I played the south course from the tips today. This is the first time playing this course since they reopened. Having played this course numerous times, I was skeptical as to what the forecaddie offe... Continue »

I played the south course from the tips today. This is the first time playing this course since they reopened. Having played this course numerous times, I was skeptical as to what the forecaddie offer.

At the first tee he asked us what tees my friend and I were going to play. I told him the tips. He seemed alittle skeptical on our abilities. Fairways are in excellent shape. Nice bermuda. Greens for the most part were consistent. The only exception was #4. The green had ripples on the surface. Could not get a smooth roll.

As for the forecaddie, I could have done without him. 99% of the time, he did not offer to clean the ball at the green. Pretty much all he did was use the laser to get distances to the pin. He did not know where the pins were located, and forgot to rake the bunkers on a couple occasions. He was a nice guy, but I reluctantly gave him a $25 tip. All in all a great day at Pelican Hill

Played today late afternoon. I love the south course. Faiways were great, greens were healthy but kinda slow. Greens on no 4 and no 6 are not good. Majestic weather and views today. Once again, the se... Continue »

Played today late afternoon. I love the south course. Faiways were great, greens were healthy but kinda slow. Greens on no 4 and no 6 are not good. Majestic weather and views today. Once again, the service stands out here. I think everyone should take advantage of how good of shape the courses are in . Its the best since the reopen without a doubt. I think the south is rated 16th best course in the state and the north is 21st according to golfweek. I can see why. I highly recommend the south or north but the south always has a special place in my heart! It has so much character from the tips!

Played twilight on May 21. First time out here since it re-opened. The changes seemed subtle except for the Bermuda fairways. Overall, I thought the course was in great shape. Some of the tee boxe... Continue »

Played twilight on May 21. First time out here since it re-opened. The changes seemed subtle except for the Bermuda fairways. Overall, I thought the course was in great shape. Some of the tee boxes were not level and the greens were relatively (from what I remember from a few years ago) slow. I was disappointed in the latter but I have to say that the greens looked great and rolled true. They were also soft compared to the firm greens that seem to be in vogue now. They held very well, including from long irons and rescue clubs. The clubhouse is beautiful, the service was great and the new golf carts were interesting. They no longer have GPS; the carts come with a laser "gun" that sights on the flag stick. That was fine, but it would have been nice to know yardage to fairway bunkers and other hazards. Especially on the diabolical 18th hole!

Great track here. Very nice design and at a great place. Driving in the place looks grand. Huge enterance & sign. Driving up, I popped my trunk and got my bag taken out and put on a cart for me. ... Continue »

Great track here. Very nice design and at a great place. Driving in the place looks grand. Huge enterance & sign. Driving up, I popped my trunk and got my bag taken out and put on a cart for me. Parked, walked in, and found my tee time on my cart and was right on time. Carts are nice. Has 2 comfy seats instead of the typical cart bench. Locker rooms are nice and has all amenities. Finished in under 4 1/2 hours at twilight. Many forced carries on the course. Nice stretch of holes right next to the beach, including 2 beautiful par 3's. I loved the course, but am glad I came at twilight. Day rates are too high IMHO for the course. Twilight times change every few months. It is at 3 pm for April, but starts at 3:30 in May. Glad I got out today!

Congratulations to Pelican Hills for winning the GK Best Playing Conditions in Orange County!

When you first drive into the Resort you're greeted by the Romanesque 'Aqueduct' and the anticipation b... Continue »

Congratulations to Pelican Hills for winning the GK Best Playing Conditions in Orange County!

When you first drive into the Resort you're greeted by the Romanesque 'Aqueduct' and the anticipation builds from there. The attendants are friendly and very helpful. The pro shop is nothing short of spectacular. You have a choice of self parking or valet.

As you walk outside to the starter desk you're privy to an opulent practice facility complete with colored flags at various distances and elevations. The practice area uses a synthetic surface but feels as close to Bermuda grass without the divots, so much so you can stick a tee into the synthetic turf. There are two practice greens on either side of the practice area.

Spoke to one of the Fore Caddies prior to our tee time and found out a few tips for would-be visitors. Fore Caddies will spot the ball, help read greens, locate errant shots, fix divots and generally help maintain the course so that the golfing experience can be best savored by their guests. They are not required but a great benefit to have for first time and repeat visitors. Recommended tip is $20+ per player. They are an invaluable resource and should be tipped accordingly. From what I saw of the group ahead and behind us, the Fore Caddies really earn their tips.

The course conditions were spectacular. Drive up to the first tee box and there is an additional putting green. These greens here best show what to expect on the golf course. Great time to check your speed and get that pace down. According to the Fore Caddie and starter the greens here usually run around an 11 on the Stimp (That means fast!) Tour pros usually deal with a 10 on the Stimp.

The tee boxes were luxurious. They really take pains to ensure good rotation of tee boxes. All the markers are in plain sight and the signage is very obvious and helpful. The fairways were a bit dormant but very playable. Come May, I figure it will be nothing short of spectacular. That is not to say that it wasn't spectacular during our round -- it was, but I can only imagine what it will be in the next few months.

The greens roll TRUE. Pick a line and trust your speed because the ball will do exactly what you expect it to do. The sand in the bunkers was fluffy and well stocked.

One thing I did notice about the course and this echos what the GM Steve said, both courses are very fair. Good shots are rewarded. Spray a shot and suffer the consequences. Play smart, trust your swing and you will be rewarded.

I have been lucky enough to play at Pebble and Spanish Hills and those are two fine tracts, but after playing here at Pelican I can say in my humble opinion that this resort really takes customer service to a new level. Course conditions, facilities, customer service are equal if not better here. If you have the opportunity to play Pelican, do it without hesitation. It will be an experience you will not soon forget, and perhaps want to repeat.

played South course in January 2009.

Greens hard to read, firm but receptive, and very quick.
The first 4 holes seem a little cramped (maybe due to bad tee shots).

Overall, course in immaculat... Continue »

played South course in January 2009.

Greens hard to read, firm but receptive, and very quick.
The first 4 holes seem a little cramped (maybe due to bad tee shots).

Overall, course in immaculate condition and a lot of fun.

First-time players are required to have a forecaddie, who was invaluable, particularly in reading break on greens.

You can't go wrong with either of the Pelican Hill layouts. Undeservedly, the stepchild of the Pelican Hill courses, the South is almost as challenging, has many great shot values and has better view... Continue »

You can't go wrong with either of the Pelican Hill layouts. Undeservedly, the stepchild of the Pelican Hill courses, the South is almost as challenging, has many great shot values and has better views than the North. I don't believe it plays as long as the North and there may be more encroachment of homes a couple times. Conditions have always been superb the times I've played and have always enjoyed making my way around the South Course. Love the oceanside back to back par threes.

Played last week and had a blast. Golf course was in good shape. Tees, fairways and greens were very, very good and lush. The rough was very long and nasty, not your typical resort 1 inch rough. It wa... Continue »

Played last week and had a blast. Golf course was in good shape. Tees, fairways and greens were very, very good and lush. The rough was very long and nasty, not your typical resort 1 inch rough. It was playing very difficult. The restoration is very minimal, it's basically the same course as before. On the 2nd hole the bunker on the right side is gone, now it's all grass. The trees lining the whole right side of the fairway were supposed to be removed, giving one an all-ocean view, but the trees are still there so you still cannot see the ocean on this hole. Everything else is pretty much the same. Got an email special here so used it and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Food was good, service was superb. Pelican represents everything I don't like about golf, the snob factor is extremely high here, but if someone wants to clean my shoes, give me a cold hand/face towel after the round, pull out my chair in the bar for me to sit down, I'm not gonna stop 'em.

First class all the way!! I was lucky to get invited to play this weekend, you drive up and three attendants decend on your car, they open your door, the pop your trunk, they take your clubs out, they... Continue »

First class all the way!! I was lucky to get invited to play this weekend, you drive up and three attendants decend on your car, they open your door, the pop your trunk, they take your clubs out, they even had my hats laid out and asked which one i would be wearing that day. Loker room was immaculate showers for after, bathroom attendant the works! Driving range that the ball pyramid going, only draw back was you have to hit off of mats. No GPS but there is a laser range finder that i found very easy to use.

Golf course itself was perfect, tee boxes, faiways, greens were rolling perfectly, my only gripe (and its a small one) is that the bunkers were a little packed in and hard, not what i would expect on this high end of a course. Other than that i would recomment this course to anyone that can afford it. Very nice lay out and the views are second to none...