Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

I played the North course the day after getting beat up on the South. As I mentioned in my South review, the rough is wet and thick at Torrey right now thanks to some heavy (and welcomed) winter rains. Suffice to say, I welcomed the fact it wasn't as tough. Tom Weiskopf led the renovation of the North, which plays right next to the South, and his aim was to provide something playable and fun. That said, it can still tip-out quite long and is still used in the first two rounds of the Farmers Open.

Weiskopf flipped the nines, and the best part of the course comes midway into the back nine. The par-4 14th hole plays downhill towards the coast, and the scenic par-3 15th tee shot is perhaps the most thrilling shot in property. But I really love the drive on the par-4 16th that plays uphill along the bluffs.

So where does it stack up among the best courses in San Diego? Based on the ones I've played, which is about a dozen, I think it's fringe Top 5 but closer to top 10. This course gets on average 80,000 rounds a year, so if you're prefer the more wide open fairways of high-end/resort courses, this isn't your horse. But from a scenery perspective, the North comes pretty close to the South, and playability wise, if you don't feel like getting beat up on the South, the North will be loads of fun.

I haven't been to Bethpage yet, so it's safe to say this is the best muni I've played in the U.S. What a fabulous 36-hole, nothing-but-golf setting overlooking the ocean the whole way. The clubhouse ain't much, but the first hole, headed straight towards the ocean, revs you up for what you know will be a thrilling round. The front nine wastes no time getting you out towards the coast. The par-3 3rd is marvelous with an infinity backdrop and the 4th is a long par-4 with nothing but a steep drop off between you and the waves.

The back nine is really interesting too. The par-5 13th and its intimidating bunkers simply ate my lunch, but I managed to finish pretty strong down the stretch to salvage a respectable round not too high above my handicap.

It's pretty tough to make any penalty strokes here. But I have to say, I can't believe they keep the rough this thick. It's been a wet winter in SD, and the Famers is just weeks away, so I get it. But man, given the fairways are pretty narrow, it's a constant easter egg hunt for groups spraying it a little bit. I'll say this: If you want the hack-and-wack U.S. Open experience, you've come to the right place. Greens were fast but not lightening, but in excellent shape. I'm told the rough tends to die a little bit in the warmer months. Frankly I think the layout is good enough to need to keep the rough that thick, but it's got a pro golf rep to uphold.

Pace was a little rough and we were behind a five-some, but the course didn't seem crazy busy (on a weekday). I couldn't help but notice that a pro golfer, John Rahm, was a few groups behind us. It was cart path only but I walked, paired up with two guys who rode. This wouldn't be a fun round in a cart w/cart-path only because if you're like me, you lose the line of your ball when it's in the rough when you have to walk across the fairway from the cart path.

Be sure to stop into the bar at the next door Lodge for a pint and lunch. It's a great cozy spot. (it was cold and rainy so no one was outside, but I'll bet it's a festive scene on a nice day).

$192 for an out-of-towner like me is pretty good compared to the rates at high-end courses like Aviara and Maderas, etc.

Some pretty pristine golf. Conditions near perfect. Great layout. Course is surrounded by what appear to be empty mansions (probably winter homes or something for the rich), but you get a sense of solitude and quiet since the course is likely never heavily trafficked.

It's good to play once a year or so if you live in San Diego but it's a busy golf course that can get beat up. Play it in the springtime before really heavy play hits. Looking forward to playing the revamped north

Played on Dec 1. Starter could not have been nicer. Course was in great condition. Greens are fast and difficult to read.... Making the course challenging and fun. Multiple options on Tee boxes so you can customize your experience. A bit expensive but got a deal on GolfNow. Would play it again for sure

This place does live up to the hype. Great deal if you are a SD local a bit more if you are from out of town.

Played Aviara for the first time, and I must say, that the course is one of the best I have seen in a long time. The staff is friendly and helpful, the greens are fast, ondulated and in mint condition. The landscaping and gardening is beautiful. At rack rate I still believe, that the course is slightly overpriced, but if you can get a deal, then go for it!

I traveled to Lajolla specially to play Torrey Pines and was not disappointed. I could only play the south side to north being closed due to renovations. Some of the most memorable holes I've ever played... #3 ,#4 #1, #5,and #17 are amazing. Course had some bare spots but tees and greens were flawless, that's what counts. Factor in golf history ,weather and culture and I was thrilled to be able to play. I stayed at Hilton on 18th fairway so that made experience more complete. Only drawback was no on site clubhouse for refreshments but The Lodge is right there. Pro shop is a huge department store with all ur Torrey needs. Will be back to do North!!

Layout and scenery are outstanding. Tee boxes were punched and overseeded, a few of the greens were recently aerated and there were several bald spots, especially around the greens. Not too out of the ordinary for summer in San Diego. However, if you are paying rack rate, then I suggest waiting until maintenance is complete and the conditions improve. It should be perfect in the winter.

Definitely should be on your bucket list! Amazing course, beautifully designed and maintained. Great service and just overall a great place to test out your skills. Highly recommended!

The drought has done some serious damage to the fairways otherwise the course is beautiful

Second time playing Aviara and it was a great round. Many sceneic holes and challenging shots. Your experience depends on choosing the correct tees. The course can play both too easy or too difficult if you select the wrong tees. Ask starter for advice.

The course was in great shape! Highly recommend playing!

This was the 2nd time playing this course. The first time was right after a reseeding of the fairways. The difference was very significant. Not only were the fairways in much better condition, so was the rough. The greens are tough , but fair. Course played much longer and much more difficult. If you haven't played this course, you should. It is a beautiful resort. A bit pricey, but you definitely get what you paid for. You're at a high end resort and it feels that way... minus the snobbery you sometimes get at higher end golf resorts. Beautiful scenery and very challenging! I highly recommend it.

I booked the round on golf now and was forced to pay online before I played .$160... A discount!??

When I was warming up on the range someone told me it was there 25th anniversary and had rolled back prices yo opening day of $65. I politely asked the pro shop about this and said since pre paid a third party to play their course there was nothing they could do for me!!! No discount no here's a coupon for the next time you players. It would have been real easy for them to say hey there is not anything we can do because you booked through golf now but here's a shirt, a hat a f$&&&ing sleeve of balls anything!!! But no it's sorry pal have a nice day. Then when your done the do the typical fleecing t clean your clubs. We waited on every single shot all day!!! My clubs were clean believe me, so when I told them I'm good fellas they looked at each other and just said really dude.... Hey club cleaners here's the best tip you will ever get, if you have to ask for more money i.e. Tip after you do your job that your paid to do then it might be time for a real job..

The starter and my playing partner were the best part of the course . I had a great time with a gentleman from Texas, at least he helped me enjoy my birthday round.

The scenery/landscaping of this course was beautiful. Awesome Par 3's that will have you snapping a few photos off the tee. The fairways and greens were in great shape.

The locker room is open to the public golfers, and was a huge bonus to the pre/post round visit. Full locker rooms with showers/sauna etc.

Check golfnow and you should be able to play this course for around $130.

Well worth it.

I now live in LA, I played the NORTH last year and I played the SOUTH yesterday. This course is a great one, It's a legendary course and the most famous design from William Bell and Son. You immediately step into history and local golf culture here, make sure to chat with as many employees and locals as possible, they are very friendly with some great knowledge of the place. The staff is on their "A" game anybody that says different on here probably has some personal issues that they are projecting onto their experience here...but don't we all do that from time to time. The course is't extremely intimidating visually. Don't get me wrong, some of the approach shots are scary with the bunker layouts and raised blind greens from your approach. Also the par 4s play really long, really tough to get on in 2 with a head wind. I play a lot of public courses in LA and the greens here are a million times faster, hard for me to get used to uphill putts. The rough was down according to the locals we played with, still there were areas around the greens where my ball would get buried in some rough and it was very hard to play that kinda shot to a raised green, partly because I'm not used to being in that kinda rough with such short touchy shot, I screwed up a few times in that situation. In the rough with a long shot I was able to play it off my back foot and advance it nicely. Reading the greens was like being on an acid trip. This William bell was a sick genius, you swear you have a uphill left to right putt just to find out it's very much downhill right to left. I don't think I'm a slow golfer as I'm usually right on the leading group's butt when playing, but here I guess we ended up a hole behind after the first few holes. A local playing behind us kinda let us know that he was a local that has played there for the last 30yrs and that we should pick up our pace(he kinda yelled at us)...which we did and he thanked us for it later. I totally respect any local golf culture that I'm walking into and I hate when duffers visit a famous track and play super slow while taking a bunch of videos and pics with their phones...show some class people!! And make sure to play Torrey! If you respect the course and don't get too greedy, you can post a decent score at a true test of a course. It's not that difficult to get a tee time if you do your research and you will experience the game where so many greats have walked.

Watch out for #17, very tough 2nd finishing hole. Great fun overall, beautiful landscape.

You know how every course has that signature hole? It's their staple one? You could argue that EVERY hole at Aviara was a signature hole!! Very pricy, but you get your value.