Greens In Focus: Torrey Pines
- Tiffanie
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
The Greens In Focus series has always been one of my favorite parts of the blog. It’s where history, love of the game, and the artistry of course design come together. To the casual eye, a golf course might just look like a big plot of land covered with Bermuda grass and sprinkled with bunkers. But the truth is, there’s both an art and a science to creating a course that challenges, humbles, and leaves players wanting more.
What makes this entry extra special is that Torrey Pines isn’t just another course I’ve researched—it’s one I get to call home. For the longest time, Torrey was on my “someday" bucket-list. Then I moved to San Diego, discovered the coveted resident card, and suddenly one of golf’s most iconic courses became… well, a quick twilight round. Tee times are still a battle (you’re up against fellow San Diegans and traveling golfers making their pilgrimage here), but there’s nothing quite like snagging a twilight slot for $35 and heading out to La Jolla to walk the same fairways where legends have played.
When people ask what course I usually play, I say Torrey. Every time, I cringe a little. It sounds pretentious even to locals—but it’s true. And honestly? I’m proud to call Torrey my home course.
What’s wild is how much I didn’t know about Torrey until recently. I read a recent article in the latest edition of FORE Magazine that shared its history. Before it was a golf course, it was a World War II Army camp built to defend the West Coast after Pearl Harbor. Later, there were even talks about turning it into a motor racing track. Thankfully, plans shifted, and in 1950 the city hired a California architect to bring the vision of a golf course to life. Both the North and South courses opened in 1957, and the rest is history.
Torrey’s story isn’t just about its design or its views—it’s about history defining moments. Think back to 2008, when Tiger Woods, on a fractured leg and torn ACL, pulled off one of the most iconic U.S. Open wins ever in a sudden-death playoff. Or Jon Rahm’s dramatic 2021 U.S. Open victory, sinking back-to-back birdie putts on 17 and 18 to cement his first major. Every time I walk those same fairways, I can’t help but think about the pressure, the roars of the crowd, and the history embedded into the greens. And of course, there’s the Farmers Insurance Open (formerly known as the Buick Invitational or San Diego Open), an event that kicks off the PGA Tour season and the West Coast Swing. Attending the Farmers has become an annual tradition for me, one I circle on the calendar when the schedule comes out. These moments give each round at Torrey an energy that’s bigger than the scorecard.
And what a history it is. Between the ocean views, the paragliders dotting the skies, and the course layouts themselves, Torrey is a dream. The South Course gets all the championship glory, but don’t sleep on the North—it has its own challenges. What I love most, though, is knowing the course in a way that only comes from playing it over and over. I’ll be the first to admit I’m an average golfer. I can’t read greens like a pro, but I know how Torrey feels.
That doesn’t mean I play it well, although I will say it's become much improved over the last two years. Torrey’s greens consistently rank among the toughest on tour, and I’ve carded more three-putts there than anywhere else (well, except for my most recent round at Maderas). But still, there’s a comfort in stepping up to a tee box and knowing what’s ahead.
Some of my go-to Torrey notes:
On the South Course:
3rd (par 3): after I stare at the view... always my 8-iron. I’m too scared to club up and overshoot sending my ball over the cliff (which won't even happen so one day I'll try it).
4th: no matter how much I aim left, I end up in those right-side bunkers. Every. Single. Time. Ugh and don’t use a 7-iron to get out of those bunkers.
6th (par 5): aim left or find myself snuggled up with a family of bunnies in the ravine. This par 5 is so gettable. It frustrates me I haven’t connected the dots.
8th (par 3): front pin = hard 9-iron, back pin = soft 8-iron. And it’s wide so I have room.
On every par 3s: always club up.
On the North Course:
10th: Try to stripe the tee shot to catch the ridge and a bunch of roll.
12th (par 3): 8-iron, and if the pin’s right, go for it to land on the upper shelf or you have a long way for birdie/par.
15th: (par 3): after I stare at the view lol...just survive it, but usually it’s a 5 or 6 hybrid depending on pin placement and definitely try not to pull it.
16th: dead straight, no room for error, or you’re lost in the trees, or the Pacific.
Little lessons like these make every round more fun. They don’t guarantee a low score (spoiler: I think I've only broken 100 once on either course), but they bring a rhythm and familiarity that keeps me coming back.
At the end of the day, Torrey is more than a golf course. It’s a place where the game meets history, where challenge meets beauty, and where every round is a reminder of why I love this game. Scores aside, the views, the vibes, and the experience are what make it unforgettable.
(I can proudly say I've taken all of these photos. There are plenty more, but these are a few of the highlights... including my bunny friends.)
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