Everything You Need to Know about The Grand Golf Club
Whether you’re a die-hard golf nut who takes to the links every chance you get, a novice looking to improve your handicap, or somewhere in between, a day on the one-of-a-kind course at The Grand Golf Club is a must during a stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Though the golf club — situated on the grounds of the resort — is private, guests staying at the Fairmont are given exclusive access to tee times at the par 72 course, well known for being one of the best golf courses in San Diego.
“The number-one piece of feedback we hear is how beautiful the course is,” says Director of Golf Shawn Cox who oversees the 380-acre golf course that’s surrounded by lush landscaping and the beautiful bluffs of the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. “And the number-two thing that players say is that it felt like they had the whole course to themselves. What’s unusual is to have a topography where, when you’re on a particular hole, you don’t see a lot of the other holes, so it has the feel of being out in the country meandering through the hills.”
It was all part of the grand plan of acclaimed golf architect Tom Fazio, the highest-rated modern golf course architect in the country who designed the course to include a mix of dramatic elevations, gorgeous fairways, and impressive bunkers. “The bunkering looks so natural on the hillside. It’s one of the things Fazio is just so good at,” adds Cox.
Because it’s a modern-day course that was designed with six sets of tees on every hole, it can challenge any and every level of golfer, providing easier play from the front tees for newer golfers and more challenging shots for top players from the championship tees. And what’s become one of the club’s most notable features is its state-of-the-art, world-class practice facility that attracts some of the best tour pros in the world.
“The number-one most important amenity now in golf is the practice facilities, so we have a Top 50 private practice facility. We have numerous short game areas, premium golf balls, all grass, and a lighted putting green for evening practice,” says Cox. “We had Jon Rahm, the number-one player, here a few weeks ago and Xander Shauffele, who is number six in the world. They’re here for the course but it’s also because of the practice facility.”
Guests who might not want to commit to a full day on the course can still take advantage of the club’s complimentary practice facilities, putters, and rental sets during their stay. While players looking to improve their games can work with The Grand Golf Performance Academy’s lineup of tour-seasoned instructors and onsite PGA pros, who host exclusive clinics and seminars throughout the year. And, of course, even guests who have never picked up a putter can still enjoy a meal at the Clubhouse Grill, the club’s casual restaurant focused on California-inspired fare and local beers, overlooking the 18th hole.
Whether you’re centering your trip to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar around golf, want to perfect your putt in between other activities, or just watch from the clubhouse with a burger and a brew, the best part is you don’t have to go far. “It’s a great destination because you’ve got the practice facility where you can work on your game and then you’ve got the golf course and then you’ve got excellent fitness offerings and all the food and beverage right here on property,” says Cox. “So, you don’t have to leave the property to go to dinner or to get a lesson. Where else in the country can you go on a golf trip and experience a two-star Michelin restaurant on the same property? It’s pretty special.”