Pelican Hill Golf Club (Ocean South course)
6,580 yards
par 70
green fees: $135-$235
877-735-4226
pelicanhill.com
SERVICE
Four pleasant, efficient young staffers greet you as you drive up. One immediately helps with the car, another grabs your clubs and sends you in the right direction. From pro shop to beverage cart, we're talking top-notch treatment.
PACE OF PLAY
Big-ticket green fees keep the crowds away, but the canyons and rough make five-hour rounds the norm. Still, with Pacific Ocean views, rangefinders on the carts and rangers bearing extra divot mix and bottled water, the slow pace is a lot more palatable.
QUALITY
It's classic Tom Fazio, so there's great shaping, especially the bunkers. Some of the tree-lined holes blur together, but the ocean and canyon holes rock. And don't let the short length fool you — a bunch of long par 4s will keep you on the bogey train.
VALUE
Guests at the incredible new hotel pay the same green fees as outsiders: $235. But this includes a forecaddie, perfect weather and back-to-back oceanside par 3s. It's hardly Fazio's most inspired design, but for really special occasions, we'd pay this price.
VERDICT
From the reception you get at check-in to the post-round beverage (complete with ocean views) at the great-looking Pelican Grill, this is top-drawer all the way. Few folks can afford a steady diet of these fees, but for a splurge, this Pelican soars.
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