Need help, Torrey North or South

[JWBAMA23]

We will be out in Ca in August and I have never played either course. From what I see online Torrey South is quite a bit more expensive but seems like the North course has better views of the ocean and stuff.

 

One round which do you choose?

[I3erto]

Both are enjoyable. South is a much harder test. North is a little more scenic (i.e. no buildings on the course), but both are beautiful. Can't really go wrong with either but if you are not the longest off the tee you might have more fun on the north course

[JWBAMA23]

RTR!!!! Sounds good. It will be my dad and I, also do you know if they allow riders to ride along? My wife and my dads wife have the fancy camera's and Id love to get some pictures while playing. I cant find anything online about it so I wasnt sure.

[golferdrmjr]

[quote name='JWBAMA23' timestamp='1403034362' post='9517153']
RTR!!!! Sounds good. It will be my dad and I, also do you know if they allow riders to ride along? My wife and my dads wife have the fancy camera's and Id love to get some pictures while playing. I cant find anything online about it so I wasnt sure.
[/quote]They can ride along, you just have to pay $40 for each cart. If it was me, I'd play the South course if it's the only time you'll have a chance to play at Torrey. People will ask which one you played and you can say "The South of course". Besides, with the South being the only one used for the U.S. Open, you'll want that experience. Don't forget that the Open is coming back to the South course in 2021. Have fun!

[bk52]

If this will be the only time in San Diego and you want some bragging rights, play the South. As @golferdrmjr pointed out, the South has hosted the US Open while the North is used as a parking lot during that event.

@13erto is correct that if you play the North, you will likely have a better scoring day and while the history of the North is not on par with the South, it has great views.

Bottom line for me, I would say to heck with the expense and difficulty, I am going to play the South.

[cdnrockies]

South all day long. It's always fun to watch the PGA events and think "I know that shot".

[Arizonalefty59]

I played with a guy that had his wife walk with him the whole round and they allowed that.

[Clambake]

Without a doubt, play the South. North has a couple holes that are slightly more scenic but a bunch that are pretty normal and repetitive. South doesn't really have any two holes feel the same, and the views are still great throughout the course. Playing the US Open course is a lot more fun than playing the area they used for the driving range and parking at a US Open.

And an idea for the riders - get one cart and let the spouses ride and drive with your clubs on back, and you and your dad walk. It's a great walking course and you really get a better feel of what the Tour players experience, almost like having a caddy but without the green reading assistance. And it will save you a few bucks.

[JWBAMA23]

Thanks for all the insight, we will be in the area for a week but staying at Pechanga and La Costa. Still not sure other courses we may play and I've read nothing good about la costa and I even know one of their members. How is journey? What about any other courses close to the 2 resorts we could jump out early in the morning and play that would be fun?

[ruascott]

I'm not sure how far away it is, but when I was out there my favorite course was Maderas. I played on a weekday, and they were running a $89 special for all day play. I played 36 and never ran into anyone else on the course allday. It's a beautiful track and was in great condition, and the service was top notch as well.

[golferdrmjr]

[quote name='JWBAMA23' timestamp='1403093791' post='9522295']
Thanks for all the insight, we will be in the area for a week but staying at Pechanga and La Costa. Still not sure other courses we may play and I've read nothing good about la costa and I even know one of their members. How is journey? What about any other courses close to the 2 resorts we could jump out early in the morning and play that would be fun?
[/quote]The Journey at Pechanga is a very nice and fun course to play. If I didn't live an hour away, I would play it more often. But with Torrey being only 20 minutes away, and for me much cheaper, I don't make that trip to Pechanga very often.
By the way, that tip about a cart for the ladies and the bags while the guys walk, is a good one. I walk with a push cart all the time, it's not that hard of a walk.

[Robby_Hughey]

My dad and I played the South course out there in March of 2012. Awesome experience. Get there early though. Unless they have changed it since I was there 2 years ago, they don't have tee times. You just kinda show up and they pair you up.

[I3erto]

Cant go wrong w/ La Costa or Pechanga Journey. Avaira is another real nice course near La Costa. And if you have time to drive somewhre Maderas and/or Barona Creek (both a bit further east) are fantastic tracks

[dirthead]

South for sure. The North has a couple of very scenic holes overlooking the ocean and 16 very average holes. The South is just a much better course overall, and the views are still quite good.

[rbhan12]

It's not everyday that you get to play a US Open course. I think that should answer your question.

[Chilidog]

There is no way I would play LaCosta over Aviara, Maderas or Barona Creek. Those are all much better courses than LaCosta. The ONLY thing LaCosta has going for it is that there are Cougars all over that clubhouse.

[JWBAMA23]

Yeah I've read nothing good about playing la costa and it's not on radar. At least 1 round at Torrey then maybe Pechanga and aviara or something else in or near Carlsbad. I know this is a golf site but anyone have any good local knowledge of the wine tours or wineries in temecula valley? Got to please the ladies too

[cdnrockies]

Aviara is always in phenomenal shape with customer service to match.

[ZMO]

Avaira is the most visually stunning course in Southern California. Period. Play it, you will LOVE it.

[jasman29]

[quote name='JWBAMA23' timestamp='1403375940' post='9546671']
Yeah I've read nothing good about playing la costa and it's not on radar. At least 1 round at Torrey then maybe Pechanga and aviara or something else in or near Carlsbad. I know this is a golf site but anyone have any good local knowledge of the wine tours or wineries in temecula valley? Got to please the ladies too
[/quote]

Callaway winery in Temecula is nice and very nice lunches. You cant go wrong doing a wine tour there either.

Play the Journey, just try to tee off early as it gets pretty windy up there. You wont be disappointed, it is a great track!

[poppyhillsguy]

I'm going to be in San Diego on July 23. I wouldn't make it to the golf course until 10am, so walking on as a single may not work for me.

Is it impossible to get a tee time calling in as a single 7 days in advance? Are they more than happy to book singles with pairings or is it walk-up only?

[nhelvey]

I've played south a couple of times and have had luck getting a tee time the night before. More of a gamble, but can work for you.

[Arizonalefty59]

[quote name='poppyhillsguy' timestamp='1404344784' post='9626577']
I'm going to be in San Diego on July 23. I wouldn't make it to the golf course until 10am, so walking on as a single may not work for me.

Is it impossible to get a tee time calling in as a single 7 days in advance? Are they more than happy to book singles with pairings or is it walk-up only?
[/quote]
If you're not a resident, you will have to pay the booking fee I believe to make any sort of tee time.

[AP2 712]

Having played La Costa, Barona and Torrey North and South, I can honestly say that you can't go wrong with any of them.

I really enjoyed La Costa because of the history that they have there with the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour. I remember watching the match play back in the late 90s when they got terrible rains and the creeks flooded on the course. The surrounding area is also very pretty.

Barona is one of the best courses I have played! I have been there twice and it is a must play when I visit San Diego again! If you are looking for a cheap 9 hole round in San Diego, check out Riverwalk. This course used to host the Farmers in the 50's and 60s. I got a rate back in December of $25 for 9 holes with a cart. The course is fun and the greens were in great shape!

I hope this helps!

[pgagolfstuff]

They are both great courses with the North Being a bit easier than the south. They both have spectacular ocean views.
The south is my favorite of the 2 and definitley worth the extra cheddar.

[Clambake]

Non-residents can make a tee time at Torrey from 8 to 90 days ahead of time, and have to pay a $43 booking fee. Non-residents can't reserve less than 8 days ahead of time.

As a single, getting to Torrey mid-morning on a weekday shouldn't be much of a problem, except for Fridays which tend to be busier. The usual crunch are people walking on early in the day and at noon time. I often go as a walk on single mid morning and sometimes find I don't even get a chance to go to the range to warm up first before being sent out.

I agree completely about playing Barona. It is an excellent course, always in great shape. They hold a US a open qualifier each year. It is also more of a "pure" golf experience, with no houses along the course or anything other than the Barona hotel and casino in the distance, but it is tastefully done. Beautiful setting, challenging course, and well kept. They also have the best deal around for midweek twilight time, which actually starts at 11am every day. Get their casino card (free on line, or you can sign up before you play) and the round is just $65, cart and range balls included. Best deal around!

I disagree about La Costa, and think alternatives like Barona, Aviara, and Maderas are far, far better. La Costa isn't terrible, but the layout and conditioning aren't as good as those other choices, it has a lot of houses along the hole perimeters, and the commotion and noise around the resort are really annoying on a few of the late holes.

[Arizonalefty59]

I have said it before and will say it again. If you have a SD resident card, Torrey is the biggest bargain for a round of golf in the world.

Just a special place.


I'm playing the North on Saturday, it was tough getting a tee time. I kept calling the automated system and the only spot that was open was 2 PM for only a single. A few have opened up since then though.

[AP2 712]

The beauty of going from NJ to SD is that I don't have to worry about making a tee time if I am a single. I can show up for what is 7:30 AM EST (4:30 PST) on plenty of rest and get out with the first group of the day!

[AP2 712]

I try to play Torrey early in the trip so that I am not adjusted to the time yet.

[bwming]

Played both in March on the same trip with perfect weather. Thought the South was by and far the better course.

Both holes have spectacular ocean view holes that will take your breath away. However, the views being equal I felt the South was a much more special course that demanded more off the tee and had more variety.

YMMV but I felt the South course was worth the extra money.