Southern California's No. 1 Source for Golf
STROKE OF THE DAY |
"Eighteen holes of match play will teach you more about your foe than nineteen years of dealing with him across the desk. " |
-Grantland Rice |
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF
CALENDAR
Travel
|
||||
|
The Lake San Marcos Resort and Country Club is a vintage golf course in northern San Diego County. Like bell-bottom slacks, big hair and white belts, the David Rainville-designed course is cut from a different era of golf course architecture. The North Course meanders through tall trees and quiet neighborhoods and tops out at 6,356 yards with a par of 71 from the back tees. The Feel A little effort has gone a long way in improving the property in recent years. Rooms were refurbished, the dining experience enhanced and the golf course cleaned up. The club will even play a role in the 2008 U.S. Open because its original kikuyu fairways were stripped and shared with Torrey Pines’ South Course in an effort to bring turf uniformity to the venue. Lake San Marcos now has hybrid bermuda fairways that are lush and perfect for playing the many short iron shots needed during a round. The North Course is private but open to resort guests. The club has a small-town, friendly vibe, much like a course you would find in the Midwest. Playing for Position The front nine is short at 3,012 yards and is all about positioning your ball off the tee. Ocean breezes can make a few holes play slightly longer, especially at the revamped fourth hole, a 387-yard par-4 with a dogleg left and bunkers around the green. The lone par-5 on the front nine is No. 7, a 487-yard dogleg that is easily reachable for players who can make the ball bend to the left. Straight drivers are penalized as the many backyards that border the right side of the hole come into play. As with many courses built in this era, their relative short length is compensated for with deceptive, undulating greens. The green at the seventh hole looks like a card table with the back right leg several inches shorter than the rest. Length and Character The back nine has more bulk and character. You get a taste of the length at the 460-yard, par-4 10th hole, and there’s no relief at the 606-yard, par-5 12th. It’s another dogleg left that places a premium on the second shot as out-of-bounds stakes creep into play. The green also is no picnic as it slopes both toward you and away from you, creating a tent effect that isn’t noticeable until you get to the putting surface. If you like risk-reward shots, the 369-yard, par-4 14th hole will pique your interest. An elevated tee shot and a fairway intersected by a large pond immediately grab your attention. Players will need to carry their tee shot at least 250 yards to clear the water, leaving a short approach to another undulating green. Closing holes that give you the opportunity to finish the round on a high note are always a welcome sight. At 480 yards, the concluding par-5 asks players to avoid five bunkers and a small creek bed on your way to the green. Don’t get overly aggressive and you can cap your round with a shot at birdie. Stay and Play There are a variety of rooms available, including those with views of the lake, which doesn’t come into play on the golf course. Resort guest green fees are $80 during the week and $90 on weekends. The facility has a pool, tennis courts and spa, and it’s only six miles from Legoland. There’s also an 18-hole executive course that is open to the public. SG For more information on the resort, call (877) 447-6556 or visit lakesanmarcosresort.com. |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This Article
