The Takeaway:  While San Diego isn’t known for having great golf courses, it has some solid offerings with Crosby being right up there among them. With excellent conditioning, dramatic elevation changes, and compelling views, Crosby is an equally memorable and enjoyable course to play through an upscale neighborhood.  Grade B

Quick Facts

Designer:  Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley in 2001

Cost:  Private

Phone Number:  (858) 756-6310

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit The Crosby Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - 17102 Bing Crosby Blvd, San Diego, California  92127 – UNITED STATES

Photos:  See additional photos of The Crosby Club

What to Expect:  Crosby, named after the famous Bing, is a very well conditioned course that could be described as a much better version of The Farms; for those familiar with the nearby Pete Dye layout. Both courses are routed through upscale neighborhoods in San Diego's foothills with dramatic elevation changes that keep players engaged throughout. However, Crosby delivers with a much more appealing layout with more acreage dedicated to the golf course and not as much attention on the residential aspect of the property; though plenty of homes are found on the track. The elevation changes are severe at times with several holes offering a thrilling shot to execute and great anticipation watching the ball hang in the air before finding its eventual resting place. You can count on fantastic views throughout the routing with the surrounding hills and distant vistas providing appealing backdrops. It may not be to the level of The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, but Crosby is perhaps the next best course in the San Diego area and is a ton of fun to play.

By the Numbers

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  7th Hole – 483 Yard Par 4 – A large stone in the middle of the fairway dominates the foreground of this picturesque hole that boasts a stunning mountain background. A tee shot that flies directly over the stone will be on a great line although if you are going to err on one side then you'll want to go left since the terrain kicks balls to the right. Flags in the front left third of the green is where you want to be the most aggressive attacking since five bunkers encircle the rest of the putting surface. With 100 feet of drop from tee to green, there is plenty of excitement and shotmaking to be had here.

7th Hole at The Crosby Club (483 Yard Par 4)

Best Par 3:  13th Hole – 240 Yards – The theme of 100 foot drops continues at the 13th that takes a mighty plunge from tee to green with the ideal shot starting over the bunker on the left and fade it to the putting surface that isn't protected on that side. When the wind is up this can be a diabolical green to hit due to the amount of drop and time that allows for Mother Nature's influence to take effect. Pars here are well earned.

13th Hole at The Crosby Club (240 Yard Par 3)

Best Par 4:  5th Hole – 423 Yards – An exciting tee shot awaits on the 5th where you'll watch your ball descend over 100 feet to the fairway below. The left side features a pair of bunkers to avoid while the downhill approach shot plays to a green that angles away from the players with a quarter of bunkers hooking around the back. The dramatic elevation changes are the most memorable feature at Crosby Club, and this hole showcases that famously.

5th Hole at The Crosby Club (423 Yard Par 4)

Best Par 5:  16th Hole – 516 Yards – The 16th is a reachable par five with risk and reward the whole way home. A series of lakes engulfs the left side of the hole with the fairway steadily bending around them enroute to the green site. Bailing out to the right though brings four fairway bunkers into play on the tee shot and players that layup on the second have another trio of sand pits to navigate. Going for the green in two calls for a shot that flies the entire way to the green beyond the last pond fronting the putting surface or hitting a sweeping draw that stays over the fairway on the right before bending into the shallow green with a generous opening on that side. This hole doesn't feature the big elevation changes that Crosby is so well known for, but this is certainly one of its best designs.

16th Hole at The Crosby Club (516 Yard Par 5)

16th Hole at The Crosby Club (516 Yard Par 5)

Birdie Time:  9th Hole – 363 Yard Par 4 – Another downhill tee shot that should reward you with at least 10% more distance than usual, the 9th is ripe for the taking. Tee balls that skirt the right edge of the fairway bunkers on the left will find themselves on an ideal line that can chase all the way to the green if you have enough juice. The right side of the green is wide open and the hill on that side of the hole will kick balls down to the putting surface, so use that to your advantage if needed or simply take a wedge and fly it to the flag with some spin to set up a birdie putt.

9th Hole at The Crosby Club (363 Yard Par 4)

Bogey Beware:  10th Hole – 490 Yard Par 4 – Hopefully you picked up a birdie on the 9th because the back nine starts with a beast of a par four that may have you giving that stroke right back. A large bunker is straight ahead from the tee box but don't use it as an aiming marker, there is much more fairway to the right to safely find. The approach plays downhill to a green that is just 15 yards wide and a trio of bunkers along the left which stands as a diabolical green to hit from such a long distance away. Keep your approach up the right and utilize the hillside for any chance of keeping a bogey off the card.

10th Hole at The Crosby Club (490 Yard Par 4)