Alex C.
Yelp
4 1/2 stars, but I'm going to be a homer and round up.
Torrey Pines should really be separated into two reviews, as the North and South courses are very different experiences. Both host the PGA Tour's annual Farmers Insurance Open, so regardless of which course you choose, you get to play a beautiful PGA Tour course. Getting a tee time for either can be a challenge, but is doable for the persistent, or for those willing to pay an extra $30 per person for an advanced reservation (at least eight days in advance). At as little as $27 for residents (weekday twilight on the North Course), it's one of the greatest golf bargains around.
The South course is one of the toughest golf courses you will ever play. It, of course, hosted the US Open in 2008 and will again in 2021. It is also used for three of the four rounds of the PGA Tour's annual Farmers Open, fka Buick Invitational, Andy Williams Open, San Diego Open, and a million other names. Seriously, this tournament used to change its name more often than Sean Puff Daddy Combs P. Ditty [symbol] Cat Stevens Abdul-Jabbar, or whatever he's called these days. Rates range from $38-76 for residents (with purchase of a $25 residents card) and up to around $250 for non-residents. Even the non-resident rate is a relative bargain for the chance to play a US Open course, of which only a small handful are open to the public.
In short, the South is a brute. It stretches out to about 7,800 yard from the "you've got to be kidding me" tees, but even from the 7,000+ tees, plays very long, as the ocean air, patchy kikuyu grasss, and thick rough do not give up yards easily. Deep bunkers pinch both the fairways and greens, and the greens themselves have lots of undulation, both subtle and not so much. The rough is sometimes very thick (but not always), making it assured that you will hit a few ugly shots trying to negotiate your way out of it. Is it Pebble Beach? No, the South is more tough than great -- too tough, in fact, for many locals, who stick to the North -- however, if you like a challenge, you'd be hard pressed to find one better. And of course, the ocean views are pretty damn good.
The North Course is no pushover, but is much more forgiving than its patner, with one exception -- the greens tend to be incredibly firm. The North also plays host to the PGA's Farmers Open, as the pros play one of their four rounds on this easier, but not easy, track. Most locals prefer playing the North course, as it won't beat you up nearly as much as the South. That said, it's no pushover, and the firm greens give some players fits. Also, the views on the North are generally superior, as there are ocean views from virtually every hole, with the entire back nine providing one epic view after another. This peaks at the downhill par three 15th, which looks like you are hitting your tee shot into a perfect picture postcard, which you basically are. Also, don't miss the view from the back tee box on the 16th, as its panoramic look down the coastline is one of the best on the course.
So, you really can't go wrong playing either of the Torrey Pines courses. There are a few downsides, however. I mentioned that getting a tee time can be a challenge. Also, the courses are heavily used by players with -- let's just say a varying degree of golf etiquette -- so expect ball marked greens and, although generally good, not elite country club quality conditioning. Finally, play can be slow at times, especially on the North Course. (Yes, oddly enough, the tougher South usually has a better pace of play.) However, to get to play at perhaps the finest municipal golf facility in the country, overlooking the Pacific, AND at a fair price, these drawbacks are easy to accept.