Filed under: Reidy Creek, San Diego Golf Weather | Tags: frost advisory, san diego frost delay, San Diego Golf, san diego golf frost, san diego golf news
This morning was very cold in San Diego. In fact, it was so cold that our round of golf was postponed one hour because of the frost.
Wondering why you can’t play golf with frost? Well, let me explain.
How can a footprint be a killer?
When it’s a footprint made on a putting surface that’s covered with frost. It’s hard to believe that simply walking across a golf green covered with frost can cause so much damage, but the proof will be there in a few days as the turfgrass dies and leaves a trail of brown footprints. That’s why most courses will delay starting times until the frost has melted. And it’s also why golfers who appreciate a quality putting surface will be patient during frost delays.
Why does frost cause problems?
Greens are fragile. The putting surface, or green, is an extremely fragile environment that must be managed carefully and professionally. Remember that every green is a collection of millions of individual grass plants, each of which is a delicate living thing. Obviously, Mother Nature never meant for these plants to be maintained at 3/16 or even 1/8 of an inch for prolonged periods. This stress makes greens constantly vulnerable to attacks from insects, disease, heat, drought, cold — and frost.
Frost is essentially frozen dew. It can form when the temperature (or wind chill) is near or below the freezing point. The ice crystals that form on the outside of the plant can also harden or even freeze the cell structure of the plant. When frosted, the normally resilient plant cells become brittle and are easily crushed. When the cell membranes are damaged, the plant loses its ability to function normally. It’s not much different than cracking an egg. Once the shell is broken, you can’t put it back together.
The proof is in the prints
Although you won’t see any immediate damage if you walk on frosted turf, the proof will emerge within 48 to 72 hours as the leaves die and turn brown. And, since just one foursome can leave several hundred footprints on each green, the damage can be very extensive.
Thanks for understanding
The damage isn’t just unsightly — putting quality will also be reduced until repairs are made. Those repairs are expensive and, in some cases, the green may have to be kept out of play for days or weeks until the new turfgrass is established. A short delay while the frost melts can preserve the quality of the greens, prevent needless repairs and may even save you a few strokes the next time you play.
Source: Frost Delays
Filed under: Golf Video, San Diego Golf, Torrey Pines Golf Course | Tags: golf san diego, golf sd, San Diego Golf, san diego golf video, sd golf, torrey pines, Torrey Pines Golf Course
This video is the promo video by SanDiego.org for the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. There are more than 90 golf courses in San Diego that draw locals and destination golfers.
Check out this video to see a few of the spectacular golf sights in San Diego.
Filed under: San Diego Golf | Tags: holiday golf, San Diego Golf, thanksgiving day golf, thanksgiving golf
Everyone knows that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year. But did you know that it also happens to be the busiest day for golf as well?
This year, Friday, November 28th is already gearing up to be an extremely busy golf day. Don’t get stuck searching for a tee time at the last minute or having to settle for what’s available.
My recommendation would be to make the earliest possible tee time so that you avoid a 6 hour round. If you tee off at 10am, you can bet that at most San Diego golf courses, you’ll be stuck behind weekend warrior hacks and the play will be slow.
Check out the availability at most of your favorite golf courses including Torrey Pines Golf Course, Aviara Golf Club, Maderas Golf Course, Steele Canyon Golf Club and many more.
Filed under: Golf Vacations, new zealand golf, San Diego Golf, Uncategorized | Tags: dream golf vacation, golf tour company, golf trip, golf vacation, new zealand golf, new zealand golf trip, San Diego Golf, san diego golfer
Living in San Diego, one could take for granted the surplus of legendary and perfectly located golf courses like Torrey Pines Golf Course, Maderas Golf Club, and even La Costa Golf Resort. However, I have made one “golf” promise to myself in the next 12 months. I will embark on my dream golf vacation to a lonely little set of islands in the Pacific Ocean near one massive island – that would be New Zealand.
Why a Dream Golf Vacation to New Zealand?
Well, how does it sound to play golf atop cascading ocean cliffs and on courses surrounded by islands with amazing ocean views? Well, I think it sounds amazing. And, not only does it sound amazing it looks amazing. Check out these New Zealand golf photos! Simply amazing location and views.
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course in New Zealand
Kauri Cliffs - Bay of Islands in New Zealand
New Zealand Golf photos courtesy of Ultimate Kiwi Sports Tours.
As a San Diego golfer, I sometimes think it doesn’t get much better than Torrey Pines Golf Course or The Bridges (yes, I have played there).
Besides, if you’re looking for a wide variety of golf courses with different layouts that require different strategy, then New Zealand is just the place to venture to.
Some Top New Zealand Golf Courses
- Cape Kidnappers – Hawke’s Bay
- Arikikapakapa Golf Club – Rotorua
- Formosa Golf Resort – Auckland
- Gulf Harbour Country Club – Auckland
- The Grange – Auckland
- Kauri Cliffs – Bay of Islands
- Waitangi Golf Club – Bay of Islands
- Lakes Resort – Coromandel
- Martinborough Golf Course – Wairarapa
- Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club – Wellington
- Hutt Golf Club – Wellington
- Wairakei Golf Course – Taupo
- Clearwater Resort – Christchurch
- Christchurch Golf Club (Shirley)
Personally, I think the must play New Zealand Golf Courses for me will be:
- Cape Kidnappers – Hawke’s Bay
- Kauri Cliffs – Bay of Islands
- Gulf Harbour Country Club – Auckland
The Best Time of Year to Visit New Zealand for Golf
Our winter (United States) is New Zealand’s summer and their peak for golf. And, the New Zealand golf season only really runs October through May. The rest of the months are rainly and windy. Well, that’s what I’ve been told by some local golfers and New Zealand Golf Vacation companies.
If anyone has been to New Zealand for a golf vacation, I would appreciate any tour company, golf course, or accommodation recommendations.
I’m signing off for the day, but may the dream golf trip to New Zealand burn bright!
Filed under: golf course in san diego, San Diego Golf, San Diego Golf Course, Torrey Pines Golf Course | Tags: golf san diego, golf sd, San Diego Golf, San Diego Golf Course, torrey pines, torrey pines golf, torrey pines north course, torrey pines san diego golf course
Nowadays, it seems that Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego is less crowded for early morning rounds. I have found that the weekday pre-6:30 a.m. tee time is the best. However, even though it is less crowded it still takes about 5 hours to play because of the time it takes to look for your golf ball in the thick rough.
The North Course at Torrey Pines is a lot more golfer friendly and playable. Golfers can enjoy themselves and have a similar challenge around the greens.
Below are some recent early morning photos that I took at Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Early Morning at Torrey Pines Golf Course
Ocean Mist at Torrey Pines Golf Course San Diego
Filed under: golf course in san diego, San Diego Golf, San Diego Golf Course | Tags: best san diego golf courses, golf course in san diego, golf in san diego, golf san diego, San Diego Golf
Looking for a golf course in San Diego that doesn’t have all the foot traffic, Saturday / Sunday Special Pins, or the premium green fees?
Well, I have found a little secret to share with some of my avid San Diego Golf Blog readers.
Recently, I played a golf course in North County San Diego that has 27 holes (3 nines) a great practice facility, perfectly manicured greens, and the hospitality that makes it feel like my own country club.
Where is this secret golf course in San Diego you ask? I cannot tell you at this time. But, I will soon enough.
Below are a few more secrets about this golf course in San Diego:
- You can play 18 holes on a weekday in about 2.5 hours
- You can play 18 holes on a weekend in about 3.5 hours, leaving you ample time to spend with the family
- The green fees are less than $25
- It’s one of the best San Diego Golf Courses
That’s all the information I can provide on the secret golf course in San Diego. For more information bookmark this San Diego Golf Blog and you’ll soon know the secret!
Filed under: San Diego Golf | Tags: San Diego Golf, tiger woods, torrey pines san diego golf course
Tiger Woods was back today on the grounds at Torrey Pines, home of his epic U.S. Open win in June. Not as a player. As a caddie.
Woods, still rehabbing from knee surgery the week after the Open, appeared on the South Course at Torrey Pines to film a promotional video for Buick. Wearing a green bib and black slacks, the world’s top golfer caddied for 59-year-old New Jersey native John Abel, who won Buick’s “Tee It Up with Tiger” sweepstakes contest.
Woods arrived in San Diego on Sunday night, stayed at the Lodge at Torrey Pines and opened the curtains in his room that overlooked the South Course’s 18th green. It was on that green where Woods rolled in birdies on Sunday and Monday to stay alive in the Open, which he won on the 19th hole of a dramatic playoff with Rocco Mediate.
The pin Sunday night happened to be in nearly the same spot it was on that incredible Monday.
“You know, that was pretty cool,” Woods said with a broad smile. “It was a little bit different atmosphere, because you could actually see the green without all of the grandstands. I remember that putt.”
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Showing no noticeable limp, but driving a customized cart, Woods crouched down to read the greens, offered clubs and joked frequently with Abel, a pressman for a printing company who took up golf only nine years ago, and entered the contest because he wanted to win his wife a new car. Abel played only the back nine of the South Course, and Woods left the course soon after finishing at around 10:30 a.m.
“I wouldn’t trade this for anything,” a beaming Abel said afterward. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Woods has not swung a golf club fully since winning his 14th major championship in the Open. He had surgery one week later to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and he has said he will not return to tournament play until sometime next year.
“I’m able to chip and putt now, but the fuller rotational things will come next year,” Woods said. “I don’t know how I’ll be ramping up and what my surgeons will allow. I can walk and do all of this stuff. That’s easy. It’s the rotational stuff that’s going to be different.”
When Woods first said he would make his comeback in 2009, it seemed possible that his first time out might be defending his sixth Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines. And it would make for a dramatic bookend to his Open victory.
But Woods has been cautious to raise any hopes about the timing of his return. He said he would “love to come back” for the Buick, but doesn’t know if he’ll be ready.
“I just don’t know,” he said. “That’s the frustrating thing for me. I like having things planned out. I like understanding what I need to shoot for. But I don’t know. The surgeons don’t know either. They’ve never dealt with an injury like this for a person who plays golf at an elite level.”
Woods added of his left knee: “It’s stronger is some circumstances now than it was last year at this time, which is great.”
Source: SignOnSanDiego.com
