Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

For $250+ at peak times and $140 Twilight, Aviara leaves a lot to be desired, at least the way I found it in late June this year. The fairways and greens were both inconsistent, and a few were even plugged. I realize courses sometimes have to do this, but by June things should be in peak shape. The 3 or 4 greens that were plugged had so much sand on them that putting was quite difficult, and significantly slower than the other greens, which themselves rolled much slower than I expected.

I did enjoy the layout with the exception of the 10th hole, which is quite honestly one of the dumbest holes I've encountered in my life. Zero aiming point and a dogleg at about 220 yards - on a Par 5? The layup yardages on that hole on the cart were also inaccurate.

A course charging this much should be in nearly immaculate shape at all times, not simply when a professional tour event rolls through.

The redesign is epic, the front 9 is beautiful, but when you wind your way past the beautiful 14th, you get to the most beautiful hole in San Diego, 15 par 3 overlooking the ocean, with the beautiful pines. Just because it's not the tough south course, doesn't mean it's not tough. This course was super challenging, my short game and putting was great, other than that my second shot needs the most work. This is one very special golf course.

This is a beautiful course!! Track has Three of the most beautiful par 3's in California Hole#7 at Pebble is spectacular but the flowers, ponds and waterfalls on holes 3,11, & 14 at Aviara are just absolutely gorgeous. Elevation changes and more scenic water hazards add the enjoyable experience.

This is a resort course that plays like a true championship difficult course but yet manageable so you can shoot your normal score. Customer service is beyond superb. I can't say enough about the genuine friendliness of the entire staff.

The greens are in the process of being aeratyed so speed control was a bit off has every third green had recently been sanded. The rough while lush is thick and punishing after being in it for a while. Sand traps are excellent. There are a few fairways that are brown but other than that the course is a full on top notch track. Aviara has moved into a top 3 courses I've played.

I can't say enough good things about this corse I played by myself after the rates went down so I saved some money Besides being beautiful it's interesting and when played from the proper tees is fair for every golfer Don't miss this place if your in San Diego

Aviara remains a premier golf property but comes at a price. Cost is about 20% over where it should be.

Some of the greens were punched and sanded. Not mentioned by the starter which was a surprise.

Great course design. Fast greens, good shots are good and most missed shots can be found a played. To me that is the mark of an enjoyable course. Of course the water shots are gone. As far as conditions and quality for the price, this course is the best available in No. County San Diego.

The staff, the course and the overall environment is spot on. Right from arrival we were made to feel comfortable and welcomed. I will recommend this course to everyone and anyone. I will certainly be back.

We had a great golfing experience! Pricing was a little steep but I would go back! The course was in excellent condition. We had a unique experience playing with a young lady who was going to qualify for the upcoming LPGA event being held at that course. She would hit different shots and try different putts to get a lay of the land. This took time and we had good Golfers behind us so I was feeling a little uneasy. She was very nice and I appreciated her game!!! We also played with a member who could help point out areas to avoid. We have told our friends to go and play this course. Many of us are her at a Convention. Next time back in the area we will be back to play!!!

this course is among the best in the country. the only issue is that most people want to save the bucks and play twilight...bad idea on busy days...we finished at dark...barely.

Worth every penny

Beautiful and challenging course. Course is well maintained and the staff was outstanding. Cart path only due to recent rains but pace of play was still good. Starter gave us some tips and he was spot on! Will be back to play again!!

Took advantage of an early teetime being available after Super Bowl Sunday and a poor weather forecast which probably persuaded some pre-booked players to cancel! Being from the UK a spot of wind and rain doesn't phase me and as it turned out the weather was very benign. This was fortunate because even playing of the Green tee, 6,600 yards the coures plays really long, and that's when you're hitting from the short stuff! Never hit some many 200yd approach shots. That said the ball sits up on perfect fairways which helps. First cut of semi is fine but stray into the proper rough and you've no chance of moving the ball far enough.

Greens were perfect although my playing partners (locals who know the course) said they were a bit slow! I'd watched plenty of the Pros playing the Farmers miss short puts and blaming the type of grass, powana? but for me they were excellent surfaces.

Green fees are high for non San Diego residents but I felt I got value for money in playing a US Open venue (quite well) and am looking forward to seeing the course on TV again so I can regale my friends with where I hit my shots relative to where the pros are!!

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.