Top Picks for Golf – San Diego Area

Our Boomer Life Top five favourite Golf Courses in San Diego

 

There are more than 600 public courses to play scattered throughout California. So much golf. This  area is loaded and we have played many. If you are looking to travel to the San Diego area, our top picks suggest challenging unique courses to suit your game and your budget.

 

1. Aviara – The Park Hyatt Resort, Golf Club and Spa  offers this beautiful 18 hole golf course that runs along the pacific ocean coastline in Carlsbad California. This Arnold Palmer course has been home of the LPGA KIA classic and rated 5 star. ***** Golf digest has rated them one of the best in America. The lush flowers and waterfalls will distract you on this very difficult course but the memories you make will last a lifetime.                                       http://www.golfaviara.com
2. Maderas – This course makes our list every year.We can play and replay this course and never get tired of it.The clubhouse is bright and welcoming first thing in the morning. This Troon team is professional and deliver a great golf experience. The diverse landscape will take your breath away where each hole is very unique with long rolling fairways. Maderas has been a top rated course in California since 2000. “Every hole will bring its own reward.”        http://www.maderasgolf.com  #withmytrooncard
3. Steele Canyon – this course was recommended by a stranger.THANK YOU. “It was a wonderful day of golf.”  It is in Jamul, south of the typical inland empire but what a beautiful surprise, it has 5 star views. There are 27 holes designed by Gary Player. First is the Canyon course with some dramatic elevations. The Ranch course winds through a working ranch and the Vineyard course stretches along the valley floor. Gary always adds unique south African trees  to the landscape.                                                                                      http://www.steelecanyon.com
4. The Journey at Pechanga –Golfweek ranking The Journey #25th Best Public Course in California.                                                             We discovered this 5 star “thrilling”golf experience in the Temecula wine country. The Pechanga Resort and casino is wholly owned by the Pechanga Band and opened in 2002. In 2015 , a $285 million dollar expansion was started which adds to this AAA Four Diamond award winner. There are mountain holes 300 feet above the valley and you will drive more than 7 miles of cart paths and wooden bridges to” play golf on another level”.      http://www.pechanga.com
5. La Costa Golf Resort & Spa is in the Omni Resort group. There are legendary stories from the beginning of the resort being built as a retreat for the family. Legendary players have all played here. There are two courses, the Champions Course and the Legends Course which must contribute to the great pace of play. The course winds through condo developments and homes but does not detract from your game. Elevated greens and water come into play. Locals love this course, it has so much history and character. There is a stay and play offer which may be very interesting.                                            http://www.lacostaresort.com

All of these courses are playable and they will thrill you and challenge you, just play from the right tees and enjoy.

always in friendship,

Lyle & Wendy

 

Diamante – Top Golf in Paradise

The Dunes clubhouse view at sunset.

It has an unsuspecting turn down a dusty narrow road that seems to lead to the pacific ocean. Suddenly a gateway, built of stone and iron, appears behind rows of palm trees, flowers and paved road. The staff are friendly but wary. The dog Cabo waits for further instructions. We pass after a warm welcome, back at last to some of the most premiere golf in the world.  There is a masterful course that was designed by Davis Love 3rd called the Dunes Course, and rightly so. This course travels along the natural sandy landscape that edges the bright blue sparkling waters of the pacific ocean. The second course to be completed was El Cardonal, designed by Tiger Woods. It is built on the hill side and overlooks the Dune course with peeks at the ocean and bountiful bunkers and greens that challenge even the best golfers.

We started watching this course and condo development about four years ago and we were lucky enough to play these private courses over the years. Multi million dollar homes are sprinkled along the Dunes course facing out to the sea. A brand new beach club and sleek modern condos and suites are being built directly on the beach with a marvellous pool and spa.The quiet peace of our luxury villa points to the pacific ocean. There are fresh breezes and spectacular sunsets here every day. You can hear the wind in the palm trees and the whales are jumping and splashing just inside our view. What you will not find is lots of traffic, noise and stress. This is a remote quiet retreat, mostly focussed on the golfer north of Cabo San Lucas.

The Dunes course has been rated #36 for golf courses in the world in 2017. It starts with the practice range, a great supply of taylormade golf balls with Diamante logo are staged neatly to the side of each secluded practice enclave. Music is playing to encourage tempo and positive vibes. There are superior bags of  rental clubs available if needed. Try a smoothie or breakfast sandwich with fruit before you start for the first tee.

What a Caddie Knows…..

The caddies are waiting on the range. They oversee the clubs and skills of various guests and wait for the opportunity to join in the game today. My first experience with a caddie was at this course, I was intimidated and fearful that my game may not measure up to such specialists. We had a joyful day with a graceful, hardworking and very talented and knowledgeable young man that shared our passion for golf. If you ever get an opportunity to hire a caddie for a first time game on a very special course, just do it! They help with club selection, targets to aim at as well as key putting strategies and finding your wayward golf ball.

What Kind of Player are you?

The Dunes Course -7022 yards

I love this beach  course, it plays to the natural landscape with sandy dunes and waste bunkers , gorgeous green rolling fairways and the most challenging greens. The views to the ocean will leave you breathless. The hospitality on the course is superior. Golf professionals greet you and take you to the first tee box, snacks and beverages are available throughout the game at stone casitas with shutters and  tile. Its more like coming home to fresh made soup, burritos, sliders and margaritas. When the day comes to a close on hole eighteen there will be a golf pro waiting for you, holding the flagstick and sharing the excitement of the final putts, ensuring your satisfaction and thanking you for joining them at the course.

El Cardonal  Course- 7363 yards

This course, designed by Tiger Woods is unsuspecting at first look. Running along the hillside this course encouraging smart club choices over canyons and wash. The fairways are long and rolling.  The distance plays longer than it looks. The greens are very difficult to read and great fun to play. (the caddie comes in handy for a read…) The clubhouse has a welcoming view to the ocean but jumping whales and cruise ships can be a distraction. Bougainvillea edges the rocky walls down to the wide open practice area. The cactus stand tall in the sun , it can be very hot and the ocean breezes may come into play. Grab a smoothie to start the round , you will meet many friendly golfers and club professionals at the first tee and the friendly staff will once again meet you on the 18th green to celebrate your best day in paradise.

Tiger tails at El Cardonal.

The Oasis – Short Course Par 3 – 1124 yards

Put on your walking shoes and carry your clubs around this short 12 hole par 3 course. It is a different experience playing only 41 to 143 yards on some holes. It reminds all of us just how simply golf began, one shot at a time.

There will be more opportunities to access this exclusive area in the future as the Nobu and Hard rock Café hotels are currently under construction within the Diamante property. http://www.hardrockhotels.com

Diamante is a one of the most unique and unforgettable golf experiences in Latin America. The dramatic and challenging venue is built on the sand and next to the sea and rightly earns it 2017 rise to No. 36 on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the world.

If you want to know more about this beautiful destination, please contact us.

Enjoy every day,

Lyle & Wendy

@ourboomerlife     ourboomerlifeclub      http://www.ourboomerlife.net