LA COSTA RESORT AND SPA - South Course (800-854-5000)
Palm Springs Golf Course Review 6/22/05
General information
La Costa Resort and Spa is a world class golf destination featuring impeccable accommodations and amenities on a resort property that includes two PGA Championship golf courses, twenty one tennis courts, and a state of the art spa and fitness activities. A typical day for the Two Guys Who Golf included a round of golf, an afternoon workout at one of the best resort gyms we have encountered, steam and spa treatments, plus dinner at one of the fine restaurants on property, or in nearby Encinitas. For more info on the resort - click here.
The newly renovated guest rooms are extremely comfortable, and provide work tables with free high speed internet, and bathrooms one could get lost in. Bath robes, slippers and complimentary La Costa toiletries make one feel like a king. Adult and family pools (with a small sand beach) with Jacuzzis are close by. The workout facility includes a beautiful Pilates room, aerobics area, free weights and the latest in resistance training machines, plus a cardio room with elliptical, cross trainers, bikes and treadmills - all with personalized cable televisions! One can work out and watch golfers tee off on the front nine of the North Course from the picture window which affords spectacular golf course views. There are showers and a steam room in the men's and women's locker rooms, and the spacious pro shop is fully stocked with the latest apparel and accessories. Legends Restaurant is located adjacent and features both indoor and outdoor dining, with spectacular flower arrangements encompassing the patio area.
On course amenities include free tees and LA Costa ball markers, as well as complimentary apples. Two putting greens, a short game area with bunker and targeted grass range with free range balls are also available to resort and green fee paying guests. The marking system on the courses include color coded flags to indicate the day's pin placement, 100, 150 and 200 yard markers, plus sprinkler heads that are measured to the center of the green.
South Course Review
The back nine of the South Course is featured in the PGA Tournament held annually at the resort, and actually is played as holes one through nine. On the front side, the first few holes are quite tight, with the opening hole bending right to left over a creek that crosses about 100 yards out. Number two rises up the hill with beautiful residences perched high on the cliffs above. On this layout there are gentle elevation changes, with some holes playing from elevated tee areas to slightly raised green complexes. The bunkering can be penal, with high lips and contours that can make recoveries quite difficult. The main tip we can offer however, is to keep the ball on the fairways, as the rough is thick and knarly, and can be extremely difficult to hit out of.
Eighty seven bunkers are located along the fairways or greenside, and water comes into play in the shape of creeks and ponds on ten of the holes. There are some interesting doglegs, including the short par four 15th, which calls for a lay up near the center fairway trap, leaving a short iron or wedge to a raised green that is situated just past a creek. Four sets of tee play to distances and slopes measuring 7077 yards/140 slope, 6524 yards/135 slope, 6198 yards/131 slope and 5612 yards with slope of 134 for women playing from the forward tees. As with the North Course, the slope ratings are quite high - reflecting the challenge available for golfers of all skill levels.
La Costa hosts a PGA Tournament each winter (late February), and considering the incredible atmosphere and upscale amenities, it is easy to realize that this is one of the favorite stops on Tour. The routing for this annual PGA tournament includes the back nine of the South course - as the initial nine holes, then holes one-three on the North, as holes 10, 11 and 12. Holes 13 through 18 on the North play as they are to complete the tournament design. This makes for an interesting finish, especially considering the challenging doglegs on 10, 11 and 13 and the 14th, 15th and 18th - whose fairways are intersected by a meandering creek.
We highly recommend a stay at the La Costa Resort and Spa! The landscaping around the golf courses and resort property is worth the price of admission, and the service is outstanding. Spend a day at the spa, eat some good food, enjoy a workout, and just relax at the pool areas. Play a round of golf where the pros play. We also recommend a day or afternoon at one of the areas fine beaches - only 15 minutes away. Try Charleys By the Sea in Encinita - also just 15 minutes from the resort - for great seafood in a casual setting right on the Ocean! La Petite Calypso on Highway 101 is also recommended for breakfast and lunch...for others simply ask the concierge at the resort - they are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. In all our travels, we will remember La Costa as one of our favorite destinations! For more info on the North Course, visit our page for the property on our Palm Springs golf course listing section by clicking here.
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