010: Maderas Golf Club
Maderas is just as good, if not better, than most private clubs in San Diego. Having worked at a private club in college with an initiation fee of $125,000 to $200,000 allowed me to visit nearly all the golf clubs in San Diego, and Maderas is just as impressive. I won’t judge a place solely by its amenities or service, but it’s safe to say Maderas ranks among the best, from the moment you pull into the bag drop to when you finish your round and receive a warm, scent-infused towel to clean your hands of all those three-putts.
The first time I played Maderas in 2023, I thought it was great but didn’t quite live up to the local hype I’d been led to believe. Perhaps my taste in golf has matured, but after playing it twice early in 2025, I can confidently say it’s now one of my favorites. The course is challenging—far from gimmicky—requiring strategic shot-making. If you struggle off the tee, you’ll be punished. The course is narrow, guarded by shrubbery, creek/barranca-style hazards, and limited rough that prevents wild shots from being safe. Fairway bunkers are deep, often forcing a chip out on your second shot with no shot at the green. The undulating greens are large but tiered, making three-putts a real threat. Kudos to the Maderas maintenance team for keeping the greens fast and pure. The closely mown, grainy surroundings and firm base test your short game, sometimes surprising you with a fluffy lie that makes it tricky to judge how the ball will react.
Every hole on the property is memorable, but a few stand out. The par-three 4th and 17th are the best of the par threes, and the short par-four 6th always catches my attention. An honorable mention goes to the secret tee shot on the 18th hole. A case can be made for every hole being unique, but these three often stand out to me.
Both the 4th and 17th are on the shorter side but have challenging, sloped greens. With the right pin placements, you’re on ace alert, while the wrong ones make bogey feel like an accomplishment. These short par threes are a blast, standing out due to their elevation changes and intricate green complexes.
As I mentioned, many holes and tee shots on the property are outstanding, but I’m always drawn to the short par-four 6th hole. It requires a precise tee shot, ideally a draw; otherwise, you’ll end up in a tricky fairway bunker. A big miss right is likely lost among the wild turkeys (yes, they’re everywhere). The highlight is the green complex—a long, narrow green guarded by a massive oak just short left, blocking high approaches from the left and forcing you to flight or draw your approach or aim for the right side of the fairway for a clear angle. It’s a fantastic hole that always stands out to me.
Maderas is a superb course that offers an experience worthy of the $200+ tee time. If you’re on the fence about playing, I highly recommend visiting and taking on the challenge.
Thank you to Ron from @_thiscourse for the photography!
