Played today 12/21 at 11:45. WOW. Second time being able to play here. Greens were the best greens I have ever putted on.Felt like we were playing on the tour. Not a spike mark to be found on them nor... Continue »

Played today 12/21 at 11:45. WOW. Second time being able to play here. Greens were the best greens I have ever putted on.Felt like we were playing on the tour. Not a spike mark to be found on them nor a ball mark. Rolling very fast. Fairways were a little thin not fully grown in after overseeding I'm assuming, but fine. Rough was great, lush and tough. Tee boxes were perfect. Nobody out on the course. Loved it. Wish I could play here more.

First, thanks to my GK pal Eaglee for giving me the 2-for-1 coupon he had, allowing me to finally play here at a somewhat reasonable price. A friend and I had a 1:00 time at the afternoon rate of $180... Continue »

First, thanks to my GK pal Eaglee for giving me the 2-for-1 coupon he had, allowing me to finally play here at a somewhat reasonable price. A friend and I had a 1:00 time at the afternoon rate of $180, so $90 a player made it much more enticing. It wasn't too busy out there. Though I didn't see anyone tee off between the time we arrived and 1:00, the starter seemed to be waiting on something. Ultimately, he started sending groups out and we somehow ended up third in line between two other twosomes. We were paired with a single and teed off about 1:15. Other than that slight delay, the starter Jerry was super nice and informative as we prepared to head out on the course for our first time. Once we teed off, it was smooth sailing. We never really pushed the groups ahead and nobody was behind us all day, so we enjoyed things at our own relaxed pace. The marshal did drop by on the back nine and gave us all Tootsie pops, which was an unexpected but fun touch. The course was just in OK shape. The fairways a bit dried out, but very nice soft surfaces and consistent fluffy lies. The one bunker I was in had pretty good sand. Beyond that, things were more "inconsistent." The rough is still in transition and is very, very patchy. Some lush areas, but mostly the ball would just nestle between the clumps of grass and it wasn't too enjoyable. When I called earlier in the week to inquire about conditions, the pro shop guy said it was in "great" shape all around. He did tell me they had just started overseeding the back nine tees and those were basically scalped. I did appreciate that knowledge, but I think he left a few things out. I will say the front nine tee boxes were still coming in and weren't consistently cut, but I never had any problems finding a good place to set up on either nine. The greens were pretty good overall, but also inconsistent. A handful looked to have been aerated quite recently, so sand and holes were in play. But the rest were looking and rolling pretty well. However, they did seem to vary a lot in terms of firmness and speed. In a few more weeks, I would expect them all to be fully recovered and more consistent throughout. Even though conditions weren't quite immaculate, Aviara is still a very aesthetically pleasing course with a great setting, nice landscaping and a really fun, challenging layout. Fortunately, I had seen the course up close and personal for the LPGA Kia Classic earlier this year, so I know how fantastic it can look and play when in peak conditions. That said, right now, this is not a $235 (weekend rack) course or even a $180 (weekend afternoon) course in my opinion. The setting, facilities and lack of crowds do help justify a higher price tag, but even $90 seemed like a little too much today. In peak condition, though, the $90 I paid would be well worth it.

Played Aviara today for the first time. Everyone in our foursome loved the course. Personally, I would say without hesitation that it's the best course I've ever played. The pace of play was excell... Continue »

Played Aviara today for the first time. Everyone in our foursome loved the course. Personally, I would say without hesitation that it's the best course I've ever played. The pace of play was excellent, and we finished in just under 4 hours. Some of the greens were recently sanded and were a tad slow, but putts rolled smoothly. The short and intermediate cuts of rough were perfect, but the primary rough was long and somewhat patchy. As with any course, hit fairways and greens and you'll be fine!

The staff was friendly and helpful. Aviara is expensive, but our foursome felt it was one of those courses that you have to experience at least once -- more than once if you can afford it!

Torn on how to review this course. Paid $130 on a saturday at 12:00 through a golf league I am in. First time playing the course and I loved it. However, for the rates they charge I expect immacula... Continue »

Torn on how to review this course. Paid $130 on a saturday at 12:00 through a golf league I am in. First time playing the course and I loved it. However, for the rates they charge I expect immaculate conditions across the board. What I found were slightly better than Balboa Park GC conditions which is $50 vs $225 rack rate at Aviara.

Fairways were nice but found some bare spots here and there. Greens were med/fast and inconsistent. I think I read where they punch 2 greens at a time which leads to inconsistent greens. Where this course excels is the service, layout, and aesthetic beauty. It is laid out in an upscale subdivision, but the houses are very far from the course. You are very much secluded in a valley with great views of the lagoon and surrounding hills. Tons of flowers everywhere,
and a lot of water and waterfalls, especially on the par 3's.

Since it was a tournament round we played a combo of the blues and whites. Blues are 6600 and the whites are 6000, leaving a big gap. I am glad I didn't get stuck playing 6000 yds for $130 but many in the group would have struggled from the blues.

The course didn't knock my socks off like I would expect for the rates they charge but it is a great course. Many similar options in SD for a lot less money, namely Arrowood, Cross Creek, Balboa, Sycuan, and Steele Canyon. Overall a sweet course but they better get on their superintendent if they are going to charge $200+.

Played Wed @ 1:25pm. Our 2some joined by another 2some. Finished in 4 1/2 hrs. A friend who volunteered for Kia Classic gave us a 2 for 1 coupon so we paid $160 for the midday rate which starts at ... Continue »

Played Wed @ 1:25pm. Our 2some joined by another 2some. Finished in 4 1/2 hrs. A friend who volunteered for Kia Classic gave us a 2 for 1 coupon so we paid $160 for the midday rate which starts at 1pm. For the Father's Day weekend of 6/14 to 6/16, anyone can play and pay 2 for 1 so I would suggest if you want to try, this would be the time.
The only negatives were that we had to hit off the mat on the range and a few of the greens and some fairways still had visible aeration holes but it did not affect play at all. All staff we encountered were very polite and helpful without overdoing.
A bit expensive but a great course and great staff made for a very nice day. We may go back to take advantage of 2 for 1 Father's Day special. Recommended.

Wow! What can you say about Aviara. One week after the Kia LPGA tournament, the fairways are pristine and the greens are as usual, like playing the game Labyrinth.
The rough is still up from the tou... Continue »

Wow! What can you say about Aviara. One week after the Kia LPGA tournament, the fairways are pristine and the greens are as usual, like playing the game Labyrinth.
The rough is still up from the tournament and that has made it a great challenge to 'play it like the pros'
The lady's played at just over 6600 yards which would be the same distance as from the blue tees.
Great service. They make you feel like a king.
Will come back again and again.

I didn't play here today (sure wish I did), but stopped by to watch the lovely ladies of the LPGA in action at the Kia Classic and thought I'd comment on the course. I do look forward to playing here ... Continue »

I didn't play here today (sure wish I did), but stopped by to watch the lovely ladies of the LPGA in action at the Kia Classic and thought I'd comment on the course. I do look forward to playing here someday soon. Beautiful resort course, excellent conditioning and looks like a fun layout. They did a good job of setting it up for the tournament (first year there) and things ran smoothly. LPGA is very fan-friendly, so it was easy to get around with smaller crowds, snap a few photos and see your favorite players up close. With the tournament, the outer rough was super deep and lush (a good 6-7 inches in some places). Greens firm and fast. They were playing lift/clean/place in the fairways, so those were a little softer than typical tour conditions. Bunkers looked immaculate. Great event, great course and great players. Kudos to Aviara and all the volunteers!

Loved it! It deserves its high Greenskeeper rating.

I've been wanting to play Aviara, again, for awhile, and finally got my chance.
It's even better than I remember it from about 20 years ago.
... Continue »

Loved it! It deserves its high Greenskeeper rating.

I've been wanting to play Aviara, again, for awhile, and finally got my chance.
It's even better than I remember it from about 20 years ago.

Aviara is a beautiful course with fantastic greens, rough and bunkers, and colorful flowering, everywhere. Unfortunately, the fairways were hurting, apparently from the recent frost. But they were still better than most.

It's getting ready for the LPGA tournament coming up, but it didn't appear that anything was different than any other time. Since I am especially sensitive to the greens when I play, I plan to make playing there a regular treat. Even the discounted rates are a bit stiff for San Diego. It's about the most expensive public course around, but is still a better deal than comparable courses like Torrey South or Pasatiempo. And it's still way cheaper than belonging to a country club. And better than most.

I don't remember playing another Arnold Palmer designed course, but I loved the layout. Every hole was different, unique and memorable. And a couple were very tough. The front nine was easier for me and the marshal warned us that the back would be tougher, playing more into the wind. It was. Eighteen looked impossible off of the tee with water right, OB and bunkering left, and a little spit of fairway in between. But I finished with a Par!

Last, but not least, the staff was very friendly and helpful and treated us like we were appreciated. But not overdone. And they even have chocolate chip cookies at the starters table.

Played 2/11; maybe, the best greens I have played in So. Cal. in years, getting ready for the Kia Tourament, and it shows, some fairways dormant, but, at my age, the extra roll helps,bunkers in excell... Continue »

Played 2/11; maybe, the best greens I have played in So. Cal. in years, getting ready for the Kia Tourament, and it shows, some fairways dormant, but, at my age, the extra roll helps,bunkers in excellent condition, nice to be able to play a true bunker shot, tees level, the customer service is second to none; but, at these rates, this should be expected, it seems like I am the only to rate this course; do yourself a favor, and play Aviara, to see what real golf is all about...Thank you, CGG...