Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Overview
Just north of San Diego, this Carlsbad championship course has hosted 37 PGA Tour events since it opened in the 1950s, but four new holes were added during its 2011 renovation by Steve Pete, Damian Pascuzzo and Jeff Brauer. This layout meanders through the surrounding valley—providing an enjoyable setting with some history.
About
Awards
100 Greatest: Ranked for 22 years from 1969-'90 (9 holes from Champions and 9 from Legends). Highest ranking: No. 78, 1987-'88.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A very good test of golf. Most tee shots require thought as to where to play to avoid hazards and achieve best access to the green. There are many elevated green surfaces and some severe roll aways from shots missing the green or reaching the wrong portion of the green. Somewhat frustrating in this respect on first play. The greens offer great variety in shape and undulation. Bunkers are well placed and ask for shaped shots to achieve placement from the tee or access to tucked pins. The greens are still a little too firm and there are many areas off fairways and greens requiring growth and maturation. The course does not present as a finished product at this point but the playing surfaces are firm and fast. Some hazards are hidden from view and unfairly punishing on first time play."
Read More2025
Review
“The recently remodeled course will challenge you from tee to green, it will take three of four good shots to score well and when you do it is a job well done. Every par should and will be treasured. The course will only get better as it matures."
Read More2025
Review
“The Gil Hanse renovation of La Costa North makes it much improved from what it was before. It's a lot more fun to play now but it's still located in a drainage area so they will always struggle with soft fairways where you don't get much roll."
Read More2024
Review
“Amazing resort with all the amenities. Top quality practice facilities with 2 high quality golf courses."
Read More2024
Review
“The North course, (previously the Champions course), the superior of the two courses at La Costa, designed by Dick Wilson and recently remodeled by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, is a signficantly upgraded and challenging track. Particularly around the greens, the course has become more challenging. Shot placement on the greens has raised in importance as there are many drop offs on greens and bunker surrounds have become more difficult. The bent grass greens run very true but the varying undulations on greens throughout the course put increased importance on putting. In addition, the relatively new greens are relatively firm and holding long iron shots is more challenging. Native vegetation has been added throughout, along with an extensive barranca, increasing the importance on driving accuracy. While the course has been lengthened, there are six tee placements offering an excellent experience to all levels of golfers. The hole lengths are quite varied with the par 5 number 2 and 18 playing over 600 yards from the back tees. On the other hand, the 11th and 15th par 4 holes, both under 365 yards, are risk reward opportunities. In all, the La Costa North Course has been remodeled to provide an excellent golfing experience from hole to hole and presents significant challenges, even for low handicap golfers, to score well."
Read More2024
Review
“Championship golf is back at La Costa North with the recent Gil Hanse renovation. This course is demanding, but fair. Greens are very firm and will soften as the course matures. While fairways were typically generous, the green complexes require precision approaches as danger lurks for mishit shots. Still fair for golfers of every ability if you choose the right tee box from the 6 options on each hole. This course will humble you if you try to be too aggressive. This is not just a renovation, but a transformation. Don't miss it if you get to San Diego."
Read More2024
Review
“The renovations made a forgettable course more fun. The greens are still really firm and fairways relatively soft but this should improve over time. Expensive for what you get."
Read More2024
Review
“Located in Carlsbad, CA, just North of San Diego is the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa with has 2 golf courses , the North Course(formerly the Champions Course) and the South Course(formerly the Legends Course). It hosted the Mercedes Championships (formerly The Tournament of Champions) from 1969-1998, and the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship a total of six times as well as the Women’s 2010 and 2012 KIA Classic. In May of 2024 , it hosted the NCAA Division I , Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships (including 2025 and 2026) It was recently renovated by Gil Hanse and opened for play to resort guests and members in June 1, 2024. The back tees stretch to 7500 yards and is a true test of golf for all levels of golfers. The facilities are excellent as well as the course conditioning. The undulating greens are a challenge and roll true."
Read More2024
Review
“Play like a NCAA champion…..great service, wonderful full resort"
Read More2024
Review
“The Champions Course is definitely the better of the La Costa courses. For a relatively flat course there are a shocking number of uphill approaches, which combined with the deep green side bunkers, can make the course difficult and less fun for a higher handicap player. Water dictates the best (only?) course of play on a number of holes. Fun in a retro 1980s kind of way."
Read More2021
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