North Course
San Diego, CA, USA
Admiral Baker Golf Course's North Course occupies a canyon setting in San Diego's Mission Valley area, designed by Jack L. Daray Sr. and opened in the 1960s as part of a military recreational facility. The course serves active duty military personnel, retirees, and Department of Defense civilians, maintaining its original mission as a Navy-operated golf complex. The property sits on land that was part of the former Camp Elliott Marine Corps base, and the course takes its name from Admiral Wilder DuPuy Baker, a decorated naval officer. The routing works through rolling terrain with elevation changes characteristic of Southern California's inland canyons. Eucalyptus trees and native vegetation line many fairways, and the layout requires golfers to navigate both uphill and downhill lies. Water features come into play on several holes, and the canyon topography creates natural corridors that define playing angles. The North Course is generally considered the more challenging of Admiral Baker's two eighteen-hole layouts, with tighter landing areas and more pronounced slopes than its companion South Course. The facility reflects the straightforward, accessible design philosophy common to military golf courses of its era—emphasizing playability for a wide range of skill levels while incorporating enough strategic interest to engage regular players. The course remains a fixture in San Diego's military golf community, offering affordable rates and a relaxed atmosphere distinct from the region's resort and daily-fee venues.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in CA
Public: #110
Golfers say this military-access course punches above typical public facilities, with reviewers praising its variety of par 4s—especially creative short ones—and challenging par 3s from the back tees. Most note excellent fairway conditioning and interesting green sites, though one reviewer found the greens marred by unrepaired pitch marks and wished they matched the quality of the surrounds. The routing draws mixed reactions, with some finding it funky yet engaging, while another likens the overall experience to a budget version of Riviera, highlighting memorable holes at a strong value for those with access.
7.0
16 players
Score based on 0-10 scale with 5.5 being more like C+ Better than your average public access course. Sneaky tough holes especially the par 3s from the back tees. Loved the variety of par 4s especially some interesting short par 4s thrown in the mix. The par 5s were a tad boring but fine. Fairways were plush. Green sites were nice but tons of pitch marks. People: please fix your pitch marks! If the greens were as nice as the fairways and surrounds my score would be at least 7. The layout was a little funky but definitely interesting. I prefer Navy Destroyers layout more but wish they put as much money there as they did here. I’d definitely play AB North quite a bit if I was a local resident.
Great Course US Navy
If Riviera were a military course. Tons of cool holes at a good price.
Public courses closest to North at Admiral Baker Golf Course.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
North at Admiral Baker Golf Course has a Course Vaults score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 8 explicit golfer ratings.
North was designed by Jack L. Daray Sr..
Yes. North at Admiral Baker Golf Course is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at North is 72.
North plays 6,820 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at North is 123.
