Torrey Pines Golf Course: South
La Jolla, CA, United States • Public
%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573163040843.jpeg)
%20aerial%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.640.suffix/1573163020034.jpeg)
%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573163022347.jpeg)
%20-%20%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573163039014.jpeg)
%20%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573163026346.jpeg)
Overview
Torrey Pines sits on one of the prettiest golf course sites in America, atop coastal bluffs north of San Diego with eye-dazzling views of the Pacific. Rees Jones’ remodeling of the South Course in the early 2000s not only made the course competitive for the 2008 U.S. Open (won by Tiger Woods in a playoff over Rocco Mediate), it also brought several coastal canyons into play for everyday play, especially on the par-3 third and par-4 14th. An annual PGA Tour stop, Torrey Pines received another boost by Jones prior to hosting its second U.S. Open in 2021, this one won by Jon Rahm.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked from 1969-'74.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
Highest ranking: No. 159, 2013-'14.
2021-'22 ranking: No. 198.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since inaugural edition in 2003.
Highest ranking: No. 33, 2017-'18.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 35.
Best in State: Ranked 20th, 2013-'14. Ranked 22nd, 2011-'12, 2017-'18. Ranked 23rd, 2015-'16, 2019-'20.
2023-'24 ranking: 26th.
Previous ranking: 23rd.
Watch our exclusive drone tour
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Challenging but fun. Bunkering is more extrteme than what you realize watching it on TV. Views of the ocean and hang gliders are very cool to see throughout the round. If you can get on the South Course, it is well worth it."
Read More2024
Review
“This William F. Bell designed course was last renovated by Rees Jones. This municipal golf course is situated off the Pacific Coast cliffs located about 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego and run by the city. The course offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the Southern California coast line and the City of San Diego. The course is speckled with torrey pines one of the rarest pine trees. There is a premium on keeping the drive in the fairway as the thick rough can be very penal and the course plays longer than it appears. Rees Jones added a number of strategically placed bunkers on the fairways which will catch errant drives. Most of the greens are elevated and are protected by numerous bunkers. This forces the golfer to accurately carry the green, many of which have drop offs on the sides or in the back. Further, the on-shore winds which are fairly prevalent will make the approach shot even more difficult. The well-conditioned bent grass greens have undulations, tend to break towards the ocean but play consistent and true. Overall, the course will continually challenge golfers at all skill levels and combined with an outstanding setting will make the South course experience a memorable one."
Read More2024
Review
“Not many better public courses than this one. When retuning to LaJolla, I’d much rather spend an afternoon here than on the brawny South Course."
Read More2024
Review
“It's rare a course of this quality would be open to the public. A great opportunity to measure your game against the best players. Finding short grass off the tee is essential if you want to reach some of the longer holes in regulation. The rough is brutal, even at the level it's kept other than tournament week. Lots of slope on many greens adds to the challenge. There are not many courses with the quality of views as Torrey Pines South. This is one bucket list course every golfer should check off."
Read More2024
Review
“A golf course with a lot of history (US Opens as well as a prominent annual PGA Tour event), and some wonderful golf holes with challenge, strategy, and beauty. Not a bad way for a golfer to spend a memorable day."
Read More2023
Review
“If not an overplayed public course, and if the city of San Diego had enough smarts to "soften up" the hospital/power complex/office building eyesore that overlooks the back nine, this could very well be a top 100-150 golf course."
Read More2023
Review
“Expensive course, nice to play a pro tour track, not sure if it's worth the $ to play again. North course is a bit more fun to play, better value. South is a long slugfest, beats you up. Ocean holes are beautiful, inland holes are a bit bland."
Read More2022
Review
“Reflecting on my round after playing and walking around the course the evening before, I was puzzled about how the 18th pond fit into the original design thoughts. I have found very few singular hazards that made me wonder how to score each of the categories."
Read More2022
Review
“Torrey Pines South sits on what could easily be considering the most beautiful property in the United States. Some would argue the layout is not worthy of the land it sits, but it's hard to argue with the beauty and challenge the course provides. Narrow fairways with thick rough surrounding and well-guarded green sites provide a site worthy of its historical championship tests from the United State Open, annual PGA tour stop and numerous other amateur tournaments. While it may not have the amenities of a high-end club, the experience of Torrey Pines is one its visitors wont’ soon forget."
Read More2022
Review
“Torrey Pines South has elevated greens that pose challenges for chipping. The greens are also well protected by well placed and deep bunkers. Tee shots are a challenge with the heavy rough and well placed fairway bunkers. The course is long and demanding. It does not require a great deal of shot shaping. The holes are distinct throughout the layout and offer extraordinary views of the adjacent state preserve and Pacific Ocean."
Read More2022
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
There are no readers reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.