Aviara Golf Club & Resort Course Review, Home of the Kia Classic
Introduction
The Aviara Golf Club and Resort is located in Carlsbad, California and most notably known for hosting the LPGA Kia Classic. The Kia Classic is a perfect tournament the week before the ANA Inspiration, played at the Mission Hills Country Club Dinah Shore Course.
Built in 1991, and designed by Arnold Palmer, the course stretches some 7,007 yards from the back tees. It is not an easy course, rating at 75 with a slope of 144.
Conditions at Aviara Golf Club & Resort
Aviara conditions were exceptional, which is to be expected if you are willing to pay a premium price. With maybe the exception of Torrey Pines, there isn’t a better maintained public course in the San Diego are.
The greens were great and rolled true. The fairways were very good with the exception of a couple spots that the over-seed did not take well. These spots were few and far between though. The tee boxes were excellent.
While maybe in not quite as good condition of Torrey, the ambiance of Aviara is strides above. Majestically moving through the hills of Carlsbad, it will have several holes that you will remember.
The Pro Shop
The pro shop was very adequate. Much smaller than other resort pro shops, but it had everything you would need. The staff was very friendly and helpful from the time we arrived till the time we left.
Driving Range and Practice Area
The range is not very large as far as width. It is double sided though to help create more room. We had to hit off mats. Not my favorite by any means but I would assume everyone would be hitting off mats until after the Kia Classic. There is no bunker or chipping area on the near side of the range. On the far end there is a bunker ans chipping area, but I do believe this end of the range is for members only.
There is a large putting green in front of the clubhouse. I would strongly advise you to get acquainted with the speed and roll of these greens. They rolled awesome but you better be ready for them.
The Front 9 at Aviara Golf Club & Resort
Hole 1 start you off with a fairly simple par 4. Keep you drive down the left middle of the fairway. The bunkers on the right will be tough but still better than the trees and junk on the left. Short is the best miss here. Avoid the bunker behind the green as they will surely add a stroke from a tough up and down.
Hole 2 starts your trek up hill. Keep your tee shot left of the bunkers that look straight ahead. You will not have a good look at the green from them. The green is not protect by any bunkers, but does have a hill in the front right that may block your view of the green or flag. There isn’t really a bad miss here as long as you miss small.
Hole 3 will start to show you the beauty of this place. A short par 3 over water in which you better hit the correct shot. With water in front that runs to the left of the green and water back right there is not much room for error. Luckily enough the green here at the 3rd is fairly large and is not a long shot.
Hole 4 is a par 4 that plays just under 400 yards but will seem to play longer than that. Remember, you are still going slightly up hill so take a half extra club. Avoid the trees and mess to the left placing your tee ball down the middle. There are a number of bunkers in the front right of the green. Keep just left of them if they make your nervous or not sure of your number because there is no room behind this green.
Hole 5 is a fun up hill par 5 the curves to the right. Stay out of the bunkers on the right if you want to get close to this green in two. The majority of people, including myself, will need 3 shots to get to the green. On your lay up, make sure you get to the number you want, as it’s up hill. You may need to club up one. Try to leave yourself 90 yards short of the middle to avoid any bunker trouble. You will find the trouble is really in the front, with bunkers on the front left and right. While there isn’t much room behind, it will be tough to go over the green with it playing up hill so much. Unless the pin is in the back, half a club to a club should be fine. Just don’t skull it over!
Hole 6 is a long slightly up hill par 3. Just avoid the bunker in the front right. There is some room behind the green to the left but not near as much on the right. This would be the best miss unless the pin is in the front.
Hole 7 is at the top of the hill and will now play down hill. With this hole being one of Palmer’s many fun holes. A driver isn’t a necessity here unless it has been raining and you ball may plug. Just keep your tee shot from going wayward in either direction. The green is well protected on this easier hole. While I don’t like the bunkers in front, I feel it’s a better miss than behind the green over the hill. The best miss of course is the front left where the fairway runs into the green.
Hole 8 is a down hill par 5 that only the best will try to go for it in 2. If you are fine with getting to the water surrounded green in 3 than a driver off the tee isn’t necessary. Just make sure you keep it in the fairway. Try and make sure your lay up is within 120 yards of the center of the green. this will give you a flatter lie for your approach. There is little room here for a miss. Just long or left would be the only ones but they can’t be by much. You will need to hit a solid shot into this green.
Hole 9 is another fun down hill par 4. On your tee shot, take a club that will be short of the bunker that looks straight ahead, but is on the left side of the fairway. Take aim at that bunker. This will give you about 130 in and a clean look at the green. short of this green is the best miss for an easy up and down. Make sure to club down, or even an extra one as it still plays down hill.
The Back 9 at Aviara Golf Club Resort
Hole 10 is a fun par 5. This is a tricky tee shot for someone who has never played here. Luckily we played with a wonderful gentleman from Chicago that gave us the line. For good drivers, between the fountain and the tree on the right (I misunderstood and went with the tree on the left and barely made the fairway). This will leave you with around 230 to the hole, so it is easily reachable in two. The lay up on this one can be dangerous with a bunker to the right and water to the left. I would make sure I am at least 70 yards or less from the hole to avoid the trouble. Short, just right, or deep left are your best misses with short being the best option.
Hole 11 is the second longest par 3 on the course and has water along the front short and right. Your miss will need to be just long, avoiding the bunkers in the back, just left, or short left. This one plays tough so swing with confidence.
Hole 12 is a par that bends slightly right. Avoid the bunkers that run along the right just before the penalty area. It is important to hit the fairway here because you can score on this hole. With a double green connected to the 15th hole, there is just one bunker left. Anything on line will be fine, whether it is short or long. Just avoid the penalty area to the right.
Hole 13 is an up hill par 4 that turns to the left. for longer hitters, driver is necessary. Aim for the far trap in the middle of the fairway or just right of it (may look like 2 from the teebox). Just make sure you will be about 20 yards short of it. This should leave you around 100 yards in so a shorter club will obviously leave you with more. club up on your approach if not 2 as there is some room along the back but the best misses will be just right. There is a little false front on the left.
Hole 14 is a downhill par 3 and one of the most photographed holes. Just short left or a bit long would be the ideal misses. There is a ridge that runs through the middle of the green so this will be an issue putting if you are on the opposite side.
Hole 15 has a slightly down hill tee shot but plays much longer than any other hole. At 473 yards, it will play just as long as the par 5 10th. A fairway is a must here. This is the double green from the 12th, with bunkers to the right. Anything on line will be fine and an easy up down.
Hole 16 is a beautiful par 4 with water near the green. Keep your tee shot down the left hand side to have a shorter and straight shot into the green. This is a tough green and will take a good approach to hit. With water left,a steep drop off to the right, and not much room behind there are not too many misses. The green is long and narrow though. Since it plays a little bit downhill towards the green, the best miss is short.
Hole 17 is a nifty par 5. A narrow tee shot, hitting the fairway will be one of the toughest on the day. Avoid the trees on either side with a club less than driver if needed. Most will be hitting three shots here to get to the green. There is not nearly as much trouble after the tee shot. Just keep your lay up in the fairway to the number you want left to have a good look at the green. If your going for it in two, then anything short is the best miss. Any approach will need to do the same, missing short and avoiding the sides of this elevated green. Do not be long into the trap.
Hole 18 is doozy and a great finishing hole. Flirting with the water down the right will give the shortest route into the green. Just avoid the bunkers on the left off the tee. With water left and a large bunker behind, you will make sure you hit the right number. Your best miss is deep left behind the front bunker.
Conclusion
Aviara Golf Club and Resort is a real treat to play. The rolling hills this course is situated on makes for a fun day of golf. I would have to rank Aviara Golf Club pretty high in my courses I have played. It had the feel of a Palm Springs type conditions but a course that you might play in Colorado. A truly one of a kind course and experience. I hope I can make it back to Carlsbad and play there again.
Check out our other reviews!
About The Author
