Torrey Pines North vs South

[JLaws_2929]

Going to be in San Diego in December for the Holidays and want to play Torrey as a non resident. Obviously the chance to play a US Open Course 6-7 months before the event is a once in a lifetime opportunity so I definitely plan on playing the South. Is it possible to play both courses in the same day in December? I would love to play the North as well as it seems like it has even better views than the South course and might be more fun to play.

 

Any feed back would be appreciated.

 

[Hack Daddy]

South has better views. Make sure you go play the black tees on 13, for fun.

It's possible to play both, but you'll need to tee of EARLY. Torrey is notoriously slow, no matter what people may tell you. I live down the street and play with my son all the time. All it takes is to end up behind a corporate group or some sight see-ers, and you can kiss that second 18 goodbye.

Enjoy!

[Haloha]

South course was way tougher than North. Both courses had beautiful views! If you do try to play both courses in 1 day, you might want to play North early morning then South, since north seemed faster and less crowded.

 

 

[xkingsyx]

The North course is typically more crowded. Also, they only space the tee times 8 mins apart on the North vs 10 mins on the south, Tee off on the North at twilight and you're lucky to get in a round in less than 5-5.5 hours. I've played over 100 rounds at Torrey and that has been my experience.

[King_Slender]

Played the South this morning and finished in 4 hours. I think it’s a course you have to play for the bucket list.

It was probably the purest test of your game I can think of - everything is right in front of you. Aside from a couple holes, very hard to lose a ball. If you’re wayward off the tee you’ll catch some traps and you have to get used to the pull of the ocean on the greens. There were putts I thought were breaking away from the ocean and broke 5 feet the other way.

There is no getting lucky out there - you have to hit good drives and you have to try and get on the right tiers of the green to have a chance at birdie or to save pars.

As far as the views, they were great on the front 9, but if I’m looking for an Oceanside/lakeside course, I prefer Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan. Better variety of holes, but for pure test of golf I prefer Torrey.

[Sjewell94]

They are both great courses, North is a shorter track and a bit easier. South is really fun especially with the tournament history. If you are trying to play 36, my suggestion would be trying to get out in the first group on the north, I walked it in under 3:30 a couple weeks ago with no one in front of you. That way you should have time to get in a round on the south the same day. The out of town rates a pretty pricey compared to residents so also depends if you get the chance to come back or not.

[MuniPukeLife]

Concur with this. SD Native here and TPN and TPS remain some of my favorite courses. Get out as early as you can on one of the courses then go throw your name on the waitlist for the other. December will be tough because of the time change (can't get out at 4 and finish), but I'd say it's doable.

If you're going in December, I advise you to practice your super-steep 6 iron hack out into the fairway.

[Sjewell94]

I was going to mention that as well. In December deep in tournament preparation the rough is gnarly, if you can even find your ball in it. They usually have a posted local rule to help with pace of play if you can't find it within a couple minutes it's a free drop

[MuniPukeLife]

Yeah - I had never played there in December for the first time two years ago (only used to play TP during HS season); and not having that shot led me to shooting a million. Just knowing not to get to greedy with the rough saved me this last year when I played there.

Honestly the rough in December may be worse than it is for the Buick Invitational/Farmers Insurance Open/San Diego Open - or it has the last few years - because of the considerable rain we had in December.

[KParks]

I actually think it is even more fun to go over to the pro tee box (it'll probably be closed, but you should know it when you see it) on 16. Having to carry over the barranca is intimidating but fun!

I was so worried about getting it over that I actually went over up on the hill behind the right trap. Still super proud of making a bogey from back there though!

[straightshot7]

I've lived in San Diego most of my life but just played Torrey South for the first time last Tuesday. I'm not technically a San Diego city resident so that sucks.

But it was great and some really great views on the front 9.

We walked it and it would have been hard for me to walk another 18. Or even cart another 18. And I'm in decent shape.

It can be done, but I think you would be better off just playing the South and enjoying it. Rather than trying to play 36. But maybe you're in great shape and like to marathon it.

We played in about 4 hours 15 minutes, as a foursome.

[MuniPukeLife]

Flaired one right a few years ago in 2018 a few weeks before the farmers . . . subsequently played from the bleachers that had already been put up. Think I made double after my first shot from the bleachers hit the roof. Never played from the pro box over the baranca - only done the pro box on 13 - totally need to take the plunge next time I play out there though.

[MuniPukeLife]

Carlsbad? Del Mar? Should be based on county residency IMO. Would simplify the process Carlsbad residents using their buddy's address to get a city card and whatnot.

[Chanceman]

I think the South is much better than people give it credit for. The layout is memorable, the views are excellent (although not quite Pebble Beach), some of the holes are brilliant like the 13th, and it is very honest. Play well and you have done well!! No lucky breaks that I could see.

[straightshot7]

Solana Beach. I'm 2 miles from the course and I paid $202. My friend who has city card paid $63.

Lol. I'm going to get a city card someday hopefully. You can walk the North Course in the afternoon for $27-$33 and South for $38-47 (weekday-weekend). Incredibly good price for the quality of the course.

 

 

[MuniPukeLife]

Gotcha. I don't know if people still use other addresses to get city cards and what not. It's just comical that the city line is less than a mile from the 7th tee box on the North Course. I always found the North to be more crowded during High School, and I always figured that it was due to the lower cost or potentially the fact that at the time it had just reopened. Now that I think about it since graduating high school I've played the North more than South.

We always played South for fun back then because the school was paying for our junior monthly tickets - now that was a deal.

[Pworld]

North is great. I paid out of towner fee and wasn't mad. But if you can get a hold of a resident card, i think Torrey might be one of the best bang for the buck ever! It is a 2021 US OPEN site for christ sake!

[jamcanplay]

South is longer and the rough will be tough close to the US OPEN time. South has signature hole 3 and plenty of par 5s. South is near the glider port so you might see some gliders out.

North is a fun track too. Has it share of ocean views.

Can’t lose with either. Good luck!

[TmagBryce]

South gets the notoriety, but I think the north is a better layout and the greens are always better then the South’s Poa. 

[Hack Daddy]

On 6/21/2020 at 2:48 PM, MuniPukeLife said:

Gotcha. I don't know if people still use other addresses to get city cards and what not. It's just comical that the city line is less than a mile from the 7th tee box on the North Course. I always found the North to be more crowded during High School, and I always figured that it was due to the lower cost or potentially the fact that at the time it had just reopened. Now that I think about it since graduating high school I've played the North more than South.

We always played South for fun back then because the school was paying for our junior monthly tickets - now that was a deal.

 

I doubt people are still using friends adresses; the verification is solid now. Two forms of ID that you can't make up. Junior ticket is still a thing,y son plays unlimited twilight m-th for $10.50/month, walking.