Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course, South Course

$126 (cart included), played on Thursday, January 1970 at 2:30 AM

What can I say that hasn't been said before but, WoW!!! Got the non-local price of $122 $15cart fee and the four (4) of us headed out to play from the Brown tees @ 3,489/3,526yds / 75.0 / 139 on this former U.S. Open course. Looking behind us at the Pro Blacks tees playing 3,803/3,999yds / 78.8 / 148 was insane for us to even try with 180-200yd carries to touch the fairways.

With five (5) tee box choices, you can work your way down to the Yellows at 2,743/2,630yds but you must challenge your true game here not just an easy score. The starter told us that we were lucky as they just started cutting back the rough -but there were still a few Par 3's that were still 4-5 inches like I found on #8. As excepted were the narrow fairways 30-50yds wide that were cut tight like a 6 o'clock shadow. (no fluffing here) Most sand traps were beyond my 200-210yd carry but there was the roll-out factor that didn't help some of us. Sand traps were more like "Power Traps" as roll-ins would settle in and fly in's ....well let's just say "Sunny side up" was waiting for you. Greens were smooth (9-11) with downhill putting almost impossible to stop and sidehill....just plain crazy.

One of the holes that stands out for me is #3 playing a 159yd downhill towards the light ocean breeze...or so I thought. Eric (local 25-year-old) said, play it 2 clubs longer than normal flat distance, he was right. The breeze coming up from the backside shuts down the distance in a hurry. ( notice the hang gliders...dud) The photo above I believe is of #12 and the shortest Par 5 at 458yds, but watch that crosswind as it's deadly. That #13 Par 5 at 539yds is an elevated green that rejects short shots to the 100yd marker as one of us found out....twice. I'd like to talk about each hole, but just saying, "You have to play it for yourself", is saying it all.

To play were the greatest players have played, is enough to step up and challenge yourself on one of America's greatest courses. The U.S. Open is here again in 2021 and I'll have my scorecard/yardage book while watching from the cheap seats. I ended up shooting 43/44 w/35putts and hit more 3/5 wood second shots than I've ever hit anywhere. My photographer girlfriend took some of the greatest photos on a golf course that I've ever seen.

(cart not included), played on Sunday, August 2015 at 2:00 PM

Great views of the Pacific. Hard course in the wind. Long at 6700 yards from the white tees...at sea level.

$41 (cart not included), played on Tuesday, June 2015 at 9:18 AM

Long holes, wide fairways, very tough in the rough, consistent greens, (balls tend to break toward the ocean). West side of course borders the Pacific Ocean, very scenic. The North course is shorter and more scenic, but the greens are better on the South course. Somewhat expensive for non-residents but good price for residents based on other courses in the area. Bring your "A" . Golf carts an additional $40.

$66 (cart not included), played on Friday, July 2013 at noon

As a local we play it at a reduced price. As a tourist it is very expensive but you should play it as the experience is terrific. The quality of the course and the views are tremendous. Expect to shoot 10 over (or more) than your usual score. They are not kidding on TV, this is a tough course even from the right tees. If you are an average golfer do not get suckered into even playing the white tees. Move up to the greens. The rough and greens will pound your ego. I enjoy it every time.

$201 (cart not included), played on Friday, April 2013 at 6am

Standby system worked very well. Arrived about 7:20 a.m. And was off by 8:00 a.m. As a twosome!

$251 (cart not included), played on Saturday, December 2011 at 10am

The whole ambiance is incredible. The greens were very difficult to read for a first time player but consistent.

$41 (cart not included), played on Thursday, January 2011 at 8am

As a club member, we play often. The difficulty does vary with the tournament schedule and the time of year. Spring and Fall are best for tourists. When rough is uncut, a very difficult challenge awaits the casual player, but the views allow for a soothing relief. Torrey offers a very typical San Diego experience as locals and tourists can enjoy the often spectacular weather and views most of the year! Roughs and greens can be a challenge when tournament ready for any golfer as scores seldom range beyond single digits under par.

$126 (cart included), played on Saturday, July 2011 at noon

No matter what Torrey Pines is too expensive and I rank it very low on the "value for the price paid." What's more disappointing is the City of San Diego allows the commercial brokers to profit from these expensive green fees. This revenue should be going to Torrey Pines and the City of San Diego.

$251 (cart included), played on Saturday, June 2011 at 10am

The South Course was great and great fun. Very fair if you put it where you should. Conditions were wonderful even though it was the "June Gloom". Pace was suprisingly good. A great price value for locals but pretty pricey for us tourists. Pro shop staff was disconected, going through the motions but the starter & cart staff were EXCELLENT. Stayed at the Logde which added to the experience. Should have stayed an extra day and played the North Course. Next time!

$101 (cart not included), played on Wednesday, May 2011 at 4pm

Beautiful.

$251 (cart included), played on Saturday, October 2009 at 8am

Second time this year and still tough. Greens are perfect, yet I 4 putted twice. Long course, rough a little lower than usual at 3" so still a challenge. Biggest problem is it is a muny, so be sure you have a 4some or you may be paired with hackers. CPO after overseed makes it even harder...walk. Make the trip perfect by staying on campus at the Lodge. Pricey on weekend with hotel guaranteed tee time. "I'll be back."

$176 (cart included), played on Thursday, March 2006 at 8am

Views were incredible. Rough was impossible. Everyone has got to play it twice. Greens were punched in mid march, still a little holy (pun intended).

$151 (cart included), played on Tuesday, December 2008 at 10am

Very beautiful scenery and worth doing ONCE if you are not a resident or rich.

My main complaint was that the course is being set up for the Buick Invitational in February and it is much too difficult to play for most amateurs. The rough was so high that any ball off the fairway was usually lost. That took a lot of the fun out of it(even the pros would have problems if they did not have thousands of people and professional caddies to find wayward balls for them). If you did find the ball you were swinging in grass 4"+. Also because of the tournament it was cart path only.

The greens are challenging since they are so different than the ones we play in Texas. BIG breaks and very fast. However, they are fairly bumpy which surprised me. I played with some local guys that were cursing the course because of the set-up.

If you are going to play there and you are not almost a scratch golfer, be sure to check that there is no tournament scheduled any time soon. The tournament set-up is too challenging for a teen + handicap. All that said, I am very happy I got to play there and did really enjoy the beauty of the course.

Do Not Recall (cart included), played on Sunday, August 2006 at 10am

I'm not sure I'm as impressed by this course as others are. The holes that run along the ocean are great, the ones back toward the clubhouse average. For the money, it's just too much for a non-resident to make it worth it when there are so many other good courses in San Diego.

$46 (cart not included), played on Monday, June 2008 at noon

I am a San Diego city resident so, of course, the price was great! The course conditions are in US Open condition...incredible.

$151 (cart not included), played on Thursday, October 2007 at 10am

I'd recommend this course, but feel it's too much $$ - especially since locals pay a lot less...