Located just over the iconic Coronado Bay Bridge near downtown San Diego, the Municipal Golf Course at Coronado is a par-72 parkland track that measures just under 6,600 yards. Like many courses in coastal Southern California, it features mostly Kikuyu grass on the tees and fairways and large, well- maintained poa annua greens.

The Municipal Golf Course at Coronado is never in poor shape and it is full of spectacular views. It is a breeze to walk, and challenging enough to keep your interest despite the fact that the views of the blue water bay, the San Diego skyline, the million dollar yachts, the spectacular homes and a stunning victorian hotel tend to force your eyes to wander.

Getting there and getting a tee time:

With a weekend rate of $35 walking ($50 with cart), you are hard pressed to find a better deal anywhere on the planet. This fabulous value is no secret though, which is why it is tougher to secure a time here than it is at Torrey Pines South, site of the 2008 U.S. Open.

There are several ways to put your name on the tee sheet at Coronado with easiest being to just show up and plan to spend the day with a buddy on the waiting list. Their calendar is easily accessible on the web at GolfCoronado.c om and it is wise to give it glance before you head over to go on the waiting list.

If you have a foursome and you need a time then you can pay a little extra and reserve an advance tee time up to 14 days in advance for spots after 10:00 a.m. for a fee of $30 per tee time. You can also call two days prior for times starting before 10:00 a.m. or you can go in person to participate in the lottery. Half of the tee times before 10:00 a.m. are given to lottery players and half are given to people calling in. Remember --- phone and lottery are for times two days in advance.

Customer Service:

Several course blogs and travel review sites dock Coronado for the “gruff” customer service. My response to that is when you have a facility that packs in approximately 100,000 rounds a year like Coronado, Torrey Pines and Rancho Park in LA , that is what happens. There are a few new faces at Coronado however that tend to greet customers with a smile rather than a blank stare.

Clubhouse, food & 19th hole: The food is marginal and a bit of a disappointment for a facility with a nice clubhouse and such a great view. The reality is, though, that you don’t go there to eat, you go there to play. The drink cart service is consistent and there is a phone on the ninth tee to facilitate quick food service at the turn. For about $5 you can buy a golfer’s special that includes a hot dog, a bag of chips and a domestic beer.

Course Layout:

Out on the course, there are several standout holes. The par-4 eighth hole requires a good drive and a well-placed second shot to a water-flanked green and the par-3 15th hole that plays into the prevailing wind is another good test. Although there are visible undulations to most of the greens, the tip from the long time head pro Ron Yarbrough is play less break than you see.

Signature hole:

For sheer beauty and fun, the picturesque par- 4 16th is hard to beat. It is the postcard hole that runs along the shores of Glorietta Bay and tempts you to cut off distance by playing a draw over the water. From the green, the view is first rate with the golf course, the yacht club and the majestic Hotel del Coronado all in frame.

All this for the low price of $35. Low stress municipal golf simply does not get any better.

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