Pete Dye's Ocean Course tops our eclectic new ranking of America's 50 Toughest Golf Courses. This Troon-managed upscale daily-fee facility is a top-flight canyon course with a nice mix of long and short holes in lush desert surroundings. The course is open for both La Costa club members and guests. Located in Poway, this Johnny Miller-Robert Muir Graves design has five waterfalls, three lakes and more than 40 acres of wildflowers and one elevated tee after another. 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. Steele Canyon is a 27-hole facility designed by Gary Player that has a mix of low-lying holes around a vineyard and some that play dramatically high up into the hillsides and offer some marvelous scenery. The Iconic Torrey Pines Golf CoursesHome of the 2008 and 2021 US Open.Make This Bucket List Dream Come TrueWe have been booking tee times at Torrey Pines since 1992. Forget your score and remember the views. 16. Sea n' Air Golf Course, meanwhile, is located on Coronado at the North Island Navy Base and open only to DoD personnel who have gate clearance. The longest golf course in the world at 8,548 yards, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain includes a 711-yard par-five (and two more that measure over 680 yards), a 525-yard par-four and a 270-yard par-three. No list of great or difficult golf courses would be complete without historic Shinnecock Hills. 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. While all the courses on the U.S. Open rotation are challenging, the South Course at Torrey Pines is among the most . 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. Signature Hole: 9th hole which is 305 yards. Aviara Golf Resort. An easier sister course, The Black Horse, is also located on the sprawling former army base. 1 Family Golf Destination in the Country by Golf Digest. Big names such as Golf Digest, Golf Advisor, and Golf Week all consider it to be one of the top courses in the country. Not to mention a killer ice plant, magnificent sand dunes, and the photogenic lighthouse. But that's what makes it fun. Green fees: $42-49 non-resident walking (plus $18 booking fee 3-14 days out), The most exclusive resort course in San Diego, typically only Fairmont Grand Del Mar members and guests of the hotel or on a partner golf package can access the sparkling Tom Fazio design that tumbles through the hillsides of Carlsbad. Signature Hole: 18th hole which is 421 yards. 25002 Golf Drive, Aliso Viejo; 949-598-9200; www.alisogolf.com. 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. - Lined with 100-year-old evergreens, and topping out at nearly 8,400 yards, The Pines is the longest golf course in North America. It hosted the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open Championships. There is a strong military presence in San Diego of active personnel, retirees and vacationing veterans. . Head Golf Pro: Renny Brown, PGA. The experience is certainly grand at this exclusive Tom Fazio design that's open only to resort guests and members. So much of this, fair . The staff are friendly, the course is always in great condition, and the sites will keep you well-engaged even during slower periods. With San Diegos toasty temperatures and calm conditions, its a great place to play golf. For general questions and media related requests, including interviews, film shoots and still photos, please email askparks@sandiego.gov. June 15, 2021 9:31 am ET. Don't worry, we can get you one. The course has undergone two major renovations, one in 2001 and another in 2019, the latter costing $14 million. Why pickleball is the feel-good game craze we all need right now. Designed by Gary Player, its plain to see from the above photo that the Steel Canyon golf course is highly photogenic. Plenty of width with a small pool just short of the green. The back nine, meandering through the stately Monterey pines, can soothe and haunt you, especially when the fog rolls in and the deer come out to feed at dusk. America's 50 Toughest Golf Courses, Nos. San Diego Golf Courses. 2. Vermejo is over 550,000 acres of wild New Mexico land and a natural home for the reinvigorated, majestic North American bison. Highway 1; 707-785-2468; www.searanchvillage.com. It may be the private club capital of Florida, but golfers endorse these public-access courses. A respite at the Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana, thats equal parts rugged and relaxing. By Anngmesa. 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." The San Diego golf directory includes golf courses from San Marcos, Escondido, Carlsbad, and 22 other cities or towns. PGA West: Guest greens fees $50-$205. New Mexico beat Creighton 4-0, lost 1-12 to No.4 Oklahoma State, fell 0-15 and 0-1 to Nebraska, and lost to WAC affiliate New Mexico State 6-7. . With 72 golf courses in every conceivable setting from mountains to desert to ocean, it's no wonder Golf Digest named San Diego one of the Top 50 golf destinations in the world.. San Diego's temperate weather keeping local links in playing condition year-round, so duffers and scratch golfers alike can get their fill of the wide fairways, rolling hills, stunning landscapes and challenging . A first-time traveler to Africa examines the complicated relationship between safari tourism and conservation. The par 3s are particularly strong, offering a great variety and one of the toughest holes on the course, the par-3 17th, which can play as long as 242 yards over water. An intimate look at Yosemite National Parks big wall climbing community, and what it takes to get to the top. 1 77 Asilomar Boulevard, Pacific Grove; 831-648-3175. With its private club feel, excellent conditions and exceptional customer service, it's no wonder Maderas is on. This will be even more pronounced in tomorrow's slate, with winds looking to be brutal as the day progresses. The premium is on decisive shotmaking, and the afternoon wind can capriciously determine whether it'll be a good walk spoiled. Going into Round 3 . The South Course At Torrey Pines Golf Course San Diego, California. The Farm's began as a 240-acre cattle ranch and was transformed in 1984 by iconic . If not, expect to pay a premium for green fees. 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. The next door North Course, recently renovated by Tom Weiskopf, is more playable than the demanding South, but nevertheless splits duty each year as a host the towns yearly PGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open. words by Sophie Mancini, illustration by ahonen & lamberg. 9. The practice range is the best in the Del Monte Forest, and the staff at the cozy clubhouse is very friendly. 21301 Heron Drive; 707-875-3538; www.bodegaharbourgolf.com.The Sea Ranch Golf Links greens fees: $45-$80. Torrey Pines offers a good value if you have a San Diego city resident card. All rights reserved. The South Course At Torrey Pines Golf Course San Diego. By golfdigest.com. Throw in all sorts of off-course activities from beaches to a Padres game, a fabulous dining scene, microbrews galore, and luxurious accommodations and spas, San Diego delivers on all fronts. A wide-left approach is the safe play. Plus, there might not be a prettier par 3 than Torrey South's No. Not all of the best golf courses in San Diego are within view of the coast, however. 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. So that summarizes the 9 best golf courses in San Diego according to fellow golfers. Carmel Valley Ranch Resort, Carmel Valley . Designed by: Ted Robinson. Mike and I started this journey in January of 2017. Marine Memorial features a regulation 18 holes and a 9-hole par-3 course. The Lobos enter the GCU/ASU Classic 6-9 after most recently recording a 1-4 effort last weekend at the Troy Cox Classic. Enjoy the ambiance because the golf shots in front of you are always demanding. The course spans more than 8,000 yards, making it the longest golf course in San Diego. 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). We can get you one. 14. Spyglass Hill Golf CourseRobert Trent Jones' West Coast tribute to Augusta National and Pine Valley has never been betteror more difficult. With excellent views, amazing staff, and a forecaddie for each group, the Grand Golf Club has one of the best golf courses in San Diego, no doubt. 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. There are no homes in play on the course, the practice facility is top notch and the clubhouse is efficiently sized compared to some of the more opulent area clubs but has a solid restaurant menu for lunch or dinner with many local beers. Insights: Hawaii has the most difficult courses, followed by Nevada and Florida. Ignore the help and play this gem with your bag on your shoulder. Sonoma Mission Inn And Country ClubConsidered one of the best places to play in California, the jewel of Sonoma wine country features gentle elevation changes, traditional greens, and enough open spaces to make it ideal for serious beginners: the perfect activity between treatments at the inn's famed spa two miles away. Maybe I will just stay home and have a drink. Top 20 Best San Diego Golf Courses. 4) Admiral Baker Golf Course (North) - San Diego, CA - 17 minutes from city center - Part of the Metro SD golf courses, Admiral Baker offers two 18 hole courses that are a perfect place to refine your game or even get introduced to the fundamentals. Each has its own unique look and feel which helps to provide a nice rounded playing experience. Greens fees: $80-$100. Pete Dye Course Courses in the United States Arizona. Heretical as it may sound, lately I've enjoyed playing Spanish Bay more than its famous cousin a few miles down the Monterey coast. Today we will be rating the best golf courses in San Diego according to real playerswith help from TheGrint. 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 . By contrast, Dye's La Quinta Mountain Course, in 1992 the site of the California State Open, and the slightly gentler adjacent Dunes Course are frequently rated by pros and superintendents as two of the fairest tests in the state. 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. December 07, 2011 . However, the back 9 are much better. If you're looking for a good, inexpensive round, this is the spot. Licking your wounds on the patio of the Lodge at Torrey Pines with dinner and drinks at sunset is a worthy consolation prize no matter your score. It weaves you through a wind-swept forest one minute and flings you out by crashing surf the next. 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. Designed by renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, it is the only course of his making in San Diego. Top 50 toughest golf courses in the U.S. - Golf Advisor. Course conditioning has improved dramatically in recent years, and greens fees are a bargain: $27-$37. About National City. Greens fees: $300-$350. The Inn's large outdoor verandah overlooks the course and is a favorite gathering spot for aprs-golf. Though the resort seems to be constantly battling the fatigue factor, skipping this terrific Dick Wilson-Joe Lee jewel would be a big mistake. And Also close is the Tom Fazio-designed Grand Golf Club, which is next to thethe 400-acre Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort. Just down the road from La Costa is Aviara Golf Club at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. Pine Glen, located in the Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan in San Diego's East County, is an 18-hole par-three golf course that will help you fine tune your game. According to Billionaire.com, the two most exclusive golf courses in California are Cypress Point Golf Club and Los Angeles Country Club. Coming it as the best golf course in San Diego is the Maderas golf course. 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. Many claim Maderas Golf Club has the best views of any course in the area. The course was built in 1921 by William Bell of Torrey Pines fame, and Sam Snead still holds the course record. The recent addition of a Spanish-style full-service clubhouse with a thoughtful staff and an award-winning pro shop makes Pelican the perfect afternoon getaway for golf purists and harried L.A. executives. Book a Tee Time at National City Golf Course. Racing legend Derek Bell discusses the life skills required to get behind the wheel. A pair of challenging courses awaits players at TPC San Antonio, with the 7,400-yard Oaks Course co-designed by golf icons Greg Norman and Sergio Garcia being the more sinister sibling. 1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel; 831-626-2510. 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. The difficulty comes in properly reading the bold slopes on those greens; putting from below holes is a must! 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. 18 is tough also. Green fees: $165-175, The 54-hole Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan features a really neat setting in El Cajon. By Chuck Culpepper. La Costa Resort And SpaKnown for its many PGA Tour tournaments, golfing dons, and an enduring rumor that Jimmy Hoffa is buried beneath the 18th green, La Costa is often overlooked in modern guides promoting the best and brightest golf in the state. Named a top casino course by Golf Digest, Barona Creek is also an Audubon Sanctuary course that blends beautifully with the native landscape of creeks, grasses and California oaks. The layout features a nice assortment of par 3s, a memorable downhill par 5 (No. 7. The Olympic Club (Lake), San Francisco . Overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon just a hundred yards or so from the Pacific Ocean, the course moves up and down hills and around seven lakes, presenting an unforgettable variety of lies and scenery. Its no secret that San Diego has arguably the best weather for golf in the continental United States. Print Green Fees. There are also a handful of highly reputable military golf courses. Torrey Pines is just one of several outstanding golf properties along the Pacific Coast near San Diego. The turf is always hard and seemingly unwatered, but that's half the charm of the place. Torrey Pines Golf Course actually consists of two courses, the North and South (a brute). 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. CNN calls it the second-toughest golf course in the entire world and PGA Tour professionals have called "Carnasty" the . The walking culture is quite strong as long as the property isn't too mountainous. Among these are 3 courses which have 18 or more holes. Aviara Golf ClubWith its lavish clubhouse and exquisite grooming, Aviara rivals the finest California private clubs. The Legends is a spacious, open layout that provides just the right level of difficulty for a range of abilities. 22651 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast; 949-760-0707; www.pelicanhill.com. To our bellies and elsewhere. Greens fees: $110-$130 (includes cart). Greens fees: $175-$195 (includes cart). But the course almost straddles the state line, and from the Golden State golf junkie's point of view it deserves to be mentioned with the best of its neighbor to the west. If your group is coming to San Diego in the rainier winter months, you may want to tack on an overnight here to ensure warmth & sunshine for a round or two. Here is what's new and the best ones to consider to improve your golf. Incline Village Golf ResortChampionship CourseOkay, okayit's in Nevada. Bay Hill's par 3s might be the toughest on Tour (and they have a huge impact on the Arnold Palmer Invitational) Jason Lusk. The course is an easy walk, and it is also an excellent place to rub elbows with local residents and members. The course is also relatively flat, so its not at all challenging to traverse, but what really seals the deal is the price. Greens fees: $55-$60. 10. Torrey Pines (South Course) Southern California has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best golf destinations in the country. A sail through one of the worlds wildest places to see blue-footed boobies, penguins, and sea lions wrestle starfish. 17. Also, part of the Covenant of Rancho Santa Fe, it's famous for being one of the most challenging courses off the tee in Southern California. It has long been regarded as one of the state's best courses, and the back nine, rising into the fragrant floral hills above the quaint village of the same name, is particularly engaging. The landscape is very hilly making shots a lot more difficult than they look at face value. The Grove is an absolute joy to play. The total package here, highlighted by Fazio's delightful shaping of rugged terrain and generous playing corridors, along with lots of beautification on the perimeter, sets the standard for San Diego resort golf. It has 100 plus bunkers and an oak that splits the 1st fairway about 70 yards from the green. For many golfers, the fact it was the stage for the incredible Tiger-Rocco duel of 2008 is reason enough to make the trip to San Diego (I have a relative who had to book a round on the South while in town despite hardly ever playing golf before. Nicknamed the Parachute, this is a 450-yard par 4 hole that has a tonne of elevation from the tee. Located just minutes from downtown San Diego, Coronado Golf Course is a great pick if you are looking for a public golf course. 15. 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. 23. Narrow fairways and carries over native areas make it a test, but with six sets of tees, you can pick your poison. Those criteria make these facilities the toughest to tackle. 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. Its the only Arnold Palmer design in the area, but this course is as much botanical garden as it is golf. Pasatiempo Golf ClubIf you sense an unapologetic predisposition toward "classic" courses, you're quite correct and need look no further than this sweet masterwork of subtle design, which is right on your way from the San Francisco Airport to the courses of Monterey. Green fees: $119-149, Highly scenic and relatively affordable golf awaits east of San Diego in Jamul. Get exclusive tee times deals in San Diego! Signature Hole: 16th hole which is a par 3. The iconic Omni La Costa Resort features two championship 18s, the Champions and Legends Courses. 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. A tour of Phil Mickelson's San Diego, where just about everybody has a Phil tale. Players should aim slightly to the right as the natural slope will cause your ball to roll to the middle. Although, under PGA tournament conditions, all c. Steele Canyon Golf Course, located in San Diego, is only one of three San Diego County golf courses to have been awarded a prestigious Four . Crossings (Carlsbad) LaCosta Champions Course (Carlsbad) DrTee 1 year ago. 17700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma; 707-996-0300; www.sonomamissioninn.com. It's never been easier to design custom hats, golf balls, clubs, headcovers and more. Couples in the mood to splurge would probably put a peaceful stay-and-play here at the top of this list. Bodega Harbour Golf LinksUp the coast highway in the village of Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds, is one of the state's treasures, a marvelously conditioned resort course that, just like a Hitch character, has two distinct personalities. You will walk in the footsteps of many a famous golfer at this municipal track, named after the rare native pine that grows wild along this stretch of coastline. Greens fee: $115. Yale Golf Course New Haven (No. Thanksgiving may have passed but the effects of celebratory eating around the table, and also possibly social imbibing during all the various football games throughout the weekend, are sticking with us. That being said, the whole experience makes for a luxurious golfing trip that is well investing in. Yardage: 7,107. Despite its pedigree, La Costa has added family tees and was named the No. Words by Elissa Polls, Photography and video by Stebs Schinnerer. words by Nina Renata Aron, photography by Skye Parrott. Its right on the water next to the Coronado Bridge with sailboats and downtown San Diego in the background. Fazio used his signature bunkering to frame holes and protect greens. A tricky downhill par 3. Costa del Mar Road, Carlsbad; 760-438-9111; www.lacosta.com. Like its sister course, the North is a gem, with spectacular views and immaculate conditioning. It spans 350 acres and has plenty of undulation. Several of the holes on the back nine are inspired (especially 14 through 17), and you'd better not count on achieving your handicap on this closing run. DrTee 1 year ago. Weiskopf, known for his short par 4s, built some of the world's best public and resort courses. The length of a golf course is an important factor in scoring. When I brought my buddies trip with wide-ranging handicaps to San Diego, we played here and not the South. Behind is a beautiful man-made waterfall. For any golfer, even the top 100 courses in the world are difficult to play. It's a short hop from downtown, right over the Coronado Bridge. Learn all about disc golf in San Diego. And urban golfers have several great options just minutes from downtown. The course was formerly featured in the Farmers Insurance Open which speaks to its pedigree. As you may recall from our previous study, Ohio has the best golfers, but since its absence from the Top 20 for difficulty suggests its courses could be of below average difficulty. 14. 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). From U.S. Open venues to ocean-view resorts and courses with spectacular elevated tees, the best golf courses in San Diego area hasyou covered. 55 c) . 11480 North Torrey Pines Road. Greens fees: $130-$145. 300 Finley Road, San Francisco; 415-561-4653; www.presidiogolf.com. 18. Pasatiempo's only snags can be slow play, due to the course's growing popularity, and a somewhat indifferent attitude in the pro shop. 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. Goat Hill Park, Oceanside. The script is completely flipped when we look at scores on the South Course. The trouble isn't finding them; it's whittling down the field. It's one of the most playable and enjoyable PGA Tour venues on the schedule. Operated by the military since the 1950s, the Presidio Club is now a public facility ably managed by the Arnold Palmer Golf Management Company, with particular attention paid to customer service and course maintenance. Our list of the world's toughest golf courses are a mix of difficulty, atmosphere and tradition. 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. And finally, there are some municipal courses with coastal views that fly under the radar a bit. words by ivy elrod, illustration by Gigi Rose Gray. Round Mountain Golf Course - Round Mountain, NV. In both cases the views of the ocean and the Sonoma hills are inspiring. Greens fees: $175-$200 (includes cart). The slightly tamer, 6,800-yard par-71 Ocean North Course roams, links-style, over ridges and dry headland terrain, treating the eyes to Fazio's finest environmentally sensitive handiwork. Its highly affordable, and for what you are getting, its a must-try if you are in San Diego. And last, but not least, theres the popular Coronado Golf Course, which is just minutes from San Diego International Airport. The Mountain West provided a taste of madness as No. Words by T. Cole Rachel, Photography by Yagazie Emezi and Joshua Sanchez. Located in the hills of Poway northeast of San Diego, Maderas Golf Club features a steely, tumbling layout and exceptional conditioning that can hold its own with any course in town. Torrey Pines South Course. But the views are priceless, if you can get a tee time. However, over time the total number of courses has risen to 72, and among these, there are many which are exceptional. It's a traditional golf design from the 1960s on a generally flat parcel of land surrounded by steep hills, so its subtly is great for all ages and abilities. Lane, Hall of Fame boxing referee, dies at 85. Signature Hole: 16th hole which is 365 yards. We have booked more tee times at Torrey Pines than [] 3200 Lopez Road, Pebble Beach; 831-625-2035. Brandon Tucker is the Sr. 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. This very busy, very picturesque municipal course offers a completely different waterfront golf experience than its coastal cousin, Torrey Pines. Marine Memorial features a regulation 18 holes and a 9-hole par-3 course. At 6347 yards it is one of the shorter courses on offer, but that does help to ensure that a round doesnt drag on too long. Over the last 30 years, Carlsbad, this sleepy little beach town and agricultural community located 35 miles north of San Diego, has exploded into the golf . Signature Hole: 12th hole (3rd hole of the Ranch course). 55-955 PGA Boulevard, La Quinta; 800-742-9378. Highest-Owned Golfers. These include the ocean view, the shipyards, and the Coronado bridge. The course is a true target-style design offering shot-making challenges you will never forget. . 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 . If you do, youll have a difficult pitching shot to make the green. Youre no longer on our newsletter list, but you can resubscribe anytime. Northwood Golf ClubWhile you are loitering on the Sonoma coast you have to check this outa true artifact of golf history. Gil Hanse has been tapped to extensively renovate the property prior to the 2024 NCAA Men's and Women's National Championships. Simply put, nothing ranks with the visual splendor and technical challenge of the oft-touched-up Jack Neville masterpiece, symbolized by the new Nicklaus hole at five, which looks as if it has hung above Stillwater Cove forever. Aliso Viejo Golf ClubTeam Nicklaus (Jack and son Jackie) has done some engaging and, in places, brilliant design work here, producing a trio of creative and not overly long nines that make for one of the best golf experiences in the entire Orange County area. If you can't hit straight tee shots, however, you'll just have to enjoy the splendid isolation and the handsome redwoods. The Robert Trent Jones Masterpiece at Treetops The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort. Copyright 2023 GolfPass. 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. Photo Credit: Brian Oar & Aviara Golf Club - Hyatt. Signature Hole: 3rd hole which is 149 yards. The only issue is that the course is reserved for those who are staying at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Outstanding, major championship-worthy municipal courses paired with lavish resorts make San Diego a legendary SoCal getaway.