What is it?:

For local golfers, Torrey Pines Golf Course is the holy grail of public courses. Renowned for its championship play and panoramic setting, Torrey Pines is regarded as one of the world?s top golf courses. The complex offers two of the most scenic championship 18-hole golf courses in the world--the North and South courses. Well-known as a PGA Tour stop, Torrey Pines is the tournament site for the annual Buick Invitational .

The South Course, redesigned in 2001 by Rees Jones, was recently chosen to host the 2008 United States Open Championship.

What makes it so special?:

Well, first is its location on the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean just north of La Jolla. It's about as scenic a spot that you can find here in San Diego. Second, it's a municipal golf course operated by the City of San Diego, which means it is the most public of public courses, and green fees are relatively cheap, at least for residents. Third, it has been the host to the PGA Tour for 40 years, so it gets a lot of TV media attention, and thus the demand to play it is even greater.

Is there an actual Torrey Pine?:

Yep. The course takes its name from the indigenous Torrey Pine which is native to the area and to Santa Rosa Island. The tree is distinguished by having clusters of five pine needles. So, essentially, the golf course (and the adjacent State Reserve) is the only place in the world you can see this tree, making the course that much more unique.

So, there are actually two courses at Torrey Pines?:

Yes, the Torrey Pines golf complex is comprised of two courses, aptly named the North and South. Both are picturesque layouts - the North Course's 6th hole is the signature hole often seen on posters. It is also the easier course. The South Course, on the other hand, is a monstrous and unforgving layout. But, to me, it has more stunning ocean views than the North. Ask a golfer which one they favor and you'll likely get different answers.

Who designed the golf courses?:

Torrey Pines opened in 1957 and was designed by legendary course architect William P. Bell and completed by his son, William F. Bell. In 2001, celebrated golf course designer Rees Jones was given the task of remodeling the South Course, an endeavor that has been met with almost universal acclaim.

Which is the better course, North or South?:

Both courses test a player's skill with rough, lush fairways, as well as trees, bunkers, sand and often challenging weather conditions. On the South Course, there are seven holes with direct views of the Pacific, a hundred yards below the links, and several more with views of a huge natural canyon with the nearby mountains almost always in the background. The North Course offers several holes that are situated high atop the bluffs overlooking the coastline.

Which course is the best to play?:

Well, everyone wants to play the South Course because they see it on TV during the Buick Invitational and who wouldn't want a chance to play on the same course that Tiger Woods wins on? But the South is a beast of over 7,500 yards and is honestly too difficult for most golfers but low handicappers. The North is easier (but not easy), and it's also less expensive to play. But you have to play the South Course at least once if you have the chance. But I don't really enjoy playing it - it's too hard.

Tiger Woods seems to like Torrey Pines, right?:

True. Tiger has played Torrey Pines ever since his junior golf days while growing up in nearby Orange County. As he recently said, "I've loved playing Torrey Pines since my days in the Junior World...Even though they have redesigned the South Course, it's still a wonderful layout and I always enjoy San Diego." He must like it: he's won the Buick Invitational four times, as of 2006.

Are tee times easy to get?:

Good luck. Since it is in such demand both by locals and tourists, tee times at Torrey Pines aren't easy to come by, but not impossible. If you are a city resident, then you can purchase a resident card ($25) that allows you to call the automated phone reservation system to try and get a time up to a week in advance. Tourists often go through tee time brokers and end up paying a premium for times, much to the consternation of the locals. If all else fails, you can arrive at the course before dawn - regulars are known as the Dawn Patrol - and wait for the first few slots. Or you can take your chances and walk on.

Your Guide's Take:

Address: 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
Green Fees: North Course Weekend: $40 city residents. South Course weekend: $47 city resident (with resident ID card - $25)
Non-resident fees roughly 3 times higher than city rates.

Simply put, if you're a golfer, then Torrey Pines is on your short list of must play golf courses. If you're visiting San Diego, it's the one course you have to play. If you live here, it's the one you try to play every chance you can.

Now, as one who has played both North and South many times, I can say Torrey Pines aren't the best courses in the area. For one, it's a muni tract - so it gets trampled by hundreds of rounds a week. Not good for wear and tear, and if you're a tourist that paid steep fees, you might be taken aback at the conditions. So, in that respect it might be disappointing.

But the fact that it has some breathtaking views and the world's best golfer plays here makes it irresistable. C'mon, you may never get to play Augusta or Pebble Beach, but any schmuck can play Torrey. Now, that's pretty cool.

Just remember, the South Course is one brutal beast, which is why it is hosting the U.S. Open. So, unless you've got your game going, it really won't be an enjoyable round. It is that tough and I'm not kidding. The North Course, which the pros play during the first two rounds of the Buick, is a much more foregiving course. It's still plenty tough, but recreational golfers will enjoy it more.