Who doesn't love the Farmer's Open at the end of January every year? Torrey Pines has played host to this beloved PGA Tour stop, as both fans and players adore the sweeping ocean views, soaring hang-gliders, and challenging playing conditions. The USGA has hand picked Torrey Pines as one of a select few municipal courses its chosen to highlight as stops for its championships, as it's hosted the famed 2008 US Open (won by Tiger Woods in a playoff with a torn ACL) and most recently the 2021 US Open (won by John Rahm with a clutch 30ft putt made on #17).
But, the lore of Torrey Pines (South) far outshines the architecture on display over 18 holes. Torrey leverages its course conditions as its hallmark feature, with rough routinely so thick that resort guests can lose their ball with a miss less than 5yds off the fairway. This thick rough, combined with deceptively small greens and a 7000+ yard course length creates for one of the toughest challenges in golf. When these conditions get ramped up for tournament play, with course length over 7800 yards, rough over 5' thick, and green speeds of 12+, its no wonder why Torrey Pines (South) is a favorite to decide some of the world's most prestigious tournaments.
Yet, after spending a significant time playing Torrey, it's clear that this course is buoyed by its tournament lore and wonderful site perched atop the cliffs of La Jolla. Put more simply, if Torrey never hosted a US Open or PGA Tour event, and was transplanted to a site in nearby El Cajon, it would be no more than a high-quality municipal golf course. This sounds blasphemous...but hear me out.
Many holes at Torrey Pines have little to no variance between them. Holes #9 & #10 feature the same architecture, with a bunker on the right challenging the tee shot and OB on the left with the Torrey Pines hotel. The only difference is hole #9 requires a longer second shot into the green. The same goes with holes #2 and #5, as both holes are a slight dogleg right with a large fairway bunker on the left, requiring a short iron shot into a small, bunker protected green. With the holes laid out directly next to each other, they are barely discernable with the naked eye.
The most scenic holes at Torrey Pines South are also so challenging that they are lost on anyone other than the lowest of handicappers, even from more accessible tees. #3 requires a minimum 100yd carry to reach the green, #4 plays as a 3 shot hole for anyone who can't drive the ball more than 250 yards, which is the same story on #12. #15 is the only hole on the course that plays to an ocean backdrop that could be reasonably birdied by a good golfer, and this is only if the pin is in a front location.
Obviously, the golf shot(s) required on a hole won't stop a great picture from happening, or someone enjoying the challenge of tackling a tough shot in a dramatic location. But, the world's best courses are able to contrast some of this challenge with more accessible holes that feature the same sweeping views while providing golfers with the potential thrill of a birdie, or better (see #7 at Pebble Beach, #15 at Cypress Point, #11 at Pacific Dunes, #16 at Chambers Bay).
This is the fatal flaw of Torrey Pines (South). By the end of the round, most golfers are so bruised and battered that they are unable to find joy in the surrounding scenery, like an Ironman triathlete finishing their race with no recollection of the Hawaiian flora and fauna they just traversed through. Combine this with greens fees for guests that are upwards of $250 USD, it's hard to see the value in playing the South course more than once.
Don't get me wrong. Torrey Pines provides some of the best scenery you can experience on a golf course alongside tour-quality conditioning, and it's an absolute must-play for anyone visiting San Diego. But, don't expect to be blown away with course design that thrills like many of its California oceanside brethren.
SURFRIDGE SCORE: 7.2