Walk up Torrey Pines tomorrow (12/29)

[DevilGolfer54]

Hey guys, my buddy and I are trying to play Torrey Pines tomorrow morning (north or south) and it will be both of our first times there. What time do you all recommend showing up to walk on? Obviously we want to play together, but will split up if we have to. Any tips or recommendations are welcome! Thanks!

[duke2001j]

I've walked on to Torrey probably about a dozen times over the years, and have never had an issue getting out during the week. That said, during the winter months I've played the 18th hole when it was pretty much dark out because I got there late (around noon) and was one of the last to tee off. You'll probably have to do some waiting, but if you get there early in the AM you shouldn't have an issue playing. I guess the holiday week might have more players out there, but I can't imagine it will be an issue.

The only thing is, I'd probably call 1st thing in the AM to make sure they don't have any tournaments or outings scheduled. That's the only thing that ever prevented me from playing. Good luck!

[DevilGolfer54]

Thanks man! We plan on driving up regardless (staying a few minutes away) and worst case scenario we'll hit balls and buy stuff at the Pro shop. I'm like a kid on Christmas, alarm is set for 4:00 AM! Did you have a preference between north and south?

[duke2001j]

Thanks man! We plan on driving up regardless (staying a few minutes away) and worst case scenario we'll hit balls and buy stuff at the Pro shop. I'm like a kid on Christmas, alarm is set for 4:00 AM! Did you have a preference between north and south?

The South is an amazing course - 1 of my faves. Spectacular views on half the holes, and can be very challenging, but fun. I know they recently renovated the North and hear its great (it was very good before IMO). I'd rate the South a 9/10 - its in my personal top 10. North is a solid 7.5 - could easily be an 8-8.5 after the reno. Trying to get back down there in Feb.

Definitely let me know how the round went!

[dam276]

Wondering how it went OP..

 

Just found out I'll be in San Diego the week after the Farmers and would love to get out. Unfortunately the only day I'll have free is Saturday so not optimistic I'll be able to walk on. Does anyone know if there's a service I can pay to guarantee a spot?

[double or triple?]

Wondering how it went OP..

 

Just found out I'll be in San Diego the week after the Farmers and would love to get out. Unfortunately the only day I'll have free is Saturday so not optimistic I'll be able to walk on. Does anyone know if there's a service I can pay to guarantee a spot?

 

Yes. You can call and reserve a spot on that day for a $45 fee in addition to your green fees for that day.

[dam276]

Wondering how it went OP..

 

Just found out I'll be in San Diego the week after the Farmers and would love to get out. Unfortunately the only day I'll have free is Saturday so not optimistic I'll be able to walk on. Does anyone know if there's a service I can pay to guarantee a spot?

 

Yes. You can call and reserve a spot on that day for a $45 fee in addition to your green fees for that day.

 

Perfect, thanks!

[robert horneman]

$50.00 to the starter always worked for us.

[AP2 712]

Are they usually busy with walk ups after the event especially on weekdays?

[duke2001j]

Are they usually busy with walk ups after the event especially on weekdays?

 

I'd say it's one of the busier times, especially the 1st day after the tourney. Not to say you wouldn't get on though - it's a crapshoot. Seems like I almost always got placed in the slot right before twilight starts, when it's busy. That being said, I didn't know that non residents can reserve times online now, for as little as 1 player. I haven't tried it yet, but when I'm back out there in Feb, I'm going to give this a shot. https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/golf/

[AP2 712]

Are they usually busy with walk ups after the event especially on weekdays?

 

I'd say it's one of the busier times, especially the 1st day after the tourney. Not to say you wouldn't get on though - it's a crapshoot. Seems like I almost always got placed in the slot right before twilight starts, when it's busy. That being said, I didn't know that non residents can reserve times online now, for as little as 1 player. I haven't tried it yet, but when I'm back out there in Feb, I'm going to give this a shot. https://www.sandiego...ecreation/golf/

 

Were you in line at dawn trying to get out as a walk up and getting out near twilight?

[dbdors]

I'll be in the Huntington Beach/Carlsbad area Saturday morning and Sunday morning 3/4-3/5. Can get to San Diego Saturday night. Would I be able to walk on as a single Sunday morning?

[AP2 712]

I'll be in the Huntington Beach/Carlsbad area Saturday morning and Sunday morning 3/4-3/5. Can get to San Diego Saturday night. Would I be able to walk on as a single Sunday morning?

 

Walk-on Waiting List

 

Depending on the time of year, we reserve the first half-hour to an hour of sunlight for walk-ups. All tee times prior to reservations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Players must arrive early to ensure the best possible opportunity to play prior to reservations starting.

Tournaments and course closures will affect the availability of these times.

Prior to the starters' arrival, the early line-up is determined by the following procedure:

• For play on Monday-Friday, the early line-up is determined by putting a bag against the rail next to the starters' window and the same player who placed the bag must stay on premises until they check in with starter.
  
• For play on Saturday-Sunday and City of San Diego observed holidays, the early line-up is established by parking your car in the golf course parking lot, with the last car to arrive having their parking lights illuminated.
  
• For all early line-ups, one player per tee time must establish a place in line, and once a player gets in line, the same player must remain on the premises to hold that spot in line.
  
• Play will commence at 5:45 a.m. Monday through Friday and at daybreak on Saturday/Sunday and all City observed holidays.
  
• At least 30 minutes prior to commencement of play, all early line-up players should line up in front of starters' window in the order that was established by the previously early line- up policy.
  
• No players are ever allowed to start play on the course without the direction of the starter.
  

[duke2001j]

Are they usually busy with walk ups after the event especially on weekdays?

 

I'd say it's one of the busier times, especially the 1st day after the tourney. Not to say you wouldn't get on though - it's a crapshoot. Seems like I almost always got placed in the slot right before twilight starts, when it's busy. That being said, I didn't know that non residents can reserve times online now, for as little as 1 player. I haven't tried it yet, but when I'm back out there in Feb, I'm going to give this a shot. https://www.sandiego...ecreation/golf/

 

Were you in line at dawn trying to get out as a walk up and getting out near twilight?

 

Nope! Living in LA and driving down same day, I was never there before 10am and almost always got out on the course I wanted (1 time I had to settle for the North when I wanted South). Weekdays it was easy and I was pretty much guaranteed to finish before dark. Weekends I might be finishing 18 in the dark. If it's a regular weekday with no outing/tourney/course closures you basically have a 100% chance of getting out before twilight. Busy weekends, or day after the FIO I'd get there as early as possible. Definitely more of a crap shoot. But overall I'd generally say IMO it's not that hard to get out as a single any day of the week when both courses are open.

[micha]

Day after FIO is a lottery that residents have a chance to sign up for weeks in advance and hope to get picked. Its a shotgun morning and afternoon so it will be tough to walk on. The first two days after FIO are like that then i think it goes back to normal. I've actually heard walking on especially for the South is not that hard anymore. People want to play the redone North or feel the South is too tough for them.

[edryer3]

Does Torrey Pines have a 36 hole rate if you played during the week? Or are you paying a morning tee time and a twilight time in the afternoon? Thanks

[AP2 712]

They do have a replay rate. I think it is about $110 for the second round.

 

I played the South today. The rough was BRUTUAL!!!! And I was told that it was starting to be cut down gradually. Also played the front 9 in FOG! I love that course!

[duke2001j]

Just following up on my earlier message. Played the North Course this weekend at Torrey. I was able to book the tee time (at no charge) the day before on the website. Could've booked the South or the North, but wanted to play the redesign. They had lots of tee times available because the anticipated rain scared some people away I think. Course was in great shape! Lots of rain the 1st 9 holes,but it drained really well - better than the South. I really liked the redesign. Flipping the 9s was brilliant. If you're a single, definitely check the website a couple days before you play. Might save you a TON of time/effort.

[cow2215]

Played South on 3/15/17. Called pro shop day before, was told that North would be closed, and (this time of year?) they are letting only two groups of walkons go off before scheduled tee times start.

I had a 3pm flight home, so I arrived at 440am. (not as bad as it sounds when your body is on ET). Dubious distinction of being the first bag on the rail. Contestant #2 showed up ~15 min after me (those 15 min involved me stretching and thinking "I must be nuts") but I brought my computer and pretended to do some work. By 530am, there were 8 bags on the rail. First group went off at 640am, ~10 min before official sunrise, but we probably could have seen #1 green from the tee but for some morning fog.

The marshal did flog us a bit given we were first group out, and all four of us were hoofing. He suggested that we split up into pairs, but we were enjoying our "4 guys crazy enough to wake up at oh-dark-hundred and pay through the nose to play golf" chemistry. We did make it around in ~4:20, which was decent for not loitering around but also not rushing. We ended up staying clear of the 4some behind us, two of the guys were in a cart.

Course is in great shape. There have been times where I've paid the out-of-town rate and felt totally ripped off, but not today. Beautiful day, great conditions, greens were receptive but running fast. Was tempted to try and replay, but the fog rolled in on 18, and I made an early flight home. Life is good...

[Clambake]

For anyone considering playing Torrey South right now, I'd highly recommend it as the conditions are are nice as I've ever seen them. After the rains this winter, everything is green and lush, and the wildflowers in the canyons are in full bloom. Fairways are lush but still roll out nicely, greens are medium-fast and very true with minimal pitch mark damage, traps are soft and fluffy, and the rough is tough but one can at least find their ball.

 

I played this morning in a foursome and we had no one in front of us or behind, playing in 4 hours flat at a leisurely pace. The starter was actually having a tough time filling the openings, and if someone walked in off the street they could have gone out without waiting more than 10 minutes if they wanted. Making it extra nice, we didn't have any of the coastal fog, only the slightest breeze, and enjoyed watching lots of whales just offshore, some as close as a few hundred yards to the beach.

 

If anyone is visiting the area and on the fence about whether or not to play it, don't hesitate. It's as good as it gets there right now.

[PutterKilledTheDream]

For anyone considering playing Torrey South right now, I'd highly recommend it as the conditions are are nice as I've ever seen them. After the rains this winter, everything is green and lush, and the wildflowers in the canyons are in full bloom. Fairways are lush but still roll out nicely, greens are medium-fast and very true with minimal pitch mark damage, traps are soft and fluffy, and the rough is tough but one can at least find their ball.

 

I played this morning in a foursome and we had no one in front of us or behind, playing in 4 hours flat at a leisurely pace. The starter was actually having a tough time filling the openings, and if someone walked in off the street they could have gone out without waiting more than 10 minutes if they wanted. Making it extra nice, we didn't have any of the coastal fog, only the slightest breeze, and enjoyed watching lots of whales just offshore, some as close as a few hundred yards to the beach. Pitch lob coming back released off the front of the green. Pretty much how the entire round went.

 

If anyone is visiting the area and on the fence about whether or not to play it, don't hesitate. It's as good as it gets there right now.

Just played the North course for the first time since reopening this last Monday and gotta saw I was not impressed in the least. My observations were the course got noticeably easier off the tee but the green complexes were hoaxy. At least in the condition there currently in. Rock hard table tops with severe slope. I was bouncing wedges over the greens and literally could not for the life of me get any spin even with chips. On #9 I thought my approach was all over the front left pin but it bounced and released over the green almost to the walkway next to the N. practice putting green.