Pelican Hill Ocean South
Tom Fazio opened the Ocean South Course at Pelican Hill in 1991, a par 70 of about 6,580 yards that runs closer to the cliff edge than its sister. Shorter, tighter and arguably the more dramatic of the two ocean courses, it strings together some of the most photographed clifftop holes on the Southern California coast.
Photo via Google.
The verdict
If the Ocean North is the longer, more expansive course, the Ocean South is the one people remember for the view. Tom Fazio took the better coastal parcel and routed the South nearer the bluffs, so the Pacific is not just on the horizon but right beside several holes. It is shorter and plays to a par 70, which puts a premium on precise iron play and short game rather than length, and the clifftop par 3s are the headline images of the whole resort.
Our verdict: this is a course you play for the drama and the scenery, a round that rewards control and nerve on the coastal holes more than raw power. Paired with the North it makes a perfect resort double, one course for sweep and space and one for the cliff edge thrill. For the wider state picture, see our best golf courses in California.
Pelican Hill Ocean South Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1991
- Designer
- Tom Fazio
- Type
- Coastal resort
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,580 yds
- Green fee
- From about $300 (indicative)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Pelican Hill Golf Club and leading course databases: Tom Fazio, 1991, par 70, about 6,580 yards. Peak season green fees ran roughly $300 to $425 in the 2025 to 2026 season, with resort guests receiving preferred rates. Treat the figure as indicative for the 2025 to 2026 season and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The clifftop par 3s are the reason the South gets the photographs. Several short holes play along or toward the bluff with the ocean directly behind the green, the kind of tee shot that makes a phone come out before a club, and the wind off the water turns a flick of a wedge into a genuine test of nerve.
Because it gives up length to the North, the South asks for accuracy over distance. Tee shots must find tighter landing areas, the canyons that cut through the property gather anything loose, and the small, firm greens demand a controlled approach. It is a thinking player's course where position off the tee sets up everything that follows.
The closing holes turn back toward the clubhouse with the sea over your shoulder, and the round leaves a stronger visual memory than almost any resort course in the region. Play it alongside the longer sister course for the full Pelican Hill experience, profiled at our Pelican Hill Ocean North Course page.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course open to all golfers, with priority tee times and preferred rates for guests of The Resort at Pelican Hill |
| Green fee | Roughly $300 to $425 in the 2025 to 2026 peak season, indicative and subject to seasonal change (always confirm before booking) |
| Booking | Resort guests book the furthest ahead and at the best rates; non guests can reserve tee times in advance, with weekends filling early |
| On the day | Carts with GPS are standard, forecaddies can be arranged, and conditioning and service are at a high resort standard |
| Getting there | In Newport Coast off Coast Highway, about 20 minutes from John Wayne Airport and an hour south of Los Angeles |
| Best months | Year round in a mild coastal climate; spring and autumn offer the clearest, calmest conditions |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from Pelican Hill Golf Club. Rates move with season and demand, so confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The Resort at Pelican Hill sits right on the property, a luxury hotel of bungalows and villas with both ocean courses on the doorstep and the best access to the tee sheet. Newport Beach and Laguna Beach are both a short drive away with a wide range of hotels and dining for travelers who prefer to base in town.
Coastal Orange County pairs beautifully with a wider Southern California golf trip, linking the Pelican Hill courses with the famous San Diego layouts to the south. Build the week around the two ocean courses here and add a clifftop round at Torrey Pines North.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Pelican Hill.
Build a Southern California golf trip
We secure Pelican Hill tee times across both ocean courses, pair them with the best of coastal Southern California, and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Pelican Hill Ocean South Course questions
Who designed the Pelican Hill Ocean South Course?
Tom Fazio designed the Ocean South Course at Pelican Hill Golf Club, which opened in 1991 in Newport Coast, California.
What is the par and length of the Ocean South Course?
The Ocean South Course is a par 70 of about 6,580 yards from the back tees, shorter and more dramatic than the Ocean North, running closer to the cliff edge.
Can the public play the Pelican Hill Ocean South Course?
Yes. Pelican Hill is a public resort course open to all golfers, with priority tee times for guests of The Resort at Pelican Hill.
How much does it cost to play the Ocean South Course?
Peak season green fees ran roughly $300 to $425 in the 2025 to 2026 season, with resort guests receiving preferred rates. Treat this as indicative and always confirm directly before booking.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.