A golf newbie gets a lesson on the Tom Fazio Championship Golf Course at Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego. The 18-hole, 72-par golf course is ideal for newbies and pros alike. 

When I headed to San Diego for a three-day stay at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, I had no idea how my enjoyment of golf would be awakened after a 15-year hiatus. With my lightweight golf bag packed, I headed out of Palm Springs with menacing clouds hanging low over the desert landscape.

About 20 miles from Palm Springs, I turned south at Beaumont and smiled, for before me, the menacing clouds turned fluffy and were illuminated by the California desert sun. I was beaming with delight, for learning to play golf in the sunlight was much more appealing than taking golf lessons in the rain in Washington state, which ultimately was why I decided against pursuing golf.

View of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel. Photo by Kathy Condon

Arrival at Fairmont Grand Del Mar Resort and Spa

The sign off the main road gave no hint as to the magnificence of this property. I proceeded up the winding driveway lined with trees, feeling this would be a place to leave the rest of the world behind me. A stop at the guard booth caused a smile as he said, “Ms. Condon, enjoy your stay.”

Continuing up the driveway, I got my first glimpse at The Grand Golf Club, which I later learned is often a practice field for many reigning golf champions. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar Resort and Spa loomed in Spanish architectural grandeur.

Under the veranda, a valet greeted me and assured me he’d take good care of my car, which I didn’t need for the next three days. I had no idea of the extent of this resort’s activities beyond golf.

My Lovely Suite at Fairmont Grand Del Mar Resort and Spa

With check-in behind me, I followed the staff member to my suite. Frankly, part of the way to the room, I wished I had left breadcrumbs. However, as we approached the suite, I was shown an elevator, and the staff member said, “Ms. Condon, this is the one you will want to use. I took you the long way, for I wanted you to get the feel of this sprawling property with 249 rooms.”

The suite was enormous, with elegant drapes and an entire living room-like space with a lounge chair next to a window that looked out onto the manicured grounds. The king-sized bed linens proved to be my downfall, for they were so luxurious that they made me wonder what it would be like to stay in bed for the entire day.

Now, as for the bathroom, it had a huge soaking tub with bath salts provided, marble everywhere, a TV set, a phone, and even a scale. I can attest that the soaking tub was a perfect way to end my day.

View of Suite at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Photo by Kathy Condon

Beginning Golf Lessons at the Nineteenth Hole

As we women do, I wondered whether I had the right clothes to play golf at this five-star resort. So while grabbing a quick lunch at the bar of Amaya Restaurant, I spoke with a couple sitting next to me. They are Grand Golf Club members and play the course twice a week. They assured me I had dressed appropriately, even in the gray tennis shoes.

With time for my lesson, I headed to the Nineteenth Hole, where the golf instructor awaited me. His first question was, “Are you right or left-handed?”

With the right driver in hand and the glove on, he was patient as he showed me the proper grip and feet stance. Ahhh—lean a bit forward, too. Now for the moment of truth, could I get the ball off the tee without too many divots? Divots are when you hit the grass. In my case, when I missed the ball, the grass went flying.

It didn’t take long to discover this was a very challenging sport, but lessons certainly gave me the basics. For example, I had no idea the line on the driver needed to line up with the center of the ball to help guide it to the intended target. Yes, there was a cheer from my fellow lesson teammates when I hit one, especially far down the fairway.

Pro Tip: If you are a right-handed woman renting clubs, simply say, “I’d like to rent right-handed clubs for a woman,” and they will set you up with everything you need.

Playing on The Grand Golf Club Course

When it was announced that four of us would form a team and play a scramble game, I had no idea what that meant. Who am I to turn down a challenge or an adventure?

Thankfully, this is a golf cart course because of the very hilly terrain. It is adjacent to the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, Carmel Valley, and Torrey Pines. Before I knew it, we were off to play 12 Holes using two golf carts.

Pro Tip: The Grand Golf Club course at Fairmont Grand Del Mar is an 18-hole, 72-par Tom Fazio-designed course. Open year-round, the 7,160-yard course offers stunning views of Los Peñasquitos Canyon, a 50,000-square-foot Clubhouse, a pro shop, caddies, and club rentals.

Much to my pleasure, our leader was the head of membership for the course. As a side note, he had figured out that when they had to repair or upgrade a Hole, they often had to close the entire golf course down. Thus, he designed an additional Hole, which meant members and professional players could use the 18-hole course all year.

I learned a scramble meant that once your team hit their balls, you choose one driven down the fairway, then get on the cart and go to the ball the farthest away and in a good position for a shot at the next Hole. From there, you all shoot. The goal is to get there on par—the number of shots an expert player typically takes to make that particular Hole.

The sun shone brightly, and we newbies sometimes hit the balls into the weeds. I learned that my best shots were putts, which were 80% of the game. I don’t know if they said that to make me feel better, but I am going with that belief.

Kathy Condon is playing at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Golf. Photo by Kathy Condon

A Massage at The Fairmont Spa and Wellness Center

Now, about all those muscles that I discovered swinging the clubs. No one can tell me golf is not an exercise. No question, side muscles had been getting quite the workout. Frankly, I’m not sure what kind of condition I would have been in to drive home if I hadn’t gotten a massage.

The Fairmont Spa and Wellness Center has five stars, and I have no question that they deserve this exclusive ranking. Seriously, when is the last time you have walked into a massage room, and there on the table is a little tray with a “Welcome Ms. Condon sign, a sprig of rosemary, and a burning candle to welcome you?

The massage was heavenly. Lounging in the quiet room afterward seemed the epitome of luxuriating after a day of learning and laughing on the course. By the way, I admit we skipped a couple of Holes on the course, for we were starting to hold up other golfers—proving we are not perfect yet.

Tray with a sign, rosemary sprig, and candle when I entered the massage room. Photo by Kathy Condon

Final Lesson at The Nineteenth Hold at The Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Feeling quite confident with my putting abilities, I went to the last lesson on putting. I grabbed a club, and it didn’t feel quite right, but I persevered. Laughing now, for it seems I picked up a left-handed putter—a sure way to keep one humbled.

In this lesson, we learned how to be measured for the exact length of clubs we need, if we decide we want to proceed with this sport. Then we had time to do some more putts and were directed with information that might make us more accurate in our efforts. All very interesting and indeed helpful to know.

Lessons at the Grand Del Mar. Photo by Kathy Condon

Off to Explore the Grounds of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar

I took a short hike on the morning I was leaving. High up on one of the hills, I looked down on the golf course and saw that this resort is hidden in a secluded spot amid the San Diego suburbs. Hiking trails abound on this 400-acre property.

As I leisurely walked back, I passed the stables. Gentle horses were waiting to take guests down the paths to explore more of the resort’s natural areas.

Horses are ready to take guests on a nature ride. Photo by Kathy Condon

With four heated pools, there is plenty of space to find a quiet area among the grounds with beautiful white roses blooming profusely. Yes, you can lie around all afternoon if you desire and have some great drinks and food delivered to you poolside.

Pro Tip:  If you have members of the family who are not golfers, you will most certainly want to bring them along, for there is plenty to keep them entertained, and the food on the premises is superb. Chef William Bradley at the Addison Restaurant on the premises was recently named a three-star Michelin Chef. He is the only three-star Michelin chef in San Diego, with only eight total in California.

View of one of the four heated pools at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Photo by Kathy Condon

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Time to Head Back to Palm Springs

Now entering my car for the first time in three days, I had a two-hour drive back to Palm Springs. Alone with my thoughts, I relived the last three days. Will I pursue golf more? Luckily, I don’t have to make the decision now. Though indeed, the fact that I live in Palm Springs, California, makes it easy to find a course with 120 of them in Coachella Valley. However, if I pursue this challenging sport, a brush-up with lessons at Fairmont Grand Del Mar-The Grand Golf Club will certainly be in my future. Let Wander With Wonder be your guide when planning an outdoor activity like golfing in California or Arizona.

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