2100 Costa Del Mar Rd,
Carlsbad, California 92009
Office
+1 (760) 438 9111Pro shop
+1 (800) 854 5000 (toll free)Fax
+1 (760) 930 7070Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Jason Brustad (Director of Golf); Ken Simonds (Head Golf Professional).Academy
La Costa Golf AcademyThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Rural countryside and residential.
Designer:
Original design by Dick Wilson (1965); later improvements by Joe Lee (1973, 1984) and Damian Pascuzzo, Steve Pate & Jeff Brauer (2011).
Above distances are for the Champions course. Also at La Costa Resort is the 18-hole Legends course (par-72; 7,077 yds from back tees).
33.092076
-117.264773
30 miles N of San Diego
From I-5 (north of San Diego) take exit 44 and head east on La Costa Ave. After 1.8 miles turn left into El Camino Real. After 500 yds turn right at traffic lights into Costa del Mar Rd and follow signs to resort and golf.
La Costa (Champions)
La Costa Resort (Champions course): After a 35-year association with the PGA Tour, which has now moved on to pastures new, La Costa can still boast two strong and challenging layouts. The Champions course (formerly North course), is generally regarded as a tougher proposition than the sibling Legends layout. Subject to a major improvement project in 2011, this is where the game's elite plied their trade in numerous Tour events over the years.
This very pleasant and nicely undulating resort-style layout, runs out-and-back from the clubhouse and resort hotel, with pairs of holes lightly flanked by a variety of trees and a smattering of unobtrusive real estate. The good-width fairways look inviting from the tee, with stylish bunkering and a generous band of not overly penal rough awaiting anything hit offline. Hitting the often small and elevated greens will require well-honed approach play.
As you approach "the turn" at the excellent par-3 8th, water makes a telling appearance, as it does on eight of the next ten holes. Small lakes, ponds and streams will all threaten at different points, not least at the signature par-3 16th. This huge favourite with players and tournament spectators alike, requires water to be crossed from tee-to-green; miss the putting surface and your next shot will probably be from one of a posse of bunkers that surround the green.
Formerly one of the biggest name courses on the PGA Tour, La Costa's Champions course remains a classic and testing layout, and one that is holding-up well under intensive resort play conditions.
Stay&Play at La Costa: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends. Play on the Champions and Legends courses alternates on a daily basis. On any given day, one course is reserved for members, the other is public-access, and vice versa on the following day.
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2021].
Walking permitted with a caddie. Caddies available.
Excellent
La Costa's distinguished record of hosting top level professional tournaments dates back to the 1970's, when it became the regular home of the PGA Tour's season opener, The Tournament of Champions. More recently it has staged the WGC Accenture Match Play Championships, as well as the WGC World Cup of Golf and several Champions Tour events (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >La Costa).
California's 52nd best course in California (Golf Digest, 2025/26).
2100 Costa del Mar Road, Carlsbad, California 92009
+1 (760) 438 9111
Visit websiteThe amenities at La Costa Resort & Spa are endless. From golf courses that have been home to PGA Tour events for over 40 years, to first-class tennis facilities, luxury spa, sparkling swimming pools and much more. Unlimited thrills and fun await you at this award-winning Carlsbad California resort.
La Costa (Champions and Legends courses)
Four Seasons Aviara; Encinitas Ranch
Torrey Pines; The Grand Del Mar
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.