- Status
- Open
- Access
- Public, Resort
- Location
- Newport Coast, united-states
- Holes
- 18 (Ocean South); 36-hole resort total
- Par
- 70
- Architect
- Tom Fazio; 2026 restoration led by Brian Curley
Pelican Hill’s Ocean South Course reopened on May 18, 2026 after a restoration led by Brian Curley, while the resort said the Ocean North phase was anticipated for fall 2026. This profile focuses on the completed South Course and clearly labels the North timeline as an official expectation, not a guaranteed date.
Quick answer
For a 2026 California golf trip, Pelican Hill is notable because the resort refreshed a public-access, oceanfront 36-hole facility without discarding Tom Fazio’s original identity. The South Course work concentrated on bunkers, tees, green shapes, sight lines, paths and irrigation. It reopened before the North phase was due to finish.
- South status: reopened May 18, 2026.
- North status: completion was anticipated for fall 2026; confirm before booking.
- South format: 18 holes, par 70, 6,580 yards from the published back tees.
- Original architect: Tom Fazio.
- Restoration lead: Brian Curley.
- Access: resort and limited general-public tee times by advance reservation.
What changed on Ocean South
The resort says every tee box was stripped, leveled and resodded, with selected areas expanded and new tees added. Greens were returned toward their original shapes after gradual shrinkage. Bunkers were rebuilt, drop areas and surrounds were renovated, and fairway and rough lines were adjusted.
Holes 11 through 14 received a seaside-inspired bunker treatment intended to connect the visual character more strongly to the nearby coast. Tree and landscape work reopened sight lines and supported turf health. More than a mile of concrete cart paths was repaired or widened, restroom facilities were refreshed, and more than 2,000 fairway sprinkler heads were raised. Those details suggest the project addressed both presentation and daily operations.
Course character and strategy
The official South Course page lists a par of 70 and 6,580 yards. The scorecard shows several meaningful tee options, so the layout should not be judged by the back-tee number alone. Coastal wind and elevation can change effective yardage, especially on exposed par threes.
The most recognizable section includes the short par-three 13th with two separate greens. Players need to confirm which green is in use and use the corresponding yardage. The par-three 16th plays toward an exposed infinity-edge setting, where wind and lack of tree cover can make club selection more important than the card number. On a resort course with dramatic scenery, maintaining a consistent pre-shot routine is a practical advantage.
Who it is for
Ocean South is best suited to golfers planning a premium Southern California resort round, groups with mixed handicaps who can use multiple tees, and travelers who value scenery alongside documented design work. Price-sensitive golfers should compare the live rate with other public courses before committing; rates and availability vary, and this profile deliberately does not publish a stale price.
Players who prefer walking should confirm current policies. The golf fee includes a GPS-equipped cart according to the resort overview, but operating arrangements can change during maintenance or special events.
Booking and trip planning
The club says reservations are required. General-public tee times may be made 14 days in advance and are limited, while resort guests can arrange times for their stay at booking. Confirm whether the selected time is on South or North, particularly while the two-course restoration sequence is still recent.
- Use the official booking system rather than a third-party snippet.
- Confirm course, date, live price and cancellation terms.
- Select tees using carry distance and wind tolerance.
- Ask about aeration, maintenance and cart-path restrictions.
- Recheck the North Course status if planning a 36-hole visit.
What the 2027 transition means
The resort announced that the broader property is expected to become the first St. Regis Estate in 2027. That is a hospitality-brand transition, not a third golf-course opening. Golfers should separate it from the already completed South restoration and the separately timed North work.
Editorial assessment
The strongest evidence-backed reason to include Pelican Hill in a 2026–2027 guide is the combination of public booking, two established Fazio courses and a documented restoration program. We do not infer playing quality from promotional language. A future first-hand review should test bunker consistency, tee options, pace of play, green firmness and whether the restored sight lines materially improve decision-making.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ocean South open after restoration?
Yes. The resort states that it reopened on May 18, 2026.
Is Ocean North also complete?
The official release anticipated completion in fall 2026. Check the live booking system because anticipated construction dates can move.
Can non-resort guests play?
Yes, subject to limited availability. The club says general-public reservations may be made 14 days in advance.
Does the featured image show the 2026 restoration?
No. It is a licensed 2012 location photograph used to identify Pelican Hill. The 2026 changes are supported by the resort’s official release, not inferred from the image.
Sources and image rights
Facts were checked against Pelican Hill’s official May 2026 release, golf overview, Ocean South page and official scorecard. Featured image: “Pacific Ocean View Golf Course (8467657288).jpg” by Prayitno, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; the license was verified by Wikimedia’s Flickr review process. No endorsement is implied.
