Torrey Pines South course - Playing there in a couple weeks

[pingeye]

I have a business trip in that area in a couple weeks. Called the course to check tee times for the South course on the Monday I arrive and the shop said to come on out. I'm planning to play in the early afternoon. Really looking forward to playing it.

 

I'm sure there are members that have played it, what are your thoughts on it and the condition of it this month.

[Chilidog]

It's in good condition. Don't get your hopes up for it being one of the best courses you've played. Outside of the views, not a great course.

[jimwgt26]

I really liked it. Is it worth $230? No. But, if your a golf-a-holic, you'll love it.

[pingeye]

Since I can't get out there early I'm taking advantage of their twilight rate

I think it was around $110 for non-resident and then $60 for club rental but for the views and the opportunity to play it, it should be a good time.

thanks

[golfnhack]

I have played it about 50+ times.... as a resident... for $54-$74.

Personally, I would NEVER pay $230 (without cart BTW) to play there as a non resident.

Save yourself $150 and go play Pauma Valley instead. Your round won't be 5+ hours, and the course is a better course. You can then gamble the $150 at the casino there.

[RSinSG]

Played it once and don't need to do that again. I'm glad I did it mind you, but like others here and in other threads have said it's does not live up to the hype.

[tnord]

i played it a week ago at full-tilt-boogie $230 weekend rates, i don't regret it a bit.

i understand some of the criticism it gets, and no, without the US Open history, it's not worth what it costs to play. it's a GOOD course, and i think it's harder than it looks from the tee, but it's not going to blow you away or anything. it's a sprawling, big, wide course. you can blast it about anywhere off the tee, find it, and hit it again. but the greens are well protected and to score well you do need to play well.

i was going to play it on thurs and save $50, but the wife had other plans for us on thurs and said she didn't care about the extra coin.

it was in really good shape for a muni i thought, especially considering the water problems this year. walk it, enjoy the views, and don't give a hoot about your score.

[sharkiesj]

Pauma Valley is a private golf club. Unless his pro makes arrangements for him,PV is a no go.

[av1084]

When do you have to show up to get a twilight time?

[pingeye]

After 2:00 I believe.

[awr_84]

I'd suggest you call and lock down that 2pm tee time. There will be a non-refundable deposit when you book.

Last summer I went to San Diego and had my buddy who's a resident grab us a spot. He said he called 75+ times before he was able to get thru using their resident only automated system. Just goes to show how much play the course gets on a daily basis. Granted that was for a Saturday afternoon round but still, better to be safe than sorry.

We played on August 16, tee'd off at 2pm exactly and barely had enough sunlight to finish. The approach on 18 needed the entire groups attention to confirm where the ball ended up. You'll be playing in the middle of September where sunset is before 7pm. Just be prepared that you may finish in the dark.

I'd also recommend to walk the course. Some holes offer spectacular views, especially #4. On that hole I hit my second shot left and it was flirting with the boundary line. A hang glider flies over "hey......" Then he turns around for another pass "I saw your ball land by that tree....." Glides away. It was an awesome experience. If I recall, it's a cart path only course. You'll miss out if you're stuck keeping the cart on the asphalt.

Like many other members said, it's a bucket list course at best. Tee it up, soak it all in and take the memories home with you. There are so many other amazing public courses that it should not be on your radar during your next trip to San Diego.

[double or triple?]

Unless you're a resident, they probably won't let you prebook a twilight time you will have to reach someone that is having a really good day and the non refundable fee is $43 for out of towners. I agree there are some great views and actually Torrey is a "drive in the fairway, exit once through the rough" type course until prep begins for the Farmers.

[micha]

Torrey is a better course than it gets credit for. Holes like 3,4,7,13,14,17 are really solid holes with some of them sitting on the bluffs above Pacific. The greens are complex and there will be a couple very difficult pins every time out. Its also a very walkable course with tons of history as you know.

[tnord]

[quote name='micha' timestamp='1441668383' post='12277680']
Torrey is a better course than it gets credit for. Holes like 3,4,7,13,14,17 are really solid holes with some of them sitting on the bluffs above Pacific. The greens are complex and there will be a couple very difficult pins every time out. Its also a very walkable course with tons of history as you know.
[/quote]

i agree with this, and i think it gets picked on somewhat because visually, from the tee, the course itself (ignoring the coastline) is not that impressive. but i think that once you play a few holes, i noticed that at least the areas where I wanted to put my tee shot were well bunkered, the fairways narrowed up, and there was a preferred shape to your tee shot.

the greens are great, and many of them are not all that big, especially considering the length of many of the holes. for sure there are some pins where you don't want to be on the wrong portion of the green or else you're looking at a 5-10ft 2nd putt at best. add in the wet kikuya rough we had for our 6am tee time, and what looks like a "bomb it anywhere and wedge it to the green" course from the teebox turns into something that requires some precision.

don't get me wrong, it's not cracking my top 5 or anything, and you CAN play better for the price, but it's a very enjoyable bucket-list type day that i'm glad i did.

[av1084]

Thanks for everyone's input. Sorry to harp on the twilight thing - while I understand it's after 2:00pm, do you have to show up at 6am to lock that down? Or noon? Or is it pretty much impossible to walk up for?

[double or triple?]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1441736857' post='12282022']
Thanks for everyone's input. Sorry to harp on the twilight thing - while I understand it's after 2:00pm, do you have to show up at 6am to lock that down? Or noon? Or is it pretty much impossible to walk up for?
[/quote]

I believe the wait list for twilight starts around 11ish but might depend on what's going on day of play.

[markheardjr]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1441736857' post='12282022']
Thanks for everyone's input. Sorry to harp on the twilight thing - while I understand it's after 2:00pm, do you have to show up at 6am to lock that down? Or noon? Or is it pretty much impossible to walk up for?
[/quote]
Locals show up at dark and get on the twilight wait list. If you come at noon and get on the list don't expect to finish and its a shame because 18 is a famous hole and the easiest birdie on the course so you will need it for your score!

Also, check Greenskeeper.org to make sure they don't punch before you go. April/October is aeration season in SoCal.

[Chilidog]

18 is probably the worst hole on the course. In fact, they may have the worst collection of par fives of any famous course. I mean, just got awful and uneventful. 13 is the best of them and it isn't good by any stretch.

[markheardjr]

Too many snobs on here. Just go play it. It is worth it. You won't see pro's on TV playing all these other courses people mention. Torrey is a bit like Firestone. Mostly long, fairly straight, and pretty much open except for some really tall trees lining fairways here and there. You bring your best, it requires it. You just hit good tee shots to set up approach angles around the bunkering trouble. It requires thought from tee to green. Then ocean putting on some well terraced greens make from some subtle breaks.

I think people want to dislike Torrey because they play poorly there, or they think it is too difficult. But they wouldn't come out and say it like that. They blame it on conditions or length of the round. But I've never once played at Torrey with a tourist who was complaining the whole entire round. They are excited and love it through the first holes along the water and they hold on for dear life for the tough sledding around the track.

If you're a snob with money to burn, sure, go ahead and play Aviara, Maderas, or some other $200+ place. I've played those places. Most holes are forgettable. I can remember every hole at Torrey. The birdie holes, the bogey holes. You'll remember your round at Torrey. At Aviara it might be great conditions but when you go back to wherever you came from, noone else is going to say "Wow, you played Aviara!? No way!? How was it??" Every place in America has really really nice public access/resort courses in the upper $150-$300 range. They all have top notch country club type conditions. But not all have hosted a major, or have ocean coast line, or history everyone knows.

If you think 18 is a terrible par 5 you're high. Reachable by most longer hitters, if you are willing to flirt with the pond. So many great shots have been hit there. Tiger's putt to tie Rocco. Phil having Bones pull the stick. People making eagle or sucking back layed up wedges into the drink from the green. Bailout to the right if you try with the Torrey Pines craftsman style lodge along the approach. Not sure where you play, what does it take for a par 5 to be great? Elevation change? Narrow/wide/narrow/wide fairway design? Nah, flat raw distance required, with fairway bunkering on both side as to not favor any golfer. That is a good hole.

[golferdrmjr]

[quote name='markheardjr' timestamp='1441831802' post='12289284']
Too many snobs on here. Just go play it. It is worth it. You won't see pro's on TV playing all these other courses people mention. Torrey is a bit like Firestone. Mostly long, fairly straight, and pretty much open except for some really tall trees lining fairways here and there. You bring your best, it requires it. You just hit good tee shots to set up approach angles around the bunkering trouble. It requires thought from tee to green. Then ocean putting on some well terraced greens make from some subtle breaks.

I think people want to dislike Torrey because they play poorly there, or they think it is too difficult. But they wouldn't come out and say it like that. They blame it on conditions or length of the round. But I've never once played at Torrey with a tourist who was complaining the whole entire round. They are excited and love it through the first holes along the water and they hold on for dear life for the tough sledding around the track.

If you're a snob with money to burn, sure, go ahead and play Aviara, Maderas, or some other $200+ place. I've played those places. Most holes are forgettable. I can remember every hole at Torrey. The birdie holes, the bogey holes. You'll remember your round at Torrey. At Aviara it might be great conditions but when you go back to wherever you came from, noone else is going to say "Wow, you played Aviara!? No way!? How was it??" Every place in America has really really nice public access/resort courses in the upper $150-$300 range. They all have top notch country club type conditions. But not all have hosted a major, or have ocean coast line, or history everyone knows.

If you think 18 is a terrible par 5 you're high. Reachable by most longer hitters, if you are willing to flirt with the pond. So many great shots have been hit there. Tiger's putt to tie Rocco. Phil having Bones pull the stick. People making eagle or sucking back layed up wedges into the drink from the green. Bailout to the right if you try with the Torrey Pines craftsman style lodge along the approach. Not sure where you play, what does it take for a par 5 to be great? Elevation change? Narrow/wide/narrow/wide fairway design? Nah, flat raw distance required, with fairway bunkering on both side as to not favor any golfer. That is a good hole.
[/quote]Well said Mark! I'm right there with you. I've played Torrey with dozens of tourists from all over the U.S. and other countries, and they have all been glad they played there. Never hear one of them say they wished they had played Aviara instead.

[double or triple?]

[quote name='golferdrmjr' timestamp='1441833592' post='12289466']
[quote name='markheardjr' timestamp='1441831802' post='12289284']
Too many snobs on here. Just go play it. It is worth it. You won't see pro's on TV playing all these other courses people mention. Torrey is a bit like Firestone. Mostly long, fairly straight, and pretty much open except for some really tall trees lining fairways here and there. You bring your best, it requires it. You just hit good tee shots to set up approach angles around the bunkering trouble. It requires thought from tee to green. Then ocean putting on some well terraced greens make from some subtle breaks.

I think people want to dislike Torrey because they play poorly there, or they think it is too difficult. But they wouldn't come out and say it like that. They blame it on conditions or length of the round. But I've never once played at Torrey with a tourist who was complaining the whole entire round. They are excited and love it through the first holes along the water and they hold on for dear life for the tough sledding around the track.

If you're a snob with money to burn, sure, go ahead and play Aviara, Maderas, or some other $200+ place. I've played those places. Most holes are forgettable. I can remember every hole at Torrey. The birdie holes, the bogey holes. You'll remember your round at Torrey. At Aviara it might be great conditions but when you go back to wherever you came from, noone else is going to say "Wow, you played Aviara!? No way!? How was it??" Every place in America has really really nice public access/resort courses in the upper $150-$300 range. They all have top notch country club type conditions. But not all have hosted a major, or have ocean coast line, or history everyone knows.

If you think 18 is a terrible par 5 you're high. Reachable by most longer hitters, if you are willing to flirt with the pond. So many great shots have been hit there. Tiger's putt to tie Rocco. Phil having Bones pull the stick. People making eagle or sucking back layed up wedges into the drink from the green. Bailout to the right if you try with the Torrey Pines craftsman style lodge along the approach. Not sure where you play, what does it take for a par 5 to be great? Elevation change? Narrow/wide/narrow/wide fairway design? Nah, flat raw distance required, with fairway bunkering on both side as to not favor any golfer. That is a good hole.
[/quote]Well said Mark! I'm right there with you. I've played Torrey with dozens of tourists from all over the U.S. and other countries, and they have all been glad they played there. Never hear one of them say they wished they had played Aviara instead.
[/quote]

I think that's why most get stuck on the fact that it's nothing fancy. It isn't. It's just a straight up golf course that will bite you in the @ss if you're not pay attention or think you can over power it.

[jimwgt26]

I'm one of the tourists who had a great time, even when the fog rolled in.

[sharkiesj]

[quote name='markheardjr' timestamp='1441831802' post='12289284']
Too many snobs on here. Just go play it. It is worth it. You won't see pro's on TV playing all these other courses people mention. Torrey is a bit like Firestone. Mostly long, fairly straight, and pretty much open except for some really tall trees lining fairways here and there. You bring your best, it requires it. You just hit good tee shots to set up approach angles around the bunkering trouble. It requires thought from tee to green. Then ocean putting on some well terraced greens make from some subtle breaks.

I think people want to dislike Torrey because they play poorly there, or they think it is too difficult. But they wouldn't come out and say it like that. They blame it on conditions or length of the round. But I've never once played at Torrey with a tourist who was complaining the whole entire round. They are excited and love it through the first holes along the water and they hold on for dear life for the tough sledding around the track.

If you're a snob with money to burn, sure, go ahead and play Aviara, Maderas, or some other $200+ place. I've played those places. Most holes are forgettable. I can remember every hole at Torrey. The birdie holes, the bogey holes. You'll remember your round at Torrey. At Aviara it might be great conditions but when you go back to wherever you came from, noone else is going to say "Wow, you played Aviara!? No way!? How was it??" Every place in America has really really nice public access/resort courses in the upper $150-$300 range. They all have top notch country club type conditions. But not all have hosted a major, or have ocean coast line, or history everyone knows.

If you think 18 is a terrible par 5 you're high. Reachable by most longer hitters, if you are willing to flirt with the pond. So many great shots have been hit there. Tiger's putt to tie Rocco. Phil having Bones pull the stick. People making eagle or sucking back layed up wedges into the drink from the green. Bailout to the right if you try with the Torrey Pines craftsman style lodge along the approach. Not sure where you play, what does it take for a par 5 to be great? Elevation change? Narrow/wide/narrow/wide fairway design? Nah, flat raw distance required, with fairway bunkering on both side as to not favor any golfer. That is a good hole.
[/quote]

Nailed it. That was well-thought, lucid, to-the-point, without a hint of psycho-crazy at all. Best post I've read in the Courses section in quite awhile.

[Chilidog]

Well, count me as one of those people that must be high then. I feel like people that say things in the post above don't have a reference for playing truly great golf courses. To address your points:

1) I would play Aviara every day and twice on Sunday over Torrey. Are you going around the world playing courses just to tell your buddies you played there? Seriously? I don't need that kind of self assurance. I want to play truly great golf courses. When I played Bandon and Pacific back in 05, do you think I cared if my buddies ever heard of it? It was one of the most memorable trips of my life and my buddies are just getting up to speed on it.

2) Torrey is dead straight. Outside of 6, which has a 15 degree turn to the right, every hole is dead straight. How in the world is that a great golf course? Take the Pacific Ocean away and put it in Idaho. Are you going out of your way to play that course??

3) 18 is the most rudimentary par 5, I've played. In fact, I've never made birdie there in probably a dozen times I've played it. You are probably wondering why I've played it so much if I don't like it. I have customers up in Carlsbad that won't pay the ridiculous price to play it so when I come into town, I take them down. The greens are usually so firm you can't rip a ball back into the water. Almost everyone lays up and hits a PW/SW in. It had a man made 30x30 ft pond that looks ridiculously misplaced. Great par 5s should have true risk/reward. Not 99% of all golfers laying up. You need 1/3 of all golfers going for it and bringing the big number into play.

4) Take away the narrow fairways, ridiculous rough, length and tiny greens....you just tried to build a straight Bethpage Black which I also think is a terrible design. If you have to make narrow fairways with thick rough to protect your golf course, you don't have much of a course.

I need to come down off this buzz...

[tnord]

based on where I play every day, I think I have a pretty good frame of reference for what a great golf course is. regardless, i don't think anyone is saying torrey is "great." i think people are saying it's worth playing, if only once.

your point #2 is exactly why i think people beat on it. standing on the teebox there typically isn't a lot of "drama." the strategy of the course is more subtle than that.

[golfnhack]

[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1441841975' post='12290118']
Well, count me as one of those people that must be high then. I feel like people that say things in the post above don't have a reference for playing truly great golf courses. To address your points:

1) I would play Aviara every day and twice on Sunday over Torrey. Are you going around the world playing courses just to tell your buddies you played there? Seriously? I don't need that kind of self assurance. I want to play truly great golf courses. When I played Bandon and Pacific back in 05, do you think I cared if my buddies ever heard of it? It was one of the most memorable trips of my life and my buddies are just getting up to speed on it.

2) Torrey is dead straight. Outside of 6, which has a 15 degree turn to the right, every hole is dead straight. How in the world is that a great golf course? Take the Pacific Ocean away and put it in Idaho. Are you going out of your way to play that course??

3) 18 is the most rudimentary par 5, I've played. In fact, I've never made birdie there in probably a dozen times I've played it. You are probably wondering why I've played it so much if I don't like it. I have customers up in Carlsbad that won't pay the ridiculous price to play it so when I come into town, I take them down. The greens are usually so firm you can't rip a ball back into the water. Almost everyone lays up and hits a PW/SW in. It had a man made 30x30 ft pond that looks ridiculously misplaced. Great par 5s should have true risk/reward. Not 99% of all golfers laying up. You need 1/3 of all golfers going for it and bringing the big number into play.

4) Take away the narrow fairways, ridiculous rough, length and tiny greens....you just tried to build a straight Bethpage Black which I also think is a terrible design. If you have to make narrow fairways with thick rough to protect your golf course, you don't have much of a course.

I need to come down off this buzz...
[/quote]

Whoa..... Beth Page Black is a terrible design? Seriously. I have had the pleasure of playing there 4 times. I have played Torrey South probably 60 times. BPB is on a whoooooooole different level than TPS. It makes TPS look like a goat track, both condition and design wise. I have NEVER heard anyone call BPB a "Terrible design". Just the contrary. It has a wonderful combination of holes. Numerous doglegs, up hill holes, downhill holes. Sorry, but I STRONGLY disagree with you here.

[pingeye]

Thanks for "everyone's" input. Interesting information. I am still planning to play it (Bucket List) so thanks to all for your insight on the course. I am planning to walk it and will try to confirm my tee time early next week for the 21st. Hopefully I can get on and get all 18 holes in.

[Chilidog]

[quote name='golfnhack' timestamp='1441893118' post='12292874']
[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1441841975' post='12290118']
Well, count me as one of those people that must be high then. I feel like people that say things in the post above don't have a reference for playing truly great golf courses. To address your points:

1) I would play Aviara every day and twice on Sunday over Torrey. Are you going around the world playing courses just to tell your buddies you played there? Seriously? I don't need that kind of self assurance. I want to play truly great golf courses. When I played Bandon and Pacific back in 05, do you think I cared if my buddies ever heard of it? It was one of the most memorable trips of my life and my buddies are just getting up to speed on it.

2) Torrey is dead straight. Outside of 6, which has a 15 degree turn to the right, every hole is dead straight. How in the world is that a great golf course? Take the Pacific Ocean away and put it in Idaho. Are you going out of your way to play that course??

3) 18 is the most rudimentary par 5, I've played. In fact, I've never made birdie there in probably a dozen times I've played it. You are probably wondering why I've played it so much if I don't like it. I have customers up in Carlsbad that won't pay the ridiculous price to play it so when I come into town, I take them down. The greens are usually so firm you can't rip a ball back into the water. Almost everyone lays up and hits a PW/SW in. It had a man made 30x30 ft pond that looks ridiculously misplaced. Great par 5s should have true risk/reward. Not 99% of all golfers laying up. You need 1/3 of all golfers going for it and bringing the big number into play.

4) Take away the narrow fairways, ridiculous rough, length and tiny greens....you just tried to build a straight Bethpage Black which I also think is a terrible design. If you have to make narrow fairways with thick rough to protect your golf course, you don't have much of a course.

I need to come down off this buzz...
[/quote]

Whoa..... Beth Page Black is a terrible design? Seriously. I have had the pleasure of playing there 4 times. I have played Torrey South probably 60 times. BPB is on a whoooooooole different level than TPS. It makes TPS look like a goat track, both condition and design wise. I have NEVER heard anyone call BPB a "Terrible design". Just the contrary. It has a wonderful combination of holes. Numerous doglegs, up hill holes, downhill holes. Sorry, but I STRONGLY disagree with you here.
[/quote]

Not sure how narrowing your fairways and and growing up rough so high that forces a wedge out to protect your golf course makes for a great design. Torrey and BPB are notorious for it. That's all I'm saying.

[tnord]

so almost every us open ever has been hosted at a course with a poor design?

[Chilidog]

[quote name='tnord' timestamp='1441909238' post='12294594']
so almost every us open ever has been hosted at a course with a poor design?
[/quote]

U.S. Opens are different and you know that. They do that because even great designs will be eaten up by a Pro. A great design mixes short and long holes, puts birdie and double in play on every hole, requires good driving and putting and changes direction and elevation throughout.