in Lakeside which is east county but is a gem and one of my favorite courses in socal. I played there last week and the course has completely recovered. Coverage tee to green was excellent and the greens are very fast right now. Twilight rate after 12pm was $64 with Players Card (which is free to join). I actually prefer this course to pretty much anything in San Diego. And if you stay for dinner Barona has one of the best buffets around.

 

The only course I would recommend as highly would be Rams Hill in Borrego Springs but you're talking an hour and a half to two hours from San Diego, depending on where you're coming from. It's well worth it but you're pretty much talking about a whole day excursion.

 

Coronado is nice but can get backed up because it's such a good deal given the location. None of the holes stand out but you do get a nice view of the bay, especially on the back nine.

 

Maderas is a great track but is not worth the rack rate. I only play there if I have a voucher.

 

Aviara is another good course but like Maderas isn't worth the green fees, which are $200+. I play there once a year at a heavily reduced rate (as a volunteer of the Kia Classic).

 

I wouldn't recommend Mt. Woodson if you are on a golf trip. It's a nice enough track but is short (and tight). I consider it a semi-executive course, which isn't reflected by the relatively costly green fees.

 

Balboa is one of the my favorite courses and a part of my regular rotation. Surprisingly, it has some of the fastest greens around and a quirky layout with some nice views of downtown. I consider this a hidden gem and actually like playing here more than at Torrey. But coverage can be spotty and not everyone is a fan of the design. As a result, it doesn't get the attention it deserves and is rarely talked about when discussing San Diego courses. Of course that's fine with me since I don't want everyone to start playing there lol. It's already hard enough getting weekend tee times.

[Phireside]

Good info all. Thanks.

 

Looks like I'm between Balboa, Barona , .

 

Rams Hill is just too far out of the way for this trip.

[Shades234]

> @ButterCutter2 said:

> > @Wardonation said:

> > San Diego CC hands down if you have access...

>

> or la jolla cc.

 

How's La Jolla after their mini-remodel?

[tonyw84]

+1 for Maderas. That is my favorite public course in SD County (not including Rams Hill).

[Pepperturbo]

Coronado is difficult to get on but easy and a really nice walk in the park. High-end courses in SD County cost well over $100. Aviara is one, it's also one of our favorites as is Maderas; both are challenging and well maintained. Haven't been to Barona but many friends have and all say it's fun fast challenging track. Good enough to attract mini tours. Mt. Woodson is another fun but tight short target course where I only use driver on a few holes, most holes get 2 or 3 iron for position. Then there's Arrowood in Oceanside, another of our favorite challenges that we visit every month. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on either of the Torey Pine courses; just not worth paying visitor fees.

[Schley]

Mt. Woodson is funky for sure and some blind shots. The hardest drive I can remember playing was at Mt. Woodson on a long par 4 uphill over some bushes that went slightly right where the green was by the rocky outcrop of the hill tucked into it's side. We had to tee off go look for our balls, go back to the tee hit again, re calibrate as the landing area wasn't big in wind either. Also enjoy Arrowood quite a bit. I was a JC Golf member back in my Murrieta days and liked Arrowood. Also played the best golf on a course at Encinitas Ranch. Good memories.

[Pepperturbo]

 

I recall that blind slight dog-leg left Par 4. I hit 2 iron off that tee to stay short of where it fall-off downhill and to insure a flat stance for second shot. I've seen the ball stop on that down hill or run off in the wrong direction towards junk, oops. ?

[Schley]

Maybe it was slightly left has been 15 years or more. Good value for the money and I thought a very stern challenge with wind.

[Phireside]

Any way to book a single at Balboa?

[PutterKilledTheDream]

No need..... can easily walk on at Balboa as a single.

[Cachaulo]

Mt Woodson has some deals you can find online, I wouldn't call it an "executive" course but it is shorter than some of the other courses around. I like the layout (feels more forest and less desert than some SoCal courses) and have had a blast with my out of town buddies visiting. It is very different than Torrey South...would be fun to play back to back.

[Phireside]

Are you SD guys wearing shorts these days? Trying to limit the amount I pack and don't want to lug so many pants and shorts with me. I can see the temps but not sure if there is a coastal breeze that cools things off.

[Zac1321]

little chilly in the morning but otherwise shorts all the way, i think just about anyone coming from cold weather will find shorts no problem, maybe a light pullover

[thevaporz]

I'd recommend pants and jacket for early morning and twilight. Shorts during afternoon should be fine but still want another top layer. You can call Balboa directly to book, use their website or just walk-on (weekday usually not crowded) but be aware of men's club shotgun Wed and ladies club Thurs and Sat so mornings might be a good wait this week. Have a fun time, and good luck on #4 and #16!

[Phireside]

Thanks. All of my tee times are between 9 and 10:30. I'll pack more shorts than pants. Had to call Balboa to book a single. Singles not available online at least for non-residents.

[Pepperturbo]

I am not a SD guy but SOCA guy and wear shorts ALL the time. And "yes" there's a coastal onshore breeze but it's affect depends on how close the course is to the ocean. I often play Arrowood GC in Oceanside which is not too far north of Torry Pines. No breeze most mornings when we tee off (before 10am) but always shows up in the afternoon. During out winter may necessitate putting on a cover but never bothers my legs. If however, it did get that chilly, I always carry rain gear so put on rain pants. Have fun on your trip.