Golf: Going to the Greens at the Four Seasons Aviara

A perfect weekend escape from Los Angeles, the Four Seasons Aviara is a short cruise down the 405/5 freeways (don’t do it Friday night, however, or “short” will not be your reality) to Carlsbad. That's where this elegant Spanish Colonial resort and world-class golf course is perched high in the hills above the Batiquitos Lagoon.

Check in to a spacious, beautifully appointed suite in time to see the sun set over the western hills from your windows; it is a sight that will make you stop what you are doing, to soak it in from your balcony overlooking the resort’s spectacular sculpture garden. Kids and small dogs are welcomed here; bring your little Tiger Woods along to play the golf course, which is a short ride down the hill.

A suite at the Four Seasons Aviara.

The highly touted Four Seasons Aviara Golf Club boasts an 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer, 7,007 yards from the championship tees across 180 beautifully sculpted acres. Opened in 1991, the course incorporates the natural elements around it, and is built in harmony with the protected wetlands just below it. Water is a key element of this course, as lakes, waterfalls, and streams seem to be on every hole; meanwhile, the bunkers are fierce and numerous. Flowers are central to this course, too, as blooms of all sorts dot the landscape and juxtapose brilliant color against the perfectly kept green fairways (which are irrigated almost completely with recycled water).

Many of the greens are large – very large if your putting game isn’t up to par – and the famed 18th hole is a wondrous thing, a challenging mix of rock and water that might just eat a few balls before you reach the green. Consider taking a class with one of the talented course pros, or sign up via the Aviara Golf Academy for their two- or three-day golf schools. Assistant Golf Pro James Dummler (aka J. D.) was incredibly helpful on our visit, offering subtle tips that made a big difference in our ability to hit the ball squarely and accurately. Helpful, too, were Aviara’s carts, as all are equipped with GPS systems that not only show you the exact dimensions of each hole, but also tell you just how far you have to go to the pin. No guesswork here!

Vivace restaurant at the Four Seasons Aviara.
After an exhilarating round in this idyllic setting, make sure to book a reservation at Vivace, the hotel’s first-class Italian restaurant. That appetite you’ve built up playing 18 holes will be quickly sated with the boite’s fine renditions of risotto with lobster and basil, or slow-cooked pork tenderloin served with an apricot saba.

Golf fees range from $215 to $235 for 18 holes; for more information on both the course, golf packages, and the hotel itself, go to www.fourseasons.com/aviara.