Torrey Pines Rough in Late December

[JLaws_2929]

So I will be playing both the South and North courses at Torrey Pines in late December for the first time.  What can I expect from the rough that time of year, 5ish weeks short of the Farmers?

 

Hoping to find the ball/hack it out into the fairway or still able to get good swing/distance on approach shots?

 

I'm from the southeast and mostly play on bermuda. 

 

Being first and likely last time I play the courses I want to play the correct tees but also not get completely crushed.

 

Thank you for any help!

[ryu123]

 Played both courses many years ago in late December.  The difficulty isn’t always finding the ball,  but the Kikuyu grass can be very wiry.

 

The ball may be clearly visible it’s not easy to advance it because the grass can wrap around the hosel.

 

(if your ball ends up in an ice plant,  take a drop.)

[MtlJeff]

I've played it in late december. When we were there they told us in some places if you can't find your ball in the rough just take an un-penalized drop to help with pace of play

 

It's not terrible everywhere, but some places it's really bad. It's also not just long as mentioned above but it's difficult rough to hit out of. I had to use sand wedge back to the fairway a couple of times which i've basically never done on courses here. 

 

I also got some lies in the rough that weren't all that bad and i could hit hybrid or a long iron out of them. 

 

I mean if you drive the ball well and get some lucky breaks in the rough it won't seem that horrible. But chances are you will get 2-3 really poor lies

[double or triple?]

The course is getting lush and grow in process is in full swing. Plan on 5-5.5 hour rounds for any tee times after 8am. 

[Stanks]

Played North yesterday. 5.5 Hour round but the group in front of us was lagging. Rough was high and balls do disappear but, if you keep your eye on the ball, it shouldn't be hard to find. I walked by a few stray ones every hole, it seemed. Course is in mint condish. Greens fair and fast but not like glass. They have a well oiled operation there. 

[JLaws_2929]

Thank you for the info, ended up playing South on Dec 21 and North on Dec 22.  It was an amazing experience, both courses were in great shape. 

South course rough was pretty long/thick but could find every ball with no issues and advance it with out too much trouble.  

 

North Rough was no joke!   Way longer and thicker than the South Course.

 

For me even as non resident $200 to play the South Course in the shape it was in was tremendous value.  Im not sure where in the world you can play a major championship course with those types of views for that price.   Definitely will be back.