Must See Golf Courses in San Diego

No matter the season, great golfing weather is waiting for you in San Diego. No matter how far away you live, it's but a short trip to San Diego, California where you can satisfy your urge to play a great round of golf. San Diego County is home to over 90 golf courses, including dozens of impeccably designed, challenging courses all within a short drive. There are three luxurious courses ion particular that stand out for the sun starved golf vacationer who's suffering through a long winter or the golf aficionado who's looking for their next challenge.

Just twenty minutes north of downtown San Diego, along a rugged, majestic stretch of coastline is Torrey Pines Golf Course, which is host of the annual Buick Invitational and also the 2008 US Open Championship, and possibly the finest municipal course in the country. Two 18 hole championship courses (the North course and the South course) designed by William Bell and redesigned by Rees Jones offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and require accurate driving, precise shot making, and navigation of tricky putting surfaces.

Tucked snugly away in a sun drenched valley a half hour northeast of San Diego is Barona Creek Golf Club, an immaculately maintained, links style course that will challenge all aspects of your game. This Gary Roger Baird designed course has over 100 bunkers, punishing rough, and spectacular views of rolling hills and flowing streams. The brutal wind at Barona can add or subtract 40 yards on any given hole, requiring long and accurate tee shots in order to carry hazards. The same winds that make teeing off a challenge can dry out the greens, making for slippery downhill putts and denying any attempts to land an approach shot on the green.

Another course in town that is consistently rated among the best is the Maderas Golf Club, another course well worth the visit. Located a short drive from Torrey Pines Golf Course, this Robert Jones designed course is a challenge from the beginner to the zero handicapped player. This challenging course offers scenic vistas and requires accurate shot making from tee to green. Maderas is another must visit on the list of courses to play for the golf enthusiast who comes to San Diego.

These courses are a sample of many incredible golf courses throughout the county. A golf enthusiast can spend a month in San Diego and still not discover all the gems available in the county. No matter your skill level, a golf trip to San Diego may not leave you with a low round on your scorecard, but the memories will more than make up for it.