Golf in San Diego

On any given day, it would be difficult to find a better place to play golf than San Diego. The climate—generally sunny, without a lot of wind—is perfect for the sport, and there are some 90 courses in the area, appealing to every level of expertise. Experienced golfers can play the same greens as PGA-tournament participants, and beginners or rusty players can book a week at a golf resort and benefit from expert instruction. You'd also be hard-pressed to find a locale that has more scenic courses—everything from sweeping views of the ocean to verdant hills inland.

During busy vacation seasons it can be difficult to get a good tee-off time. Call in advance to see if it's possible to make a reservation. You don't necessarily have to stay at a resort to play its course; check if the one you're interested in is open to nonguests. Most public courses in the area provide a list of fees for all San Diego courses. The Southern California Golf Association (818/980-3630. www.scga.org) publishes an annual directory ($15) with detailed and valuable information on all clubs. Another good resource for golfers is the Public Links Golf Association of Southern California (714/994-4747. www.plga.org), which details the region's public courses on its Web site. Many courses offer discounts for San Diego and Southern California residents.

The PGA Buick Invitational (619/281-4653. www.buickinvitational.com) brings the pros to the Torrey Pines Golf Course in late January or early February.

Courses

The following is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but provides suggestions for some of the best places to play in the area. The adult public's green fees are included for each course; carts (in some cases mandatory), instruction, and other costs are additional. Rates go down during twilight hours.

Arrowood Golf Course (5201A Village Dr., Oceanside, 92057. 760/967-8400. www.arrowoodgolf.com) is a peaceful coastal links that opened in 2005 in Oceanside, right beside a nature preserve. It's one of the most scenic new layouts in the region. Green fees: $85-$110.

The Balboa Park Municipal Golf Course (2600 Golf Course Dr., Balboa Park, 92102. 619/235-1184. www.balboaparkgolf.com) is in the heart of Balboa Park, making it convenient for downtown visitors. Green fees: $21-$35.

Coronado Municipal Golf Course (2000 Visalia Row, Coronado, 92118. 619/435-3121. www.golfcoronado.com) has 18 holes, a driving range and putting green, equipment rentals, and a snack bar and sit-down restaurant. Views of San Diego Bay and the Coronado Bridge from the back 9 make it popular—but rather difficult to get on unless you reserve a tee time, 3 to 14 days in advance, for an additional $38. Green fees themselves are $25.

Cottonwood at Rancho San Diego Golf Club (3121 Willow Glen Rd., El Cajon, 92019. 619/442-9891 or 800/455-1902. www.cottonwoodgolf.com) has a driving range, rentals, a restaurant, and two 18-hole courses. The Lakes course is the less challenging of the two, but features 10 lakes. Ivanhoe often hosts tournaments. Both are good walking courses, and have nice practice putting greens. Green fees: $15-$59. On weekend mornings tee times include non-optional cart rental. Guaranteed tee times can be made up to 60 days in advance for $10.

Eastlake Country Club (2375 Clubhouse Dr., Chula Vista, 91915. 619/482-5757. www.eastlakecountryclub.com) has 18 holes, a driving range, equipment rentals, and a snack bar. A fun course for golfers of almost all levels of expertise, it's not overly difficult despite the water hazards. Green fees: $69-$89.

Encinitas Ranch (1275 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, 92024. 760/944-1936. www.jcgolf.com), tucked away in the former flower fields of coastal North County, is a hilly course that offers beautiful views of the Pacific as you play its championship 18 holes. Green fees: $67-$87.

Mission Bay Golf Resort (2702 N. Mission Bay Dr., Mission Bay, 92109. 858/581-7880) has 18 holes, a driving range, equipment rentals, and a snack bar. A not-very-challenging executive (par 3 and 4) course, Mission Bay is lighted for night play with final tee time at 7:45 pm for 9 holes. Green fees: $15-$28.

Mount Woodson Golf Club (16422 N. Woodson Dr., Ramona, 92065. 760/788-3555. www.jcgolf.com/courses-woodson.php) has 18 holes, equipment rentals, a golf shop, and a snack bar. This heavily wooded course in the hilly area off Highway 67 has scenic views and wooden bridges. Green fees: $72-$92, with a discount for SoCal residents.

Torrey Pines Golf Course (11480 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, 92037. 858/452-3226 or 800/985-4653. www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com) has a driving range and equipment rentals, and is one of the best public golf courses in the United States. Home to the 2008 U.S. Open and the site of the Buick Invitational since 1968, Torrey Pines has views of the Pacific from many of its 36 holes. The par-72 South Course receives rave reviews from the touring pros. Re-designed by Rees Jones, it has more length and more challenges than the North Course and, fittingly, commands higher green fees. Tee times may be booked from 8 to 90 days in advance through the city at 877/581-7171. A full-day or half-day Instructional Golf Playing Package includes cart, green fee, and a golf-pro escort for the first 9 holes. Green fee on the South Course run $174-$218, the North Course $95-$119.

Resorts

Barona Creek (1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd., Lakeside, 92040. 619/387-7018. www.barona.com) in East County is one of the newer resorts in the area. Hilly terrain and regular winds add to the challenge. Fast greens will test your finesse. If your game is on, you can always see if your luck holds in the adjacent casino. Green fees: $120-$200.

Carlton Oaks Lodge and Country Club (9200 Inwood Dr., Santee, 92071. 619/448-4242. www.carltonoaksgolf.com) has 18 holes, a driving range, equipment rentals, a clubhouse, a restaurant, and a bar. Many local qualifying tournaments are held at this difficult Pete Dye-designed course with lots of trees and water hazards. Carts are included. Green fees: $77-$97. County residents get a break.

Doubletree Golf Resort San Diego (14455 Peñasquitos Dr., Rancho Peñasquitos, 92129. 858/672-9100. www.doubletree.com), a fairly hilly, well-maintained course in inland North County, has 18 holes, a short-game practice facility, equipment rentals, and a clubhouse with restaurant. Green fees: $60-$80.

Four Seasons Aviara Golf Club (7100 Four Seasons Point, Carlsbad, 92011. 760/603-6800. www.fourseasons.com) is a top-quality course with 18 holes (designed by Arnold Palmer), a driving range, equipment rentals, and views of the protected adjacent Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. Carts fitted with GPS systems that tell you the distance to the pin, among other features, are included in the cost. Green fees: $215-$235.

La Costa Resort and Spa (2100 Costa del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, 92009. 760/438-9111 or 800/854-5000. www.lacosta.com), one of the premier golf resorts in Southern California, has two 18-hole PGA-rated courses, a driving range, a clubhouse, equipment rentals, an excellent golf school, and a pro shop. After a full day on the links you can wind down with a massage, steam bath, and dinner at the exclusive spa resort that shares this verdant property. Green fees: $195-$205, with a discount for resort guests.

Morgan Run Resort and Club (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe, 92091. 858/756-2471. www.morganrun.com), a very popular walking course near polo grounds and stables, has 27 holes (for members, members' guests, and resort guests only) that can be played in three combinations of 9; a driving range; equipment rentals; and a pro shop. Green fees: $100-$120 for resort guests.

Rancho Bernardo Inn and Country Club (17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr., Rancho Bernardo, 92128. 858/675-8470 Ext. 1. www.ranchobernardoinn.com) has an 18-hole course, driving range, equipment rentals, and a restaurant; the course is managed by JC Golf, which has a golf school as well as several other respected courses throughout Southern California open to guests of Rancho Bernardo Inn. The restaurant here, El Bizcocho, lays out one of the best Sunday brunches in the county. Green fees: $85-$110.

Redhawk (45100 Redhawk Pkwy., Temecula, 92592. 951/302-3850 or 800/451-4295. www.redhawkgolfcourse.com) has 18 holes in an arboretum-like setting, a driving range, a putting green, and a restaurant. The par-72 course offers enough challenges to have earned a four-star rating from Golf Digest and a top 10 ranking from California Golf Magazine. Green fees: $70-$90.

Sycuan Resort & Casino (3007 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon, 92019. 619/442-3425 or 800/457-5568. www.sycuancasino.com) comes highly recommended by anyone who's played here, and is one of Golf Digest's favorites. There are 54 holes, a driving range, equipment rentals, tennis courts, a lodge, and restaurants. Hackers will love the executive par-3 course; seasoned golfers can play the championship courses. Green fees: $18-$92.