THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE - TORREY PINES...HOT OR NOT?
One of the great things about this forum is the chance to interact with so many great golf bloggers, great golf travelers, great golf designers and and great golf aficianados. So many perspectives, so much sage advice. So I am putting the question to you for open debate...what do you all think of Torrey Pines? I have not been out there personally and have only seen pics (try www.caddybytes.com) so I have no true idea. So tell me, at a main rate of $180 and reduced of $90 and with the structure of the holes and shot values - should Torrey Pines be included in a book about the country's best golf values? How truly EXCITING is it? How difficult is it for amatuers? Pros? There were some low scores on the South Course yesterday...How will the USGA deal with that given that they went so far as to burn down greens at Shinnecock to protect par last year. ("We have a fire on the 7th green!" joked Steve Czaban last year...) What about the Rees Jones debate? Some have panned his improvements, saying they are flavorless and favor long hitters, others love his style. Write in and let us know your opinion.
posted by A WALK IN THE PARK @ 8:29 AM
4 Comments:
When the US Open arrives, they will be playing only the South Course. The North (where Lehman fired the 62) is considerably easier, due mostly to the fact that it's shorter and doesn't have the demanding greens of the South. In fact, his 62 was still one off the North course record. The South course best round of the day yesterday was -5 and that really was a great round.
Never doubt that the USGA will push the possibility of -5 farther away from the players via brutal conditioning. The rough in June will play differently than it is right now (which may help IF it is dry) but the big factor, as always, will be what they do with the greens and how narrow they make the landing areas.
I sincerely hope they move the tees up on 18 on Sunday of that tourny...entice the players to go for it and make for an exciting finish; most guys laid up where they had the tees on Thursday.
Torrey Pines is my favorite course. However, it's only because I've played it about 5 times at the resident rate. At the resident rate, you just can't find a better deal for an ocean course.
I love both courses. The south is really long, especially with the wind blowing. Almost all the par-3s require at least a fairway wood; most need a driver.
I remember that twilight is about $20 and you can finish 18 during the summer.
However, at the full non-resident rate, the value decreases exponentially. I'd say that the course isn't worth the full rate because, after all, it is still a public course. They just don't have the resources to maintain the course in top shape.
In addition, it's extremely difficult to get a tee time. Factor the cost and the difficulty of tee times, I don't think it's worth it for non-residents. However, the course is one of the main reasons that I've considered moving to San Diego.
I would think the readers/buyers of your book would love to see the South Course through your eyes, words, and pictures.
Maybe it isn't one of the BEST values as far as fees are concerned.
But because it is the site of the 2008 U.S. Open. and the Home of the Buick Invitational.
I would think recreational golfers would love to play that course. The ones I know would love to play it.
If they can't, you can for them.
Grouchy golf also chimed in with an article here:
http://grouchygolf.blogspot.com/
He loves it!
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