
Ocean North Course
The Resort at Pelican Hill


About this course
Ocean North at The Resort at Pelican Hill, carved into the coastal bluffs of Newport Beach, is where the Pacific Ocean serves as an omnipresent hazard. The course, designed by Tom Fazio, plays longer than it appears, favoring a high ball flight and an ability to judge the ever-shifting sea breezes. Errant shots find barranca or the steep, unforgiving slopes leading down to the shore. The course presents stunning views, a demanding layout, and the constant challenge of negotiating the wind. Ocean North tests every aspect of a golfer's game. The generous fairways lull players into a false sense of security, only to be challenged by the undulating greens, a Fazio signature. Subtle breaks and lightning-fast speeds demand careful study and a delicate touch. The course feels more classic than its modern vintage suggests, a testament to the timeless nature of good design. Beyond the course, Pelican Hill has attracted those who want a Southern California lifestyle with its Mediterranean architecture. It is the kind of place where you can find a member discussing world affairs on the practice green, or a family enjoying the famous weekend brunch. This unique blend of world-class golf and relaxed luxury defines the experience.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- Newport Coast, CA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1993
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Tom Fazio
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,945 yards
- Difficulty
- 78.5/145
- Course Vaults score
- 8.2
Getting there
The journey to The Resort at Pelican Hill begins at John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA), a mere fifteen minutes south along the Pacific Coast Highway, making it one of the most effortless arrivals in American resort golf. Private aviation guests touch down at the same facility, where discreet FBO services transition seamlessly into the coastal approach. The final miles trace the dramatic bluffs above Crystal Cove, where the highway yields to manicured resort gates and a grand Italianate entry that feels less like Southern California and more like a Tuscan villa perched above an impossibly blue sea - an arrival that makes the brevity of the drive feel almost too generous.

FAQ
Common questions about Ocean North at The Resort at Pelican Hill
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Ocean North at The Resort at Pelican Hill has a Course Vaults score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 154 logged golfers.
Ocean North was designed by Tom Fazio.
Yes. Ocean North at The Resort at Pelican Hill is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Ocean North is 71.
Ocean North plays 6,945 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Ocean North is 145.






