Pelican Hill Ocean South
Tom Fazio shaped two courses into the Newport Coast bluffs above the Pacific, and the Ocean South is the more intimate of the pair. A par 70 of about 6,580 yards, it runs out toward the water and down to the sand, with holes 11 to 13 played along the beach itself, framed by ocean horizon and Catalina Island beyond.
Photo: Pelican Hill Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Tom Fazio opened the two Ocean courses at Pelican Hill in 1991, carved into the coastal hills of Newport Coast in Orange County. The Ocean South is the shorter and more dramatic of the two, a par 70 that gives up length in exchange for some of the most striking ocean golf in southern California, the fairways tumbling toward the water with the Pacific filling the view from almost every tee.
The middle of the round is the reason to come. Holes 11, 12 and 13 drop down to the shoreline and play right along the beach, a stretch as photogenic as anything on the California coast. The greens are large and gently contoured, the conditioning is immaculate, and as a public resort course attached to one of the finest hotels in the state, it is a round any travelling golfer can plan around.
Pelican Hill Ocean South at a glance
- Opened
- 1991
- Designer
- Tom Fazio
- Type
- Clifftop resort
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,580 yds
- Green fee
- Premium
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Pelican Hill Golf Club and leading course databases. The Ocean South was designed by Tom Fazio, opened in 1991, a par 70 of about 6,580 yards. Green fees are premium and vary widely by season, day and demand, with preferred rates for guests of The Resort at Pelican Hill. The fee is indicative, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Ocean South opens through the coastal hills with the Pacific never out of sight, the fairways generous off the tee but the angles into Fazio's greens asking for thought on the approach. At a par 70 it is about precision rather than power, and the prevailing ocean breeze can turn a short hole into a real test.
The heart of the course is the run from the 11th to the 13th, which drops down to the shoreline and plays along the beach, the ocean on one side and the resort on the bluff above. It is the stretch every visitor remembers, and on a clear afternoon, with Catalina on the horizon, there is little finer golf scenery in the state.
The closing holes climb back up through the bluffs to the clubhouse, with the large, true greens rewarding a confident putter. Pelican Hill rewards the player who manages the wind and enjoys the setting, and it gives back a round of pure California coastal golf in impeccable resort condition.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course, open to all; guests of The Resort at Pelican Hill receive preferred tee times and rates |
| Green fee | Premium, varying by season, day and demand; resort guests pay preferential rates (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Best secured with a stay at the resort or well in advance through the golf shop; the course plays year round |
| On the day | Caddie and forecaddie programs available; the coastal breeze builds through the afternoon |
| Getting there | Newport Coast in Orange County, about 20 minutes from John Wayne Airport and an hour from Los Angeles |
| Best months | April to October for the warmest, driest coastal weather, though play continues all year |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with the resort or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is The Resort at Pelican Hill itself, a Forbes rated property of villas and bungalows set in the same coastal hills as the golf, with a celebrated circular pool and dining to match. A stay secures the best tee times across both Ocean courses and turns a round into a polished few days on the Newport Coast.
Newport Beach and Laguna Beach are minutes away for those who want a wider base, with harbour dining, galleries and the southern California beaches on the doorstep. It is an easy region to build a trip around, pairing the Pelican Hill courses with a coastal drive and the wider Orange County and Los Angeles golf scene.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Pelican Hill Ocean South.
Build a California golf trip
We secure the Pelican Hill Ocean South tee times where access allows, pair them with the best of the region 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 questions
Who designed Pelican Hill Ocean South and when did it open?
The Ocean South course was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1991, one of two Ocean courses he routed into the Newport Coast bluffs above the Pacific.
What is the par and length of the Ocean South?
The Ocean South is a par 70 of about 6,580 yards, the shorter and more dramatic of the two Pelican Hill courses, with several holes played along the shoreline.
How much does it cost to play Pelican Hill?
Pelican Hill carries a premium resort green fee that varies by season, day and demand, with preferred rates for resort guests. Prices change often, so always confirm directly before booking.
Can visitors play Pelican Hill Ocean South?
Yes. Pelican Hill is a public resort course open to all, with guests of The Resort at Pelican Hill given priority on the tee sheet and preferential rates.
Related
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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.