The Grand Golf Club

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort just north of San Diego is one of those places you go to treat yourself, sparing little expense on lodging, dining, maybe a spa treatment and, oh yes, golf. The Grand is a private club that is open to guests of the resort, giving it an air of exclusivity that is happily subverted by the friendliness both of the staff and the members. Everyone is enjoying the SoCal vibes, so it's hard to be bothered by much of anything.

The golf course is challenging in places - you'll lose a few balls if you're wild off the tee - but its greens have enough gathering features to help rein in some marginal approach shots. There's good balance here with the hilly terrain, culminating in a roaring manmade waterfall behind the 18th green to remind you that you're on a lavish vacation.

We had a great time staying and playing 2 rounds of golf. The course is in great condition. They only thing was that you had to have a forecaddy. I would have prefer without having one, but overall enjoyed the stay and playing golf.

Great course. Staff super friendly and thoroughly enjoyable in everyway. Was easily my most enjoyable San Diego course to play.

I have only glowing things to say about The Grand Golf Club. The course layout is very pleasant and very player friendly with Tom Fazio's signature big greens. The scenery is spectacular. Course conditions were perfect. Staff was extremely nice and helpful. Our fourcaddie was terrific. I even played played pretty well.

Overall an excellent experience. I hope to play again soon.

If you're a muni golfer who wants a taste of private country club life, The Grand Golf Club at the Fairmont Del Mar is a perfect choice. This is a private course that allows guests of the hotel to play as well, giving you a taste of the amenities.

The staff is extremely friendly and courteous. Our forecaddy helped knew the course well and his expertise helped. The fresh fruit at the Starter's table was an awesome addition,

A couple things to note here:

If you're a resort guest, you aren't getting an early tee time. Those are reserved for members -- if you're a resort guest, usually the earliest they'll let you out is 9am.

Get there early, they've got a great driving range!

If I could give The Grand 4.75 stars, I would. It's just a hair short of a five-star experience - a rating I only bestow on the chosen few courses that really impress me. The only thing missing is a couple "oh wow" holes or scenic moments. Everything else is pure perfection.
You have to stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar to gain access. Every resort group is given a forecaddie as a guide through the picturesque Los Peñasquitos Canyon. The holes ride the elevation changes up and down the canyon. Fazio made the layout resort friendly. Only the narrow fifth hole feels claustrophobic off the tee. The rest you can grip and rip. Fast-rolling greens are generally easy to read but hard to get anything to drop. Stress-free golf never felt so good.
The best part of The Grand is its off-course amenities. Target greens on the range will help you dial in your iron game. At the turn make sure to swipe a snack or two from the men's locker room, a place worth calling home. The Mediterranean-themed clubhouse is as posh as the five-star hotel. Plan to stay for lunch to sample food as fresh as anywhere. There's another bonus to hanging around. Phil Mickelson or some other celebrity just might walk in.

Forecaddies and excellent facilities, including a driving range that is incredible. This is the best luxury stay-and-play in San Diego, bar-none!

Tom Fazio and Fairmont Golf seem to be a perfect match, offering a luxurious resort setting for golf in one of the world's best year-round destinations for it. The service and facilities, most certainly opulent, do overshadow the course itself a little bit. A forecaddie accompanied our group and the amenities are all first class. Word has it this place has hosted such folks as Steph Curry and Michael Jordan recently, and it seems the staff is well trained in serving jet-setters.

Like a lot of San Diego courses, each hole is carved out of rolling land, has plenty of ups and downs (which can make reading greens tough) and surrounded by native areas. It can be a little intimidating off the tee, and there are plenty of bunkers to avoid. But it's certainly a course that presents a good amount of birdie opportunities.

Open primarily to members and guests of the hotel, It would certainly be tough to find a higher-class day at the golf course in San Diego. Come early and enjoy the practice facilities. The driving range is fabulous.

This is the type of course you can play over and over again. Memorable holes, generous fairways for the most parts, excellent greens and the kind of setting you'd expect at a Fairmont property.There are some nice views from the elevated tees. Greens have plenty of undulation and the bunkers are typical of Tom Fazio, not overly difficult, but you don want to try to avoid them, especially off the tee. Nice finishing hole with water fountain. Excellent customer service, in line with the whole resort.