I want to play Torrey Pines, any advice or tips?

[zamzam23]

I'm heading to a conference in June about an hour away from Torrey Pines.  Conference ends Wednesday at 1pm, and hope to be able to get to Torrey Pines by 3pm, twilight starts at 330pm.  Anyone have any advice to get on as a single.  I prefer to play the South, but not opposed to the playing the north.  TIA

[iacas]

Paging @mvmac, @Golfingdad, @tristanhilton85, and a bunch of others who can help you out…

[Golfingdad]

3 hours ago, zamzam23 said:

I'm heading to a conference in June about an hour away from Torrey Pines.  Conference ends Wednesday at 1pm, and hope to be able to get to Torrey Pines by 3pm, twilight starts at 330pm.  Anyone have any advice to get on as a single.  I prefer to play the South, but not opposed to the playing the north.  TIA

I would imagine that as a single on a mid-week afternoon that late in the day, you'd be able to get on without too much issue.  But I really have no idea, as I haven't played at Torrey in couple of years and I've never tried to walk-on there.  

BTW, according to this website, the twilight rates start at 3pm.

In addition to @mvmac, I believe @Hacker James and @No Mulligans are the other San Diego locals around here.

[No Mulligans]

The North, due to the remodel and extra related maintenance, is currently only offering tee times to about 2 pm.  The North is less expensive, about 2 or 3 strokes easier, and 80% of the San Diego resident rounds are on the North.

The South is the U.S. open course.  (Both courses are played when the PGA plays the regular yearly tournament at Torrey, North and South on Thursday, Friday; South only on Saturday and Sunday after the cut)  Right now this is what is available today on the South as of 4 PM.  I'm guessing they drop the times from this list that are within an hour, there are most likely spots available for a walk on for the 4 - 5 PM slots.  Note that only locals with a resident card can use that online system.  Also note, those are the resident rates.

 As a single on a weekday you have a good chance in the afternoon as a walk on.  If you don't want to risk not getting on you can pay extra and use the advanced reservation system: https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/golf/torreypines/reservations

 

Here is all that is currently available on both courses for tomorrow; only Torrey South afternoon/evening times are not taken.

Edit, I was wrong there are currently some times on the North available this Saturday.  That is encouraging to see times available on a Saturday.  It's starting to become less impacted after the novelty of the remodel is wearing off.  Granted it's only 4 times with room for a single only, but believe it or not, this is the best I've seen in the last 7 months.

 

Edited May 12, 2017 by No Mulligans

[No Mulligans]

[zamzam23]

Thanks so much, I will have to check to see if the openings line up with my free time after the conference.  

[zamzam23]

Would you choose to play the north or south course?  I'm not sure if/when I will get the opportunity to play there again, so trying to fill the a bucket list.  Thanks!

[No Mulligans]

3 hours ago, zamzam23 said:

Would you choose to play the north or south course?  I'm not sure if/when I will get the opportunity to play there again, so trying to fill the a bucket list.  Thanks!

I think it's a toss up.  They both have holes bordering the ocean, I'd put the North at just a tiny bit more scenic.  But the south, that's a U.S. open course.  It's nice to have the experience of playing an Open course (but more expensive).

Right now you wouldn't have a choice as the North is not open for any tee times after 2 PM, maybe that will change soon.

As a walk on you might want to just request first available and let fate decide.

[Golfingdad]

6 minutes ago, No Mulligans said:

As a walk on you might want to just request first available and let fate decide.

Agree 100%.

Both courses are beautiful.