Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course (South)

Overview: Perched on the rugged cliffs of La Jolla, California, Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course South is one of the most known public courses in the United States. Designed by William F. Bell and later renovated by Rees Jones, the course features a coastal layout that offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The course is known for its tight fairways, thick rough, and small greens that test even the most skilled golfers.

History: Opened in 1957, the course was built on the site of a former military training camp. Rees Jones remodeled the course in 2001 to prepare it for the 2008 U.S. Open, which was won by Tiger Woods in a historic playoff. The course hosted the U.S. Open again in 2021, won by Jon Rahm.

Did You Know? The course is named after the Torrey Pine, a rare pine tree that only grows in this specific region of California and on Santa Rosa Island. Several of these unique trees frame the fairways, acting as signature landmarks and natural hazards throughout the round. Because they are protected, players must carefully navigate their shots around their low-hanging branches without damaging them.