Given its frequent usage at the top level, it should come as no surprise that its a difficult course to play. Designed by: Ted Robinson. Narrowing down ten of the best San Diego golf courses, not to mention sorting them into any order, isn't easy. Not only considered one of the best golf courses in San Diego, its also one of the best bargains so tee times arent easy to get, but well worth the effort. There are also a handful of highly reputable military golf courses. It has earned a reputation as arguably the best value golf course in America, but scoring a tee time here isn't easy. Ravines, barrancas, and small glimpses of the Pacific through the dense vegetation lull you into a complacent reverie if you're not careful. Greens fees: $30-$100. Behind is a beautiful man-made waterfall. Signature Hole: 16th hole which is 365 yards. With huge undulating greens and generous landing areas that tempt the long player to go for broke, you'd think lugs like me would fall instantly in love with this extremely popular golf course. You will not be able to play the composite course used for the Anderson Consulting Match Play World Golf Championship; nevertheless, the next best thing is the difficult South Course, copiously tree- and water-lined, where accuracy is a must. The North course offers several holes situated high atop the cliffs that serve up panoramic views of the coastline6 and 7 are particularly noteworthy. The demands for accurate shotmaking are strong, and there is little room for error in most places, making for either a challenge you hope to meet or a long afternoon you'll try to forget. An unfiltered account of my weekend at the Miraval Berkshires retreat. June 16, 2021 at 7:58 p.m. EDT . 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The spectacularly landscaped Arnold Palmer-Ed Seay course (one of their most creative designs, constructed through a series of ravines and around an inland waterway called Batiquitos Lagoon) appears tighter than it really is, as it features generous fairways and large greens. It features large undulating greens and wonderful views of the adjoining lake, enough open spaces to be forgiving to the resort player, and a handful of holes where trees and difficult doglegs require long and accurate tee shots and approaches. It's never been easier to design custom hats, golf balls, clubs, headcovers and more. 6. San Diego is a cracking area to play golf. . Whats more, this golf course is near downtown San Diego. Explore the surrounding area to find 29 courses, 36 leagues, and 7 stores. Park Hyatt Resort Aviara (home of the LPGA Kia Classic), the Troon managed Maderas Golf Course, the JC Resorts group of courses: Rancho Bernardo Inn, Encinitas Ranch and others, Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan, Steele Canyon and The Crossings are but a few of the newly created or redesigned upscale daily fee resort courses now available to . USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. Carmel Valley Ranch Resort, Carmel Valley . Playing just 6,339 from the back tees, Del Monte's luscious fairways and greens and directional bunkering give you a blissful break from the nerve-racking accuracy required at places such as Spyglass and The Links at Spanish Bay. Call for details 858-289-8208 or book online info@casinoconcepts.net. Among the golf course closings in San Diego, this likely will be the quietest. Costa del Mar Road, Carlsbad; 760-438-9111; www.lacosta.com. It's relatively off-the-beaten-path location also keeps its green fees a little lower compared to the top resorts and Torrey Pines in the market. Tecolote Canyon is a centrally-located, 18-hole short course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. For buddies trips, these abbreviated layouts make for a great, casual afternoon round or a place to stretch your legs if you're cruising up or down the coastline. A friend calls Bodega Bay "Monterey minus the attitude," noting that hotel prices and greens fees are about half of what you pay downstate. I shudder to think about how ugly that score got). There is a pond situated on the right and just before the green. You're not on the ocean here, but there's no shortage of water, with five waterfalls and three lakes. The iconic Omni La Costa Resort features two championship 18s, the Champions and Legends Courses. Outstanding, major championship-worthy municipal courses paired with lavish resorts make San Diego a legendary SoCal getaway. In short, San Diego has everything the discerning golfer seeks, at a range of price points. Hurry.our best deals go fast. Pete Dye's TPC Stadium Golf Course at PGA West is the (in)famous headlinera sadomasochistic "must-play" tour de force packed with pot bunkers, sand hills, and ruthlessly uneven lies. Maybe I will just stay home and have a drink. To our bellies and elsewhere. Carved through the pine-covered Sierras at a top altitude of 6,500 feet, featuring tight tree-bordered fairways, beautiful turf, and glorious occasional glimpses of nearby Lake Tahoe, this "mountain" golf course became one of my favorites the first day I played it. 19400 Highway 116, Monte Rio; 707-865-1116; www.northwoodgolf.com. The North and South are both host sites of the annual PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open (only the South course is used for Saturday and Sunday play); the North also offers players a genuine taste of a tournament course, with its narrow fairways and often challenging weather conditions, but at a friendlier price. Course conditioning has improved dramatically in recent years, and greens fees are a bargain: $27-$37. Signature Hole: 15th hole which is 253 yards. words by Sophie Mancini, illustration by ahonen & lamberg. CARLSBAD, Calif. - It's been dubbed the Silicon Valley of golf and compared to Detroit for the auto industry or to Akron, Ohio, the rubber capital of the world. The Coronado Golf Course overlooks the San Diego Bay and features over 6,000 yards of space. All rights reserved. The little negative feedback received stems from course construction, where temporary holes were created to make up the numbers. Graveyard of the Champions. We are pretty sure it wont disappoint! Plus, there might not be a prettier par 3 than Torrey South's No. Aviara Golf Resort. If you're looking for a good, inexpensive round, this is the spot. Carmel Valley Ranch Golf ClubAfter years of tinkering with this controversial, once uncompromising Pete Dye course, first opened in 1981, the current owners have almost got it right. However, the back 9 are much better. words by Nina Renata Aron, photography by Skye Parrott. Crossings (Carlsbad) LaCosta Champions Course (Carlsbad) DrTee 1 year ago. Pelican Hill Golf ClubPelican Hill aficionados like to say that this Newport Coast club, featuring a pair of spectacular Tom Fazio layouts, is southern California's answer to Pebble Beach. I never seem to be able to master the plunging hillside fairways, sloped greens, and ruthless bunkering of this beautiful, big-shouldered Jones Jr. course, home of the Northern California Golf Association, and one of the courses used for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The Aviara course features unusually large greens. Many claim Maderas Golf Club has the best views of any course in the area. Take a caddie and enjoy the walk. Greg Norman's gorgeous new PGA West layout, 7,156 yards in length and gloriously framed by sand and desert flora, is justly earning rave reviews. Among these are 3 courses which have 18 or more holes. Built on the Barona Indian Reservation in 2001, Barona Creek was designed by Todd Eckenrode, who really did craft the course around all handicap levels. The course spans more than 8,000 yards, making it the longest golf course in San Diego. For general questions and media related requests, including interviews, film shoots and still photos, please email askparks@sandiego.gov. Spread out on 380 acres in the hills north of San Diego, a little over 5 miles from Torrey Pines, the layout dips and climbs through Los Penasquitos Canyon, where Fazio let nature take its course. 15. SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at the OMNI La Costa Resort & Spa and 3 rounds of golf at the OMNI La Costa Golf Club - Legends Course, Aviara Golf Club & The Grand Golf Club. But the views are priceless, if you can get a tee time. Pasatiempo's only snags can be slow play, due to the course's growing popularity, and a somewhat indifferent attitude in the pro shop. Address: 2000 Visalia Row, Coronado, CA 92118. By golfdigest.com. . The San Diego golf directory includes golf courses from San Marcos, Escondido, Carlsbad, and 22 other cities or towns. Greens fees: $175-$195 (includes cart). Though the resort seems to be constantly battling the fatigue factor, skipping this terrific Dick Wilson-Joe Lee jewel would be a big mistake. The destination is headlined, of course, by U.S. Open and PGA Tour host Torrey Pines, while San Diego munis Balboa Park and Mission Bay, lit for nighttime play, also serve locals well. Which of course means that, at its best, Illinois wasn't at its best, and in trying to find what its best should be, it's had to experience its worst. Why pickleball is the feel-good game craze we all need right now. Asheboro, N.C. Yardage: 6,543| Slope/Rating: 138/72.5. Each has its own unique look and feel which helps to provide a nice rounded playing experience. Many claim Maderas Golf Club has the best views of any course in the area. #1 HARDEST COURSE EVER MADE! Green fee: $59-$125. Too bad Ralph didn't play golf, because the same can be said of golf in the Golden State: It is plentiful, wonderful, and remarkably varied, ranging from $12 goat farms with world-class views of the Pacific to the most elite public course in the world, Pebble Beach. Today we will be rating the best golf courses in San Diego according to real playerswith help from TheGrint. Boulders and rock outcroppings along with impressive bunkering and a surprisingly low green fee for this premium market make it worth the drive. Half the golf world seems to pass through the hotel's wide, handsome lobby, the bagpiper at dusk continues to enthrall guests, and the Watson-Tatum-Jones Jr. collaboration built out back on Sam Morse's former sand quarry is finally earning the marks it deserves as one of America's finest golf courses. 19. The pilgrims keep coming in droves, and the answer is an unequivocal "yes." Signature Hole: 3rd hole which is 383 yards. Plenty of width with a small pool just short of the green. Phone: 858-581-7171 or. Book a Tee Time at National City Golf Course. The trouble isn't finding them; it's whittling down the field. Mike and I started this journey in January of 2017. The topography of the course is very hilly, and the scenery is top-notch, it includes rocky areas, waterfalls, and plenty of wildflowers. A respite at the Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana, thats equal parts rugged and relaxing. Carlsbad golf center. CNN calls it the second-toughest golf course in the entire world and PGA Tour professionals have called "Carnasty" the . Much more than golf, La Costa incorporates the wellness philosophy of Dr. Deepak Chopra, has an outstanding teaching fitness programs, and wonderful accommodations and dining. The club is complemented by the presence of the nearby Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach. America's 20 Toughest Golf Courses. Greens fee for guests: $155. The layout features a nice assortment of par 3s, a memorable downhill par 5 (No. 1 McClure Way, Seaside; 831-899-7271; www.bayonetblackhorse.com. The landscape is very hilly making shots a lot more difficult than they look at face value. Signature Hole: 18th hole which is 421 yards. It's pricey ($229 on weekends) and requires some advance planning to procure a tee time (go to sandiego.gov for details), but it's worth it for the magnificent views, top conditions and championship history. The 10 Best Golf Courses in Utah - Rated By Real Players, The 10 Best Golf Courses in Wisconsin - Rated By Real Players, The 10 Best Golf Courses in Massachusetts - Rated By Real Players, The 8 Most Expensive Golf Courses in The World By Green Fees, 15 Best Golf Courses in the Scottsdale, AZ Area, Most Expensive Golf Courses in the World by Green Fees. Phone: 619-522-6590. At the adorable par-three third hole, a one-shotter that's set against the sea, you'll know why some call Torrey Pines the "workingman's Pebble Beach." Olympic? Our list of the world's toughest golf courses are a mix of difficulty, atmosphere and tradition. The first nine features tight fairways, lots of mounding, and greens that can fool you every time, while the prettier and even tougher back nine, rising more than 350 feet from the valley floor, features some of the most dramatic elevated tee shots in all of California. A bargain for locals (who pay a fraction of what out-of-towners pay), Torrey Pines, located along the bluffs above the Pacific just north of San Diego, is the host of the PGA Tours Farmers Insurance Open, and was the site (South Course) of Tiger Woods 14th major win, the 2008 U.S. Open, in which he beat Rocco Mediate in a playoff. Greens fee: $115. Built in the late 1920s and host site of the original Bing Crosby Pro-Am from 1937 to 1941, this elegant Max Behr course, a tribute to design economy, should be played for reasons of charm and history alonebut it doesn't lack for challenge. Torrey Pines South Course. But the real improvement has been on the course itself, with the recent restoration of two of Thomas' "lost" holes, a magnificent long par-three seventh and a devilishly handsome eighth, a bending par-four where anything but a straight, well-struck approach shot can balloon your score. Highest-Owned Golfers. 7. According to Billionaire.com, the two most exclusive golf courses in California are Cypress Point Golf Club and Los Angeles Country Club. This previously private, member-built classic that dates back to 1895 is a must-play for any golf enthusiast or student of classic design and club architecture. 12. The Olympic Club (Lake), San Francisco . 1 955 Fairway Boulevard, Incline Village, Nevada; 888-236-8725;www.golfincline.com. Our community loves the value and experience at these popular and affordable military facilities and even book online. As a guest, you can book your sessions up to 60 days before your intended visit date to secure a spot. (We left it out of this Top 10 to avoid any confusion with those not familiar with the lay of the land). The Legends is a spacious, open layout that provides just the right level of difficulty for a range of abilities. One of San Diego County's most dramatic golf course settings, Mt Woodson Golf Club is set amidst towering ancient oaks, huge granite boulders and sparkling lakes. Signature Hole: 3rd hole which is 149 yards. It was created by William P. Bell and is located on a peninsula, with 18 holes total. SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at Aviara Golf Club. The course conditioning was spectacular when I visited; I wished I had more time to play the attractive Lake course as well. You might not have heard of these brands, but they're leaving their mark. California GC . Getting up close and personal with North Americas alpha predator. Another plus is its affiliation with the adjacent Four Seasons Resort, renowned for its customer service, which perhaps spills over to the pro shopone of the most customer-friendly operations in the state. There are three 9s available at Steel Canyon, these include the Canyon, Ranch, and Vineyard. Get Rates. In 2020, Golf Pass ranked Old American as the second toughest public golf course in the United States, after a survey of thousands of its users. Rancho Carlsbad Golf Course. The rates are real reasonable for San Diego residents, it's much easier to get a tee time . For any golfer, even the top 100 courses in the world are difficult to play. Today the best of the desert are still La Quinta and PGA West, 13 miles southeast of Palm Springs, featuring a bevy of designer courses by Dye, Palmer, Nicklaus, Weiskopf, and Norman that will knock your socks off. I've spent two decades doing it, and here's my highly subjective top 25 picks of places you simply shouldn't miss: 1. The par-four 365-yard 16th was Mackenzie's favorite hole in golf, with its blind drive and its challenging approach to a three-tiered green. The coursea walker's paradise roams just 6,500 yards up and down the lovely eucalyptus-covered hills of the Presidio, but dramatic elevation changes, smallish greens, and narrow fairways make it a much sterner challenge than it appears on the card. You can select between a hybridand a 9 iron, just make sure you dont overhit! As great as San Diego's munis are, the neighboring island of Coronado, its own municipality, has a stellar harborfont course loyalists might call better than anything else in the county. 18 c) 5. Yale Golf Course New Haven (No. PGA West (TPC Stadium Course) Designed by Pete Dye to be the toughest golf course in the world, this Palm Springs area legend is actually hacker fun. You could spend a lifetime collecting perfect golf experiences here. 21. The links play just a whisker over 6,800 yards from the tips but, at 146, boast one of the sternest slope ratings in the Golden State. America's 50 Toughest Golf Courses, Nos. La Quinta Hotel guest greens fees: $50-$205. Designed by renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, it is the only course of his making in San Diego. Resort guests at The Inn at Spanish Bay or The Lodge at Pebble Beach get a slight break. My only regret was that I had to see it in a hurry and was forced to play much faster than I would have preferred. In the golf course building boom of the past two decades, monster courses (under the guise of the "PGA championship" moniker) were built faster than $600,000 tract houses in San Diego County. Copyright 2023 GolfPass. Let's take a look at the best public and private golf courses San Diego has to offer. Presidio Golf ClubIf you can't get on the grass at Olympic or San Francisco Golf Club (the city's two most elite and wonderful courses), fret not. Just grip and rip, and enjoy the lovely view and the deer that come out to watch at dusk. Not all of the best golf courses in San Diego are within view of the coast, however. 9. Pete Dye's Ocean Course tops our eclectic new ranking of America's 50 Toughest Golf Courses. The hardest San Diego county golf course is Torrey Pines. Visit website. The course offers a good challenge, with one of the toughest holes being the par-3 seventeenth hole. Racing legend Derek Bell discusses the life skills required to get behind the wheel. Aviara Golf Club, home of the LPGA's . But the natural beauty of this SoCal city doesn't stop at the blue Pacific coast. DrTee 1 year ago. Gotta include. Hotel guest green fees: $250-275 (includes forecaddie, twilight and replay rates available), Here's a course that is poised for a huge upgrade and could vault up this list. 1 week ago Black Course at Bethpage State Park. This will be welcome news for many, as some reviews noted that the upkeep of the course had slipped a little. Going into Round 3 . Some golfers love the busy and affordable munis, while others would prefer to pay the premium resort green fee for better conditions and quieter round. On the South, the PGA Tour pros have put together a combined score of 201 over par. The South Course At Torrey Pines Golf Course San Diego. And Also close is the Tom Fazio-designed Grand Golf Club, which is next to thethe 400-acre Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort. The modest greens fees make it even more memorable: $31-$36. It has 100 plus bunkers and an oak that splits the 1st fairway about 70 yards from the green. Narrow fairways and carries over native areas make it a test, but with six sets of tees, you can pick your poison. Torrey Pines South, home of the 2008 and 2021 US Open, is on everyone's list. Top 50 toughest golf courses in the U.S. - Golf Advisor. You are eased in somewhat as the difficulty picks up on the back nine. One of the ultimate municipal golf experiences in the United States, Torrey Pines South is a big and brawny PGA Tour and U.S. Open venue. The experience is certainly grand at this exclusive Tom Fazio design that's open only to resort guests and members. Hole 18 in particular, is one of the most enjoyable. Aug. 12, 2014 8 AM PT. Greens fees: $85-$103. Those criteria make these facilities the toughest to tackle. Course At Wente VineyardsAnother upscale public newcomer, this Greg Norman signature course started gathering accolades from the day it opened in 1998. Despite its pedigree, La Costa has added family tees and was named the No. Every facet of the game seemed to get more difficult. Greens fees: $225-$250. There is a strong military presence in San Diego of active personnel, retirees and vacationing veterans. 10 Best SoCal Golf Courses. Rancho Santa Fe Golf ClubAlthough it's a members-only club, guests of the plush Rancho Santa Fe Inn have access after 1 p.m. Players are treated to views of the bay, the marina, the Sand Diego skyline and the historic Hotel del Coronado. But if pure golf adventure is your aim, the long (7,055 yards) and demanding South Course, one of two on the site designed by William Bell Jr., easily fits the bill, sending you through bosky ravines one minute and over sweeping headlands the next. 3. 905 Country Club Road, Ojai; 800-422-6524; www.ojairesort.com. For dinner, to briefly escape Pebble's madding crowds, consider a 25-mile jaunt down Highway 1 to Big Sur's magnificent restaurant Cielo (at the venerable Ventana Inn). It is pretty level, very few bunkers, and mostly short fairways, it is perfect for someone just wanting to hit a few. It's possible this little ditty finds you scooping up the last bit of cranberry pie crumbs out of the tray. The Grove is an absolute joy to play. The Jayhawks have won six in a row in the sport's toughest conference and lead the country . Enagic Golf Club at EastLake 9th hole. Reset Search Filter. Spyglass Hill Road, Pebble Beach; 831-625-8563; www.pebblebeach.com. Learn more about Coronado Golf Course. Par: 72. It seems the quality of the course has unfortunately declined a little in recent years. With San Diegos toasty temperatures and calm conditions, its a great place to play golf. Players should aim slightly to the right as the natural slope will cause your ball to roll to the middle. I never play The Glass wellbut I also never miss an opportunity to play it. Omni La Costa Champions and Legends, Carlsbad, The Grand Golf Club Del Mar at the Fairmont Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course, San Diego, Golf Digest's list of America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses, What To Do (When You're Not Playing Golf). Combine that with a par of 73, and a ridiculous Course Rating of 80, and you've got one of the most consistently challenging courses in the . The walking culture is quite strong as long as the property isn't too mountainous. Not only did it receive the highest player rating on TheGrint with 97 out of 100, but it also has numerous accolades from golf companies. The turf is always hard and seemingly unwatered, but that's half the charm of the place. We have booked more tee times at Torrey Pines than [] 1 to 25 . Green fees: $250-275. The Colony, Texas. Website: www.golfcoronado.com. The course was built in 1921 by William Bell of Torrey Pines fame, and Sam Snead still holds the course record. Our course guide has 109 golf courses within 30 miles of Carlsbad. 50-200 Vista Bonita, La Quinta; 800-598-3828. For prestige and beauty, it's hard to beat Torrey Pines, site of the epic 2008 U.S. Open (which Tiger Woods won on a broken leg) and the future site of the championship . But that's what makes it fun. Dr. Alister Mackenzie, a military expert in the art of camouflage and the famed architect of Augusta National and Cypress Point Club, wrought something truly wonderful at Pasatiempo: a smallish (just 6,400 yards) golf course that plays like anything but, meandering up and down gentle hills, with fairways cinched by huge trees and nearly perfect greens. Considering what you pay in the area to play courses half as challenging, you may blink in astonishment at the $60 weekday rate ($85 on weekends). It can play as long as almost 250 yards over water. California is home to nearly 1,000 golf courses, if you care to try and countand that includes an astonishing array of experiences: ocean courses, mountain layouts, desert tracks, famous munis, and private clubs where only God or a member can get you on. 2023 American Express. words by ivy elrod, illustration by Gigi Rose Gray. Barona Creek is another course that doesnt need the ocean to be great. Generous, often times bowled fairways designed by Arnold Palmer wind up and down hillsides full of colorful flora. It's often played by members of the nearby Bohemian Club and guests who have a sense of history and taste for adventure. 20 Clubhouse Road, Santa Cruz; 831-459-9155; www.pasatiempo.com. The pros have moved on but it nevertheless has a bright future. They also have a performance center with a 12 hole . Arrowood; Aviara; Coronado; Cross Creek; Enagic Golf Club at Eastlake; Encinitas Ranch; La Costa; Maderas; Mt Woodson; Pala Mesa; Rancho Bernardo Inn; Riverwalk; Steele Canyon; Singing Hills; Temecula Creek Golf Club; The Crossings at Carlsbad; Twin Oaks; Vineyard; San Diego Golf Trail . The former has just 250 members! If you're looking for a uniquely challenging experience should head to The Farm's Golf Club. Coronado Golf course was rated on of the best courses in the nation by Golf Digest, so make time to . Here is what's new and the best ones to consider to improve your golf. Learn all about disc golf in San Diego. Fairways are framed magnificently by large eucalyptus trees, and the greens can be extremely fast on a summer day. 2. Opened in 1991 before the Ryder Cupand dubbed Looney Dunes for the mishaps therethe Ocean Course has the highest combination of Slope Rating (155) and Course Rating (79.6) in America. Tee times deals in San Diego starting from as low as $12. Alternatively, if the best San Diego golf courses dont quite cut it, consider enlarging your search and check out our guide for the top golf courses in Californiaas well. That being said, the whole experience makes for a luxurious golfing trip that is well investing in. Enjoy the ambiance because the golf shots in front of you are always demanding. Del Monte Golf CourseAnother antique gem, which recently celebrated its centenary and is reputed to have been the first golf course built west of the Mississippi, this meandering inland layout was recently touched up by Rees Jones and should be on your list of courses to check out while in Monterey. San Diego certainly makes a compelling case. Hasn't happened yet, but I'll keep trying. 24. Torrey Pines Golf CourseSince you're in the neighborhood, you might as well take in the king of southern California municipal golf: a place that, whatever it lacks in terms of refinements, it compensates for with a pair of terrific, well-conditioned golf courses. San Diego's 1st call for Casino Party's since 1993. read more. 14. San Diego golf courses count: 69 Showing: # of #. For prestige and beauty, it's hard to beat Torrey Pines, site of the epic 2008 U.S. Open (which Tiger Woods won on a broken leg) and the future site of the championship, in 2021. With its private club feel, excellent conditions and exceptional customer service, it's no wonder Maderas is on. 25002 Golf Drive, Aliso Viejo; 949-598-9200; www.alisogolf.com. Words by Elissa Polls, Photography and video by Stebs Schinnerer. This resulted in a bloody card, proof that creative and thought-provoking shotmaker courses like this deserve your full time and attention. This is an app that lets players check out courses and store golfing stats. Green fees: $128-160 non-resident plus $45 advanced booking fee per player. Forget your score and remember the views. The course is open for both La Costa club members and guests. Or cruise north and visit stops like the great vibe at Goat Hill Park in Oceanside or 27-hole Oaks North (near Maderas). By Chuck Culpepper. You end the course with quite a sight as well. Greens fees: $80-$100. The only issue is that the course is reserved for those who are staying at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The Inn's large outdoor verandah overlooks the course and is a favorite gathering spot for aprs-golf. In the meantime, the Legends course is available which is also highly rated on TheGrint with an overall score of 86.4. Greens fees: $125-$140. Greens feature old-style shoulders that place a premium on approach shots, and the bunkering here can be murderous. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. It is also one of the hardest golf courses in the world to get a tee time. French The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort. Players describe the course as affordable and challenging.