Omni LA COSTA RESORT AND SPA - North Course (800-854-5000)
Palm Springs Golf Course Review
General information
Omni 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 luxurious 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 Champions 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. 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 on the fairways and cart paths, plus sprinkler heads that are measured to the center of the green. Service is impeccable - CLICK HERE for info on the "Golf Squad" - the latest addition to La Costa's efforts to provide world class service to golfers.
North Course Review
While embracing the concepts and integrity of the original Dick Wilson design - under the direction of Pascuzzo & Pate Golf Course Design, the remodel project addressed all 18 holes on the North Course. The North Course features strategically designed and repositioned bunkering, refined fairway routing, expanded native grass areas, and subtle elevation changes that contribute to a challenging and engaging golf experience. Four holes on the North Course are completely new designs. All the greens on the North Course were replaced and now incorporate bent grass, featuring internal contours that create movement in the putting surface. The fairways are 419 Bermuda, while the rough and newly established native areas include paspalum, a drought and salt water tolerant turf. Several new lakes have been added, as well. Significant alterations to the contours of the fairways – which have been capped by 3,000 truckloads of sand – along with advanced drainage technology, has led to improved water flow throughout the entire 36-hole venue - significant to maintaining world-class playing conditions year round. More than 30 acres of turf grass have been eliminated to conserve water, with the North Course remodel incorporating more extensive use of native grasses.
What we noticed more than anything was the consistent presence of the intricately shaped and often penal fairway and greenside bunkers. Many are quite large, making it seem that there are more sand traps than there actually are. We counted over 90 bunkers in total, and water now comes into play on 10 holes, including a snaking creek that transverses the fairways on several holes. The closing hole is still daunting, with 4 water hazards framing the fairway and green complex. The sloping putting surfaces that are often protected by several sand traps, create a need for an accurate short game.
We highly recommend a stay at the Omni 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 one of the nation's best spas, eat some good food, enjoy a workout, and just relax at the pool areas. We also recommend a day or afternoon at one of the areas fine beaches - only 15 minutes away. There is an incredible array of dining and shopping opportunities in Encinitas - also just 15 minutes from the resort. Ask the concierge for suggestions - 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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