LA COSTA RESORT AND SPA - North Course
(800-854-5000)
Palm Springs Golf Course Review 6/21/05
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 guestrooms 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.
North Course Review
The first tee of the North Course can be viewed from the 2nd story gymnasium and from the lobby or dining room terrace. The slightly elevated tee plays to a valley fairway flanked by sand bunkers, and plays to a small raised green also protected by traps on either side. The initial 6 holes on the North feature mildly undulating putting surfaces that are quite small, and are set into complexes surrounded by mounding and sand, that require accurate approach shots. The bunkers that are situated along the fairways and greenside throughout this layout are generally high lipped and penal in nature.
From holes seven on, the green complexes are larger and a bit more open, often presenting easy recoveries as long as golfers miss on the correct side. Ninety four sand bunkers are located along the fairways or greenside, and water often comes into play, as these hazards affect tee shots or approaches on ten holes. The Par threes on numbers 8 and 16 are particularly susceptible, as golfers will find forced carries over ponds, with minimum bail out areas. The ninth, eleventh and thirteenth are par fours that dogleg to the right with water on that side preventing cuts, and 14 and 15 are challenging par fours with creeks intersecting the fairways
The beautiful 18th presents and outstanding view of the clubhouse and resort property, and also has a creek that crosses just in front of the green. As with the other par fives on this layout - which are the number one, three, four and six handicaps on the course - this hole is short enough in length to present an interesting risk/reward opportunity for long hitters hoping to reach in two. Four sets of tees on course play to distances and slopes measuring 7094 yards/141, 6608 yards/135 slope, 6269 yards/131 slope and 5939 with a whopping 137 slope for women from the forward sets.
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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