Pelican Hill resort lies along ocean side cliffs in Newport Coast, California. The resort has two fantastic golf courses, ocean south and ocean north. Both are surrounded by 10-20 million dollar homes and endless ocean views. Tom Fazio designed both courses, and when he is on his game he’s one of the best in the business.

There is some debate on which course is better, the majority opinion is the shorter of the two courses, Ocean South. I agree, and it is the south course that makes my top 21 list at number 13.

To say pelican Hill is a fancy golf course may be an understatement. I remember my first visit sheepishly pulling up to the valet in my regular car, past the Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Maseratis parked in front of the clubhouse. I got over that quick -the golf is too good - and returned several times, it is a public course after all.

Before you tee off make sure and take advantage of the free bottled water and bowl of fruit on the first tee which is a nice touch considering the really high green fees. If you decide to play pelican Hill I recommend a twilight time, it’s the only way to play it for under $200. When I lived in Newport Beach I became pretty good at booking the first twilight time and I was always able to to finish before dark.

Pelican Hill is not a long course by any means, just under 6600 yards from the tips. However, it makes up for the short length with a number of short and tricky holes that are strategic and in my opinion are lots of fun to play. If you read my course reviews you know I don’t particularly like narrow courses with an overgrowth of trees.

My favorite courses provide the golfer with width, multiple options and strategy is required. There are a number of holes at pelican hill where are you must choose a strategy on how to attack the hole, lay up or risk trouble and go for the glory. The course has about 400 feet of elevation drops, plays through ravines and along the ocean. There is not a boring hole in the bunch.

On the ocean south course you start with a bang, the first hole is a 450 yard par 4 that is straight downhill. You want to play just left of the fairway bunker to give yourself the best angle into the the huge green. Pick the wrong club here and you can easily have 100 foot putt.



The fourth hole is a great risk reward par 4. You must hit your tee shot with good carry over a canyon. If you fade or slice the ball and are risk averse, just aim for the left edge of the fairway and you should follow the shape of the hole and fade right into the middle. If you prefer to hit bombs you‘ll want to challenge the cliff further down the fairway which could lead an easy chip into the green.



The 7th hole is a Tom Fazio classic, beautiful par 3. The setting makes it even more breathtaking, with a pond short of the green and ocean views behind.



11th hole is a fun downhill part four That takes you to the ocean. The hole has essentially a peninsula green surrounded by bunkers and backs up against the edge of the ocean.



The real showstoppers here are the back to back par 3 12th and 13th holes. These are the only two holes pelican hill Where the ocean is in play. Fazio bucked convention in 1991 and made the unheard of decision to have back to back par 3’s in this spot and he has been applauded for it since. By making the best use of the land he inspired many modern architects to be bold in their designs.

The 12th is a beautiful golf hole framed in a depression with ocean left and behind.



The short par 3 13th is the most memorable golf hole on the course. There are two alternate greens both very demanding and small requiring accurate shots. The left green sits right on the ocean’s edge shot hit left is done for. The right green is surrounded by sandy waste bunkers and may even be the harder of the two.



The 18th hole at pelican hill is a fantastic finish to a memorable round. A 440 yard par 4 where You must tee off over one canyon and then hit your second shot over another towards the green.



Torrey Pines has the name recognition and the history that Pelican Hill will never have, but having played both courses, the best ocean course in Southern California is Pelican Hill South. It’s a must play if you have the chance.