Aviara - California - USA

Good course but definitely too expensive for what you get. I gave it 4 balls like I did for Torrey Pine and Maderas but it deserves a lower ranking. It does not have the "appeal" to be a course played by the PGA tour and does not have the views of the ocean or of the desert such as Torrey Pine and Maderas respectively. Frankly there are better course in the area at a much lower price (The Crossing at Carlsbad above all, just to mention one)

Aviara has a lot of reasons for praise. The back nine has a great stretch of holes featuring several lakes, rolling topography, a double green (at a resort course nonetheless!), two par 3s that might be the best in Southern California and a 18th hole that is one of the best in the state.

That being said, Arnie was in full 90s bulldozer mode with this course, creating humps and bowls around greens that make no sense architecturally other than a pure ornamental features. The front side has a little less sizzle but picks up at the 8th hole. You are puzzled why there are so many bunkers divorced from greens and other than some of these features "looking cool", you wonder what could have been with this course.

Still though, the conditioning is top notch, the course is fun and challenging and this is definitely in the upper tier of SoCal courses. It has its flaws but what doesn't except for the Top 100?

It is an Arnold Palmer design in a super nice part of the world that is all. Not a real good design or layout. It is like many of the newer courses in Southern Cal, resort course, good yes, nice yes, difficult yes but lacking character, creativity, options, it blends in with all of the other courses. It doesn't stand out and it should stand out for what they are charging to play it. 18th hole is a disgrace, the club clearly ran out of room and squeezed in a "shorty tight" 90 degree right with a signature big ol' water display (Lake and maybe a water fall can't remember). Side note - In today's golf design world the theory is this; when in doubt throw in a water hazard and people will most likely think it is a great and important hole because there is water. This needs to change and it is with the design likes of Doak and Hanse. The King has been known for his un-king like golf course creations. I will say Bay Hill's 16,17,& 18 are awesome but that is about as good a King design as you will ever get in the USA. His best work is in Ireland and with that God gave him the setting and terrain...

As a european I am normally a fan of natural courses, especcially the links of the British Isles. But that morning I played at Aviara was so magic that I have to make an exception. It felt like playing in paradise!. I would like to give it 5 and a half stars but in the end it's "just" a paradise built by men.

Aviara is the ultimate resort course. The Palmer design is complete with unparalled beauty, relaxing surroundings, impeccable service (after all, it is a Four Seasons) and most importantly, a great layout. If only the greens fees didnt require a mortgage!

A beautiful and fun course to play.